Academy News

Continuous Learning at the Speaker Showcase

Barnsdale Hall Hotel in Rutland provided the venue for a very different Academy Speaker Showcase this week. The format of the day grew out of feedback from The Academy's existing speaker community – Director of Speaker Development, Phil Jesson commented,

Continuous Learning at the Speaker Showcase

Barnsdale Hall Hotel in Rutland provided the venue for a very different Academy Speaker Showcase this week. The format of the day grew out of feedback from The Academy's existing speaker community – Director of Speaker Development, Phil Jesson commented,

Commercially Green: NG Bailey Builds Now, for the Future

Frank Taaffe, Business Director of Bailey Rail and Academy Group 42 member, recently delivered a fascinating presentation to his fellow group members on the design and build of Solais House, NG Bailey's new Scottish HQ.

"It's not just about the bottom line - membership affects you as a person"

Joe Turnbull, Managing Director of WBS Group, has been a member of Academy Group 11 since July 2007. He joined following the recommendation of a networking contact, "It seemed as if my business had gone from zero to sixty in 5 seconds!" Joe continues, "I realised I needed to invest in some personal development. My background in consultancy had given me an insight into many different businesses, but the reality is quite different when it's your own business. You need external input."

Featured Chairman - Simon Lester

Simon Lester, Chairman of North London & Hertfordshire based Academy Group 7 is one of The Academy's growing number of individuals who've made the transition from member to Chairman. "I guess you could say that having been a member for 9 years, I 'walked the talk' by taking the decision to start my own group." Simon smiles.

"Entrepreneurial Marketing" - Michael Jackson

Entrepreneurial flair when combined with effective marketing skill is a rare and powerful combination in business. Developing products that customers want, and being bold with marketing investment, are vital factors in achieving long-term success. (Duration 4:37)

The leader's link to creativity and productivity - by Dan Bobinski

I can't tell you how many times I've walked into businesses and seen people - okay, the leadership - walking around with their shields up. Don't they remember what it was like to be part of the rank-and-file? Don't they know that their employees have great ideas for how to make things better?

And yet like a Klingon cruiser patrolling the neutral zone, their domineering presence results in people giving them a wide berth. I know it's not always intentional, but this kills creativity and productivity.

UK women give IT the thumbs-down

There's growing discontent in the British IT workplace, according to an English on-line job placement service, and it's an important bit of news for everyone.

Is HR up to managing global talent crisis?

With skilled workers increasing happy to cross continents to find work, how to manage talent shortages across the globe is set to be the key challenge facing HR for years to come.

TuneIN - Autumn 2008

Welcome to the September edition of TuneIN. This month, we hear from a member who believes that having the time to discuss and reflect on issues outside of the business place is a necessity for all leaders; from a chairman who is helping to ensure that it's less 'lonely at the top' for his members in Northern Ireland; and from a speaker who who specialises in exploding the myths and removing the anxieties about employment law so that managers feel empowered to manage situations with potential legal implications.