Please can you put that in writing….

… words that some may fear – it ties us to something, records it, and makes us accountable. However, it also means clarity, takes away confusion, and we all feel better when we know what’s what.

In the world of HR, recording things is essential for good people management. Lets start at the beginning: a contract of employment. OK, so its a legal requirement (for all employers, even small businesses – did you know there is no longer a small business exemption?) but for me it goes way beyond that. This is the foundation of the employment relationship. It clearly sets out the basis upon which the relationship exists, both parties know exactly where they stand, and all terms should be easily understood and accepted.

The key part for me is that people perform best when they know what is expected of them. Managers manage best when the boundaries within which they manage are clearly defined. What better a starting point than a good, easy to understand contract? Unfortunately I have come across many small businesses who have got themselves into hot water with a relaxed attitude, with the best intentions of having a ‘friendly’ approach. Contracts don’t need to mean bureaucracy – they mean a clear, professional agreement. How you manage then builds upon this.

And of course, back to the legal bit …. it is a statutory requirement for all employees have a statement of written particulars. Although tribunal claims cannot be brought just for not having a contract, they can be hung on the back of other claims bringing more severe penalties, and often a less sympathetic tribunal chair.
So for me, however many employees you have, a contract of employment / statement of written particulars / terms & conditions of employment (whatever you choose to call them) are an essential starting point to making your business more successful through your people.

As I am so passionate about good people management and feel that this is a key ingredient, for the month of January I am offering, to a limited number of businesses, a package including a tailored Contract of Employment and one hour’s free consultancy at a special reduced package rate.
To find out more and to discuss how this can help your business, get in touch – I’d love to hear from you!

Joanne

The Trainers Network (Yorkshire) – May Event

Hope you are well and enjoying this lovely weather – sunshine really makes a difference, doesn’t it!

The feedback from the last Trainer’s Network (Yorkshire) event has been fantastic – even though it was a smaller group we had great discussion, conversations and interactions, and the presentations from both John and Steve at The Cuppa Tea Group and Angela Fitton from Fit4Work were excellent – many thanks to you all for these!

The Network’s aim is to bring together all those involved in training management, co-ordination, delivery and procurement who wish to enhance their business and build effective business relationship and alliances, share information, keep up-to-date with training trends, whilst developing personal skills. Invited to attend the Network are a range of training professionals, including independent training providers, larger training organisations, procurement managers from the private and public sector who have the responsibility to buy training services, training managers from large organisations, further & higher education providers, and those involved in providing training facilities.

The next event is on Wednesday 4th May, from 4 till 6 pm at the Great Victoria Hotel, and we have 2 great speakers bringing a very valuable contribution to the group:

John Hudson will join us to give us a live demonstration of his new online training platform, something that is becoming increasingly popular as a method of training delivery. John’s system is approved by the UK training bodies as a certified platform, and will be available for a variety of providers to upload presentations. The tool also includes assessments and knowledge checks, and is a powerful delivery method. I’m particularly interested in using this as a complimentary delivery method, so I’m looking forward to learning more!

Nigel Gorski of Nigel Gorski Consulting will be sharing his vast financial knowledge when delivering Budget 2011 – Take Stock, Take Action

Now the headlines about the budget have disappeared and we all know the price of fuel and wine, Nigel reflects on what is likely to be a period of stability in the tax system for the length of the current parliament and possibly beyond depending on the result of the next election! Rather than run through the traditional list of allowances, Nigel will aim the slot at the following key areas:

1. Making a profit
2. Employing people
3. Investing in your business
4. Getting things right – an area of increasing risk to SMEs like the majority of trainers network members

I hope you see you all there – please can you confirm your attendance to me ASAP to confirm refreshments with the hotel, and please forward to any other training professionals who you think may benefit from the value this event will bring. Cost is £20 per person, inc. VAT, payable on the door or in advance by cheque.

Joanne

The Trainers Network (Yorkshire) – March Event

Well, for me the last 2 months have flown by, and its Trainer’s Network (Yorkshire) time again!

The next Trainer’s Network (Yorkshire) will be on Wednesday 9th March 2011 from 4-6pm at the Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford, BD1 1JX. The hotel has a free barrier operated car park to the rear, tokens are obtained from reception when you leave.

January’s event was extremely informative and personally I found it a of great value – Russell’s knowledge and practical marketing tips were very well received, and the details of the progression agreements and accreditation routes that Ian shared were very valuable – since the event I am actually nearing the completion of a progression agreement, which I’m very pleased and excited about!

The format of the event will be:

4pm Welcome and open networking,
4.20 Learning point provided by John Thompson and Steve O’Brien from The Cuppatea Group – New Training Trends
4.50 Structured networking
5.20 Information point delivered by Angela Hinton of Fit4Work – Posture Management
5.50 Summary and close

John Thompson and Steve O’Brien have recently started a new Training company – The Cuppatea Group (Social Enterprise). The initial concept to design and deliver programs for 3rd Sector companies has evolved broadening the scope of clients. John and Steve will be sharing some new trends and classical concepts currently popular and essential for trainers in todays market. Steve is a successful entrepreneur owning several businesses built by creating cohesive and thriving teams. John is an International trainer who has worked alongside the co creator of NLP (John Grinder) and integrates the concepts with organisations.

Are you sitting comfortably at your workstation…do you at times suffer from neck and back pain? During 2009-10 twelve hundred thousand people reported musculoskeletal injuries affecting their upper and lower limbs and neck and back. In the Information Point Angela Hinton, Director of Fit4Work, will present a talk on Posture Management, specifically:

Posture – how injuries occur, effects of bad posture on the spine and how/why we should sit correctly
Seating – how to get the best out of the chair
Workstation – Correct position of the screen, keyboard, mouse, telephone and other equipment
Audience participation is involved so its sure to be a lively talk!

I’m also pleased to confirm that March’s event will be sponsored by The Fruit Box, Yorkshire’s premier office fruit delivery service, providing the finest fresh fruit to companies as a healthy alternative to traditional office snacks. Workplace fruit is fast becoming commonplace amongst many leading UK businesses, adopting it as part of a plan to improve the occupational health of their workplace. In addition, the fruit initiative has proven to be a remarkably effective way of improving employee relations. To find out more go to http://www.thefruit-box.co.uk or contact Jonathan on 0113 2555 290.

Please confirm your attendance to me ASAP so I can confirm numbers to the hotel for refreshments etc. and please forward to any other training professionals who you think may benefit from the value this event will bring. The cost of the event is £20 per person, payable either in advance to Red Elephant HR Ltd, or by cash / cheque on the door.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Building on Trainers Network Success

Following the success of the launch event in November, the next Trainer’s Network (Yorkshire) will be on Wednesday 12th January 2011 from 4-6pm at the Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford, BD1 1JX. The hotel has a free barrier operated car park to the rear, tokens are obtained from reception when you leave.

I was extremely pleased with the success and positive feedback for the launch event in November, and I know that following that event a number of trainers have linked up to build business relationships. I’m also aware that a number of people have met with Alyson Harding from Bradford Chamber of Commerce regarding having their courses accredited through the Bradford Chamber, including myself! I have also started 2 new projects, joining forces with a number of trainers from the network to make a much more favourable (and saleable) training package.

The format of the event will be:

4pm Welcome and open networking,
4.20 Learning point provided by Russell McGrath of Tandem Marketing
4.50 Structured networking
5.20 Information point delivered by Ian McGregor-Brown from Leeds Chamber of Commerce.
5.50 Summary and close

Russell has over 20 years sales and direct marketing experience gained in a variety of sectors including financial services, software, agricultural services and the automotive industry. Having previously set up sales and marketing teams and systems for Toyota and BMW franchises, developed telemarketing and lead generation teams for a software house and structured sales training programmes, Russell formed Tandem Marketing Solutions Ltd. in 2008 with the aim of providing all important sales support, advice, training and consultancy to any type and size of business. Russell will share with us some marketing tips and advice, and talk about marketing strategies to increase business.

In the Information Point Ian will give details of his role with Leeds, York & North Yorkshire Chamber, funded by the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network, which aims to enhance relationships between the regions businesses and local colleges and universities. He will talk about all aspects of his role but with emphasis on progression agreements and accreditation opportunities.
Ian commenced his working life in the retail trade before a short spell in the catering and conference sector prior to entering the world of education and training some 14 years ago since when he has supported numerous universities in becoming more business engaged and responsive and contributed to a number of commercial training contracts.

Since the launch event I have had many enquiries from new people who I hope will be attending the January event. Please confirm your attendance to me ASAP so I can confirm numbers to the hotel for refreshments etc. and please forward to any other training professionals who you think may benefit from the value this event will bring The cost of the event is £20 per person, payable either in advance to Red Elephant HR Ltd, or by cash / cheque on the door.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Joanne

Building Training Business

I’m so excited about the launch event of The Trainer’s Network (Yorkshire) which will take place on Wednesday 3rd November 2010 from 4 till 6pm at the Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford, BD1 1JX.

The Network’s aim is to bring together all those involved in training management, co-ordination and delivery who wish to enhance their business and build effective business relationship and alliances, share information, and develop our own skills.  Invited to attend the Network are a range of training professionals, including independent training providers, larger training organisations, procurement
managers from the public sector who have the responsibility to buy training services, training managers from large organisations, further & higher education providers, and those involved in providing training facilities.

The event will provide the opportunity to network in a structured way, and will also include an information and a learning point, giving the opportunity to develop your own skills and also gain valuable information on things such as funding availability, procurement procedures, accreditation availability, and alliance opportunities.

I’m so pleased that Christine Mclean will be providing the Learning Point at the first event.  Christine is a successful author, speaker, trainer, change agent and personal coach. She divides her time between workforce development and change management in large public and private sector organisations, and being ‘The Wife Coach’, running seminars, keynote speeches and one to one coaching for women on rediscovering the person inside the roles she plays in life.    At the learning point Christine will offer a fast and fascinating peek into using NLP in training, highlighting the benefits of having NLP as a tool in your communication toolkit, and also hints and tips on structuring trainings to have more unconscious meaning to participants.

In addition, I’m very pleased that Alyson Harding will be presenting the Information Point. Alyson has a wealth of experience in training delivery, management and needs analysis. She currently holds the positions of Business Improvement Consultant, ILM Centre Manager and NEWS Co-ordinator (Network for Enterprising Women’s Success) at the Bradford Chamber of Commerce. With the changes over the next couple of years due to impending Government cuts, Alyson will give an overview of support for businesses and training in the district – what the Bradford Chamber has to offer organisations and how you can get involved.

This is the launch event, and the network will continue to run bi-monthly.
The cost of the eventbis £20 per person, payable either in advance to Red Elephant HR Ltd, or by cash / cheque on the door.

I’m very excited about bring a wide variety of training professionals  together to bring real business benefits.  For further information, or to book a place, please contact me – joanne’vose@redelephanthr.co.uk.

Joanne