Blind Beauty

Last week I delivered a 3 day workshop called Developing Talent in Cambridge. Delegates came from around the UK, each morning of the programme they recalled to me in great detail all the lovely places they had seen in Cambridge the previous day.

On the first morning they described their delight at walking along the “Backs” in the winter sunshine the previous afternoon.

The next morning how they had enjoyed walking up past Castle Hill, and all the lovely buildings, alleys, nooks and crannies they had seen.

On the final morning they were so delighted that one of the delegates, (who was from Kings College) had given them a personal tour of the chapel.

They were in pure disbelief that Cambridge was such a beautiful place and how lucky people must be to live in and around this area.

Now I’ve been to Cambridge numerous times, to shop and to work, and yet I haven’t ever had the time, or should I say, taken the time, to look around and wander the back streets as they had. I’ve never marvelled at the architecture and the general ambience of this university town.

On reflection I just haven’t seen the beauty they so clearly saw because I have been visiting there for so long, I’ve become blind, or I was until it was pointed out to me last week.

A visit or mooch round Cambridge is on my “to do” list for early in 2010. If I enjoy it a quarter as much as my delegates did, it will be a fantastic day out.

Back To Business

I attended the Back to Business Club in Peterborough last week, it is sponsored by the Greater Peterborough Partnership. It’s aim is to provide inspiration and motivation to managers and professionals recently made redundant.

There was an excellent presentation on Interim Management. What made it excellent, in my opinion, was that it was honest and gave a real down to earth, warts and all perspective of what it is like to work as an interim.

It successfully highlighted that most interim positions are found through your own network, rather than via an agency, and also the fact that you need to spend at least a third of your working week marketing/networking. It also highlighted the importance of knowing where your real strengths lie. It concluded with a practical five day plan for an interim.

I will be presenting at the Back To Business Club in the new year on the subject of interviews.

Retiring

Attended a really useful training event last week on the subject of preparing for retirement. It was especially interesting as a lot of the material covered was relevant to everyone, of any age, living in the UK today.

Excellent food for thought, with lots of information and sharing of knowledge. I’m going to follow up with further research so I’m more prepared and also able to provide up to date information to my clients who are thinking of retirment.

One of the comments made by the trainer was that most people worry the most about how they will manage financially when they finish full time paid work, and yet very few of us actually take the time to find out the facts about how much we will have…very true!

I would recommend anyone takes a look at www.direct.gov.uk it is a really good web site with some really interesting material on it. You can review what age you will be eligible to retire at, and also get a state pension forecast there.

Autumn

I’m just back from holiday to find dark nights, leaves falling and the temperature plummeting by the day. It’s almost the end of autumn and I’m feeling that winter is coming soon.

Historically, autumn was a busy time for people, they were preparing for the impending next season, this meant reviewing what food, energy and warmth was available and making plans to store away as much as possible before the worst of the weather arrived.

Through the autumn I’ve spotted this trend continuing into the modern day world with a lot of my clients.

People are asking for my help to clear out their wardrobes, and assist them to make more of their existing winter clothes to give them revitalised outfits.

I’ve also been coaching people to help them make plans for their learning and development through the winter, and generally taking stock of where their career currently is. We have also been focussing on what needs to be accomplished in their job search before Christmas.

Learning

I have been really busy for the last few months and have just about managed to keep up to date with admin, delivery and preparation. At times it has felt like spinning plates! Using some good time management techniques has been invaluable.

Last week I found time to attend a Career Coach Master Class run by John Lees in London, the week before I attended a marketing seminar and have slotted in a business briefing this morning.

I have found attending all three incredibly useful for lots of different reasons. We all tend to be really busy, yet stepping off the merry go round to spend some time on development and learning something gives us a huge reinvestment in ourselves, our motivation and for me my energy levels. A by product is that we often get some new people too.

Business link are currently offering lots of free workshops. I will be delivering two of their briefings in Peterborough on the 17th of July. Take some time to step off the merry go round and join me to learn how to successfully run a business from home and how to manage your time more effectively.

For more information

http://www.peoplepotential.uk.com/careercourses.asp

Enjoy your learning.

A Child's Question - Why

Why - is there someone sleeping in their car every Monday night in the layby opposite my house?

Why - are so many good businesses closing down?

Why - is it that people pay for my advice and use it, but family and friends can have it for free and don't seem to use it!

Why - when I feel so much better are a swim don't I go more often?

Why - do puppies feel the need to rip apart their beddding leaving them nothing to sleep on?

Answers on a postcard please.