In today’s high-tech, 24/7, global communication, we are seeing a pace of communication that is super charged. This is something  we would have thought should lead to rapid, informed and correct decision-making. Everyone happy… right? My observation is that the reverse could indeed be true. I would even go as far as to say that in many cases we are creating a pattern and…

One of the areas of greatest disconnect between corporate culture and the wider world, is the issue of parenting.  This is going to present significant challenges to many organisations in terms of H.R. policy  in the upcoming years, especially for those that don’t confront those issues. The successful running of organisations is largely dependent on a…

Business and pleasure have always been uncomfortable bedfellows. It is widely considered than an informal off site or out of hours coffee, lunch, dinner or drink can oil commercial wheels and resolve tricky office situations much more smoothly than dealing with them in the office. Networking and after work socialising both internal or external are considered to be…

Increasingly organisations are wanting to replace first contact telephone screenings with Skype interviews. Are you ready?

Make it a big one! “In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.”  Tony Robbins I’m a well documented contrarian when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. I…

I’ve just had two astonishing conversations with two young people. This wasn’t related to wild nights out or any inappropriate behaviour, but their employment conditions.  Both are working on zero-hours contracts. For the uninitiated zero-hours contracts are apparently a particularly British phenomenon. A  bit like Christmas pudding and red double-decker buses, just infinitely less wholesome They are understood to be an employment…

The holiday season is upon us and for many it is a time of acute stress and busy-ness. Honouring our professional commitments and personal obligations becomes almost a full-time job at this time of the year trying to relax. Many look forward to taking a vacation to get away from it all.  But sometimes the process…

The festive period is now upon us. After several years consigned to the doldrums by diminished, recession ravaged budgets, I have it on good authority that this year, with the green shoots of recovery and buoyant economies the good old office Christmas party is back in full force. With a cautiously optimistic outlook about the future,  many organisations are going back to hosting their annual office Christmas…

I see many people in transition who struggle to advance in their careers  internally within their own organisations, in almost the same way as if they were involved in an external job search. Today,  many companies have very rigorous internal promotion processes which can be as daunting as looking for a position outside a current organisation. However,  there are…

Maternity leave: then what? Making decisions about going back to work after maternity leave is always challenging.  D-day looms large and is unavoidable. Decisions have to be made eventually. The period leading  up to the return to work can be one of great stress. What goes on for the new mother? Guilt and angst These emotions plays…