I had the pleasure of hosting my business partner and founder of The British School of Excellence, Philip Sykes, here in Bermuda. Having Philip on island reminded me just how important—and impactful—our work really is.

Together, we support organizations in raising the bar when it comes to customer care, corporate etiquette, professionalism standards, and social leadership. It's work that allows us to interact with dynamic industries and inspiring professionals committed to showing up at their best. And here’s the thing: in a world of fast-paced communication and constant innovation, soft skills are no longer “nice to have”—they're essential.

One of the highlights of Philip’s visit was introducing him (finally, in person!) to the leadership team at Chatmore British International School. Over the past few years, we’ve proudly partnered with Chatmore on the Mindset & Manners program—a young leadership development initiative that focuses on building social confidence and life skills in students from an early age. It was heartwarming to witness first-hand how the school continues to lead the way in developing the next generation of socially skilled, emotionally intelligent young leaders. Hats off to the entire Chatmore team.

The visit served as a powerful reminder that while virtual meetings have their place, nothing beats connecting face-to-face. We enjoyed a wonderful tour of the school and left feeling energized about what’s to come in this critical space of social skills development—for young people and professionals alike.

If you’re looking to refresh your own approach to modern etiquette (yes, it evolves!), I highly recommend Philip’s newly released book, Crushing Etiquette. It’s a brilliant, practical guide for navigating today’s world with confidence, grace, and authenticity. Our clients love it—and I think you will too. Check it out here.

Here’s to growing not just what we do, but how we do it—with excellence, empathy, and a little extra polish.