The Way I See It… The Qualities of Leadership
What are the qualities of a good leader? Peter Davies, Business Adviser for Business Link for London discusses the important traits of strong leadership and management. While the skills gap in the UK workforce is routinely cited in the media, the importance of employing highly skilled, well-trained managers and leaders cannot be underestimated. According to […]
Flexible Working Highlights Skills Need for Managers
Line managers need training to help them implement successful flexible working practices, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). In a survey the CIPD found that almost half (45%) of line managers reported difficulties in implementing flexible working practices. The factors most likely to cause problems were demonstrating fairness between employees, communicating […]
Communication Skills Crucial for Managers
A new survey highlights the importance for managers to be skilled communicators, with more than half of workers polled saying they plan to quit their companies over the next two years because of bad communication.According to a report by workplace communications consultancy CHA, the typical UK workplace is awash with communications initiatives. However, while workers […]
Skills Wish of London Firms
Nearly half of London’s business owners put skills at the top of their wish list according to the findings of a new survey of over 900 small and medium sized businesses in the capital. Undertaken by Business Link for London, the small business advice and support service for the capital, the survey revealed that 43% […]
Middle Managers Four-Year Promotion Timescale
By the fourth year in the middle-management layer, most UK companies have decided whether a manager has senior-level potential or should remain on the central rungs of the career ladder, according to a new study.Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI) interviewed 200 HR directors or senior executives in the UK and 200 HR directors or senior […]
Training Key to Tackling Workplace Bullies
Training is the most effective method of countering workplace bullies, according to a study by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).A survey of 512 executives across public and private sectors found that bullying is rife with psychological intimidation seen as the biggest problem. The research found that the most common forms of bullying are misuse of […]
Trainer’s Tip: Conflict Resolution
How do you prevent a difference in opinion becoming a full-scale conflict? Rich Lucas has some advice. I’m an approved self protection instructor, we deal with conflict resolution with an ABC methodA – Avoid conflict if possible, prevention is the best cure.B – Breathe deeply, don’t take it personally or get upset.C – Control your […]
Training needed for Britain’s “Dreadful” Bosses
Nearly a quarter of bosses are judged to be bad or dreadful according to a survey of employees.And training is seen as the solution – with almost half of workers said that their bosses had not had enough training to do their jobs.The Good Boss Company consultancy group surveyed 1,000 workers, more than two-thirds said […]
The Way I See It… All Leaders Manage, but not all Managers Lead
Whilst all leaders have the ability to manage, only a small proportion of managers have the necessary skills to become strong leaders. According to Joanna Knight, director with Berkshire Consultancy Limited, this is because they do not possess the three core skills necessary to bridge the gap between maintaining the status quo and driving change. […]
Review: The Management Task
Title:The Management Task – 3rd editionAuthor: Rob DixonPublisher: Butterworth HeinemannISBN: 0 7506 5985 8Price: Reviewer:Jo Lamb-WhiteThis book has been published in association with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and is one of a series marketed under the Institute’s banner and is pitched at Certificate level (NVQ level 4).If you have ever thought that NVQ meant […]
UK Management Skills Gap with Europe
Formal management qualifications in the UK do not necessarily result in effective management skills, according to a study into management training and development in Europe. The six-country comparative study supported by the European Union, by authors at Brunel University and Birkbeck College also found that despite this shortcoming, human resources and development managers in the […]
Bosses Cite Importance of Stress Management
The skills to manage stress effectively are crucial for a successful business career, according to two-thirds of bosses questioned in a new survey.The study by communications consultancy the Aziz Corporation found that most managers (92%) felt that placing staff under a certain degree of pressure could have positive results, ensuring that targets and deadlines are […]
Feature: Feedback Culture – Avoiding the Blame Game
If you are training staff to give feedback but not how to receive it, you may be storing up more problems than you are solving, according to Clare Hollett, Managing Consultant at Blue Sky Consulting. Feedback culture are business buzz words at the moment. Everyone wants it, some even say they’ve got it, but in […]
Tricks of the Trade: Speed Reading
In the third instalment of our Tricks of the Trade series, Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine, highlights why speed reading is so valuable in business. Click here to read part one: The Ultimate Aides Memoire and read part two: Mind Maps here. Why do we need to speed read? Aren’t we under enough pressure at […]
Trainer’s Tip: Learning Styles Line Up
This week’s tip, from Joanna Howard, is a simple and effective exercise to demonstrate learning styles. Using a line along the floor as a continuum from theorist to activist, I ask people to place themselves on the line in response to the question: “Imagine you have to do something new, rather challenging, and you want […]
Feature: The Secrets of Engaging Employees
Having employees who are thoroughly motivated and truly engaged with what they are doing is the “holy grail” for many organisations. Dr Charles Woodruffe explains why, and offers advice on how to achieve this ideal condition. Engaging employees is important whatever the potential of the employee, but it is especially crucial for truly talented people […]
The Way I See It … The Mobile Phone is Damaging Professionalism
How did we cope without the mobile phone? It has revolutionised the way we work and play, allowing people to keep in touch 24/7. But with the trends for texting in sick and changing business plans at the last minute, has the mobile resulted in a working culture that lacks professionalism? Nick Hood, senior London […]
The Way I See It… Escape the Stress Trap
Coach Graham Alexander reveals the secrets to achieving a more palatable work/life balance highlighting two examples of senior executives who managed to escape the stress trap. There is no escaping stress in the workplace. In the UK, we are now working longer hours than ever before, juggling work commitments, families, friends and fitness – the […]
The Way I See It… Realise their Potential
In light of the serious skills shortages faced by many UK organisations, Godfrey Owen, Deputy Chief Executive of people development consultancy Brathay, looks at how developing talent is critical to the improved business performance and success. He argues that in order to address the skills shortage, UK companies would do well to adopt a structured […]
Case Study: Leadership at the Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission has put leadership within its organisation firmly on the agenda, with a development programme designed for its top managers. Such has been the success that a similar scheme for middle managers considered as having high-potential. The Legal Services Commission, the public body which is responsible for legal aid, is running a […]