Is it a good idea? What are the implications? For those of us who live with a dog (note not ‘Own’), this is the easiest conundrum to solve; it is an unequivocal ‘Yes’, bring in the pooch. But it isn’t that simple. What are the pros and cons? Generally, when advocating action the negative aspects are left to last or suppressed all together. On this occasion, let’s consider … [Read more...] about Dogs in the Workplace
Secondary stories
Prepare to Impress – Introduction
There can have been few times as difficult for some people to find employment as now. More redundancies, less business growth, overseas markets absorbing traditional work and the accelerating need for new skills are all combining to spread concern amongst those without a job or feel the threat of imminent unemployment. There are no jobs-for-life. So, given the levels of … [Read more...] about Prepare to Impress – Introduction
Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Four
Living As reflected, this week was to be one in which the question, “What matters?” was given full focus. Naturally, any answers will be contextualised by the person giving the answers, their circumstances and how they feel at the time. As one young woman, Elspeth, put it to me, “What matters will change through your life”. From someone in her twenties this was very … [Read more...] about Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Four
Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Three
Simple Statistics Since finishing the trip, the first question from most people is, “How many miles did you travel?” So, here are some facts; Total … [Read more...] about Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Three
Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Two
Introduction Recently, I have been giving a lot of thought to my own behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs. It seems to me that I have lost the balance between the things that matter and giving too much emotion to others that do not matter at all. Let me ask you a few questions: Have you ever sat in your car and shouted at another driver, even though he couldn’t hear you, … [Read more...] about Re-booting; Catching Trains of Thoughts – Part Two
HR as the Conscience of the Business – Part Two
Relationships affect everyone in business and every aspect of the operation. We have relationships with customers. We want them to keep coming back to us, to tell their friends about us for the correct reasons, to be advocates of our business, We have relationships with suppliers. We want them to want to help us through cost effective pricing, high quality parts or … [Read more...] about HR as the Conscience of the Business – Part Two
HR as the Conscience of the Business – Part One
In the The Harvard Business Review (a very worthwhile subscription, by the way), the Editor-in-Chief Adi Ignatius wrote, “HR is always a popular target, as it handles many of the least-loved aspects of corporate life. Everyone seems to think that he or she knows a better way”. People in HR are incredibly busy mopping up other people’s messes, whilst simultaneously being … [Read more...] about HR as the Conscience of the Business – Part One
The Railway Pensioners
Trains are a fascination for many people, but it is an especially prevalent interest amongst men. One-piece information which is relevant to women is all men are fundamentally eleven years old and for some of these ‘boys’ one emanation is trainspotting. Naturally, whilst they may admit to admiring the engineering feat, they will deny they take note of numbers; they do. In … [Read more...] about The Railway Pensioners