We are all inter-dependent on one another and so it’s key to work as a team and get through this together.
As part of our new interview series in which we speak to women leaders about steering their teams and organisations through the coronavirus crisis, Debrett's caught up with shoe designer Nicola Sexton, founder of Nicola Sexton Shoes.
Founded in 2010, the mother-daughter-run brand is supported by an ever expanding list of retailers internationally and is available at selected boutiques across the UK, Ireland and the USA. Nicola was presented with the BFA/FN Platform at Magic Award during her first exhibition in Las Vegas, and has since been selected as a finalist in the Footwear Industry Awards for Designer of The Year 2019 and 2020, and Drapers Footwear Awards 2019.
1. How has your work routine changed since you’ve been working from home?
My work routine usually involves a fair amount of travel, both within the UK and internationally, for trade shows, visiting the stores where my collections are stocked and overseeing production at our factories in Italy. Since lockdown, this has all but ground to a halt, which has faced us with some obvious challenges on the retail and sales fronts, however it has also given me the opportunity to reflect and dedicate my time and thoughts wholly to the design aspect of my next Spring Summer 2021 collection without distractions which I’ve enjoyed very much.
2. What, for you, have been the biggest challenges of working from home?
I have always preferred face-to-face interaction in business. Having been a boutique owner for 10 years, I learned so much from meeting and speaking directly with my customers. So much so that it was through their feedback that I decided to launch a collection under my own name. I miss this human interaction with my customers, who are now the owners and buyers of the boutiques where my collections are stocked. However, I’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for video calls, which are certainly a great way of staying connected with them. On the design front, the travel restrictions have also created a little challenge as I’ve always drawn the key inspiration for my collections each season from my travels as it’s the time that I feel most relaxed and inspired. Fortunately, I have some great memories of trips within the last year to which I’ve turned for the forthcoming season. Also, I had very luckily chosen the fabrics for my next Spring Summer 2021 collection in Italy back in February just before lockdown.
I miss human interaction with my customers, but I've discovered a newfound appreciation for video calls
3. And what are some of the benefits?
Once I settled into the new routine, I’ve definitely felt that it’s been easier to manage my work / life balance during this time. As so much of my time is usually spent travelling around the country or internationally, this period has given me more flexibility to re-address my priorities on all fronts, whilst taking the time to reflect and prepare the next steps of my business so we’re ready to charge ahead full steam once the restrictions ease.
4. How has your team had to adapt to the current situation?
We are a family-run business and so I’m fortunate to work very closely with my daughter Charlie who handles the digital aspects of the business. Therefore in terms of the core team, the current situation has had less of an effect on us compared with the changes in how a multinational company now operates.
5. What changes has your business undergone?
We had to adapt our strategy to focus solely on our online business whilst our retail partners were closed. We’ve also made a concerted effort to support our retailers as best as we can by carrying some of the stock that was initially ordered by them on our online store. It’s been a rewarding time as I’ve personally learned so much about how to pivot plans according to market conditions.
It’s been a rewarding time as I’ve personally learned so much about how to pivot plans according to market conditions.
6. What advice can you share for managing and leading a team during a crisis?
Communication and teamwork are key. As a small business myself, I empathise fully with the issues faced by some of our retailers hence why I’ve tried to support them as best as we can during this time. We are all inter-dependent on one another and so it’s key to work as a team and get through this together.
7. How do you think your industry will change as a result of this situation?
It’s an interesting time for the fashion industry in light of the global impact of this pandemic. The immediate impact through loss of sales has been felt by most brands and has accelerated some much needed conversations within the industry to reset the way in which we operate, namely to align the buying, delivery and discounting schedules with the actual seasons and also to reduce ‘waste’. With the way the industry currently operates, Autumn Winter collections are delivered to stores in July whilst the weather is still warm, and Spring Summer collections in December / January at the height of winter. This in turn exacerbates the need for brands to design big collections to appeal to customers over the seasonal changes, which increases the risk of potential ‘waste’, but to also discount at the peak of each season which again affects margins and subsequently profitability. As widely reported, profitability in retail across the board has been an issue for many years between the rise in costs of maintaining bricks and mortar stores and the change in customers’ shopping habits, so I hope it’s a shift that will be put into effect to ensure the survival of smaller businesses in particular.
8. What is coming up for your business over the next few months?
We are now in the midst of designing the next SS21 collection and wait to see how the industry continues to evolve. Depending on the situation and on the status with international travel, it is more likely that we will be showcasing and selling this next season to our wholesale buyers virtually, instead of at trade shows. We’re also working on some exciting marketing ideas for the current SS20 and forthcoming AW20 collections whilst we all ease back into some sort of normality.
Debrett's readers are entitled to 20% off the Nicola Sexton range at www.nicolasexton.co.uk with the code debretts20. Offer excludes sale items and expires Tuesday 29th June.
Now that we’re allowed to host small groups outside, those of us lucky enough to have a garden will be shaking out our picnic rugs and buffing our barbeque tongs in anticipation of a summer of al fresco entertaining. But a lack of in-person interaction over the last couple of months, combined with evolving guidelines around social distancing, may mean your first foray back into hosting friends is far from relaxing. Here’s our advice for making the most of that long-awaited reunion:
You may be thrilled that the six-person maximum gives you an excuse to see only the people you actually like, but keep that exclusive invitation quiet if you want to avoid causing offence. Resist posting photos of your gathering on Instagram or Facebook – lockdown easing means FOMO is back, and it’s worse than ever.
You’re terrified that your guests might attempt to hug you, while they have no idea whether or not it’s OK to use your loo. There’s plenty to feel awkward about right now, but addressing it from the outset can alleviate the cringe-factor. Greeting your guests with ‘I wish I could give you a hug’ lets them know to keep their distance, while saying ‘Feel free to use the bathroom’ might have seemed ludicrous this time last year, but has become an imperative now.
We get it – it’s been months since you last hosted friends, and it’s tempting to celebrate with a six-course extravaganza and matching wines. But if your culinary tasklist keeps you indoors while your guests are stuck outside, it defeats the point of being able to socialise again. Do as much as possible in advance or keep it simple by offering fresh salads, breads and cheeses (or a few meat and veggie options for the barbeque) to maximise the time you can spend with your guests.
If it’s warm, help your guests to stay the course by providing shady seating where possible. Have sun cream on standby, as well as plenty of water and soft drinks in addition to alcohol. If the forecast is looking cool, suggest people bring extra jumpers and coats for the evening. Without the option to move inside, any rain will inevitably call a halt to your gathering, but having a few umbrellas on standby will mean guests can at least finish their drinks before saying their goodbyes.
The same skills that make a good pitcher tend to make a good communicator: being able to relax in front of an audience and read body language and silent cues to adjust your approach accordingly. But what happens when, instead of being in a boardroom and six feet away from the client, you’re in your own home? Not only are you missing your usual soft skills toolkit, but you now have the added threats of child intrusions, slow internet and interruptions to deal with.
So how do you pitch effectively over a video call? Rupert Wesson, director at Debrett’s, shares his key tips for performing in front of a webcam:
1.) Be succinct: There is no greater compliment to your client than valuing their time. Don’t forget that video calls take longer to cover the same material as a face-to-face conversation. So:
2.) Be interactive: Give the client plenty of airtime. Conversations are harder on a video call and as a result many people deliver a SlideShare monologue instead. This is off-putting and may mean you never truly find out what the buyer really thinks or wants to know. Instead:
3.) Be disciplined:
4.) Be prepared:
It’s a simple toolkit but should stand anyone in good stead until we return to office (and long after that too!)
Job interviews are daunting at the best of times. There’s pressure to build rapport and showcase your skills and achievements (without seeming arrogant), as well as to convey your value to the business and leave a lasting impression. If you are a clear communicator, however, and able to pick up on silent signals and body language, that pressure is lessened.
That’s not so easy with video interviews, when you and your interviewer(s) have to glean what you can from a screen, while also having to contend with possible connectivity issues and delays.
So how do you nail an interview hosted on Zoom? We’ve compiled a few simple tips for success:
1. Pace Yourself and Pause
Interview nerves can make us speak quickly – with lots of 'ums' and 'ers' – or give rambling, unstructured answers. Remember to pause: this will not only allow you to pace yourself and think about your responses, but will also alleviate some anxiety.
Similarly, when the interviewer (seemingly) finishes speaking, err on the side of caution and wait a half-second before starting your reply. This will allow for any delay in the connection, meaning you don't inadvertently interrupt him or her mid-flow.
2. Prepare
It goes without saying that you should prepare for an interview, but having it take place in your own home allows a rare opportunity to refer to your notes! Think about some commonly-asked questions and prepare your responses beforehand – there’s nothing to stop you having flash cards taped to the wall in front of you so that you’re never caught on the back foot. Just remember to keep looking at your interviewer rather than the wall.
3. Do Some Stage Management
Assume that the content of your CV is the only information the interviewer has about you. Just as in a face-to-face setting, turning up carrying a bike helmet lets them know you’re a cyclist, so your background on a video interview provides an insight into your life outside work. There’s no need to replace your ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ sign with one that reads ‘Always Be Closing’, or to have your Suits boxsets proudly on display to show you’re serious about law, but be mindful that these things will be noticed (and tidy up!). Ensure that you have good lighting (avoid sitting in front of a window, which will make you look very dark), and that the camera and mic are working. Finally, play it safe by wearing what you usually would to an interview.
4. Have a good answer to “what have you been up to in lockdown?”
The issue of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and how you’re coping with it, might be raised during some initial small talk rather than as an ‘official’ interview question, but your answer is still important. Be honest: gardening, exercise and looking after your children may seem like run-of-the-mill answers, but lying on the spot about having learnt a language or become an accomplished basket weaver will only come back to haunt you. Remember to mention any additional efforts like volunteering, fundraising or simply helping out your neighbours.
5. Gain an idea of next steps
Try to get an understanding of timelines, processes, or anything that gives you an idea of what to expect going forward. Due to the uncertainty of the world right now, there might be some things out of the interviewer’s hands, so don’t take a ‘we’ll review the position after we’ve seen some more applicants and let you know’ as a negative – just manage your expectations accordingly.
Dan Scothern, Debrett's Senior Business Development Manager
If you’re finding communication a bit challenging at the moment, you're not alone. Between endless Zoom meetings, WhatsApp chats and work emails, there seem to be more ways to talk than ever.
But with so many demands on our time and attention, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether it's a shouty message group you could do without, or yet another virtual social engagement you'd prefer to swerve, we've got some advice for overcoming five communication challenges affecting many of us right now:
1.) The interminable Zoom call
How do you conclude a video call when you clearly have nowhere else to be? Many of us will have been secretly disappointed when Zoom lifted its 40-minute time limit: that five-minute countdown was the ultimate get-out clause.
If you sense it’s time to draw a meeting or chat to a close, the chances are that others do too. In a work scenario, you could offer to send a summary and next steps by email, while thanking others for their time. On a social call, a friendly ‘It’s been so great to catch up’ or ‘Thank you for suggesting a call’ will usually do the trick.
2.) The incessant virtual invitations
It’s bingo with friends one night and a family quiz the next – not to mention that Zoom wedding you’re attending on Saturday. Far from dampening our social lives, lockdown seems to have enhanced them. But if drinks-by-laptop don’t quite cut it for you, or you’re just not feeling that sociable, how can you decline an invitation without offending the organiser?
It’s fine to be honest and say that you’re lying low for a bit but will catch up properly soon. Alternatively, you could invent another engagement – there’s no need to go into specifics (just remember whatever it is you’ve invented, and remember to be ‘unavailable’ when you said you were going to be).
As for virtual weddings, baby showers and birthday parties, you’ll just have to dig deep (and dig out your best outfit) and get involved. Your friends are likely to be disappointed not to be celebrating their special day as planned, so the least you can do is make an effort. That means turning up on time and staying until the end, just as you would in person.
3.) The passive-aggressive work email thread
Many of us are feeling underproductive right now, and when business is slow it’s easy to become defensive or blame others. Email is not the best medium for diplomacy, so if you’re worried that inter-colleague communication is becoming a little prickly, pick up the phone instead. Hearing someone’s voice humanises them, and you’re less likely to be snarky or snide. And guaranteed, you’ll resolve whatever issue you were discussing much more quickly than through endless written back-and-forths.
4.) The neighbourhood WhatsApp group
You don’t need to be reminded that it’s Clap for Carers night again, and you’ve already seen that hilarious TikTok video thank you very much. Nor are you much interested in your neighbours’ online shopping dramas or fruitless searches for flour.
One word: mute. If your WhatsApp groups are filling your phone with unwanted drama, you’re entitled to ignore them. Pressing the ‘mute’ option allows you to take back control – without the controversy-causing act of actually leaving the group.
5.) The radio silence
It’s the email that goes unanswered for several weeks, or the text message left awkwardly hanging without a reply. On the flipside of compulsive over-communicating seems to be a tendency for ignoring contact right now.
Let’s face it, life – and communication – are weird at the moment, and you can’t blame others for dropping the ball occasionally. In a work exchange, someone may have been furloughed without your knowledge, or may be juggling multiple responsibilities from home. Try not to take it personally; instead, leave it a week or so (a couple of days will suffice for a text message) before sending a polite follow-up. If you still don’t hear anything, move on. You can always check in again when all this is over…
Anything to add? Leave a comment below.
Between the ongoing restrictions on our time outdoors, and the need to maintain social distance, your daily exercise or trips to the supermarket might lead you to feel anxious and uncertain. This, in turn, can mean that normal levels of courtesy and consideration are neglected.
So what's the new etiquette for venturing outside? Here’s our advice for keeping calm and courteous, whether you’re shopping, exercising, or out and about in public:
We are living through a time of enormous uncertainty, and nowhere more so than in the world of work. If, like many people, you are physically separated from your colleagues at the moment, maintaining morale and communicating effectively can be a challenge.
But you owe it to them to make this period as productive for the business – and painless for them – as possible. Debrett's Academy director Rupert Wesson shares some advice for leading from a distance:
Working from home means more and more of us are communicating with colleagues and clients via video call.
But what if you have to give a presentation or deliver a webinar on camera? An already daunting prospect becomes even more so when you throw in technical challenges and distance from your audience.
Here, Debrett’s Academy director Rupert Wesson has some advice for maintaining your professionalism when presenting from home, while DOP Jonny Pollard provides guidance on lighting, sound and set-up.
Rupert says:
Jonny says:
From a visual point of view, it’s important to look as professional as you can. Clearly with a tiny in-built camera there is a limit to the quality – it’s never going to look like a studio broadcast – but here are some quick solutions that will vastly improve the on-camera experience:
Read more: Rupert Wesson reveals the golden rule of public speaking.
Suddenly spending a lot of time in video calls? With a quarter of the world now 'in lockdown', the video conference is fast replacing the in-person meeting. And whatever your seniority, the associated technological – and social – challenges are proving be a great leveller. Here's our countdown of the top 10 most awkward things about video calling. Have you experienced any of these over the last couple of weeks?
1.) The pre-chat: when people are slowly joining the call and you’re stuck small-talking with one or two others.
2.) The dodgy Wifi delay: when one participant's screen freezes in a less-than flattering pose.
3.) The shouter: when somebody feels they have to bellow to make themselves heard.
4.) Unwelcome interruptions (from your toddler, cat or spaniel).
5.) Regrettable background noises: the aforementioned toddler repeatedly screaming 'MUMMY!' at the top of their lungs while you're presenting your budget for the next quarter.
6.) The multi-speak: people talking over each other for extended periods before they realise there's someone else speaking at the same time.
7.) The invisible (wo)man: the participant who mysteriously keeps their video turned off, leaving a black square where their face should be.
8.) Weirdly precise meeting start times: when a company profile on Teams or Webex is so overloaded that you can’t get online at popular times, so you have to kick off your meeting at 11.07 instead of 11
9.) The longwinded wrap-up: the challenge of ending a call when you have nowhere else to be. Saying ‘I’ve got to run’ doesn’t really cut it when everyone knows you’re working from home.
10.) The irresistible urge to wave goodbye at the end of the call.
Anything to add? Share your experience in the comments section below.
At an already tense time, sharing a space with others – whether flatmates or family – can become challenging. As the Debrett's team makes the move to remote working, our senior business development manager Dan Scothern shares some thoughts on how to approach staying at home so that your relationships survive and thrive:
1. Respect people’s space – Dominating communal spaces or monopolising particular items (such as the TV or phone) is likely to chip away at any healthy household dynamics. If more than one of you are working from home, it's best to assign individual workspaces and perhaps implement additional measures so that the house can operate as normally as possible.
2. Preserve others' privacy – Extended periods of social interaction (even before social distancing) can be tiring, and as much as it is important to support each other, friends, housemates and partners should still be allowed to have their expected level of privacy and downtime. If your housemate decides to work in their bedroom for a morning instead of sharing the living room with you, it’s (probably) nothing personal – more likely, they’re just taking some time for themselves.
3. Be considerate – For those working from home, consideration could be as simple as making yourself scarce for half and hour while your housemate takes an important video call, or offering to make your partner a cup of tea. It's important to remember compassion too - especially if those you live with are separated from loved ones or feeling anxious.
4. Be understanding – This is uncharted territory for all of us, and there will be times where tensions run high and patience wears thin. Though emotions may be close to the surface, understand that different people will react in different ways, so let minor gripes (like a housemate using the last drop of milk) go. Like all things, “this too shall pass”, and if we’re able to get through this crisis without tearing each others' heads off, our friendships and relationships will be stronger for it.
5. Communicate – Whether it’s a family or a friendship group, the majority of issues can be avoided (or certainly diluted) by simply communicating. That’s not to say that all tact goes out of the window, but bottling up your frustrations will only exacerbate them. Try to avoid being passive and deal with any issues head-on and as they arise, and you should be fine.
