Do you need a fresh look at a business problem?

Have you got a great team but need an outsider’s perspective?

Are you working from home and need someone to bounce ideas off?

Join us on 27 November at 12.30pm GMT for a fresh new approach to problem solving.

A fascinating process. We each had a chance to present a business problem and got some instant, creative, inspiring ideas. I came away with a page of relevant notes for mine!

Carolyn Morgan, publishing consultant

Join this and all International Magazine Centre events for free as a Patron - find out about all our benefits and sign up from as little as £5 a month.

A new approach to problem solving – what’s different?

The International Magazine Centre Hive is a regular event where you put your business problems to peers and experts in the creative industries.

Isn’t that just a round table event?

Nope – at a round table you all discuss similar problems, whereas our Hive gives you the chance to focus just on you and your problem – giving you bespoke, instant and inspiring ideas from a non-bias perspective.

Ok, I’m listening – how does it work?

You’ll split into breakout rooms where you’ll each take it in turns to present a problem to the rest of the group. Then you switch off your sound and your video, while your fellow group members discuss your problem.

So I’m a fly on the wall? Sounds nerve wracking.

Yes, but they know you’re listening – people are kind, resourceful and genuinely keen to help.

What about if they suggest something we’ve already tried? I won’t be able to stop them!

Exactly! How often have you asked for advice, stopped someone mid-sentence and then they’ve not felt comfortable offering more? Ever wish you’d stayed quiet and let them finish?

Yes, sometimes. Tell me more – give me another reason to spend my lunch break on this?

It’s an excellent way to network.

Yawn, I’m so sick of networking events – they never work online!

That’s another reason a Hive is different. Think about the amount of trust someone has to place in you – and you in them – to honestly and openly share a business problem and look for your opinion. How often would you get that level of trust with a stranger in a normal environment?

Almost never. Does that really happen though?

Yes! Plus, we team you up with people who are at a similar level to you in business, so the peer-to-peer learning is invaluable. Here’s a quote from our last one:

I’ve met one of the people who was on my team a few times at events over the years, and never had a meaningful conversation. But now, I consider them a trusted business associate – in the current climate, that’s golden!

Andy Cowles, publishing consultant

Join this and all International Magazine Centre events for free as a Patron - find out about all our benefits and sign up from as little as £5 a month.

Ok, you’ve nearly sold me, but I’m not sure what business problem to bring. Will anyone care about my little problem?

This doesn’t need to be a rocket-science level of a problem – it could simply be ‘How do I get new clients during the pandemic?’

Here’s some examples of problems we’ve had in the past:

• What’s the best route to a new audience and revenue growth without a little black book?

• I’ve lost my mojo since lockdown, how can I get it back?

• How do we add more value to our subscription product?

• Should we change print frequency for our B2B title after the pandemic ends?

• What can we do to revive a pitch that died during lockdown?

And does it have to be a magazine publishing problem?

No, sometimes the most interesting problems and solutions come from outside the industry – everyone’s welcome.

Ok, I’m ready – I want to know who I might meet – who are the facilitators?

Our Facilitators

We've invited an incredible mix of consultants to facilitate each of the rooms and offer their ideas.

Andy Cowles, creative director and content specialist at Cowles Media

Diane Kenwood, freelance journalist, broadcaster, consultant and blogger at These Are The Heydays

Eric Campbell, managing and creative director at White Light Media

Kevin Whitchurch, publishing consultant and media director

Kilian Schalk, content workflow designer and director at PurpleGray

Margaret Ann Dowling, head of brand and business development at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest

Paul Evans, managing director at Fourth Estate Creative

Peter Houston, co-host of the Media Voices podcast and publishing consultant

With further names to be announced...

What a brilliant experience today! We were a great group and it was wonderful to sit back (for once) and listen to others speak! The feedback and comments were incredibly useful and thought provoking. Thank you for including me and would definitely go again on the whole experience.

Margot Wilson, Industry Lane

Need to Know

Date and Time: 27 November, 12.30pm-2pm GMT

Tech required: Zoom version 5.0 will be used – you’ll receive a link and password for the event once you have reserved your place.

Tickets:

Full price: £15

Patrons: Free (become an International Magazine Centre Patron from £5/month and attend all events for free - find out more here)

Pay It Forward: Many people are finding it tough at the moment. If you’re in a position to do so, we invite you to donate the price of a ticket for someone who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Free tickets: If you would like to attend but are unable to afford it at the moment, we have a ticket already available through our Pay It Forward scheme. Just ask if you'd like it - email enquiries@internationalmagazinecentre.com

FAQs

Q: What tech will I need for the Hive?

A: We'll use Zoom version 5.0 - please update your system if you are using an earlier version. You'll receive a link and password for the event once you have reserved your place.

Also make sure you have a notepad and pen to hand.

Q: I've not been to a Hive before and am a little confused about the format...

A: Don't worry, we'll go over it again on the day and your facilitators will be familiar too - they'll guide you.

Q: What if I'm in a room with one of my competitors?

A: We'll ensure that you're not. The pre-registration required will allow us to think carefully about who will be in each room.

Q: Will the rooms be themed?

A: No. A Hive is most effective when people are from another area of the business, and can offer a non-biased perspective without preconceptions. So it wouldn't make sense to group similar problems together as you'd all just be commiserating on the same subject.

Q: Can I ask to be in a specific facilitator's room?

A: Sorry, no. We've invited a team of publishers and experts with great care and know they will be excellent at both giving advice and bringing out the best in their team.

Q: Will the learnings be shared?

A: Chatham House Rules will apply, but Facilitators will ask for a key take-away from you to share with the wider group at the end. If you'd rather not share we completely understand and will respect this.

Q: Will each Hive be recorded?

A: No, the individual rooms won't be recorded. We'll hit record when we all return to the main session, so that Facilitators' key take-aways can be noted and used in our post-event blog. Again, if you'd rather not share a key take-away with the wider group your Facilitator will understand and respect this.

Q: Can I share the event with others?

A: Thank you, please share this Eventbrite page, rather than the Zoom link you'll receive once you've booked, as it will make for awkward conversations on the day if people gatecrash.

Q: I'd like to attend but am unable to afford it at the moment, do you have a system in place to offer support?

A: Yes, at the time of writing this, we have a 'Pay it Forward' ticket from the last event that is open to you if you're unable to pay at the moment - these are free tickets - please contact us at enquiries@internationalmagazinecentre.com to enquire about availability.

We're running the same scheme on this event too, inviting those that are in a position to do so to 'Pay it Forward' with the price of a ticket for someone in need. If the ticket mentioned above is used we will contact you as soon as more become available.

Q: I have another question, who can I contact?

A: Email us at enquiries@internationalmagazinecentre.com and we'll come back to you as soon as we can.

Sponsors

We're so grateful for the support from our sponsors - thank you!

White Light Media is a content agency dedicated to winning hearts and minds. Our work is based on powerful storytelling, beautiful design and close collaboration with our clients. Contact eric@whitelightmedia.co.uk to speak about collaborating on any content projects. whitelightmedia.co.uk