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Objectives and Appraisal: two links in the continuum of strategy
Written by John Berry on 3rd May 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
12 min read
Intuitively we know that it’s worthwhile telling our staff how we think they are getting on. Intuitively too, we believe that we should all be tasked through objectives so that we strive for excellence. We know too that appraisal and objectives are linked – without the former, the latter would not be achieved. But what’s that link and how does it affect the staff and managers in an SME as they go about their business day to day? How do they both link to the firm’s strategy?
Teams are overrated
Written by John Berry on 10th July 2018. Revised 16th November 2020.
8 min read
Many managers talk synonymously about groups and teams. There’s a huge difference in the manager and member energy needed to build and sustain each and so definitions are essential. In reality, few firms need teams. But every manager needs groups. Here, we discuss the benefits of each.
Training intervention and training transfer: Have trainers really grasped the importance?
Written by John Berry on 4th May 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
16 min read
How can we be sure that a given training intervention will indeed change the company system and give return on investment? Training has to be transferred from the learning environment of trainer and trainee to the work environment of manager and worker. The efficiency of transfer of training depends on a huge number of variables, each associated with the characteristics of the manager, trainee, trainer and the work environment.
So now you’re a manager
Written by John Berry on 8th June 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
9 min read
The article notes that before promotion, the engineer was an ordinary employee. He or she achieved great things through their own efforts. Now their success comes from causing others to perform. They're still an engineer. But they've added a whole new part to their identity. Now they're a manager of engineers. They're a boss, a leader of men and women. It's the same whatever the discipline.
Setting out the process of development talent management and succession
Written by Sue Berry on 27th May 2019. Revised 16th November 2020.
1 min read
- Discussing the meaning of ‘talent’, who’s in the talent pool and who’s not
- Discussing the GE 9-box and CIPD 4-box talent matrixes
- Building a model for talent management using the CIPD 4-box matrix
- Illustrating talent management as a continuous process
The ‘why, ‘what’ and ‘how’ of training in change management
Written by John Berry on 22nd August 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
5 min read
Some use the term ‘entertrainment’ to describe how trainers deliver an enjoyable event without actually imparting knowledge. It's often that way in the training of change management as trainers make the mistake of assuming that change is led by a great leader rather than managed by a great manager with leadership skills. Here's how to avoid training being nothing but a distant memory - and a plastic folder full of slides.
