The new episode of PMICast is now finally available for download on iTunes/your favourite pod- catching app or to stream on-line at www.pmicast.podbean.com .
The theme of the podcast is to tie it in a little more to this blog so some of the issues I raise in my post yesterday on pancreatic cancer are covered in more detail in the 'cast too.
Please download the podcast and tell your friends and colleagues if you find the content of use.
If you'd like to contact me about the cast please feel free to leave feedback here or e-mail on pmicast@gmail.com.
Thanks !!!
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
1st Dan Grading
For those who regularly follow this blog and my twitter account (@localventure1) you'll know that I am a keen martial artist.
I am a 2nd dan black belt in a Wado Ryu based style called Tai Sabaki Do (the way of the avoiding body) having trained in that style from 1980. Then in 2010 I started a new karate style at a club in Leeds practicing Shukokai karate and have trained there twice a week since then. I took and passed my Sho dan (1st dan) black belt grading before Christmas last year bur received my certificate last week and wanted to share this with my readers.
Here's the picture :
I am a 2nd dan black belt in a Wado Ryu based style called Tai Sabaki Do (the way of the avoiding body) having trained in that style from 1980. Then in 2010 I started a new karate style at a club in Leeds practicing Shukokai karate and have trained there twice a week since then. I took and passed my Sho dan (1st dan) black belt grading before Christmas last year bur received my certificate last week and wanted to share this with my readers.
Here's the picture :
Is one type of cancer worse than any other ?
Last week there was a brief contretemps in the national press both newspaper and television, regarding the advert created by Pancreatic Action to highlight their charity and goals.
Can I suggest that you watch the advert (follow this link).
Te basic premise in the advert campaign is to raise the issue of the severity and poor survival rates for pancreatic cancer and uses the conceit of pancreatic cancer patients 'wishing' that they had other forms of cancer such as breast cancer or testicular cancer.
The outcry seems to have been broadly caused by this comparison with the press seeming to imply that it is unfair to compare and in some way this belittles or offends other cancer survivors or patients.
I personally had the misfortune of watching the inept presenters on DayBreak (ITV's breakfast, and I use the term here in its loosest possible sense, 'News' program) last Thursday morning interviewing a representative from the cancer charity under discussion and asking her had she thought of the feelings of people with other forms of cancer ? The two presenters actually made a senior representative of a cancer charity justify raising the profile of her condition/charity on national TV and I for one found it uncomfortable viewing.
This negative attitude is to miss the point absolutely. The premise of the advert is that pancreatic cancer is different to other cancers, not better or worse necessarily, but rather different in terms of survivability and so those diagnosed with it really might wish they had received a different diagnosis/prognosis that you or I, as healthy individuals might still find devastating. It is not only fair to compare and contrast differing clinical outcomes but vital. This is how progress is made and research is moved forwards.
Of the 22 most common cancers in the UK pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rates and less than 1% of UK research money goes to this type of cancer.
There is an interesting table on this website showing the diagnosis rates and deaths from common cancers in the USA in 2013. Interestingly, of the 12 cancers shown, pancreatic cancer has the lowest number of diagnoses at 45,220 but the third highest mortality rate at 38,460. Only breast and lung cancer cause more deaths but both have more than 200,000 new cases each each year.
So maybe it would be better to get lung cancer than pancreatic cancer ?
No one wants anyone to get any kind of cancer, that is a given. Unfortunately it is also a fact of human existence is that these cancer do exist. So my view would be that the people, mainly the press, who are detractors of this advert should, politely, get the hell over themselves. The ad and the sentiment it expresses is in my opinion valid and more than achieves its goal - which is to begin a discussion of this vitally important subject. Even if the smaller minded cannot understand the more subtle nuance of the campaign.
Can I suggest that you watch the advert (follow this link).
Te basic premise in the advert campaign is to raise the issue of the severity and poor survival rates for pancreatic cancer and uses the conceit of pancreatic cancer patients 'wishing' that they had other forms of cancer such as breast cancer or testicular cancer.
The outcry seems to have been broadly caused by this comparison with the press seeming to imply that it is unfair to compare and in some way this belittles or offends other cancer survivors or patients.
I personally had the misfortune of watching the inept presenters on DayBreak (ITV's breakfast, and I use the term here in its loosest possible sense, 'News' program) last Thursday morning interviewing a representative from the cancer charity under discussion and asking her had she thought of the feelings of people with other forms of cancer ? The two presenters actually made a senior representative of a cancer charity justify raising the profile of her condition/charity on national TV and I for one found it uncomfortable viewing.
This negative attitude is to miss the point absolutely. The premise of the advert is that pancreatic cancer is different to other cancers, not better or worse necessarily, but rather different in terms of survivability and so those diagnosed with it really might wish they had received a different diagnosis/prognosis that you or I, as healthy individuals might still find devastating. It is not only fair to compare and contrast differing clinical outcomes but vital. This is how progress is made and research is moved forwards.
Of the 22 most common cancers in the UK pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rates and less than 1% of UK research money goes to this type of cancer.
There is an interesting table on this website showing the diagnosis rates and deaths from common cancers in the USA in 2013. Interestingly, of the 12 cancers shown, pancreatic cancer has the lowest number of diagnoses at 45,220 but the third highest mortality rate at 38,460. Only breast and lung cancer cause more deaths but both have more than 200,000 new cases each each year.
So maybe it would be better to get lung cancer than pancreatic cancer ?
No one wants anyone to get any kind of cancer, that is a given. Unfortunately it is also a fact of human existence is that these cancer do exist. So my view would be that the people, mainly the press, who are detractors of this advert should, politely, get the hell over themselves. The ad and the sentiment it expresses is in my opinion valid and more than achieves its goal - which is to begin a discussion of this vitally important subject. Even if the smaller minded cannot understand the more subtle nuance of the campaign.
Thursday, 6 February 2014
When is the best time to focus on your marketing ?
Well that's finished for another day - my on-going, unrelenting marketing push in 2014 continues and it is good.
One of the questions I considered during the Festive break was how to enhance what I do in my marketing and one of things I thought about was when was the time to really double down on the marketing. My usual pattern has been to market, acquire new clients and then as I become busy with those new clients to ease up on the marketing until things quieten down again. Therein lies the problem. I've been suffering a kind of feast and then famine cycle that has proven difficult to break and or work around.
The solution then, which seems blindingly simple is to keep up the pressure on myself to market harder when I'm busy with a view to ensuring it is always a feast period, even if it means working long into the evening hours.
So the question, when is the best time to focus on more marketing - the answer is I think if all the time, if you're quiet, obviously you need to market to acquire new clients but if you're busy, more marketing means more clients, more success and you're building a better, stronger business.
So market until the only problem you have is to cope with the extra money you're making !
One of the questions I considered during the Festive break was how to enhance what I do in my marketing and one of things I thought about was when was the time to really double down on the marketing. My usual pattern has been to market, acquire new clients and then as I become busy with those new clients to ease up on the marketing until things quieten down again. Therein lies the problem. I've been suffering a kind of feast and then famine cycle that has proven difficult to break and or work around.
The solution then, which seems blindingly simple is to keep up the pressure on myself to market harder when I'm busy with a view to ensuring it is always a feast period, even if it means working long into the evening hours.
So the question, when is the best time to focus on more marketing - the answer is I think if all the time, if you're quiet, obviously you need to market to acquire new clients but if you're busy, more marketing means more clients, more success and you're building a better, stronger business.
So market until the only problem you have is to cope with the extra money you're making !
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Apologies !!!
I am really letting the side down at the moment with regards to social media and the blog/podcast.
I am just really so busy that I'm not getting time to do the regular updates I would like and am taking this opportunity to apologise most profusely.
The next episode of PMICast is prepped and ready to record I just need to sit down and do it - although downloads of the older episodes is holding strong at around 4,000 per month which is great given my increasingly irregular recording schedule. The podcast will be continuing with a format that hopefully will interest some new listeners too - bear with me.
I am just really so busy that I'm not getting time to do the regular updates I would like and am taking this opportunity to apologise most profusely.
The next episode of PMICast is prepped and ready to record I just need to sit down and do it - although downloads of the older episodes is holding strong at around 4,000 per month which is great given my increasingly irregular recording schedule. The podcast will be continuing with a format that hopefully will interest some new listeners too - bear with me.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Need help with personal or group private medical insurance
My main 'day job' is as a an adviser on private medical insurance - I look after both individual and corporate clients in the UK and also internationally.
If you would like assistance either with new cover or if you need a review of your current plans (where I may be able to save you money or enhance/update your benefits) please do feel free to let me know. I am authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority via my compliance provider : Premier Choice Healthcare.
I've worked in this sector since 1994 and work regularly with dozens of professional introducers as well as my hundreds of clients.
You can find out more about me at : Phil Knight business web page
If you would like assistance either with new cover or if you need a review of your current plans (where I may be able to save you money or enhance/update your benefits) please do feel free to let me know. I am authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority via my compliance provider : Premier Choice Healthcare.
I've worked in this sector since 1994 and work regularly with dozens of professional introducers as well as my hundreds of clients.
You can find out more about me at : Phil Knight business web page
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Interested in learning karate in Leeds, West Yorkshire
If you're interested in learning karate in a fun but structured environment (proper, old style martial arts) then please come along to our club : -
Leeds Premier Karate at Westfield Junior School in Yeadon, Leeds LS19.
Beginners class is on a Monday and Wednesday from 6.00pm to 6.30pm and suits all ages from 5 to 75.
You can find more details on the copy of our mailer I've uploaded below but please feel free to e-mail me at pmicast@gmail.com or call on : 07792 075748.
I'm one of the black belts at the club working with Sensei Tattersall and I'm currently teaching the beginners class so I can answer any questions you might have.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Phil
Leeds Premier Karate at Westfield Junior School in Yeadon, Leeds LS19.
Beginners class is on a Monday and Wednesday from 6.00pm to 6.30pm and suits all ages from 5 to 75.
You can find more details on the copy of our mailer I've uploaded below but please feel free to e-mail me at pmicast@gmail.com or call on : 07792 075748.
I'm one of the black belts at the club working with Sensei Tattersall and I'm currently teaching the beginners class so I can answer any questions you might have.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Phil
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Welcome to the second year of PMICast
My specialist medical insurance podcast is back today for the first show of 2014.
Todays episode is number 14 from season two and covers off 2013 with a quick retrospective of important issues and things to remember.
Please check it out on iTunes - just search for the podcast name there (or on your podcast catcher). You can also stream from the internet at www.pmicast.podbean.com - remember to catch up on the 30 odd back episodes there too.
_________
Todays episode is number 14 from season two and covers off 2013 with a quick retrospective of important issues and things to remember.
Please check it out on iTunes - just search for the podcast name there (or on your podcast catcher). You can also stream from the internet at www.pmicast.podbean.com - remember to catch up on the 30 odd back episodes there too.
_________
Monday, 13 January 2014
New Year, new blog posts
Well it's back to proper work now in the second full week of January. The first week back after the long Christmas and New Year break is, I always think a bit of a false dawn. Every one has to work in early January, all the bank holidays are over until Easter and the boss expects you to be there but everyone resents having to go to work and as such (in my opinion) not much really happens. With that in mind I think that this week is the first proper working week of 2014 now that everybody is easing back into something resembling normality.
So this week I'm back full steam with new marketing plans and longer hours !!!
If you're a new reader of this blog as a result of some of my recent marketing, hi and welcome. I run a specialist medical insurance advisory practice and use this blog, amongst other social media outlets to communicate with clients and others. Over the course of a few weeks you should get a feel for the blog and its purpose. In general I post on business topics Monday to Friday then and at weekends tend to focus on lighter issues.
Also wanted to point out that my medical insurance podcast : PMICast is back, hopefully tomorrow with the next episode of season 2. This one is a retrospective of 2013 to off things in 2014. You can find the podcast on iTunes (Search for 'PMICast') or at www.pimcast.podbean.com - there are around 35 back episodes for you to try out and if you're considering buying medical insurance or have a plan that could do with a review I would encourage you to check out the 'cast.
As an aside I've worked in medical insurance since 1994 and run my own advisory practice since the beginning of 2011.
If you'd like more information please e-mail : philknight@pch.uk.com or leave feedback below.
__________
So this week I'm back full steam with new marketing plans and longer hours !!!
If you're a new reader of this blog as a result of some of my recent marketing, hi and welcome. I run a specialist medical insurance advisory practice and use this blog, amongst other social media outlets to communicate with clients and others. Over the course of a few weeks you should get a feel for the blog and its purpose. In general I post on business topics Monday to Friday then and at weekends tend to focus on lighter issues.
Also wanted to point out that my medical insurance podcast : PMICast is back, hopefully tomorrow with the next episode of season 2. This one is a retrospective of 2013 to off things in 2014. You can find the podcast on iTunes (Search for 'PMICast') or at www.pimcast.podbean.com - there are around 35 back episodes for you to try out and if you're considering buying medical insurance or have a plan that could do with a review I would encourage you to check out the 'cast.
As an aside I've worked in medical insurance since 1994 and run my own advisory practice since the beginning of 2011.
If you'd like more information please e-mail : philknight@pch.uk.com or leave feedback below.
__________
Monday, 6 January 2014
Search for me on google - I'm on page 1
Welcome back to the blog for 2014 - if you're a regular reader thanks for coming back, if you're new WELCOME ! and enjoy the info herein.
The aim of the blog is primarily to sell my business (I own a regulated medical insurance business advising individuals and companies on all aspects of private medical insurance and also a marketing firm working in the private medical space) but I also cover a range of issues including martial arts, SF, podcasting and essentially anything I fancy including. You can find my contacts in the older posts if you care to look but the best way to get hold of me is to :
Call - 07792 075748
E-mail - pmicast@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter - either @localventure1 or @philknightpch
Today I wanted to mention that I found out before Christmas that I appear page one of google for searches relating to sub-contracting medical insurance from IFA's (I have check and this is true depending on the search you input) and I thought it was worth re-iterating here again that I work very closely with a number of IFA and accountant introducers who pass me their clients that need advice on medical insurance and of course share any commission earnings on those cases.
The advantages of working like this are as follows :
1) The introducers client has access to professional, up to date advice on this complex product area
2) The introducers has to do no work in terms of 'learning' how to write medical insurance
3) I receive new clients without having to annoy people by cold calling or direct marketing
In other words the work I perform with introducers is really a 'virtuous circle' for all concerned. It's really great that this information is now finding it's way onto google but the best way of marketing is still I think word of mouth - so if you or a prospective introducer (of any kind) is interested in working with me then please feel free to get in touch.
Incidentally, make sure you check out my medical insurance podcast (PMICast) on iTunes and at www.pmicast.podbean.com - I often cover off issues for introducers and it is a good starting point to find out about my practice.
The aim of the blog is primarily to sell my business (I own a regulated medical insurance business advising individuals and companies on all aspects of private medical insurance and also a marketing firm working in the private medical space) but I also cover a range of issues including martial arts, SF, podcasting and essentially anything I fancy including. You can find my contacts in the older posts if you care to look but the best way to get hold of me is to :
Call - 07792 075748
E-mail - pmicast@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter - either @localventure1 or @philknightpch
Today I wanted to mention that I found out before Christmas that I appear page one of google for searches relating to sub-contracting medical insurance from IFA's (I have check and this is true depending on the search you input) and I thought it was worth re-iterating here again that I work very closely with a number of IFA and accountant introducers who pass me their clients that need advice on medical insurance and of course share any commission earnings on those cases.
The advantages of working like this are as follows :
1) The introducers client has access to professional, up to date advice on this complex product area
2) The introducers has to do no work in terms of 'learning' how to write medical insurance
3) I receive new clients without having to annoy people by cold calling or direct marketing
In other words the work I perform with introducers is really a 'virtuous circle' for all concerned. It's really great that this information is now finding it's way onto google but the best way of marketing is still I think word of mouth - so if you or a prospective introducer (of any kind) is interested in working with me then please feel free to get in touch.
Incidentally, make sure you check out my medical insurance podcast (PMICast) on iTunes and at www.pmicast.podbean.com - I often cover off issues for introducers and it is a good starting point to find out about my practice.
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