Finding True North Coaching

Revised dates for my talk "Seeing Eye to Eye or Seeing Red"

2012-01-23T09:32:00.002Z

Do you know how other people see you, and what effect this has on your relationships? Have you ever found that you just can’t see eye to eye with a colleague, or been at a meeting where one person seems always determined to contradict what you say?

I shall be giving this half-hour talk at some NRG networking lunches in 2012. If you are interested in coming along, dates are below. If you'd like to find out more about the talk, see the details here. I'm interested in giving the talk on other occasions - anything from half an hour to half a day - so feel free to get in touch.

Melissa Neil, Bristol Central group leader, commented that this "talk was the best one we have had."

Dates in 2012:
Tuesday 24th January, Cheltenham & Gloucester
Tuesday 7th February, Swindon
Thursday 9th February, Bath
Thursday 16th February, Bristol
Thursday 5th April, North Somerset

Timings are networking and lunch from 12 to 2:00; my talk from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.

To find out more about the talk click here. To book in to these events, go to the NRG web site. If you have any queries or would like to set up another event, please contact me.

I look forward to seeing you at one of these events.

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-20T17:41:00.001Z

Finding True North Newsletter December - Happy Christmas, events, grants, and more...

We wish all our readers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Seeing Eye to Eye or Seeing Red

2011-12-16T15:34:00.008Z

Do you know how other people see you, and what effect this has on your relationships? Have you ever found that you just can’t see eye to eye with a colleague, or been at a meeting where one person seems always determined to contradict what you say?

I shall be giving this half-hour talk at some NRG networking lunches in 2012. If you are interested in coming along, dates are below. If you'd like to find out more about the talk, see the details here. I'm interested in giving the talk on other occasions - anything from half an hour to half a day - so feel free to get in touch.

Melissa Neil, Bristol Central group leader, commented that this "talk was the best one we have had."

Dates in 2012:
Tuesday 24th January, Cheltenham & Gloucester
Tuesday 7th February, Swindon
Thursday 9th February, Bath
Thursday ~~15th March~~ 16th February, Bristol
Thursday ~~3rd May (to be confirmed)~~ 5th April, North Somerset

To find out more about the talk click here. To book in to these events, go to the NRG web site. If you have any queries or would like to set up another event, please contact me.

I look forward to seeing you at one of these events.

Follow your passion

2011-12-10T15:48:00.002Z

Thanks to Brett Sadler for this blog article which shows that you are MUCH more likely to prosper in business if you follow your passion than if you just try to work out how you might create the most financially successful business. Take a look!

Avoid the Chancellor's depression!

2011-12-02T09:15:00.002Z

It's easy to become depressed, listening to the Chancellor's grim projections this week. Yet as I meet people who run businesses I find that lots of them are continuing to flourish, even in sectors like construction.

When the economy is going well, people whose businesses are doing well don't say, "Oh, it's just the economy, nothing to do with me!" Usually they say it's down to their effective leadership. So, if it's our resourcefulness which brings success in the good times, then that same resourcefulness can bring success at other times - even when we seem to be bouncing along at the bottom of the recession. If you like jargon, this is about having an attitude of being "at cause." If we don't blame good times for our success, then we can't blame "bad times" for lack of success.

So, for business leaders and others seeking to keep the pounds rolling in, here are seven steps to avoid the Chancellor's depression.

1. Focus on the things you can influence, not on those you can't control.

2. See where you want to get to, not what you want to escape from.

3. Take time to work out the small "stepping stones" you need to take to get there, and the resources you need.

4. Review your marketing strategy: seek to serve market sectors that are themselves growing.

5. Don't be a martyr: identify the areas where you need help and seek out friends and professional advisers who can provide it.

6. Value your achievements.

7. Spend time with people who have a similar attitude and approach.

I hope this brings you some help and encouragement!

Richard on Swindon radio again

2011-11-21T12:46:00.003Z

I'll be on Swindon Radio again tonight from 6-7 p.m. talking to Gerry and Peter about business growth & coaching, with the Swindon Coaching Team. Listen online or phone in!

http://www.swindon1055.com/show/business

City of London doesn't know its motto!

2011-11-19T15:23:00.003Z

Recently I wrote about the importance of trust in business, and quoted the motto of the London Stock Exchange "My word is my bond." In a recent survey of people working in the financial services industry in London only 14% knew the motto. Scary!

You can read the report here - Vision and Values: Perceptions of Ethics in the City Today.

Building your brand and the importance of values

2011-11-17T15:47:00.007Z

At the NRG networking lunch in Bristol today, Melissa Neill of PR specialist HYPR gave a great talk about developing your branding (as a person or as a business) with lively discussion about well known personalities such as Richard Branson and Margaret Thatcher.

I found it fascinating to discover that the people with the strongest brands are those whose values come through clearly, that is we know what they stand for and it is consistent. It helps too if we are able to connect with them emotionally. From a change leadership point of view I would add that it is taking a stand for something that brings about change.

Phil Cheesman, who was in the discussions at our table, commented that when business owners seek to develop a brand with values that conflict with their personal values this often becomes a major source of stress. Interesting!

The coaching I deliver to business leaders includes threads of developing Authentic Leadership, which includes integrity of values, and leading change: so I can see the benefits of this to people and organisations who want to develop a strong brand and to be effective in the world of business or politics.

For more on this and related subjects, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at http://www.findingtruenorth.info

Changes to £1000 LMAS grant

2011-09-16T12:43:00.002+01:00

Subtle changes have taken place to the Leadership and Management Advisory Service grant since the current scheme started in April. This has come about as the teams deal with live applications. The grant is for leaders of businesses, social enterprises and charities. Do you qualify now?

Find out here: Government Grant.

England's Cricket win is no accident!

2011-08-05T10:40:00.007+01:00

Cricket fans are on a high at the moment after the England team's outstanding win! This success is no accident: it is down to a careful strategy that many business leaders would be jealous of.

You may have noticed that bowlers like to polish the ball before they bowl, and you assumed correctly that this improves the bowling. The England team pass the ball to Alistair Cook and he, not the bowler, is the one to do the polishing. Why? This is not random, he was chosen because he has the least sweaty palms and so is the best ball polisher! This is impressive attention to detail.

The strategy underlying this they call the “incremental accretion of marginal gains.” In other words they look for a little change that will make a big difference. They keep doing that, and then look for another little change to make. Over time (some ten years or more in the case of England's cricket team) this makes a big difference.

My business name - Finding True North - flows from the knowledge that when you use a compass for navigation you find direction based on magnetic north. Similarly, the small adjustment for true north can make a big difference, particularly over long distances such as when sailing at sea.

So, what applies in sport applies in business leadership and I'd be happy to chat to people who want to find the small changes that will make a big difference to their results.

More background from Telegraph Sports.

Coaching is what you need for Just in Time Training

2011-06-16T18:54:00.004+01:00

Just in Time Training seems to be the "in thing." This is about receiving training in short blocks just when you need it. People recognise that if they go on a training course and do not make use of what they learn immediately, they forget it.

Coaching, including that which we deliver, uses as its raw material the fresh challenges that the client faces. It helps clients to learn from their experience and to grow in the skill of learning from their experience, so coaching is great for embedding training.

It is worth remembering that coaching can also be used to develop other new skills, Just In Time, without taking any further time away from work and in a completely bespoke way. You choose what you want to learn and apply the training to your actual situation, in a way that is not constrained by the content and context of any fixed course materials.

You just need to make sure that your coach has a sufficient skill base in the relevant area, and we'd be happy to talk to you about that!

Just in Time Training: contact us to find out more about all Business Coaching from Finding True North.

New video resources

2011-06-13T10:56:00.005+01:00

I've recorded some six minute videos to answer common questions. You can share these with people who may be looking for support in their work.

How to choose a coach, mentor, or business adviser

How about starting a business? (Whether to, and how to get started)

You can see all of them on Youtube too.

How to choose a coach, mentor, or business adviser

How about starting a business?

Richard on the radio tonight

2011-06-13T10:48:00.004+01:00

With the Swindon Coaching Team I shall be a guest on Mind Your Own Business on Swindon Radio 105.5 tonight (Monday 13th June) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

We'll be chatting about how things are changing for our clients in the current economic climate, and giving some top tips. You can listen on the Internet (click on "listen live").

Coaching at Bible Society today

2011-06-08T20:33:00.004+01:00

I enjoyed organising more coaching at Bible Society in Swindon today, and delivering coaching with the Swindon Coaching Team there again.

We are providing pithy half-hour coaching sessions to employees. For convenience these sessions are held during and after the lunch period and there is no cost to those taking part. The coaching helps staff to deal with work or personal matters in this way which is of benefit to them and will also increase their enjoyment and effectiveness in the workplace!

More about business coaching from the Finding True North web site.
Life Coaching in Swindon from the Swindon Coaching Team.

BNI Three Peaks Challenge

2011-06-04T12:12:00.003+01:00

I'm impressed by the achievement of some of the members of my BNI breakfast group in Melksham in climbing the UK's three highest peaks in 24 hours. Maybe this should be their next challenge:

London boy breaks Seven Summits record with Everest climb.

Interesting article from the Harvard Business Review

2011-06-02T14:05:00.002+01:00

Tony Schwartz, in The Only Way to Get Important Things Done, writes interestingly of how the key to getting more things done is not to think about things more, but to increase the number of operations we can perform without thinking about them by doing them "automatically" by creating routines or rituals. Interesting!

Bible Society link-up in Swindon

2011-05-26T15:46:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I enjoyed talking to the monthly meeting of all British Bible Society staff in Swindon. I was talking to them with the Swindon Coaching Team about the value of coaching at home and at work, in advance of free taster sessions we are offering to staff there next month.

In building relationships with local employers, we see coaching "taster sessions" as a good way of raising awareness of the benefits of coaching. People receiving a taster session may well bring personal rather than work-related issues, but whatever we talk about there will be a knock-on benefit to the employer.

We are interested in doing similar work with other businesses and charities.

Government Leadership Grant extended

2011-05-10T10:00:00.004+01:00

Last year I was urging people to apply for this UK government scheme (to support leaders of small businesses) in good time before the intended end in April. Nevertheless some people missed out, because the scheme was so popular that it ran out of money!

Changes to government plans meant that I was not expecting the scheme to continue, despite the large number of clients that had benefitted from the £1000 grant.

The good news is that the scheme has just been relaunched, to run until March 2012 - but don't leave it until the last moment to contact me! It doesn't matter whether you have received a grant from a similar scheme in the past.

This time around, the Leadership and Management Advisory Service grant will give up to £1000 (matched funding) to the key leaders of growing firms with between 2 and 249 staff - to help with the development of people and processes in the organisation through interventions such as coaching and workshops. For example if you'd like to increase staff productivity to improve business growth, coaching could help you to develop your communication and delegation skills, review working practices, and develop staff training.

Businesses need to be able to show planned growth of 20% in staff or turnover for each of the following three years (10% for Social Enterprise). Firms less than 12 months old need to show plans for turnover of £500,000 after three years.

Full details of the scheme in the South of England are here:
http://www.skillssoutheast.co.uk/leadership-and-management.html

To explore how best to benefit from this scheme, to talk through the growth potential of your business, or to start an application, call me now on 01249 712446!

Finding True North Executive Coaching

Finding True North Team Pursuits Day

2011-05-06T16:37:00.004+01:00

Finding True North enjoyed joining in with the open day at south west England's premier corporate leisure venue today - Team Pursuits, Lacock, Wiltshire.

Persistence wins when all else fails...

2011-05-03T08:25:00.007+01:00

Sometimes, when things are not going as well as we should like, we are wise to examine whether we should be doing something differently. However it may be persistence, not change, that is needed, as Calvin Coolidge noted.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) 30th President of the U.S.A.

Persist: to continue steadfastly or obstinately in spite of opposition or warning; to last, to endure.

From the Internet: Background on Coolidge and this quotation;
More impressive quotations from Coolidge - here and here.

(I find these links helpful, but take no responsibility for them.)

And to finish off, here's a related quote I also like by John Quincy Adams (1825-29) 6th President of the U.S.A.
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

MOVING FORWARD
Life isn't all about new information. I know, in my life and in my work with business leaders, that at times what is needed is help in discerning what to persist with and what to stop doing - and encouragement to continue the journey. If you would find such support helpful, get in touch.

Comments welcome!

This is an extract from my monthly newsletter. If you'd like to receive this regularly, subscribe here.

More on executive coaching from Finding True North web site.

Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T19:33:00.002+01:00

Loyal Greetings from Finding True North to HRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We enjoyed watching the wedding on television and local festivities!

Motivating staff - medal and mission feedback

2011-04-26T13:09:00.005+01:00

When you think back to times when people have commented on work that you have done, and as you remember those comments, how often do they encourage you and help you to see how to develop further and how often have they been discouraging? I know I've experienced moments when comments have left me feeling devalued or angry. So this article is about how we can seek to give feedback which people find encouraging and motivating.

The One Minute Manager* is a good starting point. The authors recommend (unsurprisingly) One Minute Praisings: praise people, tell them what they have done well, why that is valued, and ask them to do more of the same. Alongside this is the One Minute Reprimand: be specific about what is wrong and how you feel about that; finish by reminding them that you value them as people even though the performance was not good. Both of these should be immediate.

There may be times when a task can be seen as good or bad, and the praising or reprimand can be used helpfully, powerfully, and authentically. However often there are aspects of work to be praised as well as aspects to be reprimanded. What seems to have evolved is the "Praise Sandwich" - of praise, feedback, and praise. This seeks to leave the recipient feeling encouraged even though they have received feedback which may have been expressed largely as criticism.

The idea underlying the One Minute Praising is that of "catching people doing something right," and telling them so to encourage them, which is a healthy idea. The danger with this approach, and with the Praise Sandwich, is that the person giving the feedback takes on the attitude of judge, rather than that of a companion helping the recipient to evaluate their own performance.

In contrast, a coaching approach puts the focus on the development of the person doing the work - and helps them to recognise good work while being clear about goals. The best model I've come across, and which I'd like to share with you, is "Medal and Mission feedback." The underlying idea is that people doing work should grow in their ability to assess their own work, and that this is nurtured by describing what they have done well and how they can do even better. It's about giving people a clear mission, always giving them a medal when they have finished, then continuing with the next mission - and so on.

For example, if someone is learning to build a brick wall, the person giving feedback would not say, "It's not vertical!" Instead they would help the learner to recognise whether the wall is vertical, comment on what they have done well, and help them to see how to do even better next time.

So, here's the overview of how to give Medal and Mission feedback.
1. Give clear goals (for the mission) so success can be recognised.

2. Ask the person doing the work to give you their own assessment of it. They need to learn to perceive what is good about it, not just judge whether it is "right."

3. Add your own non-judgmental feedback to support theirs and to help them to look forwards to see how to do the task even better next time.

SOME QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU APPLY THIS
How do you give feedback at the end of a task?
What do you believe is the best way to help others to develop skills?
How can you impove the way you give feedback?

Your replies and comments are welcome.

This is an extract from my monthly newsletter. If you'd like to receive this regularly, subscribe here.

* The One Minute Manager, by Drs Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson,
first published 1982 and still in print.

More on how to motivate staff from Finding True North web site.

Public Sector redundancies

2011-04-07T19:06:00.003+01:00

I listened to a senior economist from Lloyds Bank recently talking at a networking breakfast about the economic outlook for UK plc. The averages disguise a range of personal experiences from hardship to affluence. He talked about how the government hopes that the Private Sector will soak up staff made redundant in the Public Sector. He said that this will happen, however it will take three to five years. Perhaps because he is an economist, he did not emphasise that what this means is lots of people suffering unemployment for three to five years. Some of these people will find similar work. Others will value help from Finding True North and similar organisations to set a fresh direction for their working lives.

Hero to Zero

2011-03-24T08:30:00.001Z

Interesting article on leadership by my friend Patrick Goh.

Make the most of life expectancy

2011-03-18T10:10:00.003Z

According to the BBC today, life expectancy in the UK is on the rise. Maybe there are more years ahead of you in work and life than you had imagined, which makes it all the more important to be in touch with what you enjoy and what you are good at so that you spend your time on what is both fulfilling and rewarding. Are you trapped in a job that no longer 'fits'?

Get in touch to find out how we can help you find your true north.

Public Sector Redundancies

2011-03-16T13:15:00.002Z

I'm aware of growing numbers of people facing redundancy at the moment due to government spending cuts and many of these are in the public sector.

Some will be able to find similar work in the private sector. Others will want to review their career plan. At Finding True North we can help people to get in touch with their strengths, transferable skills, and what they enjoy to build their confidence and help them to map out a fresh career plan.

Put us in touch with one another.

Busy

2011-03-16T13:09:00.003Z

It seems to be a while since I last wrote anything. Since an enjoyable walking holiday on Exmoor at the end of February I seem to have been busy with networking, starting work with new clients, and delivering free coaching taster sessions to help people discover how coaching can benefit them.

I visited BNI Circus chapter in Bath this morning (I'm a member of BNI Ushers in Melksham) and enjoyed the networking and renewing the acquaintance of a lot of people I know. One member has already taken me up on my offer of a taster session.

This evening I'm networking at Swindon Connections with the Swindon Coaching Team.

Just visiting?

2011-02-18T18:43:00.001Z

If it takes too much time to keep visiting this page, you can receive our occasional New posts in your inbox.

You can also try our Monthly newsletter with tips on business and personal development.

Enjoy!

Impressed by Basepoint Business Centres

2011-02-18T16:31:00.004Z

Every now and again I discover a firm that not only provides a good service, but is also owned by a charity which means that the profits go to especially good use.

This happened to me last week at the Swindon Business Show when - as well as enjoying manning our stand - I took a look at what the other exhibitors had to offer. Basepoint Business Centres have a network of centres around the country providing meeting accommodation and virtual office facilities to small businesses. The nearest one to Finding True North is in Swindon.

It's impressive! Take a look! http://www.basepoint.co.uk/

More about the work we do... new Case Studies

2011-02-18T16:26:00.002Z

I've published a couple of case studies of work we have completed.

For Clear Vision Accountancy Group we provided one-to-one coaching to develop an accountant newly promoted as director.

For the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust we delivered training to the top three levels of managers so that they can use coaching as a way to empower their staff and change company culture.

You can download these from the Info Zone on our website, or read them below.

Finding True North - WWT Case Study

Finding True North - Clear Vision Case Study

Coaching Prize Draw

2011-02-09T13:12:00.003Z

Further to my post a few days ago, if you are coming to the Swindon Business Show tomorrow (10th February) I look forward to seeing you.

I'll be on the stand with the Swindon Coaching Team stand (nr 24), where we are offering a prize draw with a free one hour coaching session in Swindon for the winner. We can chat to you about ways to develop yourself, your staff, or your organisation to get the prosperous 2011 that you deserve!

Follow the link for more info about the exhibition and exhibitors and for a free visitor's ticket. See you there!

Does the Internet help or hinder decision making?

2011-01-29T15:38:00.004Z

I've just read a fascinating article by Tim Weber, BBC News Editor, reporting from the 2011 Economic Forum in Davos as he chats to business leaders in a sea of laptops and other mobile devices.

He reflects on how we are now "hyperconnected" with mobile devices now outnumbering both laptops and toothbrushes. Is all this information which is changing the way that we relate and shop, that is "the abundant distractions of the internet" a help or a hindrance? If the size of my inbox is anything to go by, I suspect it is a hindrance!

In this age where people's brands or reputations can be destroyed in seconds, advice to leaders is "treat your employees with respect and stick to your values" and make sure you find time to think and to reflect. This sounds like a good summary for success in the 21st Century information age. Discovering ways to be true to your individual and corporate values, and to find time to make good decisions that flow from these, sound like good topics for a conversation with your coach.

Full article here: the photo brings the message home!

Mediation strengthens relationships

2011-01-20T13:40:00.002Z

This morning I attended an enjoyable breakfast at Bath Spa University, which was a regular networking event of the Institute of Business Consultants. I now need to say I'm a member of the Institute of Consulting, as they rebranded last week!

This morning's talk was by one of our members, Ian Rowe, who specialises in mediation. We do some mediation in Finding True North too. It was great to be reminded by Ian of the power of non-violent comunication, how excellent relationships are a better business goal than avoiding conflict, and how when conflict is handled well teams and relationships are strengthened. Thanks, Ian!

Ending coaching well

2011-01-20T13:17:00.005Z

Yesterday I ended a series of coaching with David Killingback, photographer, who works in the Bristol area because we had achieved what he set out to achieve. One of the privileges I have is being able to work with people who excel, and to help them do even better. His photography has always impressed me, and over the months that we've been meeting it's been great to see the development of his confidence, plans, and business results.

David has been kind enough to let me share with you some what he enjoyed from our coaching.

Being questioned and having a space to think about my goals and how to achieve them.
Forming ideas and plans of action about the above in conjunction with who I am as a person and what is most suitable for my personality.
The "Oh yes, that's so obvious now you mention it!" moments, or having someone confirm what you may have been thinking subconsciously.

To find out more about how our coaching can help you, phone 01249 712446 or email me.

Follow David on Twitter.

Finding True North at Swindon Business Show 10th February

2011-01-20T12:52:00.005Z

Put the date in your diary (10th February) and come and say hello at the Swindon Business Show. Follow the link for more info and for a free visitor's ticket.

Richard will be there with Isla on the Swindon Coaching Team stand (nr 24), and we can chat to you about ways to develop yourself, your staff, or your organisation to get the prosperous 2011 that you deserve! Isla and I are two of the founders of the Swindon Coaching Team set up to provice a wider range of coaching staff and skills to meet the needs of the growing business scene in Swindon.

See you there!

To get a flavour of what we do before the event, try the Finding True North newsletter.

New managers finish training

2011-01-20T12:46:00.003Z

I delivered the last of four training sessions for new managers at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust earlier this week. I've been delighted to see their delight in the course, and their growth in confidence and leadership skills.

The training was very interactive and included material on recognising your own and others personality and skills, building relationships, delegation, leadership and developing your own leadership style, running meetings (and more).

How to build your business in 2011

2011-01-11T15:48:00.001Z

Here’s some questions that will help you to build your business (or career) in 2011.

What is the biggest issue you expect to face in your work this year?
What is the first step you need to take to deal with that?
What help do you need to take that step?

Enjoy using these, and please 'comment' with your answers (or email them to me confidentially) as that will help me focus my energies well this year!

The Principles of Success - update

2011-01-07T12:00:00.005Z

Here's an expanded version of last month's article.

“The Principles of Success” by Patrick W Jordan
Summary of a talk by him about this book
on 10th December 2010

1. Take responsibility
Focus on what you can control (e.g. run your fastest, not win the race), and learn from setbacks.

(Do you have a ‘fixed mindset’ (people are good at something or not), or a ‘growth mindset (people can learn anything)? The reality is between the two, however people with a growth mindset do better because they are more resilient. To foster this mindset it is better to praise people for effort at school rather than say that they are smart.)

2. Set goals
Goals need to be big, broken down into milestones, and finally the ‘little thing I can do today.’
They must be congruent, and not clash with one another, and be things we want e.g. Hedonic – bringing us pleasure, or Eudaimonic – fun but also related to a higher purpose. (“80% of people have goals that bring no pleasure, such as promotion at work they don’t enjoy!”)

To bring success, goals should be:
Positive
Ambitious (a stretch, but realistic not ridiculous)
Specific (measurable)
Timed

3. Be positive
Being optimistic about the big picture is always good. Being optimistic about small things is not always good, such as in safety critical situations. Optimism and pessimism are not seen as opposites today, it is possible to be both!

Key Concept: savouring. (“Count your blessings.”) Be aware of and enjoy what is going well: write these down in a journal at the end of each week.

4. Persevere intelligently
We need to have a plan and work hard towards that. At the same time we need to be flexible if the plan is not working and be relaxed about failure (unless it is safety critical). We need to be adventurous and try things, because when people look back on life most of their regrets are to do with missed opportunities.

Key Concept: develop strengths. Too often organisations send people on courses to overcome weaknesses. It is better to develop strengths, and do the least needed to cope with weaknesses.

5. Connect with others
We need to recognise that we get most out of life by helping others get what they want out of life.
Our network includes those we have strong ties with (such as family) and those we have weaker ties with (such as those we get to know at conferences). The latter are more important in career development because they “open more worlds for you.” Friends tend to talk about either problems or opportunities; and either internal to themselves or external. Those who will energise us most are those who naturally talk about external opportunities. Good team work is hindered by people who are overcritical or uncritically overenthusiastic.

Key Concept: the Golden Rule Do to others as you would like them to do to you. It is good to focus on other people and help them to feel good about themselves. In motivating employees, praise is often more important than money.

You can buy Patrick's book from his website. He is a psychologist, and this book is based on his research in drawing the key principles of success out of many people's writing and research on the subject. His principles don't just apply to those areas where we think of ourselves as needing to be successful, but to happiness and fulfilment in work and life in general.

Contact me to find out more, or to increase the happiness or success in your life!

How to set good goals

2011-01-05T17:24:00.003Z

There's lots of folklore about goal-setting, and maybe we all wonder at times whether it makes any difference, so it's interesting to read some real research.

Edwin Locke discovered that:

The more difficult the goal, the greater the achievement.
The more specific or explicit the goal, the more precisely performance is regulated.
Goals that are both specific and difficult lead to the highest performance.
Commitment to goals is most critical when goals are specific and difficult. Goal commitment is the degree to which you are genuinely attached to and determined to reach the goals.
High commitment to goals is attained when (a) the individual is convinced that the goal is important; and (b) the individual is convinced that the goal is attainable (or that, at least, progress can be made toward it).
Goal setting is most effective when there is feedback showing progress in relation to the goal

See the full article by Emily vanSonnenberg here. She also writes about "Intention Journals" as a way of giving oneself feedback on one's goals.

So: don't give up on those New Year Resolutions!

Here's the text version

2010-12-26T13:41:00.000Z

Here are my "five easy ways" which I talk about on the video. So this is a summary, but there's more if you listen to it.

Relax and get some exercise – de-stressing is good!
Stop thinking about your problems – let the subconscious do its work
Celebrate! Remember what you have enjoyed doing and done well. Affirm yourself
Do the washing up. People say they have their “best ideas in the shower.” It is through doing repetitive activities that we help this happen.
Enjoy spending time with friends and family. Use some of this time to talk through your ideals and problems. Listen to what other people have to say about your strengths.

Five easy ways to develop your business or career without really trying (and avoid the post Christmas blues!)

2010-12-23T13:25:00.005Z

This is the final part of my interview on Radio Swindon 105.5 on 13th December It is 5 minutes long. If you prefer you can listen to the whole 29 minutes audio: streaming or download.

Trying out Scribd...

2010-12-22T17:56:00.012Z

mp3

dtmp3

scribd

Swindon Coaching Team Brochure

Trying out slideshare

2010-12-22T17:04:00.001Z

slideshare

Swindon Coaching Team brochure

View more presentations from Richard Hovey.

Developing staff at Bible Society in Swindon

2010-12-16T15:33:00.002Z

Some of our coaching team recently spent a few hours one lunchtime at the Swindon HQ of Bible Society to offer coaching taster sessions to staff. The event was the culmination of discussions with the Human Resources Team at Bible Society to see how we could increase awareness of the value of coaching to bring benefits to individuals and to Bible Society.

We are pleased with how this first event at Bible Society went. Seven people had conversations with members of our team on a range of confidential issues. The Human Resources Team have told us that it was "successful" and the feedback from most people who received coaching was that their needs had been met with coaching that was excellent or very good. We continue to be available to provide further help and support.

We are keen to build relationships with local employers, to help staff to resolve personal or business issues effectively and confidentially, and thus help with employee development and engagement. If this is of interest to you, contact us.

Delegating to subcontractors can be a breeze

2010-12-14T17:36:00.005Z

People who run their own business often find it a challenge to delegate work to improve the efficiency of their business. It takes trust and confidence to delegate work. It takes time to find the right people. It can be difficult to let go of control.

As a business owner one of the things I value about business networking groups is the opportunity to get to know people who may help my business grow (and not only people who I hope may buy my services). Regular groups I attend include weekly BNI in Melksham, and a monthly meeting in Bristol organised by Lloyds Bank. Both of these healthily combine good structures to help conversations to take place and informal friendliness.

This morning I enjoyed the Bristol breakfast all the more because I met two great business owners who provide services at no additional cost. Did I say "free?" This is a dream for people wanting to delegate!

Gemma Lyle of The Main Event Management Company will find venues ranging from conference rooms for formal meetings through to overnight accommodation for busy business travellers. She knows where to look to find good services at reduced cost. Because such an agency works on a commission basis, she can reduce the cost of my bookings without charging me anything. Good news!

Would you believe that you can post your letters for less than the cost of a stamp? This kind of facility is usually only available to large firms doing bulk mailing. However I really like the niche that Nevil Horne of Mailadoc has found. He will save you and your staff time by receiving documents electronically and then printing and posting them. These could be anything from invoices to sales litereature. Again, because of the discounts he receives, this service can cost you less than if you walked to the Post Office yourself.

Amazing, and all of these contacts for the price of an impressive Full English Breakfast!

Richard live on Swindon Radio 105.5

2010-12-13T07:00:00.002Z

I’ve been invited on to Swindon Radio 105.5 this evening (Monday 13th December) to talk about how individuals and businesses can cope and move on in the current financial climate, and how coaching can help with that.

This is the 6:00 p.m. slot which is hosted by the Federation of Small Business. I’ll be on from 6:00 until about 7:00 - and there’s music as well.

To listen for fun or interest, it is easy to do so online: http://www.swindon1055.com/

Recordings of the interview here

The Principles of Success

2010-12-10T16:33:00.005Z

I enjoyed the Institute of Business Consulting Christmas get-together in Bristol today. Apart from good food (breakfast and lunch) we enjoyed two great speakers.

Malcolm Lewis spoke about success in organisations, and shared many useful models.

Patrick W Jordan, who is a psychologist, spoke of his research in drawing the key principles of success out of many people's writing and research on the subject. His principles don't just apply to those areas where we think of ourselves as needing to be successful, but to happiness and fulfilment in work and life in general.

I liked the simplicity of his approach and was very impressed. His five principles (from his book The Principles of Success which you can buy from his web site) are:

Take Responsibility
Set Goals
Be Positive
Persevere Intelligently
Connect with others

For an expanded summary of The Principles of Success, see later article.

Contact me to find out more, or to increase the happiness or success in your life!

Happy Christmas from everyone at Finding True North!

2010-12-02T17:20:00.001Z

Swindon Connections event a winner again...

2010-11-26T13:40:00.002Z

Last night's event at the new Jury's Inn was a great success. I like the way that with the Swindon Coaching Team we can partner with Swindon Connections to hold regular events at different Swindon venues. This gives us a way of keeping in touch with our colleagues, clients, and friends as well as meeting and encouraging others who run their own businesses. I think that all those we met last night benefitted from conversations with us about coaching and also made new business contacts.

Maybe it's worth coming along just for the speakers. Last night Warren had arranged for Josie Payne to speak about Emotional Intelligence. I'm not used to people showing videos of Mike Tyson biting an ear off during a boxing match (it belonged to Evander Holyfield) but then this was one of the clearest talks I've heard on Emotional Intelligence. Josie spoke of the challenges of controlling our emotions when we are under stress in a way that we could relate to and apply straight away. Her own interest in the subject flowed from her experience of being on an aeroplane that was hijacked.

I recommend giving Swindon Connections events a go, and I'll publish future dates. Get in touch with me if you'd like support with your own business, career, or life issues - whether or not you have ever bitten off someone's ear. Use the Christmas holiday to start the new year with fresh enthusiasm and a clear sense of direction.

Free taster sessions are a great gift - why not ask me for one for yourself or a friend?

Taste Coaching at the next Swindon Connections event

2010-11-22T16:59:00.003Z

Richard will be attending the next Swindon Connections event at Jury's Inn, Swindon, on Thursday 25th November with the Swindon Coaching Team.

As usual it's an opportunity to meet our coaches and to gain new perspectives and solutions on your current issues with some of us. We're continuing to give out vouchers for free coaching taster sessions.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to meet exhibitors at this Business Scene event, and the speaker that evening will be Josie Payne talking about Emotional Intelligence from an unusual angle.

So, make a it a date. Start time is 6:00 p.m., ends at 8:30 p.m., and refreshments including a light buffet will be provided - so the £10 ticket is good value. For best results, book in online. See you there!

Full details, location, and booking form here.

It's good to be a Wiltshire Business!

2010-11-15T18:16:00.002Z

£20,000 in prize money for businesses in Wiltshire
that started trading after 25th September 2009.

Enter now! Support and publicity even if you don't win!

Full details here.

It's good to be a British Business!

2010-11-15T16:10:00.005Z

If you'd like some encouragement, take a look at the latest (November 2010) issue of Management Today. It has a focus on British Business, and some things are going well!

The section that I like best contains positive comments about British business by leaders from other countries. Take a look at the article (Home thoughts from abroad)!

How to avoid those Government cuts

2010-11-15T15:54:00.005Z

When the Government announce cut backs, as it has for Business Support, what avoiding action can you take, if you run a business or charity?

One way to beat cut backs is to make sure that we use all the grant funding that is there for us now - to develop staff and improve business results. Business Link and Train to Gain have been offering small and medium sized organisations up to £1000 for the development of their key staff in leadership and management. This scheme is due to finish at the end of the year, however in some counties the budget has already been used up because of the demand for grants (a trickle may become available if applications currently being processed fail). In other counties funds are still freely available. (Phone for more details.)

If have not already received this grant, I encourage you to apply to me now for the coaching of your business leaders: for example for you or for a newly promoted director.

A recent survey of firms using this grant, in the South East of England, showed the key benefits they enjoyed to be:

Increased confidence
Improved vision and strategy for the business
Manage others more effectively
Manage myself
Improved knowledge of a particular subject or skill
Communicate more effectively
Manage time more efficetively
Improved decision making

All of these bring benefits to the organisation too: increased productivity and quality of work, improved staff satisfaction/morale/retention, better quality of customer service, and so better bottom-line results.

Find out more here:
- about the benefits of using coaching for key staff
- details of the grant and how others are using it

There are eligibility criteria which I can talk through with you. The grant is mainly for firms of 5 to 250 staff. However at times funds are available for smaller firms; and eligibility for charities take into account volunteers too.

To find out more, phone me or email.

Weathering stormy teams

2010-10-08T18:29:00.002+01:00

Once upon a time, perhaps when you were a lot younger(!), did you join a new team and expect it to be 'plain sailing' only to discover that meetings sometimes got unpleasantly aggressive or argumentative?

It's probably happened to all of us - I mean both the optimism and the contact with reality. Joining or forming a team (or group or committee) that has a job to do isn't easy.

The classic view of this is that newly formed teams go through a process of forming, storming, norming, performing. Here's my executive summary.

Forming
Team members look for clarity of purpose and direction, looking to the appointed leader for these things if there is one. Members seek to get to know one another.

Storming
A power struggle develops as people jockey for influence and seek to get to grips with how to achieve results. People push against boundaries; factions can form; relationships are strained; people can become disillusioned.

Norming
The team starts to come through the period of trial, relationships are strengthened, and the team starts to agree on ways of doing things. A lighter style of leadership is needed, but the leader still needs to encourage the development of good relationships.

Performing
With relationships formed, working processes in place, and a healthy clarity of purpose, the team grows to handle difficulties in a united way and to deliver results. Sigh with relief!

Why do I write about this now? Firstly, most people are in teams of some sort. When we are embroiled in the day to day challenges we can lose sight of the big picture - which is about the process of building the team as well as delivering results. It is about relationships as well as tasks. We can helpfully 'step back' to encourage ourselves that even if 'storming' is happening our team is probably developing as it should. We can remind ourselves that we can use our strengths to help it to grow and thrive.

Much talk about teams, such as this forming, storming, norming, performing, seems to imagine that the membership of teams stays constant. However new people join, and the process of helping them to join and get involved is often not handled well. The new recruit goes through their personal process of forming, storming, norming, and performing.

You've probably noticed that new joiners seem to want to change things. This individual 'storming' may be partly about the newcomer having the wisdom of the stranger, and seeing important things that the rest of the team have stopped noticing. However it is often more about the newcomer wanting to take their place, and to see that they are valued and recognised by being able to influence. All too often this healthy behaviour is seen by the team as a whole, or its leader, as excessive challenge and the newcomer becomes a 'newleaver.'

There are other lenses through which to look at a team's progress, too. The perception that a challenge is taking place, and that it is excessive, may also have to do with the personalities of the group (I think in the way in which Myers Briggs or Insights® Discovery describe personality) or to do with wildly different attitudes to conflict.

Simply, some people believe and behave as if disagreement should be buried because it causes damage, whereas other people believe that disagreement is best brought to the surface immediately. A 'middle way' is not the right answer to all problems in life: sometimes it is good to have a range of approaches. However with attidudes to conflict an awareness of one's preferences and the ability to choose together to adopt a 'middle way' is really helpful. This understanding is relevant to my mediation work as well as team development.

WHERE NEXT

If you are in a stormy team, step back. Look for encouraging signs that the team is developing, and ask yourself how you can contribute constructively. If this is difficult, one of our coaches can help you and your team to step back to celebrate what is going well and see what can be improved.

Coaching is always great for stepping back from issues to see them objectively and recognise fresh perspectives and ways of doing things. How would that be helpful for you?

I'd be delighted to hear your stories and examples to do with teams. Add your comments!

If you'd like to read more indepth articles like this, subscribe here.

If there are things I've touched on here that you'd like to learn more about, get in touch.
richard@findingtruenorth.co.uk

Wiltshire New Business Competition 2010 - launch photos

2010-10-07T17:43:00.004+01:00

How was the launch? It was great to see so many people there, including sponsors who have made this competition possible.

Being driven round Castle Combe circuit by an experienced driver with commentary on his every move, and sometimes on three wheels, was an unforgettable experience. Do I ever get queasy in the back of a car? 3 km circuit twice at max 115 mph - seemed over quite quickly!

Here's a reminder about the competition: businesses started in Wiltshire between 25the September 2009 and 31st August 2011 are eligible for the 2010 competition. Details and entry form from Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce 01225 355553.

Wiltshire New Business Competition

2010-10-07T09:41:00.004+01:00

The competition for businesses set up in the last year or so in Wiltshire is being launched today at Castle Combe Racing Circuit. This competition, coordinated through local Chambers of Commerce and supported by Wiltshire Council and sponsoring firms and, has been running annually for some while now and is a growing success. Entrants gain publicity and business support as well as prizes.

Finding True North are offering reduced price coaching to competition entrants.

For more information, contact Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce on 01225 355553.

As VP of Corsham Chamber of Commerce I'm looking forward to attending the launch event today which includes the experience of being driven round the race track at high speed!

Impressed by new MP

2010-10-01T13:28:00.004+01:00

I was pleased to attend a networking breakfast in Chippenham this morning, organised by Monahans Accountants, where Duncan Hames had been invited to speak about his experience of his first few months of being an MP. He is the Lib Dem MP for our constituency and he is new to the job. As he said, building empathy well with his audience, becoming an MP is in many ways similar to starting a business (for example because a new staff team has to be built).

It was good to meet him again, to chat about the importance of continuing with those parts of government support for business that are going well and to hear his commitment to ongoing support for business, and to hear his talk. I was impressed that he spoke for some while without notes. He did so in an interesting and cogent way which put across well his understanding of key issues for our country, and the perspectives that need to drive current strategy for the economy.

I was interested in his comment along the lines that the government do not create jobs through employment in the public sector, because the money to pay for those jobs is always financed by the public sector. Therefore job creation has to be done by private sector businesses (his audience this morning) and government have to foster that.

There were entertaining stories too of his first few months in office.

I'm in the business of helping people to find work in which they will thrive, and to thrive in the work that they do. So I was pleased and moved to see our new MP getting to grips with his new role and relating so well to his audience of constituents. It's never easy starting a new job, particularly a high-profile public one (do MP's have coaches?!) so all the best to him.

Be Happy!

2010-09-29T09:51:00.003+01:00

People seem to want to be cheerful all the time, and I suspect that tv presenters would be sacked if they did not have a cheery smile on their faces all the time - even when reading news items about disasters such as the recent floods in Pakistan. People can find it difficult to empathise with people going through difficult times, and we just hear, "Cheer up!"

It is good to feel happy, yet there are times when people need to grieve, times when we need to listen and empathise not just to try to cheer people up, whether this is in work as a coach or just conversation with friends. We need to be real and accept people's emotions and help them journey through them not deny them.

So, I find this article by Mary Kenny in the BBC magazine encouraging, as she writes more about how in British society we may have lost sight of the importance of timely grief and mourning!

Take a look.

SCT networking was very homely

2010-09-24T17:57:00.003+01:00

If you've never been to the National Self-Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon you've missed a treat. It's an Aladdin's Cave of information and displays on how to renovate or build your own home. They even run courses.

In the middle of this vast warehouse is a Show Home, and our Swindon Coaching Team networking evening (c/o Swindon Connections) took place in this. So it was very comfortable, and lent itself well to enjoyable and relaxed conversation over good drinks and nibbles.

All this builds the SCT vision of increased availability of good coaching for organisations based in or near Swindon, in tune with Finding True North.

We were offering free coaching taster sessions. If you'd be interested in one, email me or phone me on 01249 712446.

Further work for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

2010-09-24T15:47:00.002+01:00

I've enjoyed starting work as a result of a further invitation from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to offer leadership training. On this occasion the training comprises a series of sessions for staff newly promoted to line management positions. I'm using a mixture of teaching input and coaching to provide apppropriate theory and practice and to help to embed the learning and equip them for their new roles.

Build Your Own Rainbow

2010-09-23T14:34:00.006+01:00

Lately I've been meeting people whose jobs are coming to an end prematurely through redundancy or retirement. They are looking for new work, and are wanting to work through what their skills and interests are and what work they might do instead of just looking for "more of the same."

I'd like to recommend the one workbook that I've found to be most helpful. It guides the reader through analysis of their interests, skills, values, and the kind of work they enjoy; helps them to map these to possible job choices; and provides support for problems along the way. It is also great for young people starting work for the first time.

Some people are happy working through such a process on their own, other people prefer accompaniment on the journey. As a coach I can provide that.

Now in its 4th edition (2009), it is Build Your Own Rainbow - a workbook for career and life management - by Barrie Hopson and Mike Scally and published by Lifeskills international. There are other books out there too: this is my favourite. You are welcome to add your suggestions as comments to this blog!

You may want to support your local bookshop, however here's the Amazon link.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Your-Own-Rainbow-Management/dp/1852525878/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285249402&sr=8-1

Ian Storey retires as President

2010-09-22T16:42:00.002+01:00

We had an animated meeting of Corsham Chamber of Commerce this morning. The Corsham area continues to grow economically. Amongst other things the Ministry of Defence sites continue to expand, and and the Methuen Arms Hotel is due to reopen shortly.

Ian Storey announced his resignation as President, after more years service than I can remember, and we continue to encourage more people and businesses to enjoy membership of the Chamber and work towards developing our local economy.

Cranfield MBA takes the lead

2010-09-22T16:36:00.003+01:00

I am excited to read that the MBA from Cranfield School of Management has been ranked #1 in the UK in a recent survey by The Economist of worldwide full-time MBA courses in 2010. This also places the school 4th in Europe and 15th in the world.

I did my MBA there from 1983 to 1984. It's good to see continued improvement!

Benefits of coaching

2010-09-20T10:06:00.000+01:00

Someone recently drew to my attention results of a survey by the ICF.

According to their Client Survey 98.5% of coaching clients said their investment in a coach was well worth the money.

Other results for people included:

A higher level of self-awareness: 67.6%
Smarter goal-setting: 62.4%
A more balanced life: 60.5%
Lower stress levels: 57.1%
Self-discovery: 52.9%
More self-confidence: 52.4%
Improvement in quality of life: 43.3%
Enhanced communication skills: 39.5%
Project completion: 35.7%
Health or fitness improvement: 33.8%
Better relationships with boss or co-workers: 33.3%
Better family relationships: 33.3%
Increased energy: 31.9%
More fun: 31.9% I like that one especially

and that's not the end of the list.

(From International Coaching Federation's (ICF) Client Survey. © Copyright 1997-2000 - International Coach Federation. http://www.coachfederation.com/ Download full results here.)

Interesting work in Salisbury

2010-09-17T12:58:00.002+01:00

I'm part of the Well Being Group in Salisbury Diocese (Church of England). I attended one of their regular meetings yesterday. We're concerned with making good provision of support for church ministers through coaching, mentoring, spirtual direction, sailing... (you name it!).

It's a challenging time for the Church of England at the moment. There's a big culture change that we're seeking to implement, partly driven by government legislation. This changes the way that dioceses have to relate to and support clergy - in a way that is closer to a conventional employment relationship. Procedures have to be tightened up, and as always with imposed change there is an opportunity to make the most of it to improve both results and the well being of staff.

One of the mottos of the group is a quote from Irenaeus: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.”

New events with Swindon Coaching Team

2010-09-17T11:44:00.004+01:00

Swindon Coaching Team continues to attend popular places and events to give people an opportunity to find out how they may benefit from coaching and experience a taster session. If you'd like to offer us a venue, perhaps so your employees may benefit from free coaching during their lunch hour, then get in touch.

Our upcoming events in September are:

Wednesday 22nd September at the Swindon Connections meeting in the National Self-Build Centre in Swindon from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Cost is £10+VAT which includes light refreshments: for venue and to book go to event page. Those of you who attended the last one of these in July will know the added benefit of great networking and good visiting speakers.

On Wednesday 29th September we are doing a lunch time drop in event again at the popular Old Bank wine bar in Wood Street Swindon SN1 4AB between 12 noon and 2pm. Drop in anytime. No need to book, and no cost except the drinks you buy!

Hope to see you there: let me know if you're coming!

More info here about http://www.swindoncoachingteam.org.uk

Morris Owen take on Finding True North coaching with Train to Gain grant support

2010-09-13T16:31:00.002+01:00

We are pleased to welcome Morris Owen accountants of Swindon as clients.

They have sought support from Train to Gain to provide coaching for a recently promoted partner, and we are providing our Leader Accelerator programme of leadership development coaching over a six month period to develop particular skills.

See our website for more about how our programmes may help you or your organisation, and find more information on our Leader Accelerator here.

Steph Hovey Portrait Artist

2010-09-11T19:41:00.003+01:00

How about a painted portrait as a special gift, or to brighten up your offices?

Take a look at this new site: Steph Hovey Portrait Artist.

Train to Gain in Swindon

2010-09-10T15:46:00.002+01:00

Many of my coaching business clients receive grants of hundreds of pounds from Train to Gain's Leadership and Management Advisory Service, because the coaching helps them to develop leadership skills.

I was pleased to be invited to a gathering of Train to Gain's advisers in Swindon this week, to meet up, share information, and help develop this service.

The advisers stay in touch with the firms they have helped, so it was encouraging to discover that they had received good feedback about the coaching Finding True North has given, and wanted to connect me with further clients.

(This grant is due to end early in 2011, so if it is of interest to you get in touch now. email me )

The Prince's Trust expands services for young people

2010-08-24T20:39:00.003+01:00

For some while I've been aware that The Prince's Trust offer training and mentoring for young people (age 18-30) who want to start their own business. Today I met with some of the team at their well-staffed offices for their South West Region, in Bristol, as I have been considering offering to do some mentoring for them.

I'm glad it's taken me a while to get round to this, because last year they redeveloped their services to give better support to those who are seeking to set up a business, and to expand their services to help others to develop the skills needed for employment or further education.

So the line up now is impressive. The Enterprise Programme for those aged 18 to 30 provides an initial four day course on how to start a business and then supports the participants over up to twelve months as they seek to develop a business plan and consider whether to start a business. Some financial support may be given. Mentors are available for ongoing support for 6 months to 2 years whether the young people choose to start a business or not.

Alongside this there are other programmes to develop skills and confidence in young people aged 14 to 25. Some of these are based around adventure training, some are based in schools, and some teach vocational skills.

Very impressive. People interested in supporting The Prince's Trust can volunteer, give money, or even join their South West Leadership Group.

NEST UK pension reforms

2010-08-23T12:50:00.003+01:00

Attending business breakfasts is useful.

I hear that from April 2012 the government is introducing a compulsory pension scheme for employees called NEST. Employees will be automatically enrolled unless they opt out. Employees will have to contribute 4% of salary, and employers 3%.

Full details here: nestpensions.org.uk.

I've felt for some while that the situation to do with employee pensions has been confused. So I think it's good news that the new government is going ahead with plans from the last administration, although I can see the agenda of the govenment wanting to reduce dependency on state pensions!

Supporting unemployed people

2010-08-11T16:05:00.007+01:00

As the latest unemployment figures are released, I notice the headlines in today's Daily Mail.

Number of long-term unemployed young people soars by 42% in a year

Over 50 and on the scrapheap: As recession bites, a record rise in older workers condemned to long-term unemployment

And recently we had news that 70 graduates are seeking every gradute job, and that 10% of last year's university graduates in the UK are still out of work.

Statistics also tell us that the times when people are most likely to set up their own business are at the start of their career, or around age 50 when either they have reached a peak in their employed career or they feel more freedom as domestic commitments reduce. It is likely that more people will be considering starting their own business as a way of escaping from unemployment.

As coaching practitioners we need to be doing all we can to support people who are out of work to make good career choices and to consider setting up a business themselves in an informed way, so at Finding True North we welcome conversations with people who are looking for work or considering a career change, to help them to:

work out their skills, strengths, and career options
considering or plan setting up a business
improve relationship and communication skills
persevere with the process by providing ongoing coaching

In addition, we continue to provide coaching to directors and owners of businesses and charities to help them to develop themselves, their staff, and their organisation. Amongst other things this helps businesses to thrive and increase rather than decrease the number of staff they employ!

Contact us for more information.

You can also receive posts like this in your inbox, and sign up to our occasional newsletter which contains more detailed articles about running a business and career development.

Want to sell your business?

2010-08-11T15:49:00.003+01:00

I was impressed by a the quarterly magazine I received from Monahans accountants.

There was an article in it about valuing businesses, but better still it referred to more information on their web site. Take a look at the valuation calculator on their home page, and the "grooming your business for sale" helpsheet.

Einstein is at it again!

2010-08-10T18:36:00.006+01:00

I'm amazed by the array of different quotes I read from Albert Einstein. Anyone would think he spent his whole time creating them! Here's a good one.

The only sure way to avoid mistakes is to have no new ideas.

Maybe this is where the NLP dictum came from: there's no such thing as failure, only learning.

(I saw this in The Week, quoting The Canberra Times.)

Getting to know AIDA

2010-08-09T22:21:00.005+01:00

Ever since I met Aida, people have been delighted when I've introduced her to them.

I think it's because everyone likes the idea of being more interesting, of gaining more interest or influence, when they create publicity material or write persuasive emails.

AIDA may sound like a memorable girl's name, however it's a formula for those who seek to be persuasive. It's been wisely used for many years, and you can use AIDA for written publicity, emails, or even sales conversations.

ATTENTION
People don't always listen. You need to gain their attention. Use a heading or opening sentence that will make people stops in their tracks.

INTEREST
Follow this with a few lines that will interest them, because you need to draw them in to what you want to say so that they want will want to read on. This may be some key facts, or an important question.

DESIRE
You want someone to do something, so you need to build this desire in the text that follows. Whether you are writing sales literature, or want a friend to come on holiday with you, you need to show the benefits. "What's in it for me?"

ACTION
Finally, "ask for the order." What do you want the person to do? Marketing experts, and web page designers, all agree that we should keep in simple: ask for just one action because people like to be told what to do, but don't like too many choices.

Have you read this far? You're more than interested, and you can see some area where you'd like to improve the effectiveness of what you say or write. Give it a go! How will you apply AIDA first?

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I'd like you to experience the benefits of AIDA, so I hope you enjoy putting these things into practice. Let me know how you get on, and comments on my articles are always welcome.

People tend to thing of AIDA as being of use for written publicity, but you can apply it to sales conversations too, starting with those initial few seconds you have to create a first impression and attract attention.

If you struggle to remember the acronym, you could think of Verdi's opera Aida, or that the word means "visitor" or "returning" in Arabic - whatever helps, really!

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Leonie Harrison

2010-08-09T15:20:00.003+01:00

I won the speaker's prize at our breakfast meeting on Friday (BNI in Melksham). It was a CD of Leonie Harrison, an impressive female vocalist.

Click on "listen" to hear her: http://www.leonieharrison.co.uk/menu.shtml

Pleased with Train to Gain

2010-08-06T13:12:00.003+01:00

Quite a few of my clients have benefitted from a grant of up to £1000 from Train to Gain (their Leadership and Management Advisory Service) to help develop their leadership skills. It's great!

So I was pleased this week when they asked me to visit a partner in an accountancy practice in Swindon with a view to providing coaching. However we scope the coaching, the grant will help them develop as a practice.

More on Train to Gain grants here. Don't hang about: the scheme has less than a year to run now.

Why wait to register for VAT?

2010-08-06T13:03:00.003+01:00

Business Mistake 1?

When I started this business in 2007, I thought I'd hold off VAT registration until it became clear whether most of my clients were businesses, charities, or individuals - i.e. whether they could reclaim VAT. There is some sense in that. Now, most of my clients are businesses who are registered for VAT, although it's still important to have a pricing strategy that is appropriate for all my clients.

I've just looked at the amount of VAT I've paid ("input tax") since I started my business, and it's frightening. I can feel online VAT registration coming up.

If you want to learn from my mistakes, get in touch!

Presentation for BNI

2010-07-30T16:54:00.003+01:00

As usual this morning I felt as if I was getting up too early, however as usual I was looking forward to our BNI breakfast meeting in Melksham. The group is a great source of mutual support, and a lot of business is passed between members as well. About every six months or so it's my turn to give a ten minute presentation about my work, as it was this morning. That went well, and I enjoyed giving it. Quite a bit of it seemed to be testimonials from my clients, which is impressive.

For more details of the business, which I included in the presentation, get in touch!

If you'd like to build your business through referral marketing, ask me about BNI.

Prince's Trust

2010-07-29T12:18:00.003+01:00

I had an encouraging conversation with staff at the Bristol office of the Prince's Trust this morning. I'm impressed by the way they have developed their services to help young people (age 14-30) to get into work, education, or to start a business through new courses and ongoing mentoring. I'm looking at getting involved.

Start-up businesses abandoned?

2010-07-27T15:57:00.007+01:00

Last night I attended a meeting at Bowood. Wiltshire Council had gathered together about one hundred local business leaders to gather opinions as to how the council might improve support for businesses in Wiltshire. Many of the people there had been invited because they are members of local Chambers of Commerce (I am Vice President for Corsham).

The trigger for the event was the government's announcement that it will scrap Regional Development Authorities, Business Link, and Train to Gain. Although their plans are far from clear, it looks as if support for business will have to be provided increasingly by local councils or groups of councils ("Local Enterprise Partnerships"). The meeting was well organised, with discussion in small groups about concerns and priorities, and speeches from Council officers Steve Stone (Chairman of Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership Ltd), Andrew Kerr (CEO), and Leader of the council Jane Scott OBE.

Recent news items have highlighted that seventy graduates are chasing each graduate job at the moment, and that 10% of last years' graduates are still unemployed. Those who fail in a search for employment will either end up with less-than-satisfying jobs for which they are over qualified, become long-term unemployed, or choose to set up their own business. Young people, whether graduates or not, can no longer rely on stable long-term employment with a large employer as they could a few decades ago, nor is a degree or college qualification a ticket to a job, so increasingly starting a business is an important option. This means that young people need to develop a range of skills for work-readiness to equip them for a career which may include starting a business.

Therefore government support for business start-ups needs to be extended not abandoned, and organised nationally where appropriate. It troubles me that support for business start-ups may be reduced just at a time when it is needed more. (Business Link training is motivating and informative and, as well as covering marketing and strategic and financial planning, briefs people on all the national legislation they need to obey. National legislation seems to me to need nationally organised training.)

Other topics discussed included the need to balance education at different levels, develop apprenticeships, publicise Wiltshire's business good news stories, encourage Wiltshire people who go to university elsewhere to return to Wiltshire to work, develop careers information in schools so that young people think career rather than college, improve transport, and more.

Such consultations have not happened before, so it is difficult to know what the outcome will be. You and I will watch with interest. If Business Link's services do not continue in some way, then those starting up businesses, or seeking to develop them, will have to rely more on the private sector for training and coaching, such as your own Finding True North.

Accountant seeks work!

2010-07-26T11:23:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine has just sold a business that he set up 16 years ago, and is looking for accountancy work (which is his profession) full time / part time / interim. He has experience in manufacturing, services, and printing sectors. He's a great guy. If any of you know of anyone looking for a good accountant, I'll put you in touch.

Sir Bob Geldof, Entrepreneurship, and Live Aid

2010-07-22T16:01:00.003+01:00

Yes, I enjoyed the Entrepreneur Summit last week, found it encouraging, and am now seeking to implement various marketing and strategy ideas.

I'd like to share some of the highlights, which I can do because Chris has posted some video clips. Enjoy!

Sir Bob Geldof on the run up Sex Pistols, politics, and attidute to failure
Sir Bob Geldof on the run up to Band Aid, the new world order, and entrepreneurship
Gerald Ratner on how he revived after calling some of his firm's products "crap."

Swindon Connections

2010-07-13T14:04:00.002+01:00

Yes, the Swindon Connections networking event went well. It was a cheerful evening with useful input from speakers and a real sense that the business people there were keen to support one another.

New Clients

2010-07-07T16:25:00.005+01:00

I'd like to welcome as coaching clients of Finding True North two businesses in South West England, as their directors seek to find new ways forward and become more profitable.

Top Height Training Ltd are based in Bristol and provide compulsory and related training for workers in the construction industry who are working at height.

Colin Harrison Design Ltd, based in Melksham, provide graphic design for business - whether web-based or on paper.

Colin Harrison writes: 'Having worked together now for a couple of months... I find I'm viewing things from a totally different perspective and... focus and direction are returning. I have no hesitation in recommending "Finding True North" to anybody seeking that extra bit of help and guidance for business and also personal improvement.'

Both organisations are benefitting from grants from Train To Gain's Leadership and Management Advisory Service.

Contact us for more information about coaching or government funding.

Swindon Coaching Team free taster sessions

2010-07-07T14:28:00.004+01:00

Just a reminder of the Swindon Coaching Team's next event - this Thursday 8th July evening. More info in earlier article.

1st July event postponed

2010-06-14T18:06:00.001+01:00

We've had to postpone the 1st July event, however we're going ahead with the one on 8th July.

More coaching taster sessions in Swindon

2010-06-07T13:37:00.005+01:00

As part of the Swindon Coaching Team I'm organising two more coaching drop-in events with free coaching "tasters" in Swindon on the evenings of Thursdays 1st July and 8th July. One of these is combined with a business networking event, so you get to grow your network too!

All the SCT events are an opportunity to meet some of our team, find out about coaching, and/or experience a free coaching taster session on issues that are current to you. It’s all very relaxed and could provide the insights or impetus that you are looking for in 2010 and beyond, to

move your business forward
enhance your career
improve your relationships
reduce the stress in your life

On 1st July we are returning to The Old Bank wine bar in Swindon. Drop in anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to talk things through over a glass of wine or cup of coffee in this informal yet confidential setting. The address is Wood Street, Old Town, SN1 4AB.

On 8th July from 6:00 p.m. we'll be joining with national networking group Business-Scene at their regular Swindon Connections event. This is at The Madison Hotel, Swindon SN3 4TL (near M4 Junction 15). You need to book online to attend this one at http://www.business-scene.com/event_detail.php.

Pass this information on - you have friends and colleagues who will be interested -and I hope to see you at one or both events.

More information from the Swindon Coaching Team website.

Myers Briggs (MBTI) course

2010-06-04T17:19:00.002+01:00

Have spent a few days on a Myers Briggs (MBTI) workshop. Great to meet new people, and to grow in understanding of my personality, strengths (and weaknesses) with this tool that has been impressing me since the mid 1980's.

Back from my retreat...

2010-05-26T15:42:00.002+01:00

Feeling calm and resourceful after taking a few days break for a retreat.
http://www.csmvonline.org.uk

What's working in business development?

2010-05-24T10:35:00.000+01:00

This is a tough time for many small businesses. What is working for Finding True North?

Doing good work, which is satisfying and builds reputation
Taking time to deepen some of the relationships I make in networking, to build referrals
Making it easier for clients to benefit from coaching, by brokering government funding
Adding new 'routes to market,' including Social Media.
Keeping an eye on cash flow, but not to the detriment of relationships with suppliers
Using spare time to invest in training
Maintaining relationships with existing clients and following up on new contacts
Using a coach to help me to step back from the business, provide fresh perspectives, and recognise what is going well.

Swindon Coaching Team at National Trust HQ

2010-05-19T12:45:00.004+01:00

I enjoyed our first coaching Swindon Coaching Team event at the National Trust HQ in Swindon, Tuesday lunchtime, and we're pleased with how it went. We liked their spacious, welcoming, and friendly site and we made use of the ground floor café - popular with shoppers and local business people as well as National Trust staff - as our venue.

The aim of the Swindon Coaching Team, of which Finding True North is a founder member, is to give more people in the Swindon area the opportunity to find out what coaching is about and experience its benefits. There was interest in what we were doing amongst visitors and staff, and we were able to have a significant number of helpful conversations, which is a good start.

We have been looking for a venue that is comfortable both for people who travel there to meet us, and those who take an interest because we are there. It looks like this fits the bill, so we look forward to using it again.

Join us next time! Sign up to my newsletter to find out first about future dates.

Great event yesterday

2010-05-14T17:06:00.000+01:00

The joint event last night in Swindon with BNI and the Swindon Coaching Team went really well. There were about thirty people there (I lost count) who enjoyed Paul Clegg's engaging talk on building businesses using referrals and social networking, speed networking, and conversations with our coaches.

Great! Watch this space for future events.

Recession or depression in Britain?

2010-05-11T10:59:00.005+01:00

A few years ago we were told that there would be "no more boom or bust" and that we could look forward to stable economic growth. We have experienced another recession, and official statistics tell us that our economy is pulling out of recession, although many individuals and businesses are not yet experiencing that. Others wonder whether there will be a "double dip" - that is that we shall see a further small decline before solid growth comes. While politicians may claim that there expertise will prevent a double dip, history shows that a double dip is usual.

Good business practice is to invest in the business at the "bottom" of the recession, following any staff redundancies and efficiency improvements. This may include new machinery, however what is most important at this time is investment in staff development and training. Yet it is a guessing game to know when is the best time. Especially when still other writers predict that our current recession is a prelude to a deeper depression.

How has your business responded to the recession so far? Are you able to "step back" to see the wood for the trees? Are you, at least sometimes, finding innovative and creative solutions? Are you confident in the decisions you are making? Are you investing in the support of key staff on whom your profitability depends? I suggest that now is a good time to find out how coaching will help your key staff to contribute even more effectively to your business.

Coaching from Finding True North.

Radio debut

2010-05-11T10:41:00.001+01:00

Thanks to those who listened to the business slot on Swindon 105.5 last night. I enjoyed chatting to the presenter about the benefits of coaching, and the work I do in particular, and the hour passed really quickly. It is a strange feeling being in a small room and not knowing how many people "out there" are listening. It makes me admire successful presenters all the more!

Richard to be guest on Swindon Radio

2010-05-06T10:00:00.000+01:00

Richard Hovey has been invited again as a guest on Swindon 105.5 Radio at 6pm on Monday 10th May when he'll be talking about coaching and about the Swindon Coaching Team. You can listen online at http://www.swindon1055.com/

Another event from the Swindon Coaching Team

2010-05-05T20:36:00.003+01:00

The team are getting together on Tuesday 18th May for our next free drop-in event which is being held at the National Trust Cafe and Restaurant next to the McArthur Glen Outlet Village in Swindon (Kemble Drive, SN2 2NA).

This will be a lunchtime event from 12.30 to 2.00 pm so if you work nearby, are out on a shopping spree or would like to add some interest to your lunchtime, then come and take the opportunity to combine coffee or a snack with an informal chat with us. We'll have our team ready to help you explore new ways to effect change and deal with the things in life that aren't working out quite as you would like.

As before, this is an opportunity to meet our coaches, find out what coaching is about, or experience the benefits yourself with a taster session.

See my previous post about the Swindon Coaching Team for more info.

Coaching and Social Media at Swindon Holiday Inn

2010-04-23T14:19:00.004+01:00

Swindon Coaching Team, of which I am a part, is teaming up with BNI in Swindon to offer both free coaching taster sessions and a workshop on using social media (such as Twitter and Facebook) to help you to develop your business. There's even speed networking available too for those who'd like to try it!

All this is happening at the Holiday Inn Express at M4 Junction 16, Thursday 13th May 2010, 6:00 p.m. for 6:30 start until 8:00. £6. Bring your friends. Contact me to reserve a place.

More about the event here (click on the image to enlarge it)

More about BNI here. I'm part of the Ushers Chapter that meets in Melksham.

Is a stand-up debate the way to choose a politician?

2010-04-23T12:01:00.003+01:00

I've been making use of Carl Jung's understanding of people, and Myers Briggs, for many years, but am deepening my understanding while I attend an accreditation course.

Stand-up debate is a great way to find out the best about extraverts; but people with an introvert preference keep their best strengths hidden. Maybe the person who is best for a job is not the one who is great at talking, but the one who does the best quiet thinking or research. How much of modern politics is really about exchanges in the debating chambers of the Palace of Westminster?

Lots of life is about gathering information (perception) and then making decisions (judgement). One of these we like to do in public, the other we prefer to do by ourselves. We also have preferred ways of doing each. For extraverts, their strongest function is what you see in the outside world, which is makes selecting the best candidate for a job or a seat in parliament straightforward. With introvert candidates the best is hidden and needs to be discovered in a better way. (How about measuring people by results?)

Food for thought...!

Do you need goals?

2010-04-10T17:07:00.002+01:00

Which of these are you more likely to say?

"If you don't know where you are going, you are not likely to arrive there."

"If I don't know where I'm going, I may end up somewhere more interesting."