We’re living through one of the biggest shifts in business history.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we work. Automation is streamlining processes and technology is doing what it always has done, helping businesses become faster, smarter and more efficient than ever before.
These advances are incredibly exciting, however, I believe there’s something even more valuable that businesses shouldn’t overlook. The human layer.
When I launched Shire & Wold Staffing in January 2022, I did something that surprised a lot of people. I picked up the phone and called my competitors. Why?
Because I’ve always believed you can be competitive whilst also being collaborative.
Some people thought it was a little strange. A few were understandably sceptical. Others couldn’t understand why I would introduce myself to businesses operating in the same space. But I wasn’t looking for competition. I was looking for connection.
Those early conversations became the foundation of trusted relationships. They led to alliances, referrals, shared knowledge and partnerships that continue to benefit everyone involved today.
It taught me something I’ve carried throughout my business journey: relationships create opportunities that competition alone never can.
Seeing the value in communities I believe is imperative to business survival. Investing in relationships is a must.
Communities and partnerships can be built in many ways. It could be as simple as picking up the phone to connect with someone working in the same space or sector as you. It could be building a community in a social media platform like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or a WhatsApp group that has grown day on day, week on week.
For me, I have always felt and continue to back and believe, is that genuine conversation can lead to an opportunity and partnership you did not know existed. This is part of the reason I also launched the Anything But Ordinary podcast back in June 2024.
Yes, it’s a podcast, but for me it’s much more than that. It’s a platform that brings together remarkable people from different industries, backgrounds and experiences. Every guest introduces a new perspective, a new network and often new opportunities, not just for me, but for everyone listening.
The same thinking has inspired the WhatsApp communities we’re building. Communities where people ask questions without hesitation and where recommendations are shared freely. We have communities for PAs, House Managers, Housekeepers, Chefs and Nannies.
As we move further into an era shaped by AI, automation and digital transformation, I believe the businesses that truly flourish won’t simply be those with the best technology. They’ll be the ones that combine technology with humanity.
AI can absolutely help us write faster, analyse data and automate repetitive tasks but it cannot replace empathy or genuine trust. This is the human layer.
