Julietta Dexter, Founder, The Communications Store discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses and the impact of culture on business

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Today on the PRmoment podcast were chatting with Julietta Dexter who is Founder and CEO of The Communications Store.

Julietta has recently launched the book ‘Good Company: How to Build a Business without Losing Your Values’ which talks about Julietta’s personal story of lessons learned in the workplace and how to navigate a successful career while holding onto one’s personal beliefs and values.

The Communications Store was founded in 1995, is a privately owned communications firm with an income of £16m and employs 200 people – 180 in London and 20 in the US. 

It specialises in fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Julietta welcome to the PRmoment podcast.

[00:02:04] How, as a business owner, COVID-19 has taught Juilettta that things don't always go according to plan!

[00:02:20] Why the COVID-19 lockdown has meant Juiletta has had to let go of some of her ambitions, re-envision and remodel. 

[00:02:37] Why you can never communicate well enough in a time of crisis.

[00:03:05] How have the fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses been affected by COVID-19 so far? 

[00:05:26] Julietta talks us though why The Communications Store has looked at the UK government’s furloughing scheme but hasn't yet used it.

[00:07:29] How The Communications Store has implemented a 20 percent pay cut across the business in the UK. 

[00:09:07] Why, despite wondering whether the world needs another business book, Julietta decided to write one!

[00:14:16] How do you bring the values of a business to the fore every day?

[00:15:36] Why The Communications store's values are passion, care, strength and wisdom.  

[00:20:58] After 25 years in business Julietta describes herself "as more of what I was. ... I think I've worked out who I am. And I'm perhaps a little bit more confident about knowing who I am and believing in those values a bit deeper. "

[00:22:19] As a firm that services the fashion sector, has there been tension between how some of your clients treat their people and the way treat your employees?

[00:23:16] Why junior people being second class citizens in the workplace is just wrong, particularly now in a tech-driven mobile digital world where somebody of 25 years old knows a ton of stuff that an older person doesn't know. 

[00:25:09] Why the softer skills and emotional intelligence are critical to running a successful business. 

[00:27:53] How emotional intelligence is about reading other people. It's about understanding those around you and what they are really thinking and feeling.

[00:30:15] Is the reality is a lot softer stuff that creates a good culture we're cut back about three weeks ago when the COVID-19 lockdown started?

[00:32:35] What parts of the business world will get back to normal post the COVID-19 crisis and what parts might have changed forever?