Category Archives: General

Leaders in Oxfordshire offered keys to team success

A new website just launched in December will inspire local business leaders to make a positive start to the New Year. To mark the occasion, Oxfordshire’s business leaders are being invited to take a free place at The Keys to Team Success event which focuses on team performance, well-being and organisational success. Hosted at the newly refurbished Oxford Hawkwell House hotel, this event will be the first in a series of mini-conferences throughout 2011 to share ideas and best practices on creating successful teams.

Providing business leaders and senior HR professionals with practical ideas for supporting their teams to meet the challenges ahead and showcasing the partnership model of working between internal and external consultants and coaches, these events are designed to feature both the art and science of team development.

Dr John McGurk Senior Policy Advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) will present the opening address and share latest CIPD research and ideas on partnership model which is becoming increasingly popular as organisations seek to reduce consulting costs whilst at the same time ensuring access to expert external support that genuinely adds value.

Dr John McGurk commented:

“Organisations are searching for value in the current environment but value isn’t just about taking out costs. It’s also about benefitting from the best of research and practice in which being able to get extra support with a registered psychologist in Calgary is very important. Sometime that resides outside the organisation. Partnering with organisations with expertise in areas like the delivery of e- learning, team diagnostics, coaching and leadership development can help organisations get added value from pinched budgets and thus greater impact. External providers supporting internal resource is a symbiotic relationship which helps build organisational capability. That is exactly what this event is about as it blends the best of practice, research and technology on how teams deliver now and in the future.”

The keynote session provided by Professor David Lane from the Professional Development Foundation which specialises in work based learning and Dr Michael Cavanagh from the University of Sydney Coaching Psychology Unit. David and Michael will showcase ideas for improving team performance through effective team conversations and creating positive organisational stories.

Concluding with posters, refreshments and networking, both clients and suppliers of team development services will share their stories. Leaders attending the event will benefit from practical ideas and tips for working effectively with their teams and be able to learn from each other as well as from leading academics, researchers and practitioners in the area of team development.

Invitations are being sent out to local business leaders and HR professionals this week.

The Keys to Team Success event will cost £175 plus VAT. If you would like to nominate a business leader from the Oxfordshire area to receive an invitation for a free place or to reserve your own place, early booking is recommended at www.oxfordteamdevelopment.co.uk.

Lauriate launches new LinkedIn group for UK Team Sociomapping

LinkedIn is rapidly becoming a powerful network for developing contacts and generating new business as well as staying in touch with professional contacts and colleagues. Lauriate Ltd is now using LinkedIn to complement the professional development options for Team Sociomapping Service Providers and Programme Co-ordinators. The new LinkedIn forum is also a great way to stay in touch with news and upcoming developments for Team Sociomapping and Team Profile Analyzer.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=3068619

UK Team Sociomapping® Provider network continues to grow in response to increasing interest in Team Coaching solutions

With the UK still firmly in the grip of economic recession, HR buyers are looking at ways to ensure that every penny spent on coaching programmes delivers tangible return on investment. Team Sociomapping® offers a process for measuring the impact of executive and team coaching as well as providing organisations with a way of measuring impact on team performance. Major projects are currently underway in the UK within local and central government as well as in the private sector.

Team Sociomapping® is an innovative suite of tools based on a unique methodology for visualising complex systems and is ideally suited to the coaching environment as a means of stimulating and supporting coaching dialogue as well as evaluating coaching impact on team dynamics. This toolkit has been packaged for use in the coaching and organisational development sectors to support a range of Team Development needs and it is now possible for appropriately qualified & experienced coaches to use this powerful toolkit to support Team Coaching.

Members of the UK Team Sociomapping® Provider Network now includes, Leading Edge Coaching, The Academy Of Executive Coaching, Zeal Solutions, The Professional Development foundation (PDF), Stephenson Consulting, CFM Consulting, Intuition Discovery and Development & Prosperity in Business.

Richard Clarke from the Academy of Executive Coaching said:-

“We initially used the Sociomapping system internally and found it to be a revolutionary and unique toolkit ideally suited to support dialogue in team coaching conversations.” “The AoEC has now become a UK Sociomapping Provider so from January 2010 we will be supplying Team Sociomapping analysis to our clients as part of an integrated Team Coaching service”

Lauriate Ltd is the UK distributor for Team Sociomapping®. For more information go to www.sociomap.co.uk or contact pauline.willis@lauriate.com +44 (0) 1865 784388

2010 BPS DOP Conference

Lauriate will have an exhibition stand focusing on Team Sociomapping and TPA.

On Thursday 14th January there will be a workshop on TPA.
Workshop
Advanced analysis of team profiles using Team Profile Analyzer (TPA)
P Willis, Lauriate Ltd, T Srb, QED Group a.s., R Kurz, Saville Consulting UK Ltd

On Thursday 14th January there will be a development paper on using Sociomapping in the Mars flight simulation.
Development paper
Using Sociomapping of crew communication and cooperation as a tool for team performance management in the ground based experiment simulating manned flight to Mars
T Srb, QED Group a.s.

Further information can be found on the BPS website www.bps.org.uk/dop2010/dop2010_home.cfm

Further information on Team Sociomapping and TPA can be found on our website at www.sociomap.co.uk

1st International Meeting of Coaches in Prague builds up steam in the run up to the Global Convention on Coaching event in 2008

At the 1st International Meeting of Coaches in Prague hosted by the Czech Coaching Association CAKO coaches from across the globe were brought together for three days of presentations, workshops and dialogue to foster the sharing of knowledge and ideas. The climate was of respectful international collaboration amongst coaches from different professional backgrounds and approaches to coaching.

Everywhere you look these days you see the term coaching. Coaching took off as a niche in the personal development industry in the 1980’s. Since then a number of organisations providing specialist coach training and development services have been at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry. One of the themes highlighted at the CAKO IMC was the fact that expertise in the practice of coaching is drawn from a number of different traditional areas of practice. As this is the case it is important to ensure that practitioners are appropriately qualified both in coaching practice and have relevant training or qualifications in related domains of practice. Discussions and a presentation by leading UK Coaching Psychologist Pauline Willis highlighted that the Business and Psychological underpinnings of coaching are key areas which are gaining popularity and importance. Increasingly advanced coach training programmes are looking to traditional disciplines such as psychology, organisational development and management for tools and techniques that will increase the depth and power of the coaching relationship.

The open and collaborative climate set in the Czech Republic though the 1st IMC is a fitting precursor to a major event due to be held in Dublin 2008. The Global Convention on Coaching or GCC as it is known, has been brought together to support the mutual exploration of the future of the coaching industry by all stakeholders in coaching. Difficult questions such as ‘what does the specialist domain of knowledge for coaching consist of?’ and ‘what training and qualifications are really needed for a practitioner to set out shop as a ‘professional’ coach?’ will be covered through the process of dialogue and scenario development.

One of the leaders of this initiative speaking at the Czech conference was Australian Psychologist and co-editor of the ICPR, Dr Michael Cavanagh. At the end of three days of sharing and dialogue, Michael extended a warm invitation for all coaches and other stakeholders in coaching, from all backgrounds and all countries, to come forward and take a place in a global consultation process that will continue in the spirit of openness and collaboration that was modelled in the Czech Republic in September 2007. Support for the GCC has been strong across the coaching community with a number of prominent names stepping forward to take part in the working groups that form the operational engine of the convention.

Participation in the open consultation in the lead up to a convention event to be held in Dublin in July 2008 is open to everyone who has an interest in any aspect of coaching as a domain of practice. The consultation leading up to the convention over the next six months is taking place online, so participation is free and easy if you have computer access. If you are interested in taking part you can complete the online application form at
www.coachingconvention.org

Request for participation in coaching research:

As part of an MSc Occupational Psychology at City University, London, I am currently working on a dissertation that seeks to improve current knowledge about the relationship between the effectiveness of managerial (i.e. executive) coaching and the work environment.

I am inviting people who experienced coaching whilst working in a managerial role to complete an on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to fill in, and it is completed via a survey dedicated website which guarantees complete anonymity.

If you received coaching, I would be grateful if you would spare some time to complete the questionnaire. I would also appreciate if you would forward this message to your colleagues who have participated in coaching.

As a member of the British Psychological society, I am bound by strict ethical guidelines.

All answers are confidential & anonymous, and are for research purposes only. In the final report only aggregated results will be reported, which means that no-one can be personally identified by their answers. Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw from the questionnaire at any time.

If you decide that you can take part, thank you so much, I am extremely grateful for your input.

The questionnaire can be accessed here
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=789862690885

So that I can meet my project deadline, I would appreciate if you would complete the questionnaire by 25 October, 2006.

Should you have any questions or comments please contact me at LJStewart@mail.com.

Once again, thank you so much for your assistance and for your participation in my research. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Lorna Stewart

How SEO Can Boost Your Business and Bring in Clients: My Casual Take on It

Hey there! If you’re like me, you probably started your business with a ton of passion and excitement, only to realize that getting noticed online is a whole different ball game. I want to share how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) turned things around for me, why it’s super important to rank high on Google, and why getting an SEO expert to help you out is an absolute game-changer.
SEO: The Secret Sauce to Getting Noticed

When I first put up my website, I thought, “This is it! Clients will come pouring in.” Spoiler alert: they didn’t. My site was practically invisible. That’s when I stumbled upon SEO. Here’s why it’s amazing:

More Eyes on Your Site: SEO helps your website climb up the search engine ranks. Imagine your business popping up on the first page of Google when people search for services you offer. That’s visibility gold! More visibility = more traffic = more clients.

Building Trust: Let’s be real; people trust Google. If your site is on the first page, it’s like getting a stamp of approval from the internet’s most trusted gatekeeper. This boost in credibility can do wonders for your business.

User-Friendly Vibes: Part of SEO is making your website awesome to use. Faster load times, mobile-friendliness, and easy navigation not only please Google but also keep visitors happy. Happy visitors are more likely to become happy clients.

Bang for Your Buck: Unlike spending a fortune on ads that disappear once you stop paying, SEO is a more budget-friendly marketing strategy. It targets people actively looking for what you offer, which means better chances of making a sale.

Long-Term Benefits: The best part about SEO? It keeps working for you even after the initial effort. Once you’ve optimized your site, you’ll keep reaping the benefits with sustained organic traffic.

Why Google Rankings Matter Big Time

Okay, let’s talk Google. We all know it’s the king of search engines, right? Here’s why ranking higher on Google is crucial:

First Page Wins: Most people don’t bother clicking past the first page of search results. Being in the top results means you’re capturing the majority of clicks and traffic. If you’re not there, you’re missing out big time.

Stay Ahead of the Game: Your competitors are definitely working on their SEO. To stay competitive, you need to rank higher than them. Higher rankings = a competitive edge.

Local Love: If you’re a local business, appearing in local search results is a must. Local SEO helps you attract customers nearby who are looking for your services, boosting both online and foot traffic.

Voice Search Ready: With the rise of voice search (thanks, Alexa and Siri), optimizing for voice queries can help you tap into a whole new audience. SEO gets you ready for this trend.

Why You Need an SEO Expert

I tried DIY-ing my SEO at first. Let me tell you, it’s a rabbit hole of complexities and constant updates. Here’s why hiring an expert like Calgary SEO was a game-changer for me:

Deep Knowledge: SEO experts live and breathe this stuff. They’re always on top of the latest trends and algorithm changes. My expert knew exactly what needed to be done to get results.

Custom Strategies: No two businesses are the same. My SEO expert tailored a strategy specifically for my business needs and goals. It wasn’t some cookie-cutter approach; it was made just for me.

Time-Saver: Running a business is already a full-time job. Outsourcing SEO freed up my time to focus on what I do best—running my business. Meanwhile, my expert handled the nitty-gritty details.

Pro Tools: SEO experts have access to advanced tools for keyword research, competitor analysis, and performance tracking. My expert used these tools to fine-tune our strategy and maximize results.

Avoiding Pitfalls: SEO can be tricky, and doing it wrong can get your site penalized. My expert ensured we followed all the best practices and stayed on Google’s good side.

Wrapping It Up

SEO was a game-changer for my business. It took my website from invisible to irresistible, driving more traffic and bringing in clients I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Ranking high on Google is crucial for visibility and credibility, and getting an SEO expert on board made all the difference. If you’re serious about growing your business and reaching more clients, SEO is a must-have strategy. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Share your celebratory stories and cautionary tales

Earlier this year, and in conjunction with ‘firecracker’ films a Channel 4 production company we launched a research project to capture ‘celebratory stories’ and cautionary tales.

Spending holidays and celebrations with your family and kids is crucial for creating lasting memories, strengthening bonds, and fostering a sense of belonging. These shared experiences offer opportunities for quality time, communication, and building traditions that can be treasured throughout life. Dressing children in modest girls dresses for these occasions adds to the sense of celebration and can boost their self-confidence. Modest dresses can instill values of modesty and respect while allowing girls to feel beautiful and comfortable. It demonstrates attention to detail and care, showing children that their appearance is value- not just for others’ opinions, but also for their own self-esteem.

Many thanks to everyone who has generously shared their experiences so far. We have collected some interesting stories. As this has proven to be a valuable way of collecting information from the clients perspective we have decided to keep the research element of this project going.

So if you are a client of coaching or mentoring services and would like to share your experiences of the coaching process please do let us know.

Sometimes, celebrations are not only about moments related to work or family, but they can also become intimate celebrations with your partner. It’s like when after months of not performing well enough in bed, a youre scrolling on your phone and find twitter then want to go to https://themarketingheaven.com/buy-twitter-views/ for the best likes then you realize that celebrating is more than just a promotion at work

All responses will be treatest with the strictest confidence and only grouped summary data will reported unless you give your explicit permission for us to share your story as ‘case study’. We are planning to select ‘indicative’ case studies to share with coaches and mentors to support continuing professional development. Research results will be written up and submitted to publications such as the International Coaching Psychology Review and Coaching at Work magazine and all participants will be sent a copy of the research findings if they are interested in seeing them.

viewpoint on boundary issues between coaching and psychology

Coaching at Work (CAW) magazine features viewpoint on the importance of managing the boundary between coaching and psychology

Coaching at Work magazine published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the UK targets HR professionals with an interest in coaching and mentoring focuses on topical issues facing both organisations and practitioners.

Lauriate director Pauline Willis presents her viewpoint on boundary issues between coaching and psychology in the April 2006 issue of Coaching at Work magazine published by the CIPD. The article titled Labelling Boundaries can be accessed by clicking here (325KB PDF).

Invitation to share your Celebratory Stories and Cautionary Tales about life or business coaching

Firecracker productions are professional filmmakers who are making a documentary for Channel 4 and are eager to hear both celebratory stories and cautionary tales from people who have worked with either a life or business coach.

The filmmakers are seeking to create a documentary that will inform both coaches and their prospective clients about what to expect in terms of responsible professional coaching practice.

A questionnaire has been developed to capture both celebratory stories and cautionary tales about coaching from the client perspective which should achieve the aim of supporting the filmmakers in finding people who are willing to take part in the documentary, as well as collecting valid and reliable research data about the issues being explored. We are hoping that a broad range people who have both positive and negative experiences of coaching will participate.

If you have purchased coaching services and would like to be interviewed as part of the documentary your details will be passed on to the film producers who will make decisions about which stories to feature. If, however, you want to participate in this survey for the purposes of providing research information only, then all of the details provided will be treated with strictest confidence.

The questionnaire is in 4 parts which cover:-

  • Information about your coach and coaching programme
  • Impact of the coaching on your life or business along with ‘the full story’ in your own words
  • Additional background information that will support analysis and reporting
  • Participant contact details

If you are interested in sharing your Celebratory Story or Cautionary Tale for the purpose of taking part in the filming, you should complete the questionnaire by January 31st at the very latest.

Interested?
Go to https://members.lauriate.com/Survey/
to tell us about your Celebratory Story or Cautionary Tale

EMCC Standards Project Update

The next reporting date for the EMCC Coaching & Mentoring Standards Project is June 15th at the 3rd Annual Standards Workshop to be held in Oxford. The EMCC will now be collecting data in preparation for this next important industry wide event until May 31st, so if you have not yet taken part in this consultatative research process you now have another opportunity to do.

Existing project participants also now have the opportunity to review and modify previous responses, or to be upgraded to the next level of involvement.

To give you an idea of what is involved, there are 200 ‘core’ standards and these relate to competencies that are ‘core’ to all types of coaching and mentoring practice. Everyone who participates in the project is given a username and password that allows them to go online and rate these standards via an online ‘questionnaire’.

For those who are interested in going to the next level, this would involve rating an additional 200 statements relative to your area of practice. These additional statements and indicators cover specialised areas that touch upon a range of professional domains, these include leadership development, systems thinking, psychological models and artistic and creative skills.

If you would like to take part in this consultative research project contact pauline.willis@lauriate.com

NEW PHASE OF EMCC STANDARDS RESEARCH ANNOUNCED

Invitation to participate in ground-breaking Standards Project

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) this week announced
that it is entering the second phase of its ground-breaking Standards
Research Project.

In the first phase, an expert panel identified a wide set of key
competencies for coaching and mentoring professionals. Now the EMCC is
asking the rest of the industry – and its clients – to help refine these
findings further.

Pauline Willis from Lauriate Ltd, the consultancy contracted to undertake the research said: “The opinions of coaching/mentoring practitioners, academics,
trainers, programme managers and other key consumers of coaching and
mentoring services are all very important and all of these groups are
invited to take part.”

She added: “Results of this research will support the professionalisation
of the coaching and mentoring industry. They will also be of specific
practical value to a range of organisations, training providers,
universities and professional bodies, both within Europe and internationally
who use EMCC research outputs to inform the development of Standards for
Coaching and Mentoring practice.”

The results of the research will be announced at the EMCC’s annual
Standards Workshop on June 15 and will also be published in a range of
academic and practitioner-focused journals, as well as on the
EMCC’s website

This latest tranche of research takes the form of an online survey. EMCC
members will be able to access it through the EMCC using their allocated
usernames and passwords. Non-members are equally welcome to take part and
anyone interested in participating should contact Project Director Pauline
Willis Lauriate Ltd

Pauline urged: “Anyone wishing to take part should act now as the closing
date for completed questionnaires is February 10.”

She added: “Any professional coach or mentor completing the questionnaire
will also receive a CPD certificate in recognition of the time and effort
they have spent. They’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing they will
have played an important role in shaping the future of the coaching and
mentoring industry and may also find that taking part in the research will
also be useful in reflecting on their own development agenda.”

For more information contact Project Director Pauline Willis
pauline.willis@lauriate.com

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) – Are UK businesses getting it right?

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) aims to end the discrimination that many disabled people face. It gives disabled people important rights of access to employment opportunities, access own transport facilities from scootersleuth.com and everyday services that others take for granted.

Changes to the DDA mean that from this date anyone providing a service has to address those physical features which make it difficult for people with disabilities to use their services. Ensuring compliance with the spirit of the act does, however, mean doing more than just conforming to the requirement to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the physical environment. For individuals with physical disabilities, it’s beneficial to explore options for personalized care environments, such as specialized hospital beds for home use, to ensure their needs are fully met and their comfort is maximized.

To create a welcoming and supportive environment for both customers and employees with disabilities with the help of disability lawyers in Arizona also means engaging with the person who is disabled, rather than the disability, and overcoming psycho-social as well as physical barriers to access and buy a second hand mobility scooter.

In collaboration with Zulfi Hussain, Lauriate’s Diversity specialist, I will be writing an article for publication in 2005 about how effective UK businesses have been in addressing the spirit of the DDA as opposed to simply ensuring that issues of basic physical access are covered. To this end, I would like to invite your support in finding Britain’s best and worst practices.

If you have a story that highlights either best or worst practice following the implementation of the DDA on October 1st, 2004 and are willing to share this with us please send it to pauline.willis@lauriate.com. And if you are providing a story that is an example of worst practice, please also tell us how a similar situation could be handled more appropriately.

All contributions will be held in strictest confidence any details that could identify the contributors will be removed to ensure anonymity.

Many thanks & look forward to reading your stories over the next few months!
Pauline Willis

Start Your Business Podcast Today with SoundCloud

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. Platforms like SoundCloud provide excellent opportunities for creators to showcase their talent and reach a vast audience. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking to establish your brand and engage with your target market, starting a business podcast can be a fantastic way to achieve those goals.

The Power of Podcasting

Podcasting has gained immense popularity in recent years. It allows you to create audio content that can be consumed anytime, anywhere. With the rising demand for podcasts, it’s an ideal time to leverage this medium to grow your business. SoundCloud, a leading audio streaming platform, offers a user-friendly interface and robust features specifically designed for podcast creators.

With SoundCloud, you can easily upload, share, and distribute your podcast episodes. The platform provides a seamless experience for both creators and listeners, making it an excellent choice for hosting your business podcast.

Engage Your Target Audience

One of the primary benefits of starting a business podcast on SoundCloud is the ability to engage directly with your target audience. By delivering valuable content through your podcast episodes, you can establish yourself as an industry expert and build a loyal following.

Moreover, SoundCloud allows you to interact with your listeners through comments, likes, and shares. This two-way communication helps you understand your audience’s needs and preferences, enabling you to tailor your future episodes accordingly. Encouraging your listeners to share your podcast with their networks can also help you reach a wider audience and attract potential customers.

Boost Your Visibility

SoundCloud offers various promotional tools to enhance the visibility of your business podcast. By utilizing tags, descriptions, and relevant keywords, you can optimize your podcast for search engines and increase its discoverability. Additionally, SoundCloud’s recommendation algorithms can suggest your podcast to users interested in similar content, expanding your reach even further.

While focusing on organic growth is crucial, some podcasters choose to buy likes for their soundcloud songs. This strategy can provide a jump-start in building social proof and attracting new listeners. However, it’s essential to balance paid promotion with high-quality content to ensure long-term success.

Monetize Your Podcast

SoundCloud offers monetization options for podcasters, allowing you to earn revenue from your content. Through their Premier program, you can monetize your podcast through ads and listener subscriptions. This can be a significant incentive for entrepreneurs looking to turn their passion for podcasting into a profitable venture.

In conclusion, if you’re considering starting a business podcast, SoundCloud is a fantastic platform to begin your journey. Its user-friendly interface, engagement features, and promotional tools make it an excellent choice for aspiring podcasters. By leveraging the power of podcasting, you can engage with your target audience, boost your brand visibility, and even monetize your content. So, why wait? Start your business podcast today with SoundCloud and take your entrepreneurial endeavors to new heights!

Government grants of up to £1000 for coaching and personal development services available for business leaders in South East England

Managing Directors and senior managers of businesses with between 20-249 employees in the South Eastern regions of the UK can now access up to £1,000 towards their personal development from a new government grants programme.

Funding is being made available for a range of interventions including personal, business or executive coaching and mentoring, training courses, books, qualifications and any other self-improvement tools needed to inspire and develop employees and grow a business.

The grants are available through Business Link and are directed at helping senior staff with addressing specific development needs. To qualify for the grant each MD or Director who applies for the funding must undergo a personal development review where specific development needs and requirements will are discussed and defined. Grants of £1,000 are then allocated to those who are eligible to spend on specific development needs.

For more information about the grants and eligibility criteria either call 0845 600 9006 or visit the following websites
The Learning Campus
Business Link

Lauriate Ltd offers senior managers and directors a range of services to address personal and business development needs ranging from performance improvement to stress management.
More information can be found about our services at the
Lauriate Development Homepage or by calling +44 (0)1865 784388

Update on the proposal to form a Special Group for Coaching Psycholgoy within the British Psychological Society

There has been phenomenal response from the professional psychological community to the proposed Special Group for Coaching Psychology.

More than 1200 Psychologists who offer professional development services under the branding of ‘coaching’ have registered their intent to join the SGCP if it is formed.

Voting papers have now been sent out to all BPS members with GBR or above so provided that 400 BPS members vote in favour of the Special Group being formed then the SGCP will become an official subsystem of the BPS later this year!

If you are a Coaching Psychologist and have registered your intent to join the SGCP, it is now very important that you look out for your voting papers in the post this week!