Are you a Branson or a Sugar? New tool launches to help identify your management style
Half of the UK workforce thinks the dominant management style within their organisation is negative, putting the UK’s economic recovery at risk, according to the latest figures published today by the Chartered Management Institute. A new survey of the workforce (5,000 adults surveyed by One Poll) highlights the three most common management styles within UK […]
Public sector managers: Facing the challenge head on
Managers in the public sector get a bad wrap, says the ILM’s David Pardey. But are they getting the support and training they need to meet the challenges they face in the global recession? It is easy to paint a picture of the stereotypical public sector manager putting their head in the sand and hoping […]
Bullying in the ranks: Stamp it out
With bullying hitting the headlines again, John Pope reasses the basics – and asks, how can we nip it in the bud? I wrote an article for HRzone.co.uk over two years ago on the subject of culture, ethics, bad behaviour, and bullying in business. I wrote that it is a top management responsibility to make sure […]
Women are still being duped into earning less than men
Interim managers have exposed that female employees earn 7% less than men, a recent survey showed. The survey, conducted between July and December 2009 and involving 11,000 interim managers, highlighted that on average, women were paid £553 a day; while average pay for men was £592 a day in areas of sales and marketing, HR […]
It’s good to talk: 82% of managers say ‘a chat’ is the best way to learn
Managers find an informal chat with a colleague is by far the most frequent and effective learning activity according to a new report. ‘How managers learn (in their own words),’ commissioned by online toolkit provider GoodPractice, questioned over 200 leaders and managers about how they assimilate information. Surprisingly, 82% will consult a colleague at least […]
Creating new leaders: From firefighter to strategic visionary
When it comes to finding great leaders, we need more than troubleshooters and firefighters, argues Andrew C. Marshall, we need visionaries. "To accomplish great things we must first dream, then visualize, then plan… believe… act!" Alfred A. Montapert The complexity of organisations today reflects the inter-connectedness of systems, processes and people. Absent a path that […]
Managers behaving badly
Almost two-thirds of managers consider staff Christmas parties a behavioural minefield while one-third don’t enjoy them at all. 61% of managers think that company Christmas parties are a behavioural minefield, with one in five knowing someone who has been disciplined or fired thanks to overenthusiastic festive frolics, according to a new survey carried out by […]
MPs speak out on leadership
Last week, the CMI launched its Better Managed Britain campaign, TrainingZone’s Verity Gough was there to ask the burning questions. Here’s what was said. bits://v/oBxwQJsT-58072-36800 Last week, the CMI launched its Better Managed Britain campaign, TrainingZone’s Verity Gough was there to ask the burning questions. Here’s what was said. bits://v/oBxwQJsT-58072-36800
CMI’s ‘Better Managed Britain’ campaign launches
More than 1,500 leaders and managers have pledged their commitment to a new manifesto launched by the Chartered Management Institute in a bid to nurture a nation of strong leaders and managers. PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Synergy Health and the RSPCA have already pledged their support of the Manifesto which is also being backed by government. The Better […]
Corporate reputation – L&D’s responsibility?
In business, reputation is everything. Simon Thomas argues the growing importance of L&D’s role in managing corporate reputation. As Warren Buffett, the U.S. investor, businessman and philanthropist stated, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and only five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that then you’ll do things differently”. Fitting it […]
How to prepare for the upturn
Will you be a winner or a loser as we emerge from the recession? Dan Kaplan argues that investment in people could be the difference between failure and success. It is during times of recession that those with genuine leadership skills emerge: Leaders bold enough to take decisive steps, so their company is best-placed to […]
Keeping business productivity going when Swine flu hits
As companies continue to stem the loss of workers suffering from Swine flu, how can you keep your organisation on track? Mary Clarke advises. The UK has been hit by swine flu once again with recent National Health Service reports showing that the outbreak has affected 66 schools throughout England. Additionally, the Health Protection Agency […]
A managers’ guide to teambuilding
The path to teambuilding nirvana can be littered with obstacles. John Pope outlines his no-nonsense guide for managers. We have teams so that people get better results by working together rather than separately. Members stay together for quite a time, even when it is a temporary team to work on a project – though that can […]
Knowledge management: L&D’s hidden asset
Knowledge management is an effective means of measuring and understanding the skills of your workforce. Mary Clarke explains how L&D should be taking advantage of this undervalued assett. In today’s business world, knowledge is a marketable commodity. It is the most valuable attribute for workers to promote when job hunting, and thus the most highly […]
Brit leaders are losers in employees’ eyes
Senior leadership teams in the UK are not seen as strong and visible leaders by their employees according to the latest global research. An international study of 28,810 employees revealed that the UK was ranked 10th out of the 15 countries included in the poll in terms of how well employees view their leaders. This […]
Beyond SMART – Writing effective learning objectives
Making sure your learning objectives hit the mark is more of an art than a science. Owen Smith says it’s all a matter of semantics. It’s no great secret that when it comes to writing any training or learning intervention, starting with the ‘end in mind’, i.e. the objectives, is best. But how can we […]
How to: Conduct a successful performance review
They may be part and parcel of the training manager’s life but there is a certain art to getting the most out of them. John Pope advises on how to tackle the dreaded performance review. Most of us will have had reviews which were skimped or ineffective, late or did not address issues we felt […]
Motivation training: Am I bovvered?
With employee satisfaction levels dropping faster than the interest rate, Stephanie Sparrow looks at the surge in popularity of motivation training. Has the UK workforce got an attitude problem? Surely not, when there are numerous reports of employees taking pay cuts and working shorter weeks in order to keep their companies afloat. Nevertheless, recent research […]
How to create a coaching culture
Organisations talk about having a coaching culture or a coaching style of management, but how often is this lip-service rather than a fundamental change? David Minchin looks at what it means to have a coaching culture and how to help managers become good coaches. A coaching culture involves a range of styles and techniques with […]
The balancing act
As the stresses and strains of modern life change, so too does the training managers’ remit. Tim Holden looks at how to help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance. In July 2009 I met with the head of human resources for a potential new client, listed as one of the Sunday Times Best Companies to […]
