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dine from the menu of learning

Published on April 25, 2017 by admin in uncategorized

Let’s get real about today’s learning; the majority of learning today is facilitated by external means, outside of the workplace, through creative and informal means. People who wish to learn already are – and doing a great job of it without organizational assistance! Learning and Development departments should not kid themselves that today’s learners depend on them! They do not, well almost not!

leaders will always face critics

Published on February 15, 2015 by admin in Leadership

Brene Brown has almost become a household name for those on a personal or corporate development pilgrimage. A foray into the journal of leadership credibility was facilitated by her first-ever TED talk, detailing the power of vulnerability. Being a professional researcher of that very topic, the presentation not only became a great source of hope for many but also prepared her personally for life in the public eye and the barrage of criticism that comes with it. When creating new, improved and alternate futures, leaders commonly find themselves up against a ‘discerning’ audience and overt criticism and opposition. Brene highlights what can help a leader remain focused, committed and ‘on track’.

The essence of coaching

Published on February 16, 2015 by admin in Leadership

Robin Sharma wrote a best-selling book called The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. It famously suggested that whatever ceases to serve our desired outcomes should be removed from our lives. More often than not, coaching unearths deeply-ensconsced beliefs or behaviours which no longer serve the positive development of self and others; these can be found in everyone, no less senior corporate executives. Yet often, senior executives often resist the opportunity of digging deep with a new lens and ‘letting go’; why could this be so?

our world is flatbread

Published on October 20, 2014 by admin in Leadership

The discipline of finance is at the core of any CEO’s business, not only because it is a measurable function but also due to its ability to facilitate informed decision-making

managers – the meat in the sandwich during corporate change

Published on November 16, 2013 by admin in Leadership

During any change situation in the workplace, managers are often described as having the toughest job. Many think it is about having to work with others to adopt the change, but let’s not forget first and foremost that even the managers themselves must understand and agree to the change – they will be assessing the change against their own personal needs before that of anyone else, as it’s simply human nature. If they don’t agree with the change, there’s next to no hope for them to lead their team through the change.

products alone won’t close that sale!

Published on November 12, 2013 by admin in Leadership

Some would say there is a business case for the application of sales techniques, whilst others achieve sales targets through prioritizing a different business case, one based on human connection. This school of thought indicates that a lack of ability to forge connection with customers can not only have dramatic negative impact upon sales revenues but may also render any sales technique completely redundant. I’m one of the latter, and have observed this in buying habits of myself and others for years on end.

are you the leader of a change – if so, what question is relevant for you right now?

Published on October 10, 2013 by admin in Leadership

According to the latest (2012) Best Practices Report by Prosci, the world’s leading research body into Change Management, active and visible sponsorship is the number one predictor of success with corporate change, whilst conversely, its absence is unfortunately also the number one predictor of failure.

a Board’s perspective on hiring CEOs

Published on September 5, 2013 by admin in uncategorized

CEO’s are accountible to Boards in the majority of corporate situations. The hiring of CEO’s is often a Board’s responsibility, and as such, Betsy Atkins, author of ‘Behind Boardroom Doors: Lessons of a Corporate Director’, and a many-time board member herself, provides some tips and perspectives for this process.

workplace presentations – nothing to fear?

Published on July 26, 2013 by admin in uncategorized

Without a backbone, we cannot stand! So too a presentation – ANY presentation regardless of whether it is a business report presented to the board or a thought-provoking information seminar to an auditorium full of HR evangelists. Success will depend on the three essentials – structure, story and self. Without these, there will be facts without substance, visual effect without impact and an audience without interest. Let’s earn our audience’s time and respect by bringing real value with:

rethinking the C-Suite ‘end of service’ bonus

Published on July 15, 2013 by admin in change

They say much is discovered about leadership by what happens when one is away from an organization, out on the golf course or in the board meeting. That’s likelyfor one day or two, yet would it be true for one or two years later? What corporate elements have been instilled and embedded that are so strong, adding so much value that it has become a legacy, hence remaining an active pillar in the years after a leader has departed. To what degree are you leaving a ‘living legacy’?

keeping each other honest in the business world!

Published on July 21, 2013 by admin in Leadership

A new study shows that CEOs are doing a lousy job when it comes to people management. The study, focussing on C-suites and corporate boards, found that both CEOs and boards are overly focused on the bottom line, at the expense of mentoring and engaging their boards. Let’s face it – when we speak of succession within the top ranks of corporations, how many CEO’s have evolved from an HR background? Perhaps we may see VP of HR become CPO (Chief People Officers) yet few become CEO’s. Why is that? Are people not an equal part of the business?

people join organizations but leave their managers!

Published on June 17, 2013 by admin in Leadership

Why are corporations spending so much money, time and effort on new programmes and technologies to increase staff retention when the answer is right in front of our eyes – pure and unadulterated care, growth and connection to purpose and service, the same that keeps we ourselves engaged. Leadership is the one and only global retention strategy I stand by!

understanding the dangers of ‘training’ in the workplace

Published on June 2, 2013 by admin in change

‘We, the general public, stand to experience [this type of disaster] again’, says Mr David Learmount, International Air Safety Specialist, commenting on the simple yet fateful disappearance of Air France Flight 447 along with its 228 passengers and crew into the Atlantic Ocean on May 31, 2009. He based his comment on the profound and daunting reality that a pilot really only flies the plane for 3 mins of longhaul flying time – the remainder is entirely in the hands of computers alone!

corruption – is there really a choice?

Published on May 23, 2013 by admin in uncategorized

Corruption is a corporate way of life for so many cultures, and can be found in both advanced and developing societies – it is an objective ‘what is’ when measured against an ethical, moral or legal definition.

leadership is the REAL corporate social responsibility

Published on May 9, 2013 by admin in Leadership

Reducing carbon footprint, supporting developing nations, donating to orphanages – are these really corporate social responsibility initiatives or simply the outcomes of focussed goals? By definition, each of the words has its own individual impact ….

look in the mirror and question assumptions

Published on March 25, 2013 by admin in Leadership

‘Because my fry-pan was always too small to fit the whole fish in’, exclaimed the great-grandmother when questioned why she habitually removed a fish head and tail before frying! For how many more generations could the cooking method remained the same if not for that question!

trust – a priceless commodity?

Published on March 18, 2013 by admin in Leadership

What matters most to you? It might be timeliness, transparency, meaning and clarity or a myriad of other virtues to value. Whichever it is for you, it will only positively contribute and hence build trust when you visibly, actively and consistently demonstrate it, every minute of every day in business.

L&D, make the business your business!

Published on February 28, 2013 by admin in uncategorized

Like it or lump it – the L&D function is not always placed central to the business; it should be yet often is not. Rather than this becoming debilitating for any L&D professional, how can this be turned around so that the business would find it very difficult to operate without L&D.

inside-out or outside-in visioning?

Published on February 11, 2013 by admin in Strategy

When our backbone is aligned, we walk tall, freely and with no hesitation. We make great progress and can respond to any unexpected influence swiftly and efficiently. Could you as a corporate leader say the same about your business?

Balance business decisions with customer experience

Published on January 17, 2013 by admin in Strategy

When business is ‘en motion’, do we as business leaders always ensure the motion is positive and forwards, and if so, from which perspective?

Let’s Innovate!

Published on January 15, 2013 by admin in Corporate Culture

Let’s Innovate! This commonly-heard statement around the corporate corridors attracts a variety of reactions from the depths of despair to the height of excitement. After years of ‘use and abuse’, this word has left its mark, swayed interpretations and facilitated heated debates. Resounding cries of ‘innovate, schminnovate – let’s go back to basics’ can be heard from every angle.

Training vs Change Management

Published on January 10, 2013 by admin in change

Recently explaining Change Management to be the process which links the people to the new business performance, one keen listener asked ‘so if my hamburger chain stops making hamburgers and now wishes to sell salads, that’s a change, one that would simply require training – right?’.

Pride and Passion in Service

Published on January 7, 2013 by admin in service

Today, after voicing my frustration to an insurance company, I received the following reply, in writing, from a service coordinator.

is it time to show our vulnerability?

Published on January 6, 2013 by admin in Leadership

All too often I hear protests from the Learning and Development or OD Department – we just get lip service! OR they aren’t serious about us! OR we are not maximised! OR we are only there to accept blame when something goes wrong. With true leadership being optimistic and self-confident, this is surely not the behaviour of L&D leaders but rather L&D maintainers (and disillusioned ones at that)!

Who Killed Change?

Published on October 24, 2012 by admin in Leadership

‘Who Killed Change?’, a parable by Ken Blanchard and John Britt, highlights some very real challenges that organizations face during change.

Social Constructivism – Changing Together

Published on October 7, 2012 by admin in change

Social constructivism is an emerging approach to change, which encourages change, and learning, through the people, who may be your customers, employees, community etc. It’s easy to identify those who don’t buy into this approach. Observable corporate traits include the desire to maintain control, the degree of closure in minds, a stagnant environment lacking regeneration, a leader who hides behind the people, and lack of communication in change.

Interview: Debbie Nicol, on Change Management

Published on August 3, 2012 by admin in change

Q1. I believe that you are a Change Practitioner for organizations. What exactly does that mean?

Strategic Learning Interventions in Organizations

Published on July 25, 2012 by admin in Leadership

In tough times, it’s often the organizational learning that’s first to go. Learning professionals must now take a stance – must prove that the organization cannot operate without Learning and Development and must show evidence of the results organisational learning facilitates. Sounds like an easy solution?

Just because it’s common sense, doesn’t mean it’s common practice!

Published on June 17, 2012 by admin in Strategy

The Business Planning Process is at the core of all business. Or is it? Commonly, substitutes exist. Lists of prioritised action plans, documented reorganisations or a set of goals or highly-organised budgeted figures have been interpreted and submitted as Business Plans.

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business en motion’ is a business consultancy and learning organization which moves businesses and leaders ahead – ahead of current performance and competition.

business en motion’ is a business consultancy and learning organization which moves businesses and leaders ahead – ahead of current performance and competition.
Serving a broad cross-section of industries, we clarify organizational priorities, strengthen foundations, align workplace practices and measure results; in essence we work with the core of change.

business en motion’ is a business consultancy and learning organization which moves businesses and leaders ahead – ahead of current performance and competition.

Serving a broad cross-section of industries, we clarify organizational priorities, strengthen foundations, align workplace practices and measure results; in essence we work with the core of change.

business en motion’ is a business consultancy and learning organization which moves businesses and leaders ahead – ahead of current performance and competition.

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Debbie Nicol regularly provides key notes, corporate presentations and holds guest speaker roles. Should you seek an energetic speaker who delivers compelling experiences for your audience, please complete the form below.

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Pivot now to survive 2020

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dine from the menu of learning

leaders will always face critics

The essence of coaching

our world is flatbread

managers – the meat in the sandwich during corporate change

products alone won’t close that sale!

are you the leader of a change – if so, what question is relevant for you right now?

a Board’s perspective on hiring CEOs

workplace presentations – nothing to fear?

rethinking the C-Suite ‘end of service’ bonus

keeping each other honest in the business world!

people join organizations but leave their managers!

understanding the dangers of ‘training’ in the workplace

corruption – is there really a choice?

leadership is the REAL corporate social responsibility

look in the mirror and question assumptions

trust – a priceless commodity?

L&D, make the business your business!

inside-out or outside-in visioning?

Balance business decisions with customer experience

Let’s Innovate!

Training vs Change Management

Pride and Passion in Service

is it time to show our vulnerability?

Who Killed Change?

Social Constructivism – Changing Together

Interview: Debbie Nicol, on Change Management

Strategic Learning Interventions in Organizations

Just because it’s common sense, doesn’t mean it’s common practice!

obtain your complimentary copy

'a pocket guide for corporate executives'

'embers of the world'

hire

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