Movember





A very short note to say a big thank you to all those who willingly ... well maybe after a little bit of cajoling(!) ... sponsored my Mo!

A fantastic amount of money raised that will hopefully go some way to give respite to those who need support during their illness.

Thank you ... 'til next year!

A sincere moment

As I got myself a poppy yesterday - one of the lapel ones actually - I witnessed a most touching and heart-felt moment. Totally unexpected.

Just in front of me was an elderly couple 'purchasing' their poppies from a young servicewoman. The exchange between them went like this:

'Thank you sir' said the servicewoman
'No, thank you' came the reply.

The gentlemen said his thank you with such sincerity it actually stopped me in my tracks. A genuinely heart-warming exchange of a few words that meant so much.

Let us remember all those who have given their lives.

 http://www.poppy.org.uk/

Skills now and in the future

I recently listened with great interest to a discussion about written skills and how children are being taught in schools. Apparently, formal business letter writing is no longer core to the curriculum and more 'social writing' is accepted. This was then confounded by the statement of the Prime Minister declaring that grammar and spelling would be brought back into the curriculum. I hadn't realised it had gone ... but it's 30 years since I was in that type of school lesson!

I then came across an article about a petition calling for financial education to be compulsory in schools. Yes the petition has got some 'celebrity' backers and support from MPs and debt charities, but again, I hadn't realised it (financial education) was no longer in the school curriculum!

Because of the nature of my work, I am often involved in discussions about the skills of the workforce. In a nutshell, the discussions and needs analyses often identify that it is the application of skills in the workplace that are what employers want rather than simply being able to do a specific skill. Being numerate and literate are important but the application of these skills is what businesses want. So is the call for a 'back to basics' curriculum going to make a difference in the future? I'm not sure, it should do, but in the current market, businesses need these skills now.

Education plays a huge part in shaping the future workforce and creating new business. If the fundamental skills are not being taught within schools, as is being suggested, we may have a generation to come that cannot fulfil the nation's potential. Furthermore, what do we do now? Answers on a very large postcard!

Mindset, practice and coaching

I always strive to learn new things so when I was invited to attend the recent 'coaching' conference at Leeds Metropolitan University, I took an evening out to indulge in my own self-development.

Aside from meeting up with friends, associates and former colleagues, it was good to listen and learn about a fascinating partnership between the university and Morrisons supermarket. To cut a long story short, the partnership was about how Morrisons was using sports coaching methods (and systems) to improve its performance. There's much more to the partnership so I do not want to do it a disservice however, what I really brought away from the evening's discussions was the need to remain open to new ideas and the concept of a 'growth mindset'.

Psychologist Carol Dweck has researched and documented the concept of a 'growth mindset' versus a 'fixed mindset'. What I interpreted about the growth mindset was that having a desire to achieve something and understanding that your own traits can be developed was a powerful component of being successful in business (and in sport). A fixed mindset is one where you know of your qualities, talents and abilities but perhaps do not have the drive or incentive to make best use of them. As I say, this was what I took away from the discussions.

Or, more succinctly, not sitting on your laurels! Having ability and talent is one thing but what you do with it is perhaps what distinguishes you from others. I'm not for one minute going to sign-up to the premise that everyone can achieve anything they want to if they put their minds to it ... sorry, I'm not a believer. But, this message about mindset reinforced in me that I need to work hard, that I should continue to have an interest in learning new things and that I need to maintain my desire to be the best in what I do. It's a simple life in the Andrews camp!

By coincidence, Mick Owen, Managing Editor of The Leisure Review, ... not sure if Mick is a friend, an associate or former colleague(!), sat next to me in the auditorium and as I wasn't able to attend the full conference programme, his article in the latest copy of TLR provides a suitable summary: http://www.theleisurereview.co.uk/articles11/leedsmetconf.html

All in all, I came away with renewed vigour, reassurance and motivation to continue to carve my own little path in the world. I also had a pressing engagement with my late-night office to prepare for the training I was delivering the following day ... but that is another story about time management for another day!

I fell into the trap!

When you decide to do a blog you're all committed and ready to write. Then, work continues to be 'busy', and guess what? The priorities shift and the blog is no longer top of my list of things to do.

The WAC Blog has suffered for the past month. It's not for the want of topics to choose from ... it has simply been my behaviour. I have 'slipped' into my normal productivity and practice (as I say, it's been busy) and because the blog was a new thing, it dropped to the bottom of the pile of things to do! Clients after all take precedent.

I guess this blog could be about managing time in the workplace ... but I won't wax lyrical. It is a constant issue and covered by many.

So, I will be rectifying the situation during the next month. I'm determined to reflect on matters that impact on our daily working (and social) lives and will hope to bring more articles for you! I've not been living the dream - see last post - I've been living the pragmatic (working) life!

Sorry folks and catch up soon!

Living the dream!

Last Friday I lived the dream! I took the opportunity to go walking for the day ... get away from the office and just enjoy a bit of fresh air in the Dales. The weather was great, a nice early start and my pack was ready. The 'odd' thing was, I had planned to do some work ...

There are many articles and indeed research projects that explore productivity in the workplace, and, how the work-life balance can contribute to work being productive and home life being fulfilling. Tim Ferriss, author of the 'The 4-Hour Workweek', and Jason Fried (37Signals) publish widely on how the corporate environment can be limiting and how the work environment has an impact on productivity.

Well, my 'office' last Friday was the top of Pen-y-ghent! I had a call arranged for 10.30 and as I'd had a nice early start, my call happened to coincide with me ascending the summit. I made the call in glorious sunshine looking south down the Pennine Way - it was a positive conversation and came out with some clear actions. I then made another call having received a voice message during my planned call at 10.30. Again, a very positive call - someone asking for information and advice - and I was able to provide accurate and relevant information to my caller. I packed my bag ... I'd had a snack ... and set off again for Plover Hill only to be 'stopped' again by another call. I sat on the side of the path as some bemused walkers strolled by, and, was able to provide the necessary information that the caller had requested.

I didn't feel as though my day had been impinged - I'd planned one of the calls anyway. Yes I had conducted work on a so called day off but it didn't feel that way for me. I was alert, I was motivated and able to respond to my clients without being in the office. It didn't play on my mind - I made myself a note - so I continued my walk until coming back down from the fell. I got home relaxed, feeling refreshed and vowed to continue this approach to a flexible working lifestyle.

I appreciate this approach to the working environment may not be suitable for all and some organisations would frown on such an approach but for my business, my clients are what matter and if I'm in the office, on the top of a hill or attending another meeting but have a few spare minutes, with the digital era and technology as it is, I can still provide my clients with the service they want, when they want it. I'm happy, they're happy ... I lived the dream!

Possible changes in university admissions?

The Government's White Paper on Higher Education proposes a move to introduce 'Post-Qualification Applications' (PQA). It's not a new idea. It's been discussed and proposed previously. What I would hope, is the review is considerate of those at the centre of it ... the students!

Having reviewed and assessed 100s of UCAS applications in a past life, I was always intrigued to find that what arrived through the door in September at the start of the semester, was often a different cohort to that seen on paper. For a start, they were 12 months older than when they applied and had 'changed' beyond what was described in their personal statement. Furthermore, we'd had 'clearing'. That frantic time post-exam results when students who hadn't gained their first choices were now seeking a place at their next choice on the list ... somewhat relieved in many cases.

The review will be complex and will evidently be steered by consultation with UCAS (reporting back in early 2012), but I welcome the actions of the Government in its consideration of the application process and will be keen to hear the outcomes in 2012.