Assess the health of your business As the economy stays tight for many businesses, now is the time to carry out a health check to look at what is and what is not happening in a healthy way. Its easy to focus on the day-to-day, but taking a short amount of time to work on the business rather than work in the business can pay dividends. Many smaller firms talk to their accountants on a regular basis, and sure this can help, but its not just financial health you need to keep an eye on. While … [Read more...] about Assess the health of your business – FAST!
Friday Fun – Data and Customer Intelligence #402 #ff
Friday Fun - Office humour, cartoon - Data and Customer Intelligence #402 #ff Cartoon - I brought Simmons here on board to use his powers of levitation on our customer intelligence This cartoon has been produced by Jon Carter www.cartertoons.com with thanks … [Read more...] about Friday Fun – Data and Customer Intelligence #402 #ff
Marketing template & plan for small businesses
Small company marketing audit Many training, consulting and professional services firms make an assumption that marketing will take care of itself. It won’t! We need to periodically look at what we do and plan our approach. Every now and again it is worth looking at your business, what you do and where you do it. This simple tool will provide you with a basic structure to review your marketing activity and what it is doing for you. Where is your business now? – Current position of your … [Read more...] about Marketing template & plan for small businesses
Friday Fun – Company Vision #401 #ff
A little something before the weekend: Friday Fun - Office humour, cartoon - Company Vision #401 #ff In terms of vision, this company has lost its way. Is anybody here good with google maps? This cartoon has been produced by Jon Carter www.cartertoons.com with thanks … [Read more...] about Friday Fun – Company Vision #401 #ff
TNA template – Training needs analysis for "common business needs" and skills
Training needs analysis for "common business needs" and skills Identifying training needs or identifying learning needs are topics we are often asked about. To help individuals undertaking TNA or LNAs we have developed a series of templates to act as a starter for you. Often the content of the needs analysis template may be all you need, however, we do not know your particular organization or culture. Use these templates as a starting point. Not all performance issues can be solved … [Read more...] about TNA template – Training needs analysis for "common business needs" and skills
The Priming Power of Advanced Organisers or Before you train – priming people
Before you train - priming people by Joy Wilson - Spectrain Recently I received a book in the post from an old and learned friend. It came with a note which said “read this prior to our next meeting and we will discuss”! I studied the front and the back cover and felt confused – how did book relate to me? Have I read the book – No, I have found no reason to! Reasons for Learning Think about how we embrace opportunities to learn and develop, it’s a little like choosing a self help … [Read more...] about The Priming Power of Advanced Organisers or Before you train – priming people
Employee Retention & Alumni Solutions for talent management programmes
Lots of organizations run leadership, talent and graduate development programmes. How can we increase the opportunity of employee retention after participation in a development programme? many provide a 1 year development programmes and wonder why people leave the organization 2-5 years later. The following was recently asked on a social group: Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with setting up an Alumni Strategy for employees who complete any type of talent … [Read more...] about Employee Retention & Alumni Solutions for talent management programmes
Post graduate education and books – are we throwing away knowledge?
In many professional fields like Accountancy, Human Resources, management etc it is common for professionals to take qualifications. These qualifications may be essential to become registered with professional associations, institutions or just because they are expected in the job market place. Many of us spend thousands on these courses over several years. They are a significant investment in both time and money. We often buy valuable resources such as books and other tools to help us … [Read more...] about Post graduate education and books – are we throwing away knowledge?
Could Millennials’ New Approach to Sales Help Improve Your Organisation’s Results
The performance and effectiveness of sales teams should be a topic of serious concern for most sales organisations. After all, research published by CSO Insights in its Sales Performance Optimization Study shows that the percentage of salespeople achieving quota has declined year-on-year since 2012, while revenue plan attainment fell from 89.2 percent in 2012 to 82.7 percent in 2015, even in spite of greater adoption of sales enablement strategies. Some have blamed millennials for this … [Read more...] about Could Millennials’ New Approach to Sales Help Improve Your Organisation’s Results
TNA template – Managerial and Office Skills Training
What do you look for when doing a Training Needs Analysis for office and managerial skills? Identifying training needs or identifying learning needs are topics we are often asked about. To help individuals undertaking TNA or LNAs we have developed a series of templates to act as a starter for you. Often the content of the needs analysis template may be all you need, however, we do not know your particular organization or culture. Use these templates as a starting point. Not all … [Read more...] about TNA template – Managerial and Office Skills Training
Difference between team working and team building
So what is the difference between team working and team building? Are they 2 phrases for the same thing? I have seen the terms used interchangeably in articles and in the workplace, but does that help or hinder? In our article on collaboration how is it different from team work we explored the definitions of some terms. It often helps to start with some commonly accepted definitions: Definition of Team Working Team Working, The earliest definition I could find is: Source - … [Read more...] about Difference between team working and team building
Training Room Layout
Room Layouts suitable for group training So you are having a training session or meeting. Have you considered what layout would be best for you? Have you ever had a meeting in a room that was in a different configuration from your usual format? Was the meeting more or less effective than normal? This guide can be used when you ‘book’ or hire a training or meeting room. Remember to state the layout and the number of participants required. Importance of effective training room … [Read more...] about Training Room Layout
Do collaborations tools help or hinder? An Open Letter To Microsoft & LinkedIn
Microsoft and LinkedIn have the power to change the way we do business and collaborate - but have they blown it? Over the years I have used many collaborative tools. I was also part of an external team of people supporting IBM Social Business platform Connections. Now that product although used extensively internally has never really made it into the mainstream. Its a shame, but it was very well integrated. Integration with other software is critical for long term adoption and … [Read more...] about Do collaborations tools help or hinder? An Open Letter To Microsoft & LinkedIn
Nine Box Grids for Talent Management
Tool for identifying & retaining key talent in organizations - 9 box grid Background to the Nine Box Grid The nine box grid or matrix, is believed to have originated within McKinsey to assess different business units and to prioritise the investment in individuals. This was developed for GE in the late 1960s and 1970s to enable them assess the potential of individuals in its business and prioritize their investment and overall strategy. It is claimed that it is based on the Boston … [Read more...] about Nine Box Grids for Talent Management
ICAEW Directors Briefings #Updated
Directors briefings are for senior managers and strategic decision makers. Directors Briefings, Resources for busy professionals: Every now and again as a consultant, manager or business adviser we need to put our hands on short, accurate and trusted materials covering a wide range of topics. In a previous blog entry, I highlighted some of the fact-sheets available from the CIPD most of which are open to any web site visitor. In the same way that the CIPD fact-sheets provide HR based … [Read more...] about ICAEW Directors Briefings #Updated
GDPR Get your head out the sand – Part 2 for sole traders and Micro businesses
GDPR is just around the corner and it is time to get your head out of the sand if you are a sole trader or micro-business. In my recent piece - GDPR Checklist – for sole traders and Micro businesses, I summarised my learning on the recent journey for RapidBI. In that journey, I thought I had covered 99% of the bases. But it seems I missed one KEY POINT. And this one is a big one! I have since added it, but as many won't read all the piece I thought it worth a short piece of its own. ICO … [Read more...] about GDPR Get your head out the sand – Part 2 for sole traders and Micro businesses
What did he say? #GDPR?
Find out more on our GDPR summary page aimed at sole trainers and micro business #GDPR #security #cybersecurity … [Read more...] about What did he say? #GDPR?
Book Review – Who the hell wants to work for you by Tim Eisenhauer
This is a great employee engagement & leadership 307-page book. It asks a great question, "Who the hell wants to work for you?". A refreshing approach to leadership that is more self-reflective than preaching. An approach not uncommon in this genre of management/ business book. This is a light, but substantial read. About the author, Tim Eisenhauer is Cofounder and president of Axero who have developed a social collaboration platform. Interestingly a tool that started out as a customer … [Read more...] about Book Review – Who the hell wants to work for you by Tim Eisenhauer
Deep-Dive Brainstorming Technique – IDEO
What is the Deep-Dive™ Brainstorming technique? Deep-Dive™ is the name of a technique used to rapidly immerse a group or team into a situation for problem-solving or idea creation. This approach is often used for brainstorming product or process development. History of Deep Dive Originally developed by the IDEO group (a learning design company) for rapid product development, the Deep-Dive technique is now widely and increasingly used for innovation not only in product development but process … [Read more...] about Deep-Dive Brainstorming Technique – IDEO
Amazon Kindle, trainers and a Virtual Library
Amazon Kindle, trainers and a virtual library Technology is changing all the time, but one thing that has moved (historically) least is display technology. Is the Kindle e-book reader from Amazon a valuable tool for professionals? Is it worth the money and more importantly the weight and space in our already busy lives? The launch of "virtual paper" (e-Ink) displays is one of the 'newer' technologies, and being in a household that devours books I thought it was time to explore these, both for … [Read more...] about Amazon Kindle, trainers and a Virtual Library
