Managers must practise basic people skills, warns research

Managers who are expecting employees to “weather the storm no matter how poorly they are managed” must think again, according to the latest research. A study by Krauthammer of employees across Europe has revealed that their commitment to their organisations is “worryingly low” and their job satisfaction is “fragile”. View More >

CIPD backs MacLeod report on employee engagement

Poor employee engagement is costing the UK economy billions of pounds, according to a government report published today. The MacLeod Review, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), has found clear evidence that engagement levels across UK organisations are low and companies unwilling to address the problem could suffer financially. View More >

Workplace bullying increasing due to recession pressure

Workplace bullying is on the increase as a direct result of the pressure companies are under during the recession, according to an equality and diversity consultancy. Jane Farrell, CEO of Equality Works, believes managers are blinkered in thinking bullying is just verbal or physical abuse. In today’s business climate of concern, informal comments or changes in attitude can also lead to feelings of victimisation. View More >

New annual conference aimed at technical communicators launches

A new annual conference aimed at training professionals, technical communicators and their clients is set to launch in Nottingham this September. Technical Communication UK runs on 23rd and 24th September 2009, with pre-conference workshops taking place on the 22nd. View More >

Are you telling staff your main business aim this year is survival? It's not good enough, experts warn

Businesses need a “cause greater than just survival” if they are to sustain employee engagement during the economic upturn, warn leading HR practitioners. David Smith (pictured), formerly of Asda and Philippa Hird, formerly of ITV, were speaking at the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) HRD conference in London on Wednesday. View More >

Companies urged to embrace Web 2.0 to engage staff

HR is suffering a credibility crisis because it has not addressed the big agenda of innovation, according to a panel at the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) HRD conference in London. And employers wanting to engage fully with their staff must embrace Web 2.0 technology now, or risk losing contact with employees, warned Graham White (pictured), director of HR at Westminster City council. View More >

Managers’ communication skills put under scrutiny by new research

Line managers have to improve their communication skills if they are to retain a motivated, engaged workforce during the recession - according to new research. And the YouGov survey, commissioned by Threshold Communication, found less then half of British workers believe their company has a clear plan to withstand the recession. View More >

Sir Alan Sugar bad for business – training consultancy claims

Sir Alan Sugar’s management style could put the future of British businesses at risk if they choose to copy it, according to an equality consultancy. Equality Works say Sir Alan’s methods of hiring, firing and people management in the current BBC series of The Apprentice set a bad example to UK companies. View More >

Search for Britain's best young speaker down to final eight

Many people find public speaking uncomfortable - so imagine if you were one of the final eight contestants on a TV program aiming to find Britain’s best young speaker. To add to the pressure, BBC2’s The Speaker is judged by a panel that includes former basketball star turned motivational speaker, John Amaechi (pictured). View More >

Staff development scheme proves fruitful for housing association

Building a better employee training development programme has resulted in a rewarding outcome for a housing association. View More >

Project helps break down the language barrier for migrant workers

A new project has been launched in Somerset to help migrant workers improve their English skills. The ICEBreakers project is being run by Taunton-based charity Learning South West and is funded by the European Social Fund, through the Learning and Skills Council. View More >

Communication skills get anti-crime message on the air

Young people in south London are putting their communication skills to the test on a new radio station being launched as part of an anti-weapons campaign. Nearly 90 teenagers have been taught journalism, presenting and producing skills so they can run Reprezent 87.7FM and get their message of peace on the streets on the air. View More >

Children communication skills provider speaks out on services

The government has been urged to do more to help toddlers develop their language and communication skills in the wake of a damning report on youngsters ability to speak properly. The Bercow Review of service for young people, published this week, revealed that half of children starting school do not have the communication and language skills they need to succeed, and one in 14 have more serious speech, language and communication needs. View More >

Growing Ambitions

A new initiative urges trainers to inspire young people by visiting schools, colleges and universities to talk about their jobs. View More >

Social networking for further education providers

Social networking will allow users to share ideas, resources and knowledge. View More >

Conference to focus on outsourcing language training

The seventh Languages and Business annual conference will focus on what businesses need to know when outsourcing language training. View More >

National Year of Reading

Call for employers, schools, colleges, libraries and local authorities to get involved in the 2008 National Year of Reading. View More >

High flyers play office politics

Business leaders are learning from politicians as the skills needed to climb the career ladder are changing. View More >

Employers must face up to Facebook

Advising employers of the need to have policies in place covering use of the web, email and social networking sites, the TUC warns that the UK's Facebook users are 3.5 million accidents waiting to happen. View More >

High demand for political skills met with low levels of ability

Figures released by the Chartered Management Institute show that collaboration and 'alliance building' skills are increasingly viewed as essential ingredients for career success. The problem, however, is that high numbers of managers admit these are skills they lack. View More >

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