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It’s a new fiscal year for a lot of businesses. Targets are being set. Commitments are agreed. Customers are made promises. And the big question that businesses face is how can they expect to grow and generate more revenue from their customer base and new customers if their customer service is not set at the […]
Let’s start at the very beginning… What’s a project? How about ‘a unique venture, with a start and an end, and its own budget, perhaps intended to create something new, to meet established goals within parameters of cost, time and quality’. Like most things in life, a good start works wonders. So how, as project […]
Flex your approach We all have preferred ways of working, and managers and leaders will have preferred ways of managing and leading. If you’re not sure about your preferred style of leadership, it’s usually the one which emerges when you’re under pressure! Not thinking first, just saying and doing, with mixed results! This is where […]
Stages of team development What’s a team? How about ‘a group of people working together to achieve a common goal or objective’? How does that sound – not bad? And if you like the definition, do you have a team? If the answer is no, then how do you get one? Questions, questions! Let’s look […]
“Can I give you some feedback please?” What’s it like for you when someone unexpectedly offers you feedback? How do you react? Intellectually most of us know that feedback should be helpful, that we should treat it as a friend. The problem is, particularly if we have not gone out and invited it, feedback can […]
(This blog was updated in January 2024) In our interconnected world, we often find ourselves collaborating with colleagues, clients, and suppliers from various countries and time zones. Cities and countries are becoming melting pots of diverse cultures, emphasising the need for effective communication both within organisations and with the public. Recent studies highlight the growing […]
Conflict or communication – which works best for you? Three types of Team Conflict: When the stakes are high, which one of these scenarios have you seen play out? (A) The conflict is swept under the carpet. Denial that conflict existed, or had any impact on the team or performance (B) When aggression threatens to […]
You’ve been promoted – congratulations! It’s your first leadership role, and it is something you have wanted for some time. Nearly half of all leadership transitions fail You are beginning to realise that there are things to plan for as well as celebrate. There is a shocking statistic that nearly half of all leadership transitions […]
What DO Excellent Account Managers do differently? There’s account managers who seem to just about do enough in terms of generating profitability. And then there is successful Account Managers who are critical to their business and the customers they serve. This sounds familiar with account management teams across the responsible for developing account managers….so […]
Is there a problem here? Logically, everyone knows it makes sense to use our strengths at work, yet not all of us do. Research from strength expert Marcus Buckingham shows that only 12% of professionals use their strengths consistently in the workplace. This can have a huge negative impact on business performance. What does it […]
In a survey conducted in 2018 by a leading British University, Organisational Skills emerged as the 3rd most important skill sought by employers in the UK? Organisations skills are amongst the most transferable and valuable in any marketplace. They allow professionals to plan and prioritise their objectives and meet their goals. The Chartered Institute of […]
It takes an honest person to admit that they overcontrol at work. Maybe you know someone who has received this feedback? Maybe someone has confided in you that their team are not working at their best? They may have even suggested that their overcontrolling style of micro-management could be contributing to this? One thing is […]
5 elements of great Customer Service Being focused on great service can raise so many positive aspects in a business. It can save you money and build an identity, and a business with an identity is pretty powerful stuff. Just ask Apple or Nike! Each of these brands is recognised by a unique ingredient. […]
Effective Communication Skills – Three tips to deal with Conflict Wouldn’t it be great if we could choose who we wanted to work with? Yet we have differences in personality, culture and working style, or a clash of competing objectives or even disagreements over solutions. The list of reasons why conflict occurs can be […]
Active listening is an underrated communication skill that Leaders and professionals need to develop and improve. The benefits which come from this ability will raise your reputation and help you develop empathy. This article will explore the importance of active listening and how you can develop your skill to improve communication and at work. What […]
The 4 basic Financial Statements for Success Finance for Non-Financial Managers Unpredictability of the markets and the impact of changing consumer demands can lead to serious implications for business stability. Awareness in profitability is paramount. It is imperative that a manager has the ability to understand financial processes. This article will explore the FOUR […]
Are performance appraisals good or bad? There are staggering repercussions to conducting performance appraisals, especially in context to overall team performance, productivity and efficiency. Some may consider the appraisal to be a time-consuming event best suited to the ‘quiet’ times in the business. Others argue that they neither effect performance nor offer any real financial […]
The dynamic art of selling defines success. There is nothing in the world like being handed a signed contract or seeing the product you just sold being prepped for shipment. No other area of professional skills offers such gratification. It feels like you won first prize. Yet do we win as much as we lose? […]
As the most important person in the room apart from the chair, here are five tips any minute taker can use to improve efficiency and productivity when writing minutes. 1. Be an active listener Even if you are not taking part in the meeting and your role is to take the minutes it is important […]
The nature of nerves Several years ago, a survey was conducted to identify the top 10 public fears. Public speaking came up as number 1! Above spiders and other creepy crawlies, deep water, heights, illness, financial worries, open spaces, flying – death came in about number 9 on the list. The key point here is […]
The challenge of change Anything new or different in our lives means change. Isn’t that exciting? Apparently not! When asked about change, most people will answer that they do not like it. Why? Usually because their comfort zone is in jeopardy. That wonderful protective bubble that we lovingly construct around ourselves. In the comfort zone, […]
Read any book or article about the necessary talents to be a great Leader, and effective communication skills are dominate, particularly the ability to be a great listener. Mastering listening is one of the five key essentials in communication that every Manager needs. To get you started, follow these 5 practical tips: 1) Use open […]
Coping with stress Stress defined? ‘When the demands placed upon us at work exceed our resources, and we feel we can no longer cope’. You’ve had a stressful day – there’s too much work, deadlines are tight and you’re worrying constantly about the consequences of not getting it done. Perhaps your manager (also stressed) is […]
From stock-take to plate costing The apprenticeship in hospitality is a learning curve in managing costs. Everything is calculated and considered. The months ahead are assessed for school holidays and man-made events. This year’s performance is a gauge to future expectations and budget planning. Yet nothing is taken as seriously, nor done as religiously, as […]
Are you really minding your own business – or is someone else? The importance of cash The key requirement for any business is its ability to generate and sustain profit. If building ‘cash-flow’ is the crux of excellent business management, protecting it should be likewise. Money converts products, labour and a selection of mechanisms, such […]
Negotiating tactics Negotiation consists of 4 stages: Prepare: what do we want? Discuss: what do they want? Propose: what could we trade Bargain: what will we trade? The last 3 stages unfold across the negotiating table, but the first one always happens in advance. You need to be well prepared to ensure maximum productivity; know […]
Identifying Conflict Conflict in business is simply unavoidable. Disagreement over actions, a clash of perspectives and opposing visions can result in problems between people. Some reactions may be inappropriate, while others seem justified. When it comes to effective communication, a professional’s ability to manage conflicts is one of the most challenging and rewarding skills there […]
Planning your presentation If You Fail To Plan, You Plan To Fail! The success or failure of a presentation is determined long before you walk into the venue and engage the audience. Let’s consider how you can plan your presentation effectively, making it as relevant, concise and targeted for your audience as possible. If you […]
You are not alone! It’s time to stand up in front of your clients, customers, business partners, project team or training delegates to convey everything you know to an audience. They will be hanging on your every word. Maybe you are contemplating a job interview or have been persuaded to make a speech at a […]
Decision making – is it mind over matter? How can we decide? German psychologist, Gerd Gigerenzer, identified ‘heuristics’ as tools for smart decision making in times of uncertainty. Allied to intuition, he argues, it is the subconscious mind which decides what our choice will be, given the overwhelming number of options available to us. What […]
Why is it down to managers to solve problems? After all staff are taken on to do specific jobs within their remit, which might include coming up with new ideas. The manager is the one who finds solutions and implements them. It is defined within the performance criteria of their role. The need is to […]
Why minute taking is hard A Local Council once asked me for ideas to help their secretaries Council meetings perform better when taking minutes. They were greatly experienced, and the agencies involved met regularly. But concentrating on taking minutes for a four-hour meeting is difficult. The mind will struggle to stay focused. It starts to […]
Its all about the people focus Management of your business has one crucial focus – people. It’s all about people. The great leaders and the business gurus know this. They coach their business forward with the energy they invest into others. Leaders who struggle tend to spend too much unnecessary time putting out fires. Staffing […]
There are many different personalities in the workplace, but assertive communication can be incredibly helpful during tough situations that are time-critical or involve important decision making. Sadly, the border between being assertive and annoying is thin, and it’s very easy to overstep your boundaries. Try following this advice on how to become an assertive communicator, […]
Public speaking is an art form that needs to be mastered. There are certain traits that all of the best public speakers share, which is what makes them so good at addressing rooms full of people and captivating an audience. In this blog, we’ll share five tips that will help you become a better public […]
Did you know that around 30% of your weekly workload is dedicated to managing your inbox? That’s an absurd amount of time, and it needs to change. So, we’ve compiled ten tips that will drastically improve your email time management, leading to far more efficiency in your working week. Avoid Archiving On the face of […]
When your job revolves around the ability to come up with solutions, then you need excellent creative problem-solving skills. The following post will show you twelve of the best tips to really hone in on your creativity: Open yourself up to new ideas You can’t solve problems through creative thinking if you’re unwilling to explore […]
How can an understanding of yourself help you become a better manager? You’ve sat on the bench long enough, and in your mind you have a vision of the impact you want to make on the team. You know the areas that require immediate improvements, you’re well-rehearsed at what doesn’t work. How do you ensure you reach peak performance – the answer is within you. (Don’t worry […]
Didn’t you get the memo? When the ambition to meet a goal requires the work of a diverse team, the power to drive efficiency, performance and productivity rests squarely on our ability to communicate. With so much going on, how can we create an effective strategy to ensure the right people are getting the right message, at the right time? Try these 7 starting points to help you: 1. […]
Do we burn the house down to get rid of the mouse? Does a person’s ability to solve problems directly relate to advancement? Does the capacity to find solutions enable promotion? If so, how many correct solutions does one need to acquire? It has been shown that consistent problem solvers progress in their career faster than those who select the wrong option. It’s the secret […]
Managing time doesn’t work, but this does…. Imagine this… a typical day begins You made a plan. The report is due in two days and there is no way you can miss the deadline. The day starts well, you beat the alarm by 15 minutes and by 6:30am you are at the office, pumped and determined. You throw yourself into routine. Coffee while the computer boots up, check emails and answer the priorities. The one you missed yesterday takes an […]
If you’ve been asked to speak at a presentation then it may already be making you nervous. The idea of standing on stage and addressing dozens of people can be daunting, but there are a couple of skills that you can learn in order to make the entire experience a lot more manageable. Creating a […]
Presentations can be nerve wracking if you’re the one standing up on stage to speak. So to help you out, we’ve prepared a list of 15 different tips to help you improve your presentation skills. 1. Do something to calm your nerves before the presentation Whether it’s eating something light, doing a bit of exercise or […]
Being a manager means being a good leader. Your team look up to you for guidance, and want you to give them direction, praise and assistance. They want a manager who can lead them to the correct thing to do, not just someone who barks orders and hands out discipline. To be an effective manager, you […]
Unless you’re an experienced and charismatic person, it’s very difficult to show confidence at a business presentation. It could cause your audience’s attention to wander and getting your point across could be challenging. People often don’t take classes on public speaking so it’s something that generally has to be learned as you go. So to […]
Power BI is Microsoft’s powerful business intelligence tool. It’s a fantastic tool for visualising data, offering a range of benefits for analysts who want to be able to present their information in a more digestible way. Of course, there are other tools for visualisation, so why should you choose to use Microsoft Power BI instead […]
Even if you’re a charismatic person in the office, giving a presentation can feel like an incredibly daunting task that you just aren’t comfortable with. Even if you’re used to speaking in public, giving a detailed presentation can be very difficult if you’ve not had any experience. So in this post, we’re going to talk […]
Business intelligence continues to be an important sector for businesses everywhere. As data becomes more and more important, and we find new ways to collect and analyse it, it’s vital to keep up with how things are changing and growing. Business intelligence analysts need to keep their finger on the pulse in this fast-growing field […]
Being a manager of anything is a great responsibility that needs to be taken seriously in order to make an impact. There are plenty of managers in the world that simply don’t respect what they do, resulting in poor communication between team members and a generally unproductive business. If you want to improve your company’s […]
When it comes to managing change efficiently, understanding the various stages is paramount to optimising productivity. Initially, it’s about keeping on track and ensuring that each stage has full buy-in and collaboration. The one thing that can make or break organisational change’s success is communication. Taking a few moments to consider the correct positioning of the new information will not only help the transition and […]