There's an app for that!

Almost everyone reading this blog will know what an 'App' is. If you don't here is a brief outline -

'A self contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially downloaded by a user to a mobile device'

Now i'm no techno-geek but I know what i like when it comes to apps and gadgets. I know how simple they can make your life but what i didn't know was how much work goes in to creating them.

You've probably used the phrase 'There's an app for that' at some point in the last few years. We grab our smart phone and head to the app store (or equivalent) to make our lives easier or more enjoyable. But who are the brains behind these apps? who designs, codes, and brings them to life?

One company I have had the pleasure of coming across is Appware. You can check them out at www.appware.co.uk. The MD, Richard Eaton, is the coolest geek i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He took the time to explain what appware do and how apps work. The guy needs a medal.

So what do Appware do? 
Appware develop smartphone apps, bespoke web apps, SaaS solutions and offer web design. and online / e-marketing. They are certified developers with all the major mobile phone platforms including iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Android, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry, WebOS and Symbian. They provide custom solutions which fit the way you work and pull together all of your existing data and applications. Appware pride themselves in their innovative approach to solving complex and inflexible business issues. Because of their expertise in web development, mobile websites, and mobile apps, they can be your one stop shop and build you a system that allows you to use that same data across all of these platforms. You can check out their blog here.

Appware are currently based in Leeds but they have BIG news. As of 01/05/14, yes that's tomorrow, they will also be launching their office in LONDON! How great is that? its fantastic to see a local business spreading its wings over the nation.

If you are considering having an app built I thoroughly recommend talking to Appware. You can contact them in a number of ways -
Leeds     - 0113 397 0401
London   - 0203 637 1192 (from 01/05/14 09:00)
info@appware.co.uk
www.appware.co.uk

Appware have the official MMIH seal of approval.



Hope you all have a great week.

Until next time, keep smiling.
Miss Make It Happen

Dee@MissMakeItHappen.co.uk
www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk
www.twitter.com/MIH_Dee

Do you need to be liked?

It recently come to my attention that I no longer care if people like me. 

There was a time where I'd walk in to a room of people and I felt I needed every one to be my "friend". I was shy and charming in the hope that people would talk to me. I needed to feel accepted. A lot has changed in the last year and now, I couldn't give two hoots if 1 person likes me. 

So what's caused this dramatic change? Me, my self confidence and realising that other people don't define who I am or how I should behave. This change has improved my life to such an extent that I'm now a lot happier. 

No one should feel like they need to fit in. The world is made up of very different people, no two are the same so why should we hide our true identity? We should celebrate our differences.

Growing up I was a shining light. I was the girl with multi-coloured hair, had an opinion on everything and I pushed the limits of society. I had top grades, I was an ambassador of my school and I was part of every sport team going. I had enough friends to start an army and I was happy. Then work and ex boyfriends sucked the life out of me. I was turning in to a "yes girl" and a "wife". I needed to please people. I didn't want to upset anyone. I dressed how I was told, acted like a good little girl and had no opinions. My bosses controlled me, my partners controlled me and I let it happen. 

Fast forward to 2011 and I bought a book. "Get Off Your Arse". It ignited a spark inside me. Something that I hadn't felt in a long long time. The real me was poking her head out again. I loved this feeling, people around me didn't. I ended up turning my life upside down, giving it a good shake and disposing of all the pieces. This included a 6 year relationship. Over the next 2 years I started to find myself and rebuild things. Do you know what happened? After I'd got the negativity, nervous break down and self pity out the way, I blossomed. I lost 3 stone, dyed my hair bright pink / red, started a second company, whilst helping and inspiring others to do the same. 

As Brendan Johnson, of Authentic Spirit (www.authenticspirit.co.uk) said "My AWESOMNESS is not dependent on anyone else's approval or permission. You can catch him on twitter @Rev_BJohnson for more words of wisdom and beardy pictures. He's a legend. 

The moral of this story is - you can only do your best and be the best if you are true to who you are. You are unique so start acting like it. At any given time you are the perfect version of who you are meant to be at that time.... If you are true to yourself. 

Now I'm not telling you all to leave your partners, turn your worlds upside and start partying every weekend. All I'm saying is, you get one chance at this life, spend it being you. The YOU that YOU want to be. If you want to dye your hair green, do it. If you want to wear speedos on the beach, do it. If you want to laugh at inappropriate times, do it. Make yourself happy. The people who matter don't care, The people who care don't matter. 

When you start accepting who the real you is, so will everyone else. If they don't then they don't need to be in your life. BE BRAVE, BE YOU.

Until next time... Keep smiling, you're perfect. 

Miss Make It Happen

www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk

@MIH_Dee

Networking "Friends"

It was recently brought to my attention (by my mum) that it isn't possible for me to have so many "friends". After questioning what she meant it turns out that she believes that the people I meet whilst networking across the UK are not "friends" but acquaintances. 

So I pondered

At first I was a little defensive. Of course these people are my friends. I talk to them regularly, we visit each other and we pass business to each other. Then I got to thinking a little deeper. Was she right?? Was I in fact under the disillusion that these people were in fact my friends? 

Enter my friend of about 15 years. His view is that I have too many people around me. The higher the volume of "friends", the higher the risk of neg heads (I love that phrase) creeping in to the inner circle. Thus, draining my energy and making it harder for me to succeed. He was right. So I removed those people from my circles. New acquaintances, mates, long standing friends from school. GONE. And my life seemed happier over night. 

Back to my mums statement, I started to think about my networking "friends" a little more. Although I still refer to them as friends they now fit in to 4 beautifully titled categories. 

*FRIENDS* - the business contacts who are there for me when things get rough. 24/7. These are the people I'll pick up the phone to at 3am. The "no questions asked" crew.

*MATES* - the ones that are there when things go right then go AWOL when things aren't so great. I'll call these people back when I can. 

*ACQUAINTANCES* - people I've said hi to but not yet formed relationships with. These people will be promoted or relegated in the future.

*KNOB ENDS* - the arseholes you keep close enough just so you can keep an eye on. It's always a good idea to know when you're going to get stabbed in the back. 

So maybe my mum was right. Maybe I don't have as many friends as I thought I did. Don't get me wrong my "inner circle" is packed out with some pretty amazing people. But my networking circles have just become smaller. I like the idea of this. The total number of people is still the same, I've just made lots of little hierarchy type circles now. 

This whole blog has helped me realise who is REALLY important! who should be taking up my time. who I want to help achieve success and who can figure it out on their own. I urge you to do the same. Take time out and pick your way through your friends list on FB, go through the contact list on your phone, block the followers on twitter that make you roll your eyes. Be thorough. Be brutal. I guarantee after the initial shock of "what have I done??" Has worn off, you'll be smiling in a few days. 

You have but one life. Fill it with good things, good people and good thoughts. 

Much Love, until next time.

Miss Make It Happen

X

The Importance of being kind.

It's been a great week at MIH Towers and do you know why? The kindness of people. 

I've had so much help, love and support recently that I wanted this blog to let people know that it hasn't gone unnotice. I'm a massive believer in karma. Business karma, life karma, love karma. You get what you deserve. Put out in to the world what you want to receive. Never underestimate the power of a thank you, a "would you like help", a hug. To you they may seem insignificant but to that person, who may be going through their own hell, it could mean the world. 

People, however strong they think they are, need support sometimes. A cheerful hug I received on Friday meant so much more. It was just a normal friendly hug but to me it was just what I needed at that time. It made me feel safe. Safe is not a place I visit often. I paid that hug forward to my mum the following day. 

I've been on twitter for a couple of years now, I jump from account to account creating tweets, building brands and playing my alter egos. From the MIH account, to my personal account, client accounts... I become a difference person. I'm what the account needs me to be. AND I LOVE IT! 

I slipped up recently, I forgot that everyone hadn't been on twitter for as long as me, they didn't have the large interaction circle, they didn't know the ropes. So when someone said "twitter is sh*t, I don't know why you bother" not only was I shocked, I didn't get it! Then I remembered my first months on twitter. It can be a scary place. 

"Will they mind if I follow them?" "Will they mind if I interrupt the conversation" "who should I follow?" 

The truth is, we're brought up to behave, be quiet, don't interrupt conversations, speak when you're spoken to. Twitter throws all those rules out of the window. You need to be assertive, confident and get your point across. SEND THE PIC OF THE CAT WEARING A BIKINI - Do it, be brave. 

The more you use twitter, the better the experience. Yeah, you'll come across some serious neg heads but that's what is so great about the 'block' button. As a whole, twitter is a great platform for personal and business growth. 

Well I'm keeping it short but sweet this time around...

Do something selfless this week... Be there for someone, even if they don't ask you to be.

Until next time

Much Love

Miss Make It Happen

Twitter - @MIH_Dee

FB - Facebook.com/MIHDee

Web - www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk