10 Questions with Joe Goddard

In this new monthly blog series, we talk to our staff at Eternal Engagements from all departments and deeply dive into their career highlights, personal inspirations and thoughts about the business, plus a few fun facts!

This month we meet with Joe Goddard, Marketing Coordinator at Eternal Engagements…

First Job?

I worked at Pizza hut whilst studying at college and university. I enjoyed working with my team so much that I stayed for ten years and became the restaurant manager.

How would you introduce yourself in an elevator pitch?

Hi, I am Joe; I have a very creative background; I studied Art and Fashion design which led me to be part of a start-up family business designing men’s underwear and loungewear. We launched an e-commerce platform called AVA-J, leading to my first marketing role. Years later moved on to Sika Everbuild, a building chemicals manufacturer, where I further developed my skills in a large corporate environment.

Biggest Career achievement?

I can think of a few, but if I had to pick, it would be winning two awards, Rising Star at the family business awards in 2017 and Best Men’s face wash at the Shortlist Beauty Awards for AVA-J. As a start-up family business, it was terrific to be recognized.

Nickname? 

Goddard or Joey

What is it about the job that you enjoy?

Being the first person in a marketing role at Eternal Engagements has provided me with a unique and exciting opportunity. I have been able to review the great groundwork that was put in place to get the company started, and build upon and improve it. I have always thrived on being creative and keeping our company’s image fresh and engaging. It’s been an absolute pleasure to build the marketing plans for 2023 from scratch, and I cannot wait to see what we achieve going forward as a team.

Who inspires you?

Comedian Joe Lycett.

Favorite Film?

Sleeping Beauty… It’s just a piece of art from the animation to Tchaikovsky’s music. Just a bit of a geek in general. Anything Marvel and I am happy!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Train driver. I watched a lot of Thomas the tank engine.

First Album?

Crazy Cats by PJ & Duncan Spotify – U Krazy Katz – song and lyrics by PJ & Duncan

What are the company’s most significant challenges, and how do you think we are positioned to meet them?

We have several challenges to tackle in 2023, but the one that stands out to me is increasing our brand exposure and expanding our client base. Fortunately, Amrit and Dean are assembling an exceptional team here at Eternal Engagements, and I have complete confidence that we are up to the task ahead.

Thank you for reading our fourth instalment of the 10 Questions series with Joe Goddard, Marketing Coordinator at Eternal Engagements. We hope you enjoyed getting to know him better and learning more about him career, inspirations, and thoughts about the business. Remember to watch for our next instalment featuring one of our other talented team members. Thank you for supporting Eternal Engagements!

Celebrating Pride in the workplace

June is Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness about their issues. As an inclusive and diverse workplace, it’s vital to support our LGBTQ+ employees and promote a positive and welcoming environment for all. In this blog post, we’ll share 12 tips for celebrating Pride Month in your workplace in June and year-round.

  1. Educate yourself and your colleagues:

Take the time to educate yourself and your colleagues on LGBTQ+ issues, such as the history of Pride Month, the struggles the community has faced, and the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. You can also invite speakers from LGBTQ+ organizations such as Stonewall to share their experiences and insights.

  1. Host an inclusion workshop:

Look at hosting a workshop for your company and include user-generated videos for the diversity of your LGBTQ+ employees or customers saying what Pride means to them – if they’re comfortable with it.

  1. Encourage employees to share their pronouns:

Create a safe space where employees can feel comfortable sharing their pronouns and encourage their use in email signatures, introductions, and other company communications.

  1. Show your support:

Display Pride flags, banners, and other decorations around the office; promote Pride Zoom or Teams backgrounds. You can also encourage your employees to wear rainbow colours or other LGBTQ+ symbols to show their support.

  1. Donate to an LGBTQ+ charity:

There are still a lot of LGBTQ+ causes that need support, and a charitable donation is a great way to show that you want to help. You could do fundraising in the office with a bake sale, a fun run, or dress up in rainbow clothes. There are many creative ways to do a fun-filled fundraiser — the sky’s the limit!

  1. Create an inclusive policy:

Review your policies and procedures to ensure they support LGBTQ+ employees. It can include policies around discrimination and harassment, gender-neutral restrooms, and employee benefits for same-sex partners.

  1. Celebrate with events and activities:

Organise events and activities to celebrate Pride Month, such as a fundraiser for an LGBTQ+ charity or joining a local Pride parade. You can also host workshops or training sessions to promote understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues.

  1. Amplify LGBTQ+ voices:

Give LGBTQ+ employees a platform to share their experiences and perspectives. It can include creating a space for employees to share their stories or featuring LGBTQ+ employees in company newsletters or social media posts.

  1. Use inclusive language:

Be mindful of using inclusive language, such as using “partner” instead of “husband” or “wife”, or “they/them” instead of assuming someone’s gender.

  1. Implement diversity and inclusion training:

Provide training to all employees on diversity and inclusion, including LGBTQ+ issues, to create a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

  1. Offer LGBTQ+ resources:

Train all employees with access to resources such as LGBTQ+ support groups or counselling

  1. Celebrate all year round:

Remember that Pride Month is not the only time to celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals. Continue to support and celebrate your LGBTQ+ employees throughout the year by incorporating inclusive practices into your workplace culture.

By following these 12 tips, you can create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for your LGBTQ+ employees and celebrate Pride Month in a meaningful way, not just in June but all year round. At our company, we believe that diversity and inclusivity are essential to creating a positive and productive workplace, and we are proud to support our LGBTQ+ employees and the wider community.