Interview with a Blogger - Joel Graham-Blake

Joel Graham-Blake is the Founder and Director of Cultiv8 Solutions, a Strategic Management consultancy, specializing in diversity and inclusion.

Joel is also an Advisory Board Member for UK Career Academy Foundation, a Member of West Midlands Police Youth Independent Advisory Group and was a Life Coach for Birmingham Royal Ballet (as featured in the Ballet Hoo TV Series). In between all this and running a business he writes a blog.

How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since August of 2006

Why did you start?
At first, I started out of intrigue, in regards to the growth of social networking.

What do you do, work related, when you aren't blogging?
When I'm not blogging, I place a lot on emphasis on face - to face contact particularly within my niche area of Diversity Recruitment - such a sensitive and complex area for recruiters and employers.

Do you think blogging has helped your business?
Of course. Blogging has allowed me to offer both a professional and personal opinion on a wide range of subjects that affect my business - from measuring the impact of employment legislation to offering guidance on engaging with local communities and more!

What do you feel is the biggest challenge about writing a blog?
The biggest challenge is ensuring that the context of the words that you write, is understood or interpreted in the same way by the reader.

What's another blog that you read and why do you recommend it?
Recruitment Views - I recommend it because the matter of fact style of writing cuts through all the 'glitter' that many other blogs try to use, in order to gain new readers.

What do you want your reader's to know about you?
I did not go to university and come from a single parent, working class background, but have become successful because of my belief in nurturing the potential of other individuals and business.

If you knew someone was thinking about starting a recruitment related blog, what advice would you want to give them?
Think about what really motivates you about recruitment and centre your blogging around that passion.

Is there a question you wished I asked you?
Where will I be in 10 years time?