If I Can’t Be Me, It’s Not for Me

“If I can’t be me it’s not for me”……I first heard this in discussion with a respected friend (the brilliant @lisafalkimprove); it resonated deeply within me but at that point I had no idea it would grow into a blog. Thinking and learning more about developing my business saw me gaining inspiration from listening to The Business of healthcare Podcast with #80: Planning and Patience setting in motion my next thinking. Creating a public declaration & accountability for my business has been duel edged; firstly, helping me to clarify exactly what I have set out to achieve and secondly providing motivation to achieve.

My intent through writing this blog was to set out the functions and values of www.speakformelpa.co.uk making it clear in my mind the next steps of business development and enabling clients to make decisions on the services offered. I am irritated by companies that ask for just one more click before they give information or prices and am too busy to try and guess what is being delivered – I like clear information and am taking an educated guess that you do too.

To set out that clarity I have articulated the functions, values and behaviours of www.speakformelpa.co.uk

Functions

Speak for Me LPA delivers three core functions:

Professional drafting of Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs). This includes

• Full consultation and advice

• Personalised service with each LPA tailored to individual need: face to face within current COVID19 guidelines or remotely, distance no object

• Acting as a Certificate Provider if required and appropriate

• Final document check prior to sending to the OPG for registration

• Liaison with the OPG

Education

• Sessional or project work for healthcare organisations, providing education on LPAs and all elements of Advance Care Planning contact me to find out more

• Free educational presentations for non-healthcare groups and organisations

Raising public and professional awareness and understanding of LPAs

• Providing expert up to date information

• Publishing FAQs

• Using social medial responsibly via Twitter @clarefuller17 Facebook https://wwwfacebook.com/speakformelpa

• Answering questions free of obligation

• Delivering knowledge in my local area through appropriate groups and organisations

• Using appropriate national platforms to promote LPAs

Values

Identifying my values provided a lightbulb moment, from this quite simply everything else seemed to grow and how to deliver the key functions became clear. I am proud to state the business value as:

• Honesty

• Integrity

• Compassion

Taking the values as a starting block I expanded this to behaviours that underpin the business:

Honesty

• I ensure my clients are aware of all options and choices when making LPAs.

• I provide information aligned to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

• I liaise with the OPG and constantly update my information and knowledge.

• I say if I am ever unsure of drafting a complex LPA and will seek OPG information.

Integrity

• I set rates fair to both my clients and myself. These will be clear on all advertising.

• I offer up to 12 free LPAs for anyone who meets OPG exemption criteria.

• I advertise and promote the business through accurate information and education.

• I provide information enabling clients to make the right personal choices.

• I have a proud portfolio career and ensure I declare all potential conflict of interest.

• I work within COVID19 guidelines adapting my service as necessary.

Compassion

• I realise that for many the conversations behind making an LPA are not easy and it is conversations that matter the most in the process; I support these conversations and decision making with compassion.

• I am flexible in how I draft LPAs enabling meetings at a client’s pace.

• For some, drafting an LPA is a tick in general life planning, for others it can be at a critical life point which can be emotive. For all clients I work with compassion by:

  • recognising and valuing the important conversations that underpin LPAs;

  • allowing time for discussion, with set price no matter how many discussions are needed;

  • explaining the purpose of LPAs in a sensitive manner mindful of each client’s unique circumstances;

  • following up clients having drafted, checked and submitted LPAs.

In identifying the values and sharing how I am delivering the functions of my business I have been able to do a sense check with myself which closes the circle I opened the blog with. I am proud of the work to date and hope to build on the success knowing that I have created a business with professional values aligned to my personal values, a business in which I can be me.