Growth and development are critical for all parts of the world. Developing infrastructure is a key solution for long term sustainability and growth. Hot in the world news at the moment is the need for India to have a more structured financial system, for more of its population to have bank accounts, and yet only a small percentage of the population does. To meet this goal the Indian government is currently offering licenses to open new banks, and the requirement of being granted the license is … [Read more...] about Leadership & Innovation do we really learn?
Messaging a person requesting to connect on LinkedIn
On LinkedIn many users say that they cannot message people that request to connect, so generally accept the request. What many people do not realise is that you can message them. Here is a piece that many help you communicate with people requesting to connect without you actually accepting the connection first. I would also always advocate looking at their profile to see if you could have met etc in the past How to communicate without connecting Just go … [Read more...] about Messaging a person requesting to connect on LinkedIn
Leadership and Art of Struggle By Steven Snyder – book review
The book - - is an interesting and unexpected engaging read. For many leadership books "tout" perfect ways of doing things, they suggest that stress and conflict is only for the weak. Snyder takes a more pragmatic approach to explaining some of the tensions and how to navigate them.In this book review I explore the structure and some of the key messages.In his introduction Snyder starts out by saying how spellbound he was looking at the first public demonstration of Lisa, Apple's … [Read more...] about Leadership and Art of Struggle By Steven Snyder – book review
Business Techniques in Troubled Times by Thomas H. Gray – book review
Business Techniques in Troubled Times by Thomas H. Gray This book starts out with the premise that it is the availability of business advice not been the problem, but the value and relevance that advice provides. The author pursues a real issues are around “how do I know I need help?” And “what advice can I trust?” In his book Gray aims to provide solutions to both of these issues, helping the reader know when they do need help in the business and identifying the advice they can trust. Book … [Read more...] about Business Techniques in Troubled Times by Thomas H. Gray – book review
The Fearless Frontline by Ray Attiyah – book review
The Fearless Frontline by Ray Attiyah As a leaders and manager, do you feel that much of your time is consumed by urgent, but unimportant tasks? Why is it that as managers and leaders we are expected to spend so much of our time working in the business, rather than on the business? In his book, Ray Attiyah says that leaders must learn to spend more time ON the business and less time IN the business. Book structure: Contentsmeet the marathon manager developer fearless culture empower … [Read more...] about The Fearless Frontline by Ray Attiyah – book review
Can online forums damage my small business
Can Online Forums Damage My Small Business? The fact that word on the Internet travels so quickly can be beneficial to small businesses regarding advertising and word of mouth recommendations. Unfortunately, it can also be detrimental if the wrong thing is said.With all the different social media sites and forums online, any business needs to stay abreast of what is and is not acceptable. Is there a choice? Can any business afford not to be online or on social networks and forums? I … [Read more...] about Can online forums damage my small business
Tools of the trade setting up your business
Starting up a new business? Then make every penny count. A recession is the perfect time to set up and grow your business in a niche market, as the only way is up. Of course you still need to take into consideration that times are tough, everyone is feeling the pinch. So how is your product or service going to appeal to a wider audience, and the general public?The main hurdle to overcome is actually seeing your business ideas take form and grow into something profitable. Use comparison sites … [Read more...] about Tools of the trade setting up your business
Interviewer, Heal Thyself
Interviewers rarely get a chance to hear much from the people they've been interrogating. But that does not mean that interviewers have it right or that a bad interview is always the interviewee’s fault. There is plenty of room for job interview help on the employer’s side of the interview equation. The Unprepared For the interviewee, success is all about preparation, but the same holds true for the interviewer. There are interviewers who know little about the job they’re trying to fill, … [Read more...] about Interviewer, Heal Thyself
When can you start? – Book Review
Every now an again there is an author who approached a common activity in a new way. For me Paul Freiberger has done this with a book about interviews skills and approaches.When can you start? by Paul. Freiberger Who is "When can you Start?" for? This is book for people looking to change jobs or approaching interviews for the first time. But I would also suggest that anyone that has not had an interview for a while consider Paul's wise words.Written in a warm conversational tone the … [Read more...] about When can you start? – Book Review
Gamification in business
Gamification is a word we are starting to hear a lot about.What is Gamification? In essence gamification is turning something, a process or experience into a game. A game where the 'player' can earn points or status.The desire to play games is inherent in many people, and the growth of social media is testimony to this. For it is a rare discussion about social media when comparisons between the number of friends, followers or likes a person has is not central to the intended … [Read more...] about Gamification in business
What Can I Learn from Marketing Conferences?
As you glance over the recent flyer you received in the mail for another professional marketing conference you think to yourself, “Not another conference. Should I even bother going? What will I get out of it?” The answer is you will get out of it what you put into it. As a marketing executive you can learn a lot from attending marketing conferences. Attending one requires planning in order to make the conference a more valuable experience. Starting with the conference agenda in your hand take … [Read more...] about What Can I Learn from Marketing Conferences?
Is My Business Better Off Today Than a Year Ago?
As a business owner, it's important to look at your company periodically and figure out where you're succeeding -- and where you need to improve. Whether your business is stagnating, struggling to be heard above your competitors, or just not growing as you expected, identifying the problem is the first step toward fixing it. If you're not sure how to bump your business out of its rut, here are a few things to consider: Do you have standards in place? From product quality to customer service … [Read more...] about Is My Business Better Off Today Than a Year Ago?
50 shades of CV
How to format your CV Every years thousands of us update or create our first real CV in the hope of landing our dream job. But what makes a successful CV in 2013? How to format your CV for best impact?This was a question asked in a HR professionals group on LinkedIn this month. With so many different forms and structures available, this could be an impossible task. So a few members of the group met on a collaborative online meeting to review some CVs to see if there were any common things … [Read more...] about 50 shades of CV
CIPD to launch the total “HR app” to a global market
Death of the small HR practice as we know it? All the HR information you need for your business just 9.99? a unique Line manager focussed solution for HR.Starting local - going global, this innovative solution from the UKs CIPDJust a week after XpertHR announce their strategic alliance with Dovetail and their 30 second to track in house HR advice, The CIPD launch the 30 second solution to any HR problem with free custom solution if the answer is not in the database. Great news for … [Read more...] about CIPD to launch the total “HR app” to a global market
Learning change techniques from roadworks
This past week I have seen practical change management open and fail right in front of me.Where I live over the last few weeks, we have been subjected to many, many changes to the flow of traffic and accessibility of certain roads and accesses. This is due to significant utilities works in the area.None of us really like changes to our local roads, but one set of circumstances caused me to reflect on this and look at how we manage change in our organizations. Now this is nothing new, but … [Read more...] about Learning change techniques from roadworks
It’s not all about social media
Social media is what it is all about. But is it?Today on twitter someone was asking for ideas to promote a local food business on facebook. Now don't get me wrong, I use social media a lot. But are we using it as an excuse to avoid doing "real" marketing too?I'm beginning to think that many people are confusing social media with marketing channels. It can be, but only if you spend a lot of time and money on it. For the average small business, the real power in social media is in its … [Read more...] about It’s not all about social media
5 Ways to Get a Small Business off the Ground
In spite of tough economic times, many people still choose to start up small businesses.The draw of owning and operating one’s own business, and succeeding against all odds, is testament that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.For those considering the idea of opening a small business, file away a few tips, among which include:1. Write the plan: Whether it’s a formal or an informal written business plan and/or financial plan, it is essential to provide a big picture view … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Get a Small Business off the Ground
Social Media and Social Business – what do we mean?
As we move into a world where "social" is put on every HR and marketing strategy, much like "i" has been put on technology, are we at a risk of over complicating and confusing people.We are in the early hours of a new revolution, and I fear that many people are using what they consider to be "cool" or "sexy" titles rather than describing what is happeningSocial - It's not the emperors new clothesThere really is a sea change happening in the way we communicate - and this tide cannot … [Read more...] about Social Media and Social Business – what do we mean?
5 tips for making a sale
5 Tips for Making a Sale Some people in the business world seem to have an innate sense for how to sell a product. For others, this ability seems like something akin to magic -- a special power only available to a select few. If you fall somewhere in the middle, just knowing your customer and really believing in your product may be enough to help you make sales. If, on the other hand, you're in the "selling is magic" crowd, you may need to hire a wizard or two to help grow your business. Here … [Read more...] about 5 tips for making a sale
Plagiarism, presentations, training and business
Plagiarism, presentations, training and business websites We all know that it is wrong to copy someone else’s work without out proper attribution. But then we only usually copy or use a very small part of that book or article. Don’t we? Plagiarism – a definition Plagiarism is the "wrongful appropriation" and "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work – Wikipedia If you produced … [Read more...] about Plagiarism, presentations, training and business
