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Choice of law in employment contracts
Written by John Berry on 25th February 2020. Revised 3rd January 2021.
6 min read
Many firms want to contract with foreign workers working in foreign countries. There is much debate about whether it is right for the UK employer to issue a UK employment contract to those foreign workers. We would generally say not and here’s the rationale. We argue that the choice of law in employment contracts should always be local law (unless work is done in many countries).
A concise leadership model for managing day-to-day
Written by John Berry on 28th May 2019. Revised 28th December 2020.
1 min read
• Defining leadership and the practical effects of manager intervention on staff motivation.
• Understanding that managers lead and that leadership is a management role.
• Setting out the difference between leadership approaches and leadership styles.
• Introducing some practical leadership interventions for managers.
• Introducing leadership approaches and how to select the right approach.
• Discussing how to do leadership day to day.
SME Career Management
Written by John Berry on 1st May 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
4 min read
Career management in the SME has huge benefits in engendering commitment to the firm and engagement with the job. But top management must first commit to the concept. There are many approaches. Here's how.
There really is no need for dead man's shoes
Written by John Berry on 14th November 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
6 min read
There’s a very basic problem in SMEs concerning staff succession and promotion. It’s that there’s apparently nowhere to go – everyone is in a job and no one is about to move over to allow ‘promotion’ of those below. It’s ‘dead man’s shoes’. But it doesn't have to be so. Here's why not.
A calling or just a job: finding staff with more than an interest
Written by John Berry on 11th October 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
6 min read
We’ve all heard the phrase “Called to the ministry” describing how someone became a priest or vicar. But it extends further. Many say that they knew from a young age just what job they wanted to do. Once in work, many people comment that they feel so motivated by the job they do that they’d do it even if they weren’t paid. Calling extends to many careers. So how does a calling come about and how do hiring managers attract those with a calling?
Develop or dismiss: balancing costs and benefits
Written by John Berry on 6th October 2017. Revised 16th November 2020.
5 min read
Whilst the argument in favour of developing staff is strong, it’s not universally accepted. As this article shows, the argument rests on the various costs and benefits and ultimately on the ability of staff to ‘make the grade’. Both sides of the argument must be considered. To understand what’s needed in your own firm, you need to be able to determine market need for skills and knowledge in each job and jobholder and from the need, determine the capability you’ll put in place. Then plan and execute.
