Recently one of my daughters asked if a friend of hers could meet me to talk about setting up her own business. Of course I said yes, but it got me thinking. I'm sure many people are thinking about doing this, but don't know where to start. There is a lot of information out there. But is it accessible? Does it make sense? This article is based on the initial questions I was asked. The real question when thinking about starting a business is “what don’t I know” or the “don’t know what you don’t … [Read more...] about Starting your own business
A Reflection on day 2 and overall of #cipd13
It's been over 24 hours since I left Manchester and #cipd13. This has given me a while to reflect on my time and experiences at this event. Overall the sessions that I participated in were as described, and interesting (I did hear from others that this was not universally true). The presenters were good, but few were great. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the networking with the bloggers and twitterati. many of whom I have known for several years, some only "online" others at … [Read more...] about A Reflection on day 2 and overall of #cipd13
#cipd13 Day two.. the journey continues
Good Morning.Yesterday at #cipd13 was a packed and valuable day. Today I will continue my live blogging of as many events as I can. Live blog: 09.38#cipd13 session e1 Hacking HR to build an adaptable advantagea year after the concept was created and just 6 months after the launch, the cipd launch the output of this innovative online collaboration project and methodology.the nature of work is changing. some say 50% of the jobs we are doing will … [Read more...] about #cipd13 Day two.. the journey continues
A personal reflection on day 1 at #cipd13 #authentic leadership #cipdhack
You may have seen from my live blog yesterday that CIPD CEO Peter Cheese opened the event. Peter has to be one of the most authentic and charismatic leaders of a professional body in the UK today. His opening pitch was honest, open and engaging. Many of the audience wishing that he stayed on and shared more of his view of the world of HR, Management and leadership.This was following by a session on Authentic Leadership (Creating the best place to work on earth), which whilst useful, the … [Read more...] about A personal reflection on day 1 at #cipd13 #authentic leadership #cipdhack
#cipd13 Annual Conference in Manchester
Welcome to Manchester in the UK. Today is the start of the CIPDs annual conference for HR & L&D professionals.As I have done in the past I will attempt to blog live from each session, highlighting some of the key points the presenters highlight. This will be live, so please expect spelling and typos. In the next few days I will return and correct. My goal is to share with you as the conference progresses Below this line will appear the content, if nothing is here please … [Read more...] about #cipd13 Annual Conference in Manchester
swot pestle template
SWOT Analysis and PESTLE Analysis Templates Welcome to the RapidBI web site. To support the official CIPD fact sheets, this page contains two templates for you to use as part of your SWOT or PESTLE analysis. Remember to add the fact sheets and this site to your references. Jump down to the SWOT analysis template Jump down to the PESTLE analysis template Jump down to CPP project and assignment guide The SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis is a great framework to explore the advantages and … [Read more...] about swot pestle template
SWOT analysis
SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis is an effective planning tool used to understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business. It usually involves specifying the objective of the business or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are supportive or unfavourable to achieving that objective. A SWOT analysis is often used as part of a strategic planning process. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis
Embracing Modern Technology: How Much is Too Much?
Tablet computers, cloud storage, smartphones and super-slim laptops are everywhere in the modern age and it seems that the only way to get ahead, remain on trend or get the job done to the highest quality is to invest in the latest and greatest gadgets that the technology world has to offer.In order to keep up with today’s digital audience, many businesses are now incorporating social media into their marketing strategies, while others are replacing humans with computers in the more advanced … [Read more...] about Embracing Modern Technology: How Much is Too Much?
Online meetings – a Cinderella to real meetings? #WebEx #GoToMeeting
Recently I have attended a number of online meetings, when travel was not appropriate. The results of these were mixed, and demotivating at best. Online meetings need not be a Cinderella service. It's all in the design, and respect for the people involved. If you have part of a meeting as "real" and others as online, you cannot run the event as though it were mainly for those in the room. It just wont work. Over the last 2 years I have run a number of online events, and focussed on helping … [Read more...] about Online meetings – a Cinderella to real meetings? #WebEx #GoToMeeting
Lessons in delegation for leaders from using twitter, a form of collaboration
Can we really learn leadership lessons from twitter? I believe so, and have spent the last 5 years learning a lot from twitter, but today it hit home that one of the hidden skills that can be learnt is the black art of delegation. Yes you read that correctly... delegation. How? Let me start with my short journey to this conclusion today. As many of you will know, in June I ceased being an active consultant with RapidBI and have taken a full time project role with a major global logistics … [Read more...] about Lessons in delegation for leaders from using twitter, a form of collaboration
Harnessing the web to drive membership growth & value – #HTW2013 Conference
Welcome to our Live blog from HTW2013 Our members’ online needs are changing. Our online offerings need to evolve in order to more effectively drive up membership value and growth. - Memberwise Please note the content below is written live and may contain errors. Please refresh regularly to get the full comments from the day Event programme: Embracing online opportunities’ for delivering membership excellence - George Land, Chairman, APT Solutions (09:40) RCOG - Harnessing the … [Read more...] about Harnessing the web to drive membership growth & value – #HTW2013 Conference
Size matters…..is bigger better, or is smaller more intimate?
Training tip for group sizes and dynamics It is often said that bigger is better, an in many things in life it may well be true, but when it come to training it is often said that small group size is best. That is sort of true, but not universally. Pros of big groups:economies of scale more ideas, thoughts & contributionsCons of big groupspeople can hide we don't know if people are learningPros of small groupsone to one attention meet individual … [Read more...] about Size matters…..is bigger better, or is smaller more intimate?
…and I’m expected to attend training?
Business, customers, expectations, time pressures, different employees, change. Wherever we look these days things are changing and more often than not it appears to be out of our control. Then on top of this we are expected to attend training, is it really necessary? Does the training have to be for that long? Can’t I just attend for a day? I have a job to do you know. Some great questions If your employer is providing more than just a couple of hours of training, then they consider it … [Read more...] about …and I’m expected to attend training?
Get physical for best practice training #trainingtip
Whilst the human being is supposed to be a smart, intelligent animal, the reality that we cannot escape from is that we are also physical beings. Sitting still or remaining stationary for long periods of time might be aspirational for some, but from a learning point of view, we learn best when we move. There is conflicting research about the exact nature of what physical activity is best for learning, however there are some general principles that Neuroscientists agree on:People need to … [Read more...] about Get physical for best practice training #trainingtip
Less is not more when it comes to training #tna
Our employees are not machines, they are emotional beings, we need to look beyond systematic approaches to training needs analysis How do we know what training to give? Traditionally in the world of training there has been a movement to do what is called "gap analysis" or training needs analysis to help identify the needs that training must deliver. From a systematic point of view, it was thought that the "best practice" would be to do as little training as necessary to plug the gap. Good for … [Read more...] about Less is not more when it comes to training #tna
Why You Need a Virtual Data Room
As more parts of modern businesses become reliant upon technology and utilizing the latest digital innovations, it’s important that we establish exactly where we want the business to go and how we’re going to make the best use of what is available to us. It’s no longer enough to save a file on your computer, you want to store it in the cloud and share it with other people and even edit it while you’re away from your desk, and at the same time you want the folder to be well organised so that when … [Read more...] about Why You Need a Virtual Data Room
Collaboration in business what is it how is it different from Teamwork?
One of the most used words in business articles, journals and professional social media networks is the desire to develop "collaborative" environments and cultures. But what is it? If you web search for images for "collaboration", you will get lots on teamwork. so is collaboration just another word for teamwork? I for one don't. I believe that teamwork contributes to a short term goal, but collaboration is more "strategic" and long term in nature. Let's look at some common … [Read more...] about Collaboration in business what is it how is it different from Teamwork?
Who are you phishing with? #staysafeonline
According to wikipedia phishing is defined as:Phishing (/ˈfiSHiNG/) is the act of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communicationToday I had an interesting email, it purported to be a comment waiting to be approved on this blog. I was about to click and approve when I saw the link. The content at first glance looks ok, but spend … [Read more...] about Who are you phishing with? #staysafeonline
Plain English communications?
Today I received a great email, its text without the advert is below:Dear Mike, I’m going for the plain English approach here because I want to keep things simple, in the hope you’ll find time to get back to me. We (xxxx) are a full service integrated demand generation agency with specialties in working with technology, ecommerce and people services businesses. Our goal has always been to deliver high impact and measurable campaigns that really do deliver outstanding results. This … [Read more...] about Plain English communications?
The Q-Loop – the art and science of lasting corporate change book review
Q-Loop, the art and science of lasting corporate change by Brian Klapper Let’s be honest there is an ocean of business books on change and change management, do we really need another? In this case yes! Even the style and layout of this book is differently from the relentless page after page of fully justified text. Even my 21 year old daughter who whilst loves reading usually flicks the business books I have and says “boring” said she liked this, including the “did you know” boxes plastered … [Read more...] about The Q-Loop – the art and science of lasting corporate change book review
