The Creative Pods offer an exciting opportunity for new and established businesses to meet and engage, share ideas and develop both professionally and personally over nine months. The sessions are held at Scarborough’s creative hub, Woodend.

The pod concept was formed in 2009 (with the first group starting in September that year and finishing in May 2010), by the internationally renowned business communications consultants CGA Management.

The aim for each year is to support local and regional entrepeneurs along with established businessmen to set-up and achieve goals that will allow them to expand and develop their respective brands with the help of  CGA, themselves and each other.

Each meeting begins with specific themes so that the pod members can look at their skills and examine their business in a variety of ways within a relaxed environment over the course of three hours and have an open discussion on how to develop specific aspects further.

During their time at the pods, the first group dealt with a variety of topics including personality relating to business, marketing and finance. The goal for the host (CGA Managing Director, Christina Griffiths) during session-time is to deal with the group’s questions and problems as relating to various challenges by using her own experience, management skills, advice (issued by herself and other group members), and even meditation.

The trial pod finished last month and we wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from the first group. Photographer Graham Shackleton took part in the pods to develop his brand and gain more clients. He said: “It certainly benefited me on a personal level and I am incredibly interested in the physcological element of business now as well.”

York-based film-maker Mike Leigh Cooper was able to use the pods to form new relationships. He said: “I am looking forward to working with other group members in the future and getting them involved with my business – the pods have been great for networking.

“The pod has given me renewed belief in myself and what I do. I also believe that the pods can support people and their goals no matter what level they happen to be at in business.”

The group’s leader Christina also reflects positively on the pods and how the concept developed over time. She said: “My intention was that everyone should have the opportunity to raise their game.  At the beginning, the group seemed to want to focus on business growth issues.  Later sessions were much more about personal growth.

“This particular pod has been fabulous, it has been really rewarding seeing  how each person has grown both internally but in real terms too.”

Indeed, the podees have been successful since joining the course, with Scarborough-based businessman Neil Fitzpatrick (of Fitzpatrick Designs) having the desire to increase his fees for work through the confidence he has gained. Also, Mike recently attained a proof of concept grant from his former university to help start-up his business.

For the next pods there will be two groups with a different theme and focus to concentrate on. Christina comments: “We would want each pod to be filled with seven  talented creatives or artists who are keen and ready to develop.  The thinking so far is that one pod will be focused on raising your business game and the other will be focused on raising your personal game.” The group leader concludes that, as part of the next evolution it would be great to launch pods throughout the Yorkshire region and even globally in the future. She says: “If you are committed to your art or your creative business,  feel a genuine desire to grow and move beyond where you are currently and enjoy sharing and working with other like-minded people, then being part of a creative power pod is for you – let’s talk!”

For more information click the links.

Words: Dom Smith / Images: Graham Shackleton