Philip Atkinson
  • Home
    • Philip Atkinson
    • Delivering Your Change Agenda
    • Who are we and what do we do?
    • Our Core Competencies
    • Research & Publications >
      • Books: Become a Change Master
      • Books: Shaping Customer Focus
      • Books: Creating Culture Change
      • Books: The Iceberg Agenda
      • Books: Achieving Results through Time Management
    • Videos >
      • Vouchers
    • Legal Notices & Privacy Registration details
    • Contact Form
  • Research
    • Pure Research
    • Cultural Audit
    • Robust Performance Culture
    • Organization Development
  • Culture Change
    • Strategic Analysis >
      • Articles on Culture & Strategic Change
    • Strategy Review
    • Channeling 'Disruption' >
      • M&A - Soft Due Dilgence
    • Soft Due Diligence
    • Create Change Capability >
      • Post CoVid Flexible Working
      • Articles on Managing Change Capability
    • Matrix Management >
      • Politics of Matrix Organisation & the External Change Maker >
        • CEO Concerns on Matrix Management
        • Articles on Matrix Management & Post Acqusition Integration
      • Creating the Culture for Matrix Management
      • Measuring Improvement in the Matrix Culture
  • Mentoring
    • Resilient & Bulletproof
    • Process Consultation
    • Project Mentoring
    • Self Facilitation >
      • Lean Video
    • Lean Business Transformation
    • Rapid Improvement Events
    • Lean Curriculum >
      • Articles Business Transformation
  • Leadership
    • Leadership Video
    • Change Leadership
    • Transformational Leadership >
      • Organisational Change - Agricultural & Construction Equipment
      • Post Acquisition Integration, Leadership - Financial Services
      • Management of Reputation & Complexity - Motor FinanceUntitled
      • Conservation & Wildlife Charity Creates a Culture of Transformational Leadership & Change
      • Change Management – Biotechnology
    • Tangible Business Coaching >
      • FAQ's in Coaching
      • Flexibility in Using Psychometrics
      • Training in Coaching
      • Articles on Coaching & Leadership
  • Influence
    • The Power to Influence >
      • Influencing Strategies Video
      • Articles on Influence & Persuasion >
        • Influencing Video
    • Professional Influencing Skills
    • Mastering Self Discipline
    • Persuasion & Presentation
    • Psychology of Selling 'Ideas'
    • Psychometrics
    • 'Brand You'
    • Achieving Your Goals
    • Mastering Potential
  • FAQs
    • Leadership & Behaviour Change
    • Business Transformation
    • Implement & Sustain Change
    • Build Readiness for Change
    • Creating Culture Change
  • Blog

Questions: Resistance to Change Post COVID

6/3/2023

 
Picture
Question: How do you create readiness for change?
​
Answer:
 It constantly surprises us that many organisations do not realise they have to commit to a process of continuous self- renewal and improvement.  Many do not know where to start.  For me, a good starting point is to review past change initiatives (big and small projects) and what worked and what didn’t.  Identify the organisations core competencies that have enabled change to happen.  It may come as no surprise that the quality of change or project managers is critical as well as identifying the key actors in the change team.

Question: What do you mean by the term 'Change Team?'

Answer:
 There are four sets of actors in the change arena. 
  1. The change maker, facilitator or trainer
  2. The target of the change or those responsible for making change happen at a local level
  3. Key stakeholders and
  4. The sponsor, project host or senior person who owns and is responsible for the project. 

It is a simple matter of getting all these people to work together seamlessly.

It can be done – but can only be done once – the right way.  If you have multiple attempts at the same project you lose momentum and most importantly credibility.

Question: How can you measure readiness for change?

Answer:
 A quick audit would focus on how well people, teams and key constituencies have been prepared for the change or project to which you are committing.  The best way to do this is using a simple tool of ‘soft due diligence’ –using Focus Groups to assess the attitude to change.

It is vital that the Focus Group sessions are well planned.  You cannot just rock up and run a generalised discussion with a random selection of people from the organisation. 

For the methodology to work to glean valuable data, you have to adopt a core methodology that works.  Prepare for the process and sell the benefits to those attending. Ensure that you manage the sessions in a sensitive manner and that feedback from their input is relayed back to the participants.

You have to focus on hierarchical levels, as well as core functions and processes, identify key players and Team members.
Be prepared to hear some bad news and prepare to deal with some cynicism and even resistance to the process.
​
You can train existing Team Leaders and Line Managers to support external specialists in the process, as well as bearing in mind the response to the question above about key actors in the ‘Change Arena’.

Question: How do you communicate the need to change?

Answer:
 Most organisations over-communicate the trivial and under-communicate the vital.  Some organisations think that communicating once is enough and fail to test how well the communication and intent has been received.

We often find that what has been ‘sent’ is not what has been ‘received’.  Reception and Acceptance are two very different elements.

We also find that a Communications Strategy is key to any change initiative, and that needs to be the first port of call.

Please don’t focus on transferring or allocating this role onto the External Relations Specialist, PR or Communications Officer.  Their job is to communicate with the media or specialist interest groups usually about technical, governance or administrative issues.
​
‘Communication Strategy’ is far to important to be left to people who have the term ‘Communications’ in their role and job Description.

Email your questions to Philip

Charity  & Third Sector: Rethinking Business Models

13/2/2023

 
Picture
When we talk about reviewing their business models, most people are referring to the commercial, rather than the NFP sector – however, we argue that as we climb out of the post-COVID pandemic and start dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, we need to start applying and reviewing the business models that reflect your organisation – especially if you operate in the Charity or the Third Sector.

Crisis or breakdown fuels Business Model enquiry

Whenever I have reviewed an organisation's business model, it has usually been in times of crisis, sales decline or client or customer loss. For instance, if a competitor decides to review and revise their product or service and develop a new version, it wisely does so by playing to its existing strengths and creating strategies to weaken others' position in its market.

Lowest cost producer

So, it's no surprise that many organisations decide their business model is founded on being the lowest cost producer in a marketplace. To maintain and capture market share from competitors, it may be wise to review supply chain issues and resource costs and do a special deal with their suppliers.

Increasing Profitability & Sales

Likewise, suppose an organisation decides to develop their profitability. In that case, it may do so by introducing niche or unique products or services that perform better for its clients and its customers.

Likewise, a sales-driven business model will focus on equipping sales staff with superior marketing and sales training and developing a business model which focuses on winning more new customers and retaining the percentage of those migrating to other providers.

Business Models and the Charity Sector

There are many business models out there that can be accommodated, but what about the charity sector?

When discussing the charity sector, we may wish to consider the business models that typical charities employ if they do not get funding from central or local Government, or they may have to rely on winning key sources of finance.
​

Usually, a charity will have developed a business model which relies on managing through a donor network or employing a subscription or membership model.

The vital issue is that the senior management team (SMT) of the charity has to explore the assumptions being made about the business model they employ
 
  • Is the business model still relevant to their critical sources of funding?
  • Is their role and mission still relevant to those who depend upon them?
  • How are they doing compared to others who are competing for donors or subscribers or members?
  • What assumptions are the SMT making about significant changes in the marketplace?
  • Are there new entrants to the marketplace which are distorting the contributions from donors?
  • Is another organisation providing better quality service to end users or clients?
  • How do users and clients view the quality of your existing services?
  • Have there been any significant changes in tastes and habits, the cost of living and other critical financial data that impact the decisions of funders and donors?

Case Study in Ecology

I recall working with a worldwide ecological charity several years ago. Their donor or subscriber income was around £100m per year – then they found a significant hole in their operating finances. It was down simply to the Tsusmani, which had taken place in Japan in 2011.

People who would typically donate or renew their membership to this organisation were shocked by the enormity and the consequences of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and transferred their loyalty temporarily from their existing favoured charity to the international relief effort in Japan and the surrounding countries.

New Issues for Consideration
  • For instance, how has the Ukraine crisis impacted your funding?
  • How will the cost of living and the energy crisis affect your income in 2023 and 2024?
  • How will the reduction in Government spending and those in institutions such as the NHS impact the services you currently provide?
  • You have to be able to re-appraise your business model and even borrow from innovative businesses in the commercial sectors.
  • You may want to consider where you are most at risk currently in your existing business model and commission a short analysis of how best you could incorporate new thinking into your model or how you transact business.
Email Philip 

Senior Management Teams: Be Rigorous in Your Goal Setting in 2023

3/1/2023

 
Picture
The primary reason why people don't achieve the goals they set is that they lack focus.  To change that, you need to take 20 steps in the same direction, rather than one step in 20 directions. 

As we pass into 2023, no doubt many people will have set new year resolutions to lose weight, get a new job, dump their current partner, set themselves outrageous career targets to acquire huge sums of money.  The problem with this type of goal setting is it does not last.

Most of us have dropped our best intentions before the end of January.  You see it all the time.  Gym bunnies visibly dedicate themselves to new fitness, and then their gym attendance takes a distinct dive as February shows up.

Top Management Teams

People commit to setting themselves life goals but in a organisational setting few sit around the Board table and plan collective goals.  Strategic goal-setting does not need to be a struggle.

I was asked recently how this could be made to happen.  I asked why it had not worked for them in the past.  The answer was obvious.  They had set too many humungous projects all operating at the same time. 

The team lacked focus and were dissipating their energies.  They were taking too few steps to achieve their stretching strategic goals.   When questioned further, it transpired they were trying to do too much all at the same time.  They would start something, get busy, lose focus and then momentum, try to restart things a few months later, and  then have to re-evaluate why things were not working for them.

Focus on the One Thing

It was obvious why things were not working.  There was no cohesion in the planning process.  Goals where not shared across organisational and functional boundaries.
​
You cannot do all things at the same time.  You must prioritise first and then sequence your goals setting and getting.  Its as true in corporate as it is in your personal life.  Being honest, how many of us realistically believe we can get super fit, tone our bodies, attract that marvelous person into our life, build a new business and earn super bucks – all at the same time.  Something has to give.

Cohesion & Direction

In business you cannot do it all at once unless you have a very cohesive management team.  You may well commit to one project, but your attention and energy will be diverted from other things – you have to manage your and others expectations of these other things.

Time Travel cannot be Mastered


Every action you commit to has opportunity costs – that is, what other things could you have achieved if you had used your energy and resources to pursue other strategic imperatives.

You can only be in one place at a time.  You cannot equally displace your energy to several projects at the same time.  You cannot Time travel or duplicate your energy and motivation.  Your willpower will run out and you will not be able to sustain momentum on multiple fronts.

Too Many Shiny Objects

We can all get distracted by numerous opportunities.  We need to appraise the likelihood of achieving the several possibilities on offer.

If you need support to achieve your senior management thinking, ask for a copy of our strategic planning processes which are succinctly explored in several of our published Journal articles.
If this of interest to you, email Philip  and I will get back to you.

How to Banish Toxicity and Promote Psychological Health in the Workplace

22/12/2022

 
Picture
Post Pandemic requires Radical Organisational Change

The pandemic has created a nightmare for how businesses deliver their services. Some organisations are no longer relevant, and their customer or user base has migrated elsewhere or found an alternative way to meet their needs. To improve competitive advantage and overall effectiveness, many senior management teams (SMTs) are reviewing their direction and methods of operation. The traditional formal approach to this uses diagnostics to examine the efficacy of those things that drive performance and profitability. This usually means exploring market identity, organisational goals, and the strategies, structures and systems applied to achieve those goals. The results do not give a complete picture of what causes, helps and hinders performance.

In this article, Philip Atkinson highlights the real drivers behind performance, which relate to the softer side of the business – often referred to as climate and culture. We maintain that the real drivers that cause business and performance improvement relate to assessing and restoring the psychological health of the organisation. 

You can download the entire article below.

Contact Philip

​

philip_atkinson-toxicity-culture-_dec__2022.pdf
File Size: 189 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Please can we have some Positive Mindsets and Thinking for the Coming Year?

5/11/2022

 
Picture
Times are tough for lots of people. Each of us in our businesses or organizations will have challenges to face in the coming years. The press tells me things will only improve in 2025 or when a change of Government comes about. Well, I am not one to believe that. I think that coming to terms with the challenge is something we need to do right now and take action. If things really are going to get very difficult with energy costs, the recession and the cost-of-living crisis, I think it's a good idea to put the brain box to work and figure out ways to deal with it. The alternative is to sit still and wait for these 'things' to happen. I am not one for that.

I have been talking with existing and potential clients, and the mindsets they are sharing are not all positive and optimistic. There's a surprise. I decided to put this blog post together, and with my 'optimistic' head on, I'd like you to think differently. So, I have some gentle challenges for you and alternatives to some of the pessimistic mindsets I have tracked in conversations, and the media.

In 2022 here are some of the attitudes I have heard of late that stop organizational leaders and managers from changing. How would you gauge commitment to change from these worldview attitudes below? What do you think?

A Pessimistic Mindset and a state of nervous busyness pervade all activity

" We are so busy there is never a good time to introduce change".

 "We want this to work and give it a chance, but the window isn't here right now – we have to pick the perfect time to introduce this."

 "The economic circumstances are right against us now, and we want to make sure that when we do change, we have the best chance of it being a success."

 "We will never know all we need to know to bring this change – we need to study the market and what other people are doing, research literature and case studies to get a really well-informed picture of what we can do."

"This solution would never work for us – we are so different to everybody else in our marketplace."

"It's all very well talking about what works in the commercial sector, but it can never work for us in the public services/NHS/Local Authority/Third Sector [Choose any industry or organization]."

"It is too expensive and takes too much resource and time."

"We just got caught up with the end-of-year financial cycle. We can always do this later after the end-of-year results are published."

"We don't have the expertise or the staff to bring on those changes just now."
"We need stronger leaders and teams to see this through; we don't have people of that calibre just now".
 
Optimistic: Some gentle reframes

We are so busy there is never a good time to introduce change.

Alternative: You are always going to be busy. You will always find things to fill your time. Only you know whether they are the right way of investing in your future. How about taking a step back and doing something different? Investing in prevention and building a robust culture may be advantageous.

"We want this to work and give it a chance, but the window isn't here right now – we have to pick the perfect time to introduce this."

Alternative: The right window of opportunity may never be available – you must choose to shape your future while keeping all the balls in the air. Do you have to ask whether there ever is perfect timing?

"The economic circumstances are right against us now, and we want to make sure that when we do change, we have the best chance of it being a success."

Alternative: Whenever will the right economic environment be there for you? When will the circumstances be perfect for you?

"We will never know all we need to know to bring this change – we need to study the market and what other people are doing, research literature and case studies to get a really well-informed picture of what we can do."

TBH, it does not matter how much time you devote to this; there are always new papers, books and research to keep you updated. When will you be brave enough to know when to stop looking and decide to commit and take action?

"This solution would never work for us – we are so different to everybody else in our marketplace".

Alternative: Give it a chance, examine the benefits, and see how solutions can be designed and created to fit your circumstances, culture, and vision for the future.

"It's all very well talking about what works in the commercial sector, but it can never work for us in the public services/NHS/Local Authority/Third Sector [Choose any industry or organization]."

Alternative: Give it a chance. How different are you really from other organizations? You have clients, suppliers, users and customers like everybody else. You achieve your results through your leadership, people and teamwork. There are no fundamental differences here that can be resolved with thoughtful planning and a commitment to implementation rather than endless talking and inaction.

"It is too expensive and takes too much resource and time."

Alternative: It might appear too expensive, but what will it cost you in the longer term if you fail to deal with those challenges currently holding you back and inhibiting your growth and viability in the future?

"We just got caught up with the end-of-year financial cycle. We can always do this later after the end-of-year results are published."

If it is not the end of the year, it's the end of a quarter or the 3-year cycle that consumes your time. How better could you invest your time and resources to move beyond basic maintenance functions towards serious analysis and building a secure future based on preventative action?

"We don't have the expertise or the staff to bring on those changes just now."

Alternative: Do you see magical times when you have the resource to drive the change? What can you do right now and every week to build your capacity to create the capability to change?

"We need stronger leaders and teams to see this through; we don't have people of that calibre just now".

Alternative: The Leaders and team managers will never materialise out of thin air. Assess your bright young things and change champions amongst your people and build on that capacity by creating it by developing a cohort of 25% of your early adaptors and high-potential people every six months.

If you need realistic optimists to speak to support you in creating organizational viability, please email us.

Demographics differences and how you view your Customers and Stakeholders

9/10/2022

 
Picture
Many organizations neglect to consider the importance of demographics in consumer 'buying behaviour' and create emotional bonding with existing customers, clients, stakeholders and donors. Further, many organizations don't understand how to use research to plan and map their relationship management in the future. The application of demographics is a powerful strategic tool that can build growth for businesses. If a company can understand the values, motivations, and attitudes of retained, new and potential prospects, they are in a stronger position to manage their segmented markets.

It is a powerful strategy to understand your users, stakeholders and clients.  How useful would you assess the demographic footprint of the key groups who interact with your organization?
  • Who are the key players?
  • What is their generational grouping?
  • How does the demographic grouping affect how you currently communicate with them?
  • Are you currently identifying all the groupings and their particular values, beliefs and attitudes?
  • How can you manage the different demographic groupings more effectively?

You may want to read this article below on the importance of understanding your key stakeholders' demographic outline and applying it to your organization?

(Article: Millennials: Researching the Application of Demographics to Build Customer Relationships and an HR Strategy)


Contact us

Rethinking your Business Models for the Third Sector

7/9/2022

 
Picture
When we talk about reviewing their business models, most people are referring to the commercial, rather than the NFP sector – however, we argue that as we climb out of the post-COVID pandemic and start dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, we need to start applying and reviewing the business models that reflect your organisation – especially if you operate in the Charity or the Third Sector.

Crisis or breakdown fuels Business Model enquiry

Whenever I have reviewed an organisation's business model, it has usually been in times of crisis, sales decline or client or customer loss. For instance, if a competitor decides to review and revise its product or service and develop a new version, it wisely does so by playing to its existing strengths and creating strategies to weaken others' position in its market.

Lowest cost producer

So, it's no surprise that many organisations decide their business model its founded on being the lowest cost producer in a marketplace. To maintain and capture market share from competitors, it may be wise to review supply chain issues and resource costs and do a special deal with their suppliers.

Increasing Profitability & Sales

Likewise, suppose an organisation decides to develop their profitability. In that case, it may do so by introducing niche or unique products or services that perform better for its clients and its customers.

Likewise, a sales-driven business model will focus on equipping sales staff with superior marketing and sales training and developing a business model which focuses on winning more new customers and retaining the percentage of those migrating to other providers.

Business Models and the Charity Sector

There are many business models out there that can be accommodated, but what about the charity sector?

When discussing the charity sector, we may wish to consider the business models that typical charities employ if they do not get funding from central or local Government, or they may have to rely on winning key sources of finance.
​
Usually, a charity will have developed a business model which relies on managing through a donor network or employing a subscription or membership model.

The vital issue is that the senior management team (SMT) of the charity has to explore the assumptions being made about the business model they employ
 
  • Is the business model still relevant to their critical sources of funding?
  • Is their role and mission still relevant to those who depend upon them?
  • How are they doing compared to others who are competing for donors or subscribers or members?
  • What assumptions are the SMT making about significant changes in the marketplace?
  • Are there new entrants to the marketplace which are distorting the contributions from donors?
  • Is another organisation providing better quality service to end users or clients?
  • How do users and clients view the quality of your existing services?
  • Have there been any significant changes in tastes and habits, the cost of living and other critical financial data that impact the decisions of funders and donors?

Case Study in Ecology

I recall working with a worldwide ecological charity several years ago. Their donor or subscriber income was around £100m per year – then they found a significant hole in their operating finances. It was down simply to the Tsusmani, which had taken place in Japan in 2011.

People who would typically donate or renew their membership to this organization were shocked by the enormity and the consequences of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and transferred their loyalty temporarily from their existing favoured charity to the international relief effort in Japan and the surrounding countries.

New Issues for Consideration
  • For instance, how has the Ukraine crisis impacted your funding?
  • How will the cost of living and the energy crisis affect your income in 2023 and 2024?
  • How will the reduction in Government spending and those in institutions such as the NHS impact the services you currently provide?
  • You have to be able to re-appraise your business model and even borrow from innovative businesses in the commercial sectors.
  • You may want to consider where you are most at risk currently in your existing business model and commission a short analysis of how best you could incorporate new thinking into your model or how you transact business.
Email Philip 

Creativity and Innovation as an essential driver and enabler in Corporate Culture

17/8/2022

 
Picture
Shaping and introducing a high level of Creativity and Innovation as a major driving force in organization culture will help many organizations get through the post-Covid pandemic experience.  As more and more organizations have reopened their doors, many staff are returning to the traditional form of attendance or adopting a hybrid working model.

No organization can hope to survive using the tired old traditional ways of thinking to deal with the challenges we face today and in 2022/3.  We thought we should share some ideas and prompt any readers to review our thoughts.

Learning to Play

First of all, we believe that children have a great deal to teach us about creativity.  They can play, which seems to be drilled out of them as they progress through the educational system.
 

Deferring decisions

Creative people are open to new ideas, and they can handle the sense of discomfort that comes from leaving a vital decision open. We agree it's essential to have an end date in mind, but we think it foolish not to use the time left before the end date arrives.

Critical issues about being creativity – the big problem is being interrupted

Interruptions created by self and others will derail you.  You must have the capability to stop others from eating into and eroding your time and energy, along with the self-discipline to keep to a schedule.  It is a careful balancing act.

Inspiration

We don't think we are outlandishly creative, but we are innovative.  If you need inspiration, borrow ideas from others.  Even Shakespeare stole his plots!

Leaping or Skipping

We do not always make great leaps in our thinking, but most of us have dozens of small innovative steps that can be the basis for thinking differently.

Manage Setbacks

Some days you have the energy – some days, you do not. Don't let setbacks change your mood or emotions.  Your attitude shapes your thinking – so do everything you can to promote and optimism, be tenacious and enthused, even if you don't feel it.

Be wary of over-confidence

When you become confident of the solution, your creativity can take a sharp decline.   It often happens at the unconscious level because you may be telling yourself that you have nothing new to learn. When that happens, you go backwards.

Seeking the opinion of others

Only when you have fleshed out your broad canvas should you include others.  Pitch your idea to them and ask them four key questions:
​
  1. Could they understand it and the benefits that would accrue?
  2. Were there any areas that tested the credibility of the idea?
  3. Did they find the applications and the direction focused or confused?
  4. Did they become bored – which 'bits of' what you had to offer did not create a degree of excitement?

Address those key points and install the process within your culture, no matter the size of your business.

For further information on how you can create a creative and innovative culture, email Philip.

​To receive a copy of the published article email Philip

Creating a Climate and Culture of Trust

12/7/2022

 
Picture
Tailoring and Developing a ‘Trust Audit’ for your Organization

Make no mistake.  Trust is vital in organizations.  Trust with your customers, end users, stakeholders, regulators and staff takes years to build and minutes to lose.  Trust is the emotional glue that brings people together to work and interact in a planned and meaningful way.

Distrust, discomfort, stress and conflict 

Organizations that do not have a high degree of Trust can be dangerous places to work because personal ambition, who you know and political agenda detract from the core business.  They are not nice places to work.  Productivity is low and the best people tend to take off to better employers.  Customer service tends to be appalling and relationships with stakeholders and suppliers are typified by suspicion and “getting one over” on them occupies too much time.

So, where does your organization fit in the Trust stakes?

You may like to know that we have developed series of modules to provide accurate and precise feedback on how you are doing along the following lines:
​
  • Your Customers, end users, consumers – (if you are in the public sector read this as end users, the public, citizens, user groups and patients, residents and passengers)
  • Relationships with stakeholders, investors, regulators and suppliers
  • Trust across the organisation – functional reliability and cross functional working
  • Trust in functional and smaller teams
  • Trust between staff and managers

High Trust & Positive Working

Organizations that portray a high degree of trust between people, teams and departments are more coherent and cohesive in their actions. Trust is vital for working productively and in unison.

An organization with a high Trust index is typified by the following:
  • Being focused with clear direction
  • Shared vision of positive outcomes
  • Engaged  in meaningful and satisfying work
  • Positive shared values in working together
  • A positive organisational culture supporting growth and learning
  • Honesty

Low Trust, Cultural Conflict, Anxiety and Stress

An organization with a low Trust index is typified by the following:
  • Ambiguous direction and outcomes typified by ‘bully boy’ leadership
  • Focus on ‘my turf’  and what’s important to me and my career and my personal ambition to get on ‘no matter what’
  • Working relationships having only win-lose outcomes
  • Suspicion – major communication is through the grapevine and rumour mill
  • Fear driven culture - with command and control attitudes
  • Personal political agendas

​It is no surprise that most people would always opt for working in the first type of organisation (illustrated above), but may find, for whatever reason, that their current team or organisation is starting to take on board the characteristics of the second organisation (outlined above).

Desirability to Assess trust in Organizations

It is pretty obvious that Trust is an important component of the organizational culture.  A culture where ‘Trust’ is dominant will be committed to engaging with staff at all levels.  Trust is vital in working relationships and is demonstrated when you witness functional harmony and teamwork.  Organizations that demonstrate high levels of Trust also project that Trust to their stakeholders, end users, customers and clients.  Organizations with a high Trust index deliver much better customer service than their low Trust counterparts.
​

If you would like further information on how to measure Trust in your culture email Philip here Philip@philipatkinson.com
​

If you’d like to read through our highly reviewed published article and please click below.

​


trust_-_philip_atkinson.pdf
File Size: 1248 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

The Business Delivery Model for Learning has Changed

16/6/2022

 
Picture
The pandemic has brought about many changes to how we all work. I don’t know how it will have impacted your business or enterprise, but there have been many new business opportunities in my field.

For instance, the provision of my services has been aided thankfully by the emergence of the medium of ‘Zoom’ and ‘Microsoft Teams’ as a teaching or mentoring medium.

My clients, for example, now understand that the face to face interaction training room is not the only ‘go too’ medium for imparting learning. Of course, we have always provided blended learning, but now there is strong evidence to ensure that the future lies in ‘sharp, short bursts of learning reinforced with online resources, such as Learning Management Systems. A carefully timed session with specific outcomes defined well in advance can often deliver the required behaviour changes that traditionally may have taken place over several training events.

The ROI of Learning

A carefully crafted session of 30-60 minutes delivered through a Zoom call can be just as effective as a several-day training workshop. The 1:1 or small group nature can be compelling with the additional benefit of not having to take people away from their jobs or roles for those days, with savings in accommodation and travelling expenses for delegates and facilitators.

Further, the hybrid model of working from home/office ratio makes this so much more solid as a valued learning experience. You don’t have to be in a training room, hotel or office for learning to be delivered.

This process enables a far firmer handle on investment return for people development. Very specific outcomes can be debated and those attending can do pre-event planning and tasks, and report on their progress. Further, the tutor or facilitator can build on this and record the call for later reinforcement.

The Medium is the Message

A tailored 1:1 session or small group event can be compelling, especially when defining the behaviour outcomes that you want to flow from a Zoom call. Additionally, those attending are the focus of attention. They cannot retreat into the anonymity of the background of the wider group. Further, mentoring can be specifically focused on individuals. The critical issue here is that the learning can be tailored specifically to individuals.

Examples of Learning Input

Here are some examples of the activities that we have created.
  • Influencing skills for internal auditors
  • Performance improvement
  • Top Team development
  • SMT strategy workshop – from Vision to KPIs
  • Feedback in the use of Psychometrics for recruitment and development (16PF, Myers Briggs etc)
  • Team Psychometrics for group cohesion
  • Individual Coaching and Mentoring
  • Coaching for Career development
  • Brand You – Prep for Job Interviews

Business Model for Learning has Changed

Eight years ago, we committed to developing Learning Management Systems (LMS) for Lean-Six-Sigma (Business Transformation).  This was our solution to spreading the provision of one aspect of our business.

We can win the support for students worldwide, and many have established themselves with our ISO accredited programme for Yellow, Green and Black Belt status. We are expanding this to cover the main aspect of our work, which is organisational change management and personal development.

I also find that producing Training Videos and distributing them through the Udemy Platform has opened other valuable learning vehicles.  We are committed in 2022 and 2023 to consolidate this process through the Kajabi platform.

So, we have found a new enthusiasm from our clients to adapt their views on how Learning and Development can be delivered, and we think that more organisations need to consider this for induction and Employee Orientation, early career counselling, performance management and 360-degree assessment.

If this is of interest to you, please contact Philip direct.

<<Previous

    Author

    Philip Atkinson is a strategic advisor, trainer, mentor and author of books and articles on organizational change and leadership

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture