Opinion

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Sailing to success: Navigating team dynamics

Karl Green

Navigating team dynamics on a yacht isn’t just about working together; it’s about thriving together. Karl Green shares insights on fostering authentic teamwork in close quarters For many, working on a yacht is a dream come true. But even surrounded by opulence and luxury, crew members must work together in very close quarters day in and day out, with little option for escape. How can a yacht crew best navigate working well as a team? It was this question that,…

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The first 90 days: How L&D and training leaders can succeed

Sara Good

The key to acing your new role is prioritising listening, learning and setting clear goals. Sara Good has the tips you need First impressions count. When L&D and training professionals start a new role, they need the first three months to go well. Even the most self-assured professionals can feel the pressure during this time. But how can executives ensure they hit the ground running while taking the time to understand the new organisation and its people without ruffling too many…

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The five pillars of workplace wellness: A guide for businesses 

Tara Lochery

By integrating workplace wellbeing into your strategy, you can boost morale, productivity and employee satisfaction. Tara Lochery explains how  Workplace wellness has never been more important as companies increasingly recognise the benefits to their business. And it’s no surprise, given that over the course of our lifetime we spend an average of 90,000 hours at work. With work being such a huge part of lives, it’s crucial that it supports, rather than hinders, our physical and mental wellbeing.  Make sure workplace…

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Switching up the skills sector: Why we need a system for all ages and levels 

Nichola Hay

A well-designed Growth and Skills Levy is crucial; it must benefit all employees across industries, writes Nichola Hay  Kickstarting economic growth is at the heart of the new Labour government’s agenda, with the Prime Minister promising to deliver much-needed stability across all areas of the economy. We are several weeks into Labour’s tenure, and it is highly encouraging to see legislation which will refine UK skills policy and our existing training system being put into place. For example, we have seen the announcement…

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Go for gold: 4 tips to elevate employee training with game-based learning

James Micklethwait

Making training fun boosts skill retention. Transform your strategy with game-based learning to engage employees and improve results, writes James Micklethwait  With recent research highlighting learning support as the top strategy to boost employee retention, it’s clear that employees want to learn and grow their skills at work. However, many of the old standard methods of training – such as monologuing lectures with dry slide decks – have become ineffective at holding employees’ attention, which means employees aren’t learning the…

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Ignite L&D momentum: Focus on three key areas 

Steve Macaulay

To drive truly impactful L&D, focus on customised learning, cutting-edge technology, and full organisational involvement – Steve Macaulay has your three-step guide  Are your L&D initiatives fresh and impactful? To cultivate a dynamic and skilled workforce, it’s essential to stimulate and maintain L&D momentum. Target specific areas to drive engagement, adaptability and resilience within your organisation.   Home in on the top areas for your organisation which will deliver the biggest impact   This article highlights three key strategic areas…

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Transforming workplace culture: The opportunity of the Worker Protection Act 

Paul O’Donnell

From compliance to culture: how the new legislation can truly enhance workplace safety and trust, by Paul O’Donnell  HR teams are great at compliance. When a new piece of legislation comes in, like the Worker Protection Act (from October 2024), there will be a list of measures in place. Ready for the board, ready for an employment tribunal to check. Belt and braces.  HR teams need to review systems and policies and ask themselves whether they are working, do staff…

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AI’s successful implementation goes beyond technology – soft skills are needed 

Tommy Richardson

While AI drives innovation, soft skills are equally critical for ethical, compliant and successful implementation. Tommy Richardson explains the need for a balanced approach to AI training  Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way businesses operate. It’s streamlining operations, improving customer interactions, and even providing insights that anticipate market shifts. Amid the technology-driven advancements, however, there’s an often-overlooked element that’s equally critical to business success – soft skills.  Employers are seeking teams that can effectively harness AI capabilities while navigating ethical…

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Closing the learning gap: Blended approaches for a skilled workforce

Claire Raistrick

Explore how blended learning – combining online and in-person training – can revolutionise your employee development programmes, with expert tips from Claire Raistrick As businesses navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, the need for effective employee training has never been more critical. Enter blended learning – a dynamic approach that combines the best of online and in-person training to create a flexible, engaging and cost-effective learning experience.  To get started, focus on quick wins such as leveraging existing resources…

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How can companies increase gender diversity in the workplace? 

Scott Sullivan

Fostering inclusion policies is vital to closing the gender gap and attracting the top talent. Law firm HR Director Scott Sullivan shares his tips  UK businesses still have considerable work to do to increase gender diversity. Many struggle to close the gender pay gap and fairly represent women. The gender pay gap in Britain was 14.3% in 2023, and women need to work an extra 19 years to retire with the same pension savings as men.  Employers who don’t fairly…