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I have recently read, with some significant interest, a BBC article with an opening sentence “The food industry should be regulated like the tobacco industry as obesity poses a greater global health risk than cigarettes”

But how do you get the world to change such a lifestyle of convenience and ingredients designed to get us wanting more? This is a massive ask but is no different when you break it down to our own individual needs when it comes to ‘Change Management’.

Richard Beckhard created the ‘Change Equation’ which, in simple terms says the you need to consider the following factors, (A) an attractive vision of the future, (B) dissatisfaction with the present, (C) practical steps to move forward and (D) the pain involved in changing. The equation then reads A+B+C must exceed D for change to work.

I am a type1 diabetic, and I despair when I get tarred with the same brush as those who acquire type2 diabetes through a lifestyle of eating unhealthily and lack of exercise. Unfortunately some type1 diabetics don’t help themselves either but I say look at Halle Berry, she’s type1 but made the choice to work at remaining fit and probably indulges in the naughty foods as a treat but not as a regular source of nutrition, she makes sure to take care of her health by eating right and taking her supplements from https://xtrapuregarciniacambogia.net.

So, going back to change, how do we apply this ‘choice’ to the way we make changes in our life or careers?

Take each of Beckhard’s factors and prioritise in turn whether low, medium or high. Once completed, take on the role as a ‘Leader’. This is applicable whether changing something personally or for a group. From this, asses what ‘practices’ you believe a leader should consider (eg challenging the norm, encouraging others, being inspirational, recognising achievements etc), then prioritise these with actions against each.

Then consider who will support you in these changes and, if in business or groups, who may resist change. Make a list of the resistors, the traditional “we’ve always done it this way” brigade, the fence sitters and the go getters who are the change agents.

Consider what resistance are you likely to incur (and by who). How will you monitor and keep people, or yourself informed about the change process? And how will you monitor motivation and commitment?

Change doesn’t simply happen, it has to be managed. As a senior manager, the company I worked for brought in a new computer system. We had two weeks of basic training and then left to our own devices. Guess what? The change-over failed epically because the organisation didn’t consider the aforementioned and it took 17months for the system to bed in where it could have only taken 6months if managed correctly.

This is a very simplistic over-view of what’s needed for a successful change process so please at least consider these points when making change. Should you really want a smooth transition, contact Coaching to Success, affiliated to the Growth Accelerator scheme to arrange your free consultation and see how you can help make those changes! Neil looks forward to hearing from you either by calling 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk.

CBI May 2014 reports UK interest rates will rise from 0.5% to 0.75% in the first three months of 2015 as growth picks up.

So how does your business reflect the growth of 3% this year, up from a previous estimate of 2.7% as forecasted by the business lobby group?

Here are my top six tips for areas to start looking at in your business to harness more profit and growth and to exceed the anticipated rise in interest rates.

1.   Plan it!

Do you have a ‘Business Plan’? Not the one stuck in the bottom drawer that helped secure the bank overdraft, but a true, tangible strategy plan, regularly viewed and updated for potential opportunities? Get it out, dust it off or throw it out and create a realistic plan for growth.

2.   The Team

As industry picks up, I’m finding more people are coming to me to help them GET OUT of their existing employment. It is critical that you get to truly know your staff to help reflect the organisation’s values and beliefs by bringing them into it. Communication is key. If they don’t feel part of the company’s ethos and that their input IS important, they will leave.

3.   Marketing

Consider your target market. Are you niche, if so, how do you market it? Are you mainstream?, if so, what’s your USP? Look at external ‘Marketing’ companies to help you as a worthwhile investment to raise your flag higher than your competitors.

4.   Customers and Clients

Update your record cards? Be a business doctor, KNOW YOUR CLIENTS. Spouses/partner’s and kids names, pets, sport likes, hobbies. Keep record cards up to date about ‘personal’ attributes. I once knew a client who liked to do base-jumping. At least ‘I’ knew when he went off the edge!

5.   Service

I’ve recently been helping a client to realise that in their 12 products portfolio, clients only use 2 or 3 on average! Understand your clients and establish ‘their’ needs. Stephen R.Covey, 7 Habits of highly effective people #5: “Seek first to understand, Then to be understood” epitomises this. Rather than chasing around potential new clients, harness more from existing ones. Don’t make assumptions, ask.

6.   Personal development

Darwin wrote “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change”. Change is happening now. As well as businesses goals/objectives, it’s vital for each person in the organisation to establish personal goals that will grow you as a person, a leader or a valued member to insure change doesn’t come and rush by… lead from the front.

Coaching to Success help facilitate in each of these areas and excel in the last. We’re part of the Growth Accelerator scheme which means we can look to obtain match funding for training programmes for those businesses wishing to grow. We’re here to join in the success that your organisation will have prior and then through 2015 so start planning ahead and see how we can help.

Contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk to arrange your free consultation and see how you can help grow your business with structure, enjoyment and a solid team too.

I would personally like to thank all our subscribers to the fortnightly blog a…

Here’s to everything that you learnt throughout 2013 and the great actions you’ll put into place to make 2014 your most successful year ever.

All the very best … Neil

If people feel good, then they overcome any obstacle or inconvenience that may stand before them. Alternatively, think about the myriad of ‘reasons!’ that are used to put things off because of not enjoying them!

Much like the other summertime event, Wimbledon. Champions are formed from doing something they initially just enjoyed and, in turn, got coached to do better. It’s no different in the work environment either! Look at areas within your work that you could make more enjoyable or at least look at them in a different light and become a champion in your own right.

Andy Murray and Laura Robson are both seen as positive leaders for the next generation of stars to the tennis courts. So what does it take to become a ‘Positive Leader’?

As a leader, it is paramount that you first look at yourself before you look at those around you. Being positive and focusing on your own happiness, emotional intelligence and well-being is the first step. Another is to look at the model developed by the leading positive psychologist, Martin Seligman being his PERMA Model.

PERMA is an acronym standing for: Positive emotion … Engagement … Relationships (positive) … Meaning … Accomplishment/Achievement

POSITIVE EMOTIONS – If you are not getting sufficient positive emotions, now is a good time to step back and reflect why? Are your skills and attributes being used to their full potential? Carry out a personal SWOT analysis and look to bring some aspects that give you pleasure from outside of work, into your work situation. I.e., If you love outdoor activities but you’re office based, bring in pictures of your activity. Be aware of what ticks your box and engage with it as this reflects on those around you, for them to be positive, you need to start the process.

ENGAGEMENT – Engage more in areas of your work that you have interest in and are good at doing, (on the understanding they are productive and not simply pleasurable). Other means of engagement is knowing your areas of procrastination and dealing with these.

Positive RELATIONSHIPS – Much like having close family/friend relationships, it’s important to build strong working relationships too. Relationships are two way so don’t sit back and let others do all the work. Devote some time to understanding those around you, making this a regular occurrence to build those relationships.

MEANING – Does your life and work have meaning? A feeling that we are doing positive actions is imperative for us to obtain job satisfaction or career development. If you feel your life is lacking meaning or purpose, look at areas where this can be fulfilled.

ACCOMPLISHMENT/ACHIEVEMENT – Achievement isn’t necessarily all about being constantly busy, sometimes you need to step back and dedicate time to achieving your dreams. Coaching can help you focus on achieving them by planning the route. Planning is the critical element here to look at what you wish to accomplish and then take time to appreciate it when achieved.

A lot of barriers that your team or workforce have, can often be attributed to the way that you address them. Harsh I know but rather than encouraging a culture of complaint look to a methodology of resolve and this, in turn, will resonate through the troops as each barrier is overcome.

As with the elite tennis players, coaches improve on what’s already great. Coaching to Success aims to do the same and make your business shine above the rest!

Coaching to Success invites you to contact Neil Nutburn on 07761 187238 or send an email to info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk to arrange a free, no obligation consultation should you be one of those great businesses that wish to be champions in positive leadership.