What is a Blog?Lets look at the background behind this technology, so we can understand where it is coming from.Research into the history behind blogs suggests that it was Pyra Labs is the company that adopted the word Blogger, and made the service a big success (now known as Google blogger/ blogspot).The people that were the co-founders of Pyra Labs were Evan Williams and Meg Hourihan. "Pyra" was also the name of the company's first product. It was a web based application … [Read more...] about What is a business blog? A marketing tool?
PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
PRIMO-F the Business Growth Model Often in organizations we use a SWOT analysis as a way of identifying priorities and areas for improvement. While theSWOT is a wonderfully flexible tool, it is too easy to miss out key elements. We tend to use a SWOT based on our experiences, rather than the actual situational needs.As SWOT analysis is made up of two internal elements (SW) and two external elements (OT) it is helpful to use a structure to give us a guide for what should be … [Read more...] about PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
The Insanity of looking at the “wrong” LinkedIn metrics on articles
Looking at the wrong LinkedIn metrics? Are you guilty of looking and focusing on inefficient LinkedIn metrics? There are some an old sayings, Just because you can measure something,does not mean you should. And What gets measured gets done. Looking at the wrong LinkedIn metrics? Why do we focus on some metrics and not others? Dowe look at the right or wrong LinkedIn metrics?I was at a networking event recently and the talk was about LinkedIn Posts/ articles and … [Read more...] about The Insanity of looking at the “wrong” LinkedIn metrics on articles
Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
Why should we blog?For some time I have been promoting Twitter as a good thing for people running small businesses to do, but recently I have been asked “why blog” and what is the value to small businesses and freelance consultants and trainers.I guess that because I have been doing this for some time that I overlooked the basics. This article is the first is a short series to show why and how to blog for business.People and business blog for a wide range of reasons including: … [Read more...] about Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
CIPD factsheets – an A-to-Z of HR topics & resources
CIPD factsheets - essential information for any manager & practitioner.An A-to-Z of HR and management related factors is an easy to read and easy to apply style.The CIPD produce a wonderful set of regularly updated and reviewed factsheets on a wide range of HR and management based topics., While some are available to members only, the majority are available to all.This pages lists those available as at January 2010. Please note all links open in new windows. UPDATE MARCH … [Read more...] about CIPD factsheets – an A-to-Z of HR topics & resources
What can Learning & Development learn from childrens education part 2 #VR #hrblog #edtech #learningtechnologies
So what can Learning & Development learn from children's education and the use of virtual reality? Recently I attended one of Europe largest exhibitions for technology in education. The show is called BETT and took place in London's ExCel Centre.In my last blog I wrote about the robots I saw in the education space and explored how they could be used in the business world within the future of work. VR was everywhere And before as a reader you start thinking these things cost … [Read more...] about What can Learning & Development learn from childrens education part 2 #VR #hrblog #edtech #learningtechnologies
What can Learning & Development learn from childrens education part 1 #hrblog #edtech #learningtechnologies
So what can Learning & Development learn from children's education? Recently I attended one of Europe largest exhibitions for technology in education. The show is called BETT and took place in London's ExCel Centre.BETT describes itself as being for: If you’re a Learning and Training Professional, come to Bett to discover how technology can improve and enhance learning, from school to Higher Education and workplace learning. Although I saw little directed at workplaces directly. That … [Read more...] about What can Learning & Development learn from childrens education part 1 #hrblog #edtech #learningtechnologies
Competencies – are they dead? Or are we ignoring the true 3 core competencies?
Competencies – are they dead? Are competencies and how HR (and managers/ professional bodies) often relate to them irrelevant in today's business world? Do we actively ignore true core competencies?I was at a training workshop recently, and the trainer was talking about competencies. He was talking about the fact that the core competencies had changed in that profession. That new course materials were being developed all the time to ensure. We see this is every profession and industry. … [Read more...] about Competencies – are they dead? Or are we ignoring the true 3 core competencies?
Twitter as a marketing tool for training courses & events
Using Twitter to market your training event As the training market changes, increasingly more and more trainers are looking to promote their on-line and open courses events, But how do you get people to attend and how do you keep costs down?If you are a member of TrainerBase or Training journal (TJonline), both have the ability to promote your events, however it is doubtful if either can fill a course. Some use paid for services, where a high percentage of the revenue goes to attracting … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing tool for training courses & events
Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
Why do many people hire a coach or consultant when it seems clear they are not credible? This week I came across a post on Facebook. The post in itself was not unusual or uncommon. But it got me thinking.Do we need people to have any expertise of knowledge to be a coach or consultant? Do we just accept that people delivering training for our employees will just "fly by the seat of their pants" and deliver something? Are purchasers of consulting and training services intelligent … [Read more...] about Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
Transactional Analysis (TA) – is it relevant in todays world?
Is Transactional Analysis (TA) relevant today?In the first of a multi part series written by RapidBI team associate Vince Whittle, we look at Transactional Analysis and its application in management and people development. Introduction to TA Many people have heard of Transactional Analysis (TA) and it was popular a number of years ago in management development programmes but how relevant is a psychoanalytic tool developed in the ‘50s to today’s managers and consultants in industry and … [Read more...] about Transactional Analysis (TA) – is it relevant in todays world?
SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
SWOT analysis for schools, teachers and education, colleges and universities - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in an educational environment.A SWOT analysis for schools is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management teachers and staff involved in the study of what is practical and less effective in the schools' systems and procedures — often used in preparation for a plan of some form (that could be an audit, assessments, quality checks etc.).A SWOT can … [Read more...] about SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Twitter: your CRM & marketing channel. It's about more than just followers...Over the past 12 months in my twitter contributions I have often included tips to help those involved in using twitter for their business (marketing). I often get requests to publish a full set - so here is a list of my current thinking about using twitter as a tool for building relationships for future business. In no particular order (other than alphabetical)...Add value - share interesting or useful … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Personal and business goal setting – where are the lines?
Knowing the route can be as valuable as the goalThis morning as I sat clearing out the spam from the email box, I noticed an update from one of the LinkedIn groups I am a member of. Its title was: "Why are you running?" In the article the author shared their story of some thoughts they had while out on a regular run, highlighting that this was a great strategy for creating thinking time. This all come about because the individual was reflecting on the question "why do I run?". His own … [Read more...] about Personal and business goal setting – where are the lines?
The Robot will see you now – is your job safe from AI? #HRblog
Artificial Intelligence (AI), meets relatable robot meets human job: The robot will see you now (counsellor) If you missed the stunning documentary from Channel 4 last week, then it is a piece of must-see television if you are involved in HR and business.Jess is an AI robot designed to have human-like discussions and interactions. Her body movements and eye movements appear to mimic a sentient being. In the programme, it appeared that people built a relationship and learnt to trust her … [Read more...] about The Robot will see you now – is your job safe from AI? #HRblog
A new place to learn for learning & Development people in business #SLD17 Sales Learning & Development
Sales Learning & Development, is it a "thing"? In the past, there has been recognition for trainers working in IT, Health & Safety and general soft skills. This week I was introduced to the world of sales training (Through Sales Learning and Development Conference), and it's one to watch.A few months ago a twitter connection Alex Moyle contacted me. He asked if I had come across the National Sales Conference before. He then mentioned a side conference called Sales Learning and … [Read more...] about A new place to learn for learning & Development people in business #SLD17 Sales Learning & Development
Using Facebook Canvas as a Marketing Tool for SMEs
In a previous RapidBI article we discussed the effectiveness of Twitter in terms of marketing for SMEs. However, it is far from being the only social media tool that you can use to reach your online audiences. Facebook Canvas was introduced a year ago to allow companies, including SMEs, to establish their marketing presence on the social media platform in a new way.What is Facebook Canvas? At first glance, a Facebook Canvas advertisement resembles a standard ad on the social media site. … [Read more...] about Using Facebook Canvas as a Marketing Tool for SMEs
7 steps to maximise your sales effectiveness #NSC17
Today is day one of the national Sales Conference 2017. The first session was called 7 steps to maximise your sales effectiveness. This was led by Andy HanselmanAndy outlined several factors in the sales process, and mostly based his presentation on the following 7 steps.:Step 1 - choose 'em or lose 'emstep 2 - Make sure you are getting enoughStep 3 - Be preparedStep 4 - Build trust, rapport and credibilityStep 5 - Finding needs, solving problems and selling … [Read more...] about 7 steps to maximise your sales effectiveness #NSC17
What is Performance Management? CIPD Research
Performance Management - why do we do it? The term performance management has been with us for some time, developed out of "appraisals", Performance Management remains one of the consistently used phrases in the human resources and management field. Recently the CIPD has conducted some research into performance management recently and the responses from 507 people are interesting.This short article looks at three of the outputs from that research and explores the potential meaning for HR, … [Read more...] about What is Performance Management? CIPD Research
Can professionals learn at conferences and exhibitions? #sld17 #hrblog
For many sectors, autumn and winter are peek exhibition and conference season. But is it all about sales or can we learn from these too? Can professionals learn at conferences or they just a waste of time?In almost every sector there is a relevant trade show and conference. Trade Exhibitions Often these exhibitions are free to attend. But the cost is to have people try to sell to us as visitors. Well, the good ones do. The bad ones just sit or stand and seem to avoid eye contact at all … [Read more...] about Can professionals learn at conferences and exhibitions? #sld17 #hrblog
