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
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?
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
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
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?
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
successful networking at events – 5 key steps
Successful networking at events is one of the goals that many professionals seek to achieve.Love them or hate them, business networking events are here to stay. And in a world where we are increasingly working online, successful networking at events is becoming more important than ever.One of the real successes of late are "tweet-ups" - meetings between people that have engaged on twitter. These can be powerful networking events, as to some extent the "ice is already broken" even if … [Read more...] about successful networking at events – 5 key steps
Recruitment Feedback – The brand image of your organization
Staff - love them or hate them, all businesses need them to not only survive, but thrive. From time to time every business needs to hire some one. This usually involves placing an advertisement somewhere, having a number of people apply, short listing, interviewing and then offering the best or most suitable person.Sounds simple huh!Ok so we all know that short-listing can be a challenge, and as for interviewing, well that is a whole set of blogs on their own. Giving recruitment feedback … [Read more...] about Recruitment Feedback – The brand image of your organization
Manners online and forum/ platform culture
Manners online and forum/ platform culture - are they the same? There have recently been some discussions about the culture of social media sites and this sometimes gets confused with "manners" - but are they the same thing?In the real world as children and young adults we learn how to act with politeness, respect, and courtesy.However in the virtual world or world of social media, manners are still developing.This slideshare shows some great tips for social media manners … [Read more...] about Manners online and forum/ platform culture
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
Reality Coaching – Real Coaching – A Case Study
Introduction Have you noticed that over the past few years the use of the word ‘coaching’ has been increasing within the business environment? What started this trend? Was it that coaching really works or was it that companies started to outsource their training departments and as a consequence it was more cost effective to ‘train’ one on one? What ever the reason the reality is that coaching is here and it is here to stay.So what makes a good (or great) coach – well that is the easy one … [Read more...] about Reality Coaching – Real Coaching – A Case Study
How to write an internal communications plan and strategy
Internal Communications Plans Just how do we start to write an internal communications plan and communications strategy?Increasingly Human Resources (HR) or Organizational Development (OD) teams are being asked to drive and deliver internal communications, but what is an internal communications plan and how do you go about writing and applying one?Why have an internal communications plan? First we need to understand why it is important to have an internal communications plan. … [Read more...] about How to write an internal communications plan and strategy
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques1. Conceptual clarity: It is seen more often than not the term Accelerated or Brain Friendly Learning Technique is used in a loose manner to mean 'any learning activity' that expedites the learning process. While it encompasses within itself an activity of learning, yet it does not convey the true import of the concept whose objective is to teach the whole person in order to impart the core elements to the learners (students) which … [Read more...] about A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
Social media marketing - tips for success in 2010 Read my 9 top tips for social media marketing below.As entrepreneurs and smaller businesses marketing is a vital yet difficult concept for many of us. Many of us hate it and want to find the "quick fix".What prompted me to write this article was receipt this morning of a 'newsletter' I get that goes straight to my junk mail. It is from Kenneth Yu "the Puppet Master" (take care with his sites as they take a lot of processing power and clever … [Read more...] about You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
Social networking in L&D is it effective?
Most learning professionals agree that interaction is key to learning and development.Increasingly groups and communities are being developed both within our organizations and using third party sites like LinkedIn , Facebook etc for networking. But is it working? there is a considerable amount of anecdotal evidence (and some research) to show that there is a ratio for success - 90:9:1where one person created or initiated the environment nine people edit, moderate or drive the … [Read more...] about Social networking in L&D is it effective?
Eight Orientations of #Innovation
What Is Your Creativity And Risk-Taking Orientation? Measuring the creative sense and risk-taking orientation of individuals in organisations helps to explain why one organisation (or team) stagnates and dies, another takes excessive risks and lands in bankruptcy, and yet others are moderately to extremely successful. Understanding the eight orientations of innovation can help improve performance and change.As the Creatrix model suggests, your creativity and risk-taking orientation can be … [Read more...] about Eight Orientations of #Innovation
Organizational Diagnostic Reviews
What is a Diagnostic Review? Before exploring the function and content of a Diagnostic Review lets understand what we mean.Diagnostic - Refers to something that is used to determine the cause or disorder in a function/ organization.Review - A commentary, often with criticism or correction. Also a report providing a critical consideration of a work or activity. A diagnostic review examines an organizations management and financial systems and practices. Diagnostic reviews are generally … [Read more...] about Organizational Diagnostic Reviews
Psychometric tests – Aptitude (Ability) and Personality Testing
Aptitude (ability) and Personality Testing Whether you are a believer or a doubter I would like to assure you that most of these are VERY well researched instruments and over the years have been proved to really work - when used properly.When used as assessment tools they should complement and support other programmes and exercises. They should never be used in isolation.Psychometric testing is based on either Aptitude (testing skills such as verbal and numerical reasoning and logical … [Read more...] about Psychometric tests – Aptitude (Ability) and Personality Testing
