Understanding leadership styles to navigate the leader maze
It hardly needs saying that effective teamwork and motivated team members increase the likelihood of optimising business outcomes. If good business results aren't achieved the buck stops with the team leader for it is the team leader who is responsible for ensuring that the team is motivated to achieve results and effectively deployed to do […]
Take the Alan Sugar leadership test
Alan Sugar has returned to our screens in the Junior Apprentice (Wednesdays, 9pm, BBC1), we present the Alan Sugar test – have you got what it takes to lead in your organisation? The thirst to find the next crop of leaders and entrepreneurs seems to show no signs of abating judging by […]
The leadership required to forge a coalition government
While political power talks continue and we wait to see if we will be offered a coalition, multi-party deal or minority government, Austin Swain considers the leadership skills needed to forge a strong, workable, multi-party parliament. The political landscape has shifted beyond recognition in the last 10 days. Clegg, Brown and Cameron have moved […]
Managing HR in SMEs
Last year was one of the toughest for businesses with almost 27,000 British companies going bust as a result of the recession, more than in any other economic downturn and although Britain may be on its way out of the recession, 2010 is going to be another difficult year to get through. SME organisations in […]
Cutting through a bullying culture
Leaders have a huge part to play not just in political parties but in all organisations, especially when it comes to dealing with issues such as bullying. But what do you do when those in leadership are seen as part of the problem rather than the solution? Dame Barbara Stocking, chief executive of Oxfam, shares […]
The HR business partner health check
The trend in recent years has been a move towards a decentralisation of the HR role out into local business and organisation units, exemplified by the role of HR Business Partners (HRBPs). In theory, the HRBP brings HR expertise closer to what is required and can therefore tailor service and advice to local business requirements. […]
UK political figures lack leadership qualities – study
While Virgin boss Richard Branson has topped a poll for apparently possessing the most impressive leadership qualities, the heads of the UK’s three main political parties all languished at the bottom. Prime Minister Gordon Brown came last with a score of 4.5, followed by Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, at 5.2. David Cameron, […]
Skills gap worst in leadership, management and technical roles
While the UK is suffering from wider skills gaps than ever, it is a particular problem among those in leadership, management and technical roles because investment in training is not being targeted correctly – or simply not being made available at all. A report, which was commissioned by the government and has just been published by […]
Engaging your talent through embodied leadership
Which qualities does a leader require to inspire engagement of their key talent and harness discretionary effort? Make healthy high performance part of your organisation. In today’s fast-paced, impatient and often stressful world, leaders need to find a way of being and leading that liberates people to contribute their unique talents willingly – thereby giving […]
M&S – HR business partners getting the balance right
Jan Hills tells how at Marks & Spencer the HR team is working hard to ensure the company maintains its employer of choice status as the UK comes out of the recession. Marks & Spencer has always been seen as the barometer for the UK economy and the retail sector. We talked to Joan Claridge, […]
Technology – HR’s best friend?
Taleo’s Judy Sweeney explains how technology is helping to boost HR’s status at board level by demonstrating the value investment in people strategies have on the bottom line. There’s been an evolution in the role of HR leaders and the technology that supports them. For years HR wanted to gain recognition at board level but […]
Layla Bunni’s on the case: Facebook fail by employee
This month Layla is on the case of an employee who has been discussing remuneration packages on Facebook. What should be done and would you deal with it this way? The case It has been reported to the HR manager that an employee working in the payroll department has been discussing matters relating to a […]
HR business partners: Old habits die hard
It’s all too easy to give HR generalists a new job description and title and expect them to start operating as a Business Partner. What is usually underestimated is how difficult it is for them to move away from old habits that act as a barrier to success in their role. The move to the […]
Transforming leadership
Transform HR in your organisation by meeting the leadership challenge of understanding the business and the people you lead, explains Christian Hasenoehrl. No business sector has journeyed like HR to find it’s place and path. No other department has undergone such radical transformation, has questioned itself more deeply or has doubted itself more strongly. Rather […]
Krafty job cuts at Cadbury?
Following the shareholder approval of the Cadbury’s board recommended takeover offer by Kraft, the world’s second largest food company, there will inevitably be concerns amongst its staff that this will result in job losses. It has already been announced that Cadbury’s head office in Uxbridge will close and there are union fears that this will […]
Developing a sense of ownership and responsibility among staff
Efficiency is about taking ownership and responsibility for behaviours as much as it is about designing new business processes, says Andy Neal of Changemaker International. It is important that businesses are run efficiently, even more now when companies are facing greater challenges from the economy. Yet at times such as this, businesses cannot afford to […]
Colborn’s Corner – Do you like your chocolate sweet or bitter?
Is Kraft and Cadbury simply another iconic British brand being sold overseas like Jaguar and Bentley? More importantly, what about the internal culture of the business and the impact on the employees? This month’s Colborn’s Corner addresses the issues that flow from the takeover and considers the implications both inside and outside the organisation. The […]
Study reveals secrets to successful leadership
Although most organisations believe that strong managers with a target and numbers-driven approach are crucial to success during a recession, a new study has revealed that bosses with a more democratic, people-oriented style generate better performance. According to a two-year research project undertaken by the Work Foundation, self-aware leaders who focus on developing mutual relationships […]
Snow business: The winter survival kit for your organisation
Snowed under? Get some relief from the cold snap with this advice exploring creating extreme weather policy and making the most of technology. As waves of snow sweep into Britain from Siberia, civilisation as we know it appears to have broken down. With transport and infrastructure severely disrupted, up to 20% of workers […]
Are you moral enough to lead a culture of accountability?
Effective human resources leadership can only be built upon a culture of accountability, says Chris Seabourne, Partner with CTPartners. For any company – regardless of its industry, location, or business model – its employee base represents one of its most valuable assets and one that is absolutely key to achieving performance, growth and profitability objectives. […]
