communication

Prepare to have that conversation….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

My 3rd tip for 21st Mental Health Awareness Week ‘prepare to have a conversation’. Think about where your head is at – are you emotionally in the right place to start a conversation?, have you got time to focus? location – somewhere private to talk, body language, words, tone, empathy NOT sympathy, how will you set your boundaries ion the conversation veers into an area you feel uncomfortable with? listen to understand NOT REPLY & ALWAYS reflect back to make sure you heard correctly.

Make sure you act on fact not feeling.

Orientation – the fun way!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

After 5 years, 2019 saw the introduction of a sleek new format for Growing Talent.  Now 6 weeks long with, in exceptional circumstances, the ability to lengthen this to a max 12 weeks, it still has the two core elements essential to completing the Growing Talent journey – Orientation Week & Holistic Week.

 

The Orientation Week takes place after selection but prior to going on the employer’s site and training in the vacant role.  This is designed to build confidence, set challenges, raise self-esteem and of course building team work.

 

A new venue as well at Etc Venues in Eastcheap saw the additional of breakfast for all Growing Talent Associates each morning on the Orientation !

 

A selection of cereals, cold meats, cheese, pastries and of course a smoothie corner!

 

The coffee centre for cappuccino, lattes as well as teas was a welcome shot of caffeine during the week!

 

Monday saw Lesley – Head of H&S at PwC join us to deliver her invigorating 3Rs (Refresh, Renewal and Rejuvenate) workshop designed to enhance wellbeing.

 

Lesley shared her top tips on healthy choices, staying awake and energised as well as the amount of ingredients in a shop brought muffin (you really don’t want to know the answer!)

 

On Tuesday we were joined by Emma from Unravelling Minds who delivered not only her experience of intense workload causing her mental health issues but how she used art therapy as a recovery tool and now uses it as a solid wellbeing tool.

 

You could hear a pin drop as Emma set tasks for the guys to complete.  All agreed they were so much more relaxed after Emma’s workshop and would use the tools she’d given them during lunch breaks etc to stay mindful of their own wellbeing – a crucial attribute for us all.

 

Wednesday we focused on public speaking and presentations as well as discussing all ideas for the Social Enterprise challenge at the end of the week.  This comprises each Growing Talent Associate devising and delivering an idea to benefit a local community.  It must have a revenue stream and be ‘doable’.  This is delivered before a panel of managers from their employer sites who decide on the winner for the £50 cash prize!

 

Case studies, communication, skills gap analysis, conflict management, employment etiquette, challenges under the Equalities Act 2010, what if scenarios, networking tasks as well as how to do a good handshake made up middle of the week.

 

Jade from Customer Care First (CCF) joined us on Thursday to share knowledge of the intricacies of speaking, listening, annunciation, body language etc – communication is pretty tough to do right!

 

Jade above explaining the core elements of communication.

Estela, Joseph and Abraham above with Jade trying to list what conversations are ok to have with colleagues – not as easy as you might thing under the Equalities Act 2010 – challenges can be made by third parties who overhear what you say!

 

Empowered by the week and what they had achieved, we were ready for the Social Enterprise challenge.

 

Judges l-r Antonia – Portico, Jamie – Red Personnel, Adam – PwC, Julie – Portico, Ebb – Crown Plaza & Mark – PwC

 

The judges listened to six excellent ideas before deciding Jess’s ‘Wake up – to Make-up’ was the winner.

 

 Jess collecting her prize from Adam of PwC

 

To finish off, we had an excellent networking lunch.

 

So what did the guys think of the week?  Just a few comments below…..

 

‘The Orientation Week helps you gain confidence, learn about the work culture and polish our own skills.  It is a good way to prepare yourself for going into/back to work.  Growing Talent offers  high quality training.  It takes Associates seriously and acknowledges their talent.  I have never been on anything like this before.  I feel valued.’

 

‘The Orientation Week is so worth doing because it helps you build confidence for your workplace so you can be even better at what you do.’

 

‘I’m glad Growing Talent exists’

 

‘The Orientation Week enables you to transition into work more smoothly.  It gives you skills you can use as a head start in your role.  Fab – what an amazing opportunity!’

 

 

 

 

‘Sacrifice People to save numbers’

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I came across this quote whilst reading work by Simon Sinek – the renowned motivational speaker – check him out on YouTube.

 

We’ve all seen companies downsize their staff in turbulent financial times with no thought about the impact on those individuals, their families nor the overall drop in moral on the staff they keep.

 

Even when there isn’t a financial downturn, companies will often shred staff to reduce their payroll bill and thus increase their profits – more palatable for the shareholders – or is it?

 

I worked for a company for over 12 years.  Just before the financial reporting, a round of redundancies would be announced to ensure the company retained it’s double digit growth.  In reality, they haven’t grown at all.  All they had done was culled their staff.

 

Simon’s point was what would happen if companies did the reverse? ‘Sacrificed the numbers to save the people’ – what a thought.  The example he gave was of Bob Chapman Chair of Barry-Wehmiller in USA.  This company was a £1bn plus turnover and made big machinery.  In the 2008 financial crash he decided to ‘sacrifice the numbers to save the people’.   With 30% written of the company’s value in one fail swoop – it was time to try something new.

 

He suggested everyone – from himself downwards, would take four weeks unpaid holiday.  They didn’t have to take it consecutively and they could take it when they wanted but everyone would keep their jobs.  The response was huge.  Those senior people who could afford to take more unpaid leave traded with those that couldn’t.  Everyone worked as a family, pulling together.  They were involved in the decision, given the support to do it and felt safe and happy.  The company prospered.  It enjoys 20% year on year growth compared with the average 6%.

 

When you believe in why you are doing something, everything else falls into place.  People support you because they believe in the same thing.

 

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if all companies ‘Sacrificed the numbers for the people’?

 

How much more would their profits grow?  What do you think?

The World of Property Investment….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Growing Talent 12 (www.growing-talent.co.uk) is now firmly underway.  Reports so far are all good.

 

Yesterday I visited Sebastien who has a background in sales, abroad and at home.  With a passion for property but no experience he was a strong fit for Invest In Buy To Let who selected him to join them via the Growing Talent programme.

 

Two weeks in – the shine is not wearing off!  Cold calling, researching and evening events have meant Sebastien has been able to work with multiple people and learn quicker in situ.  He’s building his own client contacts and formulating strong relationships.

 

Luckily, Silin from Growing Talent 10 works for Shane, one of the directors in his other business Create A Business.  Based at the same venue, she can give Sebastien the encouragement doing the programme demands.

 

It always amazes me how some people write off those who are unemployed without knowing their stories, personalities etc.  Everyone on Growing Talent has to work full-time – often unsociable hours – for no money other than their benefits.  Grated, at the end there is a permanent job on offer where both employer and new employee have a confident match.  But the journey to that goal can be quite gruelling – especially the longer you’ve been out of work or the more negative, discouraging voices you have around you!

 

It takes a lot of tenacity and integrity to complete Growing Talent – definitely not for the faint hearted!

Do we disagree with the right people?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Headline:  Ivanka Trump cuts off Cosmo reporter after tough questioning

 

I always check the ‘moments’ section each time I go on Twitter.  It’s the quickest way I find to get snippets of news quickly.

 

The headline above attracted my attention as did the Twitter comments.  The crux of the story is Ivanka was questioned by a journalist on a statement her father Donald Trump made about parental leave only being open to women as they are the ones that have the children.  Her responses didn’t satisfy the journalist who kept probing. Eventually Ivanka left the interview.

 

Two things struck me about this.  Firstly the daughter defending her father situation, but more the second.  Was the journalist right to probe Ivanka on comments her father has made about potential future policies when she isn’t his media spokesperson, head of his policy makers etc.

 

Are children – even adult children – responsible for their parents actions/comments?

 

Do we always disagree with the right people or do we try to get the answers we want from the wrong people?

There’s a fine line……………..

Jane JamesLeave a comment

In communication between perception and reality – what really happened vs what we think happened!

 

There’s an equally fine line between how we portray ourselves as assertive and how we come across as aggressive!

 

Two subtle yet core areas of communication that can break what was previously a strong relationship,

 

One employer, spoke with  a member of another organisation without following the protocol of going through me.  The employer felt they were assertive whereas they came across as aggressive to the other party!  Each has a different belief of what happened during that conversation.

 

The result is a breakdown in a relationship built over two years, a bad light portrayed on a programme which has seen over 70 people into employment and a lot of bridges to repair for me!

 

So, please remember for every action there is a reaction.  How you feel you may come across isn’t necessarily how you do.  Lastly, reflect back on the conversation.  Make sure you are in agreement on what was said.

 

The simple tips above will save a whole lot of work later!

 

 

The Power of Skype

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I’ve always been impressed on Skype’s ability to keep family and friends in touch.  To be able to see someone when talking with them is so much more valuable than a faceless e-mail or telephone call.  It almost feels you are in the room with them.

Equally, I’ve found it frustrating at times Skyping Dubai to keep in touch with family.  The quality of the connection has always been a bit shakey – dipping in and out of clarity.

However, after an excellent session with Betsy Schwartz and her team from The National Council for Behavioral Health in Washington DC last night, I now know it’s not the distance in Skype that matters so much as the local internet connection!

The meeting with Betsy to discuss rollout of mental health training in the business world was excellent.  We exchanged knowledge and ideas easily.  I’ve a mind now to look on Skype in a better light and use for more business meetings now – will save huge sums in travel costs!!!

If you haven’t already embraced Skype – do so.  It’s free and with the right internet connections a great way to stay in touch!