They'll Eat Out of Your Hand If You Know What to Feed Them, is a new book by Dr. Laura Hills This book looks at what the author says are the "30 Essential Communication Skills that Give Highly Successful Career Professionals Their Edge". Split in to six parts, following a 6 point communications mode, Hills provides a well documented journey for developing professionals. Taking a holistic approach Hills takes the reader on a journey through not just one area of communications skills, but and … [Read more...] about They’ll Eat Out of Your Hand – Book Review #Leadership
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?
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
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
Marketing Excellence #TDAD13
Some events are public, some are private. Sometimes we are lucky to be allowed to attend a private event and share.This is a blog on marketing excellence from a trade event somewhere in the South East of England for a group of elite professionals in the marketing space.For commercial reasons I cannot say where this marketing excellence event is happening, or who it is for, but I can share some of the great learning taking place. Marketing Excellence Speakers The lead speakers … [Read more...] about Marketing Excellence #TDAD13
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
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.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
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
Who are your Thought Leaders?
Who are your "Thought Leaders"? .. but before any of us can answer that we need to know What or who is a thought leader?According to the great research "god" Wikipedia:The term was coined in 1994 by Joel Kurtzman, editor-in-chief of the Booz Allen Hamilton magazine, Strategy & Business. "Thought leader" was used to designate interview subjects for that magazine who had business ideas that merited attention The definition I prefer comes from Forbes: "It's a truism that … [Read more...] about Who are your Thought Leaders?
7 tops ways of promoting your website
7 key ways to promote your business & website It is all very well having a website - but how do people know its there - and more importantly do the great modern gods (Google, Bing, Yahoo etc) know you exist? do they think your site is important?Relevant - Does your website CLEARLY say what you do & don't do? - its all very well people finding your site - but you need them to contact you. Ensure your offer is obvious - ask for friends & family what they make of your site. … [Read more...] about 7 tops ways of promoting your website
How Small Businesses REALLY spend their money
How Small Businesses REALLY spend their money While looking at habits and buying patterns of business people I came across this small piece of research looking at the spending habits of small business owners - 1-5 employees.Again this is US in origin, but it does show some insights. If meals and entertainment are worth up to 12% of turnover, but marketing is only worth 1% - they tells us something about attitudes to spending ON the business rather than IN the business.For those of us … [Read more...] about How Small Businesses REALLY spend their money
Social Media – its not about you – the #1 mistake many corporates make
Social Media - it's not about you - the #1 mistake many corporates make This past week has been an interesting one for me on twitter, and it has led me to a realisation of where many in social media go wrong.The week started for me last week (I know it sounds mad) - in that I had a major series of problem from a supplier. I had already been in discussions with their social media team about the appalling levels of customer service their call centres made, along with multiple "school boy" … [Read more...] about Social Media – its not about you – the #1 mistake many corporates make
Are you or might you be subject to IR35? as contractor or employer
Are you or might you be subject to IR35? as contractor or employer There are an increasingly number of people working as consultants and contractors that purport to be self employed. But are you really?In the UK, the HMRC has a number of checks which is often used to confirm a persons employment status. These have recently been changed.The neat graphic below, has all the questions and the likely outcome.If you employ "freelancers" you may want to check this to see if your … [Read more...] about Are you or might you be subject to IR35? as contractor or employer
If twitter were just 100 people
If twitter were just 100 people This is an interesting way of looking at your twitter followers.So in reality less than 5% of your followers add anything to your message by re-tweeting to significant numbers. We need to find and delete the "dead" 20It's the 20% towards the right (ignoring the "loud mouths" we need to influenceWhat do you make of this data?Check out our data visualization blog. Source - unknown … [Read more...] about If twitter were just 100 people
Leadership through the ages
Leadership through the ages We all know that managing and leading businesses of today is different from 20+ years ago. But how is it different?This interesting graphic helps to show the focus of some of those key differences. Leadership and modern management and business thinking is very much a fashion. Trends come and go. There are some classical approaches which sit there constantly. The goal for all leadership development professionals is to recognise what is a trend, and what are "core" … [Read more...] about Leadership through the ages
Its not going to happen here! – change management psychology
It's not going to happen here! - change management psychologyChange management psychology - Death, Taxes and change - some say are the only consistants in lifeSome people love and welcome change - not all change - but a partuicular change at a particular point in time. The change may be instigated by our partner, boss, peers, suppliers, technology etc. These are all factors of change management psychology. Having the skills to effectively manage the effects of change management should be … [Read more...] about Its not going to happen here! – change management psychology
Jam tomorrow, or jam today? – What is the budget?
Jam tomorrow, or Jam today?"I'm sure I'll take you with pleasure!" the Queen said. "Two pence a week, and jam every other day." Alice couldn't help laughing, as she said, "I don't want you to hire ME - and I don't care for jam." "It's very good jam," said the Queen. "Well, I don't want any TO-DAY, at any rate." "You couldn't have it if you DID want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday - but never jam to-day." "It MUST come sometimes to 'jam to-day'," … [Read more...] about Jam tomorrow, or jam today? – What is the budget?
Gamification in business – the war on leadership and talent
Gamification in business - the war on leadership and talent Gamification - It's here, its there its everywhere - are you taking part? Do you even know its a game?What am I talking about? Gamification - turning potentially mundain tasks into game activities, where "points make prizes"In the business world this has been happening for years under the guise of Management By Objectives (MBO) and bonuses. Set a target, when people reach it - reward them. Social Media … [Read more...] about Gamification in business – the war on leadership and talent
