October marks nine years for me at Magenta Associates, with five of those as MD. While I’ll save the grand reflections for my decade milestone, I thought I’d share a few insights that have (mostly) kept me sane over the past five years.
5 lessons I’ve learned in my time as MD
1. Whether the glass is half full or half empty, just be thankful you have a glass
There’s a delicate balance between optimism and pessimism in business. You can’t be too optimistic when you’ve got a P&L to manage, but excessive negativity or cynicism only traps you in a cycle of doom and gloom.
I’ve learned it’s far better to lean into hope and leave fear behind, while keeping a healthy dose of pragmatism. Always have a Plan B (and C), but believe in Plan A. Things usually work out, and worrying is just a waste of energy – energy better spent on your next big idea.
2. Stop comparing yourself to others
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no one has all the answers, no matter how much we pretend we do. We’re all just doing our best. So, when you see others posting about how “amazing” everything is for them while your world feels less “jazz hands”, stop scrolling.
My wise mum once told me, “Jo, if you’re not the best right now, it just means it’s someone else’s turn.” So, let them have their moment and focus on your own journey. And if you spot that competitors are copying you, don’t get wound up – take it as a compliment. You’re clearly onto something and who can blame them for wanting a piece of the pie? (Your pie is still better).
3. Kindness isn’t a weakness (credit to Reef)
Letting your guard down and showing vulnerability can feel terrifying, but it often leads to deeper, more genuine connections. Don’t be afraid to confide in others – chances are they’ll appreciate your honesty and might even reciprocate. We’re human first, professionals second. And it’s comforting to know you’re not the only one who occasionally loses your cool amid the chaos.
4. Don’t work yourself into the ground
Working all hours is not a badge of honour; it’s a one-way ticket to burnout. When you’re on your deathbed, you won’t be reminiscing about open rates or sales metrics. You work to live, not the other way around. And if an entrepreneur ever tells you they don’t sleep, they’re probably a vampire – and we all know how that ends.
5. Gut instinct trumps numbers
The right decision often lies somewhere between what the numbers say and what your gut tells you. I love a good P&L as much as the next very dull person, but numbers alone won’t lead to growth or the next big chapter. Add some creativity, imagination, and boldness to the mix. And remember, you can’t put a number on reputation – in the end, it’s your reputation that will see you through.
What’s next for Magenta?
Now that Magenta is an employee-owned business, we’ve all got ‘skin in the game,’ so you can expect even more energy and motivation from the team as we focus on doing great work for businesses making a positive impact. After all, that’s what employee-owned companies are known for. EOTs tend to achieve higher productivity, greater efficiency, and are often more profitable – just look at how they’ve outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index over the last 15 years.
We aim to be change agents, a fortress for talent, and champions of community. With everyone at Magenta now feeling empowered to contribute, I’m even more excited about the next five years and all we’ll learn along the way.
Do you want to join us on our journey? Email me at jo@magentaassociates.co to discuss how we can work together.
