Michelle Raymond serves as the managing director of The People’s Partner, where she wears multiple hats to drive positive change in the corporate sector. As a leadership trainer and coach, she specializes in transformational leadership change, creating and implementing effective leadership strategies that prioritize inclusivity, cultural intelligence, and equity.
Michelle also operates as a visibility strategist and supplier diversity advocate, extending crucial support to small and diverse business owners. Her mission is to guide them through their growth journey, with a special emphasis on bringing visibility to these businesses within the corporate arena.
With a track record as an award-winning entrepreneur and international speaker, Michelle emphasizes the significance of cultivating relationships for success. She advocates for increased visibility and the endorsement of true inclusive leadership qualities and behaviors.
Below are highlights of interview:
Can you please provide a brief overview of your professional background and experience in the industry?
Well, I haven’t had the most straightforward career, and to be honest, I think I was a bit of a slow burner. I started my career in HR and have accumulated more than 25 years in the field. I started as an HR administrator and worked my way up to head of HR at a property company. I loved HR, had a knack for interpreting the law, and specialized in employment law and employee engagement—apparently, I’m good with people! However, I certainly had a knack for teaching and training and wished to develop this further. I explored this further at work and outside of work.
Tell us about The People’s Partner and its mission.
The People’sPartner was born out of a need and desire to serve people at the highest standard without ripping them off. I have had the bad fortune of being around consultants and coaches that prey on the vulnerable and perpetuate their circumstances, playing the guilt trip. I wanted to be a consultant and coach with integrity, so that’s what I embarked on. Our values are focused on transparency, honesty, and trust. If my client doesn’t trust me and them, we cannot work together, and I wouldn’t take their money. I want to know that my team and I can really make a difference in the lives we touch. When you leave my presence, you just feel better than before. That’s the aim, and that’s the mission.
How did you initially get involved in the industry, and what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
I fell into the career of a self-employed business owner after attending an event organized by Wealth Dragons. I was called to the stage and had to talk about this fictitious company that I didn’t have. I’m not sure how I got myself involved in all that, but I was on stage, and rather than lie… I spoke about the need for small businesses to embrace HR. I stayed around for the Q&A session, and when I left the stage, I was bombarded by people asking if I could support their business. That same week I had a dream, almost a vision, and the name that dropped into my spirit was The People’s Partner, because I love to partner up with people. It has been my business name ever since—8 years on. Since then, the business has evolved. I now have a team, a back office, and a bank of associates. We deliver leadership development training with a DEI lens to corporate organizations, legal professionals, and small businesses. I also see myself as a diverse supplier advocate, helping to raise the visibility and market readiness of marginalized, diverse businesses so they are prepared to sell their services and products to corporations. It seems like a long way from where I started in HR, but I still keep one foot within the industry, continuing upskilling so that I can continue to be of service to the community around me.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and adaptability within your organization, considering the rapidly changing landscape of the business industry?
We try to keep up with emerging trends so that we stay current and up to date. My husband, who works for an organization, is very much an integral part of my company. He works in IT and is always the first to relay new changes in business. When AI became a big thing more recently, I wanted the team to embrace it without relying on it. We got stuck in and have found it valuable to our businesses when it comes to writing proposals and pitch documents. There are also some definite changes in behavior impacted by the changes in business. My challenge is: how can I adequately support my team to be the best versions of themselves? How can I ensure they feel needed, included, and happy? It’s all too easy for them to find another place of work that looks shinier and pays more. We are creating a culture that is much more than money; it but about great culture.
What steps do you take to attract and retain top talent in the industry, and how do you encourage professional growth and development within your organization?
We have development days. This could simply be reading a new book, listening to empowerment podcasts, or someone teaching us something new. Also, I like to seek out ways in which we can all upskill, and we put a budget aside for training and development. I cannot operate without a team. I get all consumed with work, so I make sure they are well cared for, and part of that process is developing opportunities, especially as we are a flat company and there are no real prospects of promotion. If they leave The People’s Partner, they’ll know more than when they came to work with us.
As Managing Director of the company, what is your overall vision for the company’s future, and how do you plan to achieve it?
The vision is to raise the visibility of marginalized leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. I’ve always had a heart for people who have been ignored by society. I’m the founder of The Diverse Business Summit, London 2023, and the aim of that event, as an example, is to raise the visibility, market readiness, and social mobility of diverse business owners to help them sell their services and products to corporations.
Minority businesses contributed gross value added (GVA) of at least £74 billion in 2019–20: £47.9 billion in employee compensation, £4.7 billion in corporation-tax payments, and £21.4 billion in post-tax profits—I’m here to amplify this visibility with the help of my company. Part of that vision is to create a global academy to help leaders and small businesses position themselves to make more income and more impact.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders or individuals looking to join the industry?
The industry of leadership and supplier diversity is not for the faint-hearted. You need grit and resilience, especially in the supplier diversity industry, where I have faced push backs.I have been mocked and laughed at, but my vision is strong and undeterred. A true leader will be faced with challenges. Everyone has something to say, but we must practice emotional intelligence and manage our emotions. Sometimes the journey is alone, and although you have many people around you, you have to walk this journey alone. My faith in God has kept me sane. Know what mark you want to leave on this earth. The dash between the day you were born and the day you died means something; it’s up to all of us to determine its significance.
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