When Virgin Unite launched the Action Network to help start-up businesses embed core values into their company, Chris Hanvey, SHOTS.BY.HANVEY stepped up and delivered. Here he recounts the journey he took on the People Challenge.
SHOTS.BY.HANVEY, a Virgin StartUp funded company, is a media company specialising in commercial photography and film for fashion and music. We were pleased to contribute to the discussion of ‘Business for Good’ and be part of the Action Network.
I already understood what my personal life values were and the challenge of merging these with the commercial ideals of the company. Taking part in the Action Network’s ‘People Challenge’ gave me the opportunity to analyse how I want my company to ‘be’ and to ultimately execute it in our day-to-day.
The Action Network encouraged me to push forward with my personal ideals of creating a working environment that inspires and protects my crew. This will, in turn, provide an impeccable service to our existing and future clients, offering true ‘value’ that is not necessarily tied to ‘cost’. This shaping will help cultivate relationships into long-term collaborations, with an aim to create a brand aesthetic that is both ethical and commercially viable.
The experience helped me analyse the company from the inside out. It led to some interesting discoveries and we’ll continue to adapt our values. We will also begin developing our not-for-profit company, a boxing club for those suffering chronic mental health issues. In some ways, this will be an alternative to talk therapy for those that can’t afford it. This is something I am incredibly excited about.
We’ll also be expanding into the advertising agency space, under the guise of SHOTS.BY.HANVEY Creative Consultancy, specialising in social media strategy and content creation for independent companies with global aspirations.
For more on Virgin Unite’s Action Network, visit here.