Talent Spot: Community blogger, Peter Cook
Peter Cook is a management consultant who runs two consultancies: Human Dynamics, which trains corporates in creativity and innovation, and The Academy of Rock, which combines business excellence with music. He uses music as a powerful metaphor for business challenges and believes experiential learning through music engages audiences far better than traditional lectures.
Talking Point: Why is HR still looking for training silver bullets?
HR departments often rely on post-course evaluations to assess training effectiveness, but these “happy sheets” fail to measure actual behavioral change or long-term impact. Research shows 70% of learning occurs after training ends, yet organizations rarely track follow-up support or implementation success, perpetuating the myth that training alone solves performance problems.
News: UK workers ‘most depressed in Europe’
UK workers have the highest depression diagnosis rate in Europe at over 25%, though researchers suggest this reflects better awareness rather than higher actual incidence. A Mori survey of 7,000 people across seven European countries found one in ten employees took time off work due to depression, with UK staff averaging 41 days leave per episode.
News: Knowing the difference between HR and HCM apps can save you money
Understanding the difference between HR and human capital management applications can significantly impact your organization’s budget. HR systems handle personnel management, payroll and benefits, while HCM solutions focus on career development and succession planning. Assessing your workforce needs and integration costs helps avoid unnecessary spending on wrong technology.
Blog: Why HR needs to get out more
HR professionals must spend more time embedded in the business to understand commercial imperatives and develop strategic credibility. This requires gaining exposure to customer-facing functions, demonstrating curiosity about business drivers, and actively seeking opportunities to contribute beyond HR-specific projects.
Blog: Was Europe’s Ryder Cup win the result of emotional intelligence?
Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup comeback from 10-6 down showcased captain Jose-Maria Olazabal’s emotional intelligence, as he inspired his team to achieve victory through emotional connection and belief, demonstrating how great leaders use emotion strategically to drive organizational success.
How to work effectively with the C-suite
HR directors can build trust with the C-suite by delivering consistent operational excellence and demonstrating tangible business results. Success requires mastering core HR services, understanding business priorities, and communicating in business terms rather than HR jargon.
What risk type are you? And why does it matter?
Understanding your risk type—whether you’re “Wary” or “Adventurous”—reveals how you perceive threats and opportunities. Self-awareness about these differences is crucial for executives and managers, as misaligned risk perspectives can derail effective decision-making and damage working relationships in leadership teams.
News: Impact of AWR 1 year on? Depends who you talk to
Conflicting research emerges on the Agency Worker Regulations’ impact one year after introduction, with employer surveys showing starkly different views on whether the rules reduced temporary staff hiring or had minimal effect on business practices.
News: Bereaved parents call for corporate manslaughter charges against G4S
Parents of a security guard killed in Baghdad in 2009 are calling for G4S to face corporate manslaughter charges. A BBC documentary reveals that an alleged whistleblower warned the company about the killer’s violent criminal history and mental health issues before the incident, but the warnings were reportedly ignored.
Blog: Working Families Conference – How to achieve true flexible working
At the Working Families Conference, Matt Dean facilitated a discussion on achieving true flexible working, exploring why traditional career paths and long work hours persist. The session identified nine key ideas for creating flexible careers as a “voyage of co-discovery” between employers and workers, challenging outdated assumptions about advancement and ambition.
Legal Insight: How to avoid employment tribunal claims
Employers can significantly reduce employment tribunal claims by taking a proactive stance on conflict management, avoiding settling meritless claims, and implementing proper HR procedures. With defense costs averaging £20,000 annually, strategic prevention through clear communication and management training proves more cost-effective than litigation.
Book Review: How to shine – Insights into unlocking your potential from proven winners
Simon Hartley’s “How to Shine” examines what separates exceptional performers from the ordinary by interviewing 12 successful individuals across various fields. While the book covers familiar success factors like motivation and hard work in an accessible way, reviewers found it predictable and noted that featuring lesser-known personalities undermined its credibility compared to other self-improvement books.
Ask the Expert: How can we best handle a complex restructure?
A company restructuring multiple departments must navigate redundancy law, employee placement, and fairness carefully. Key questions include whether to formally declare redundancies for roles with new descriptions, how to handle employees seeking positions outside their skill level, and whether promotion opportunities require competitive interviews. Expert guidance on consultation procedures and legal obligations can help ensure the restructure is handled transparently and complies with employment regulations.
News: Employers exploit apprenticeships for cheap labour, claims business owner
A North East business owner claims employers are exploiting apprenticeship schemes to access cheap labour, offering six-month placements with no employment guarantee. He argues short-term programs fail to provide adequate training and skill development for young people.
News: Redundancies likely early next year if economy fails to improve, warns CIPD
UK employers are likely to make redundancies early next year if the economy fails to improve, the CIPD has warned, citing falling productivity and rising labour costs that are forcing difficult staffing decisions.
Christina’s Counsel: How do I get into HR?
A reader considering a career switch from business administration to HR learns 10 key tips for breaking into the profession, including gaining work experience, understanding different HR specializations, obtaining relevant qualifications, and finding a mentor to guide the transition.
Blog: The reservist issue – Why employers are not “despicable”
Most employers support the Reserve Forces and should not be criticized for the challenges of accommodating reservist training and mobilization. Research shows 78% of employers recognize reserves as necessary, and 87% would be supportive if an employee were mobilized, making them key advocates for the growing force.
Engaging for success: Motivating line managers to motivate others
Effective line managers need to master five fundamental roles—prophet, storyteller, strategist, coach, and pilot—to engage and motivate their teams. HR professionals can support this development by helping managers become stronger strategists and demonstrating high personal engagement themselves.
News: A third of UK workers endure bullying
Three in five UK workers report experiencing workplace bullying, with 30% currently facing such behavior. The most common tactics include blaming employees for mistakes they didn’t make and constant criticism, while many bullying incidents go unreported to HR.
