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For pities’ sake, write it down!
Written by Sue Berry on 14th February 2020. Revised 26th February 2020.
4 min read
Managers don’t write things down. They don’t document the various discussions with employees. They don’t prepare for meetings and document what they hope to achieve, then don’t document what they actually said and what was actually done. They don’t use daybooks. Find out why it's important to get into the habit of using a daybook.
Any claim about the skills managers need for the future must include a clear analysis of the future employment scenario. Specifically, commentators must say how that future employment scenario differs from that of the previous period. Here’s one such analysis that sets out the management environment for the coming decade. It sets out key trends and speculates on the management needed.
All stop for freelancers and ski season workers
Written by John Berry on 27th January 2020. Revised 30th January 2020.
6 min read
As many workers are finding, EU firms are, even now, not prepared now to extend contracts for freelancers and seasonal workers beyond the transition period ending in December 2020. The assumption is that those workers will, as soon as Brexit bites, fail to get a visa and hence fail to be able to work in an EU27 country. Such workers will have to find work at home in the UK. They’re hidden casualties of Brexit.
Five absolutely essential attributes in young workers
Written by John Berry on 25th January 2020.0
7 min read
It’s all very well asking for high-level skills from young workers like being growth oriented, being able to process data and solve problems. But not everyone has those – and indeed, not all managers need all those ‘skills’ - managers should be selecting the personal characteristics specific to each job for which they hire someone. But everyone loves a list so here's a more basic list that every manager does need from every young worker in all jobs done in a firm.
Knowing versus researching: but which is right
Written by John Berry on 14th January 2020.0
5 min read
To many, management is about making quick decisions delivered forcefully. The epitome is the super-experienced alpha male barking orders. If this were valid, it would need the manager to have a huge repertoire of experience - of every possible situation. But this is just flawed. Managers should be more like researchers, investigating, unearthing, appraising and deciding.
GDPR: Compliance is not really that difficult
Written by Sue Berry on 30th October 2017. Revised 24th December 2019.
13 min read
Over the last year, you will have read many articles about GDPR. Many authors use scare tactics sell audit and other services to readers! Generally the reason why companies are panicking is because now, for the first time maybe, there’s legislation with teeth. Existing health & safety, privacy and employment law can substantially be ignored because unless a firm really transgresses, there’s little repercussion. Even quality management is optional! GDPR can’t be ignored.
