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
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?
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
Project Management or Project Leadership #pmot
In the last couple of years we have been asked to run a number of "Introduction to project management" courses for people in businesses. But what transpired was they the either needed management skills training or more importantly project leadership development. Successful Project Management Successful project management in today’s business environment is increasingly complex. Effective management of the intricate “people” side is the glue that holds together a project of any caliber. By … [Read more...] about Project Management or Project Leadership #pmot
Learning to do business overseas – The BILD & UKTI #BILDevent
Today I am attending an event run by The BILD in association with the UKTI.I will attempt to live blog from this event - as long as there is a good data connection ;)The event runs from 10:30 through to 15:30 GMT. Speakers include: Richard Parry - Head of Education Exports and Publishing - UKTIJoy Wilson - Spectrum Training ServicesGraham Snape - International Trade Advisor - UKTI Export for the Learning and Training Market Like any business, there is opportunity for business … [Read more...] about Learning to do business overseas – The BILD & UKTI #BILDevent
Business Trend – Talent Management & Engagement
Business Trend - Talent Management & Engagement Whilst looking for some data on the needs of organizations, I came across this visualisation based on some data from Forum. Whilst not comprehensive or universal, some of the key points here resonated with some of the issues I have seen in clients recently.Forum asked business leaders what their biggest challenges will be over the next 2-3 years. This is what they said: talent shortage, ability of staff to lead change and increased … [Read more...] about Business Trend – Talent Management & Engagement
Winter viruses and how to beat them – Infection control
Some months ago, the RapidBI team were invited to assist a BBC production team in the production of a scene for this BBC documentary - Winter viruses and how to beat themOur brief for the programme Winter viruses and how to beat them was to work to demonstrate how a virus would spread in the real world.In this pre-release clip (below), the BBC together with the Health & Safety Executive's Laboratory (UK) to explore the spread of the winter vomiting bug "Norovirus". In this dramatic … [Read more...] about Winter viruses and how to beat them – Infection control
Innovation Drivers for change
Innovation Drivers Innovation is that buzz phrase that many, many firms aspire to. The look at processes, and hiring innovative and bright people. But are we missing the point? Learning from history - the drivers of innovation Almost every point in history, when there have been problems that needed solving, especially when resources were sparse we have seen wonderful innovation. Whilst we may not like the context, the second world war gives some brilliant examples - Wallis's bouncing bomb, … [Read more...] about Innovation Drivers for change
Post nominal letters and qualifications
Letters after your name (post nominals) Being qualified, and having an education is important. In many parts of the world, this is more important than anything else. The use of post nominal letters after our names on documents and cards is a way of telling the world we are qualified.What prompted me to write this blog was a person who applied to join a LinkedIn group I run. His title and post nominal letters included:Prof. Dr. John Smith MBA, PGDTD, BEd, MEd, MPhil. PhD, … [Read more...] about Post nominal letters and qualifications
Succession Planning or Contingency Planning
Succession Planning or Contingency Planning is one of those things that is often talked about, but often considered too complex for many smaller businesses to understand - or even justify the perceived cost of undertaking such activity.And yes to those in the know, Succession Planning can be one of the most important human resource functions to sustaining business performance. What is Succession Planning? The CIPD define Succession Planning as: as a process for identifying and developing … [Read more...] about Succession Planning or Contingency Planning
Linkedin groups – Post & make it readable
Using LinkedIn groups effectively Linkedin is a great network, but one of the problems in the LinkedIn groups is the PRESENTATION summary of what is being discussed.Linkedin groups allows titles of posts to be over 180 characters - way too long.Worse - they "hide" the place to start the body of the message, and many users miss it.Even seasoned users seem to either not be aware of the "title" and "body" options inside the LinkedIn groups. Starting a Discussion in LinkedIn … [Read more...] about Linkedin groups – Post & make it readable
leadership-and-management-models-download-page-3b
Leadership and Management Models Download PowerPoint Slides – page 3b At RapidBI we use many management and leadership models and through the process of using them we have developed a library of 100′s.These pages have proved so popular that we now offer unbranded PowerPoint slides for you to download and use.Please note many of the models on the slides are copyright – please use appropriately.Go back to page 1 of the modelsGo back to page 2 of the models[wp_eStore_fancy1 … [Read more...] about leadership-and-management-models-download-page-3b
leadership-and-management-models-download-page-3a
Leadership and Management Models Download PowerPoint Slides – page 3a At RapidBI we use many management and leadership models and through the process of using them we have developed a library of 100′s.These pages have proved so popular that we now offer unbranded PowerPoint slides for you to download and use.Please note many of the models on the slides are copyright – please use appropriately.Go back to page 1 of the modelsGo back to page 2 of the models[wp_eStore_fancy1 … [Read more...] about leadership-and-management-models-download-page-3a
Business Networking Tips
Tips for Business Networking Networking, is it a key requirement for career success? Do you love it or loath it?This was the topic in one recent discussion on an HR community group. Answers ranged fromI do it only when I have to for business Hate the very thought of it It is part of what you need to do Love it, it enriches my worldWhat was interesting, was that whilst almost all respondents agreed that it was an essential activity, there was a feeling of resistance or … [Read more...] about Business Networking Tips
All change for the CIPD – #cipd12
In the UK, the world’s largest chartered institute for Human resource professionals are in the middle of their annual conference and exhibition.In another blog I have been tweeting and blogging live some of the key points, but felt that this topic deserves a specific mention. New CEO of CIPD Just a few short months ago (July 2012), Peter Cheese took control of the reins of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) from Jackie Orme.Orme herself, led the institute … [Read more...] about All change for the CIPD – #cipd12
#cipd12 Welcome to the CIPD Annual Conference & Exhibition
Welcome to the annual conference of the CIPD#cipd12 On this post I will attempt to maintain a live blog throughout the conference programme. #CIPD12 Feel free to add your own comments or thoughts<<what you are reading here is a series of tweets, and the time I made them. This was live blogging in action>> #cipd12 Live blog (in Reverse order)17.16This is the end of the blog from the sessions for day one – more from me tomorrow #cipd12let me know what you think … [Read more...] about #cipd12 Welcome to the CIPD Annual Conference & Exhibition
5 ways detect lying clients reading their facial cues
Reading facial cues Whilst looking for some images to illustrate an influencing course I am designing I came across this graphic.From its title "5 ways detect lying clients reading their facial cues" you would be led to believe that reading body language and facial cues is easy, but is it?Are these "actions" real or constructed? If real can they be masked or covered?Take the second image "I'm signing this off today" - maybe this is not because you have lost the deal but because the … [Read more...] about 5 ways detect lying clients reading their facial cues
Public sector sexism and the lost generation
Public sector sexism and the lost generation It's unusual for me to write about political issues, but last week I heard what in my mind is one of the worst cases of potential sexism in an institutional organisation for many years. I'm sure you have other examples, but here is mine. Wasted 2 years of her life? "B" is 18, She has just completed a 2 year college course in animal management (diploma level 3 extended). She attained good grades. She has a passion for animal of all sizes and off her … [Read more...] about Public sector sexism and the lost generation
Public sector sexism and the lost generation
Public sector sexism and the lost generation It's unusual for me to write about political issues, but last week I heard what in my mind is one of the worst cases of potential sexism in an institutional organisation for many years. I'm sure you have other examples, but here is mine.Is there Public sector sexism? Is it institutional? 2 years of her life wasted? "B" is 18, She has just completed a 2 year college course in animal management (diploma level 3 extended). She attained good … [Read more...] about Public sector sexism and the lost generation
