Wellbeing and Resilience Strategies to help you navigate through the next phase of change

If you are part of any organisation in any part of the world, I am sure you have been part of at least one discussion that talks about what would work life look like as we try to bring some more stability into our work settings? And although it will be a little naive of us to categorise it as a post COVID world (Since COVID is in no hurry to leave us alone!), the fact is that many organisations are looking at the next few months as a time to make some more permanent changes in to work culture.

Despite the pain, loss and instability we all have endured through the past 15 months, the fact is that we all have also realised what an amazing disruption the pandemic has been for work life for some of us. 

15 months on, each organisation no matter the industry, size or location is now rethinking their people strategies around this new ‘hybrid’ working style. According to me, one of the biggest upsides of the pandemic has been the mind set shift around ‘productivity and output’ based performance matrix rather than a ‘clock in at the office at 8am’ based performance matrix. That has definitely been an eye opening experience for many organisations across the board. 

Saying that, I am also very aware that the pandemic has affected each community and each of us differently and that probably you and me are in a very privileged position to be even thinking about the upsides of the pandemic. All we can do is try and share the benefits that have come out of the ‘working from home’ settings to communities that are disproportionately impacted by this global pandemic. 

While most companies are focusing on "how to get their people back to work," some are rethinking the problem, "how to make sure our best talent can work from anywhere". As always people, their wellbeing and their growth is and will continue to remain at the heart of any organisation. 

The key to remember is that different people need a different approach and your hybrid strategy should reflect on individual needs rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We can start by thinking about some of the key messages that have come through this pandemic around what makes a working space safe?

Thinking about everyone’s needs and expectations can be quite daunting. A good place to start is by tapping into this effective and simple framework -

Along with this we have put together our top six tips to keep in mind while planning and implementing your people and wellbeing strategy.

Implementing these ideas will help you achieve your aim of making your workplace a happy and thriving space to be in, no matter your company size or industry. 

1- Take it from the top- Make sure that messaging around your strategy is consistent and regular across the board.

2- Value Feedback- Record, listen understand and include your staff's feedback to reassure your staff that you genuinely care.

3-Keep it simple- Think of how you can share key messages of the strategy in a fun, engaging, simple way.

4- Small steps, big results- Instead of rolling out 5 elements of the strategy together, can you focus on just one at a time?

5- Invite Collaboration- Invite volunteers to support you with planning a wellbeing event, share the responsibility to make it more inclusive.

6- Review- Block time out to periodically review your strategies and implementation.

We hope that at least one of these strategies resonates with you. Understanding and acknowledging your people’s expectations and constantly communicating your plans for them can go a long way to building a safe and sustainable work culture. 

If you prefer to download the guide as a PDF document then please click HERE 

We are always happy to have a chat with you to better support you to manage your people and their overall resilience and wellbeing.

Please visit our website- www.tplexperiences.com for more details.

Alternatively please feel free to drop us a line and let’s chat? 

P.S- Are you a SME? - Click to find out how you can access funded training opportunities. 

Photo credits: 

Team Photo - Fauxels at Pexels  

Plant Photo - Akil Mazumder at Pexels

Lifestyle, Consumer & Design Trends - The Impact of events during & since 2020

Consumer Trends driven by the Covid Experience

• What is the impact on Consumer Trends already forecast?

• The Surge in Consumerism

• Permanent Change

• The New Eco-Conscious Consumer Landscape

• The future of Homes & Gardens

• Other Industry & Lifestyle Changes

POST-2020

Forecast Trends are Unchanged & Strengthened

1. Our consumer trend intelligence forecast until the end of 2022, has not been changed by the events of 2020. The design aesthetics remain as reported as does the consumer behaviours. The reasons why these trends will emerge as forecast, the consumer needs they address, and the underlying influences all hold good. There is already significant confirmation of trends forecast (in 2017/18) for 2020 & 2021 in all sectors.

2. Our consumer trend intelligence reported for 2022/23 have been adjusted for any influence arising from the events of 2020 and so again, everything forecast remains applicable; aesthetics, influences, desires and goals of consumers.

3. The first aesthetic & behavioural changes caused by the Global Pandemic will influence the consumer product & design trends of 2022.

POST 2020

Initial Uncertainty & Confusion

4. Commentary over the past year regarding a new normal has been intense and plentiful.Following the 2020 pandemic experience, people are confused about life afterwards, if thinking of it as 'normal' ... new or otherwise.

The 'lost year' that was 2020, will be followed by the 'year of treading-water' which is 2021.

5. In 2022 there will be a realisation that a total reset has occurred in consumer behaviour. The pre-pandemic model is not a relevant or stable basis on which to rebuild ... A life ... A business ... A community ... nothing.

6. The current multitude of predictions, statements and analysis makes for great click-bait headlines. Current Consumer behaviour is to do with; our freedom having been removed & gradually restored, widespread confusion about how we should, or should not, be behaving, concern about an impending economic downturn and conflicting opinion about its severity and duration.

POST 2020

Emerging Permanent Change

Identifiable changes that are most likely to be permanent:

7. The environment, sustainability & climate change movement has been fast-forwarded 5 years or more. The end of fast-fashion has most likely been brought forward in time. Leaders in the fashion industry have pressed the pause button until SS2022. GUCCI have announced a reduction to 2 seasonal catwalk shows each year and that these will be trans-seasonal designs. (Alessandron Michele - Creative Director at Gucci)

8. Online Purchasing has been fast forwarded by at least 5 year+, most likely there will not be much of a backward adjustment. However, the delivery network, retailers new to online selling & under resourced companies are generally providing a very poor customer experience. Inevitably, this will slow the current & potential growth of online-sales as some new-to-online-purchasing consumers are lost.

Omnichannel-purchasing takes on a new prominence for the consumer.

POST 2020

The Eco-Conscious Consumer

9. People will look towards a future that encourages us to adapt and be resilient, to live with less toxicity & waste. Open acknowledgement that our individual choices (as consumers, retailers, manufacturers, designers & citizens) can and do influence the global narrative of change as we face our realities & responsibilities associated with climate change.

10. Overall there is an approach to food that is and will be, guided by nature as we understand that this can improve the health of both the planet and oursleves. (A significant Netflix Documentary: A Life on our Planet)

11. The trend for grow your own produce will strengthen and broaden in appeal. The Pandemic heightened the trend for families & individuals (across all ages) to grow their own produce. This was initiated by the panic-buying resulting in empty supermarket shelves, chillers & freezer cabinets.

12. This grow your own trend will not disappear once the virus has. The benefits and rewards of doing this were felt too strongly during 2020.

POST 2020

The Home & Garden Prioritised

13. During Lockdowns Gardening has become a popular (and potentially permanent for many) element of home-schooling, as a way of teaching children (no matter their age) about the natural world, food sources, horticulture and cooking & baking.

14. Lockdowns everywhere increased the time we all spend at home, and have opened people’s eyes to the therapeutic values of cooking, baking, gardening and growing plants & vegetables. Simply sitting in their outdoor spaces has shown people the benefit gardens provide in terms of physical & mental wellbeing.

15. The 5th Room (garden) is central when considering not simply furniture, but all products including cooking and dining outside. Many more consumers now consider the garden as an outdoor room; and it now requires the same level of comfort & convenience as any other room.

16. Interest in, and enthusiasm for, outdoor kitchens will grow, especially as the UK climate changes toward longer, hotter summers. (All respected long-term weather forecasters now predict this). The desire to be able to live-outside just as much in the winter will also become stronger amongst all consumers, everywhere including the UK; just as cold- city populations do successfully in other countries (eg Melbourne).

POST 2020
The Home & Garden Prioritised

17. Green will remain for a long time to come a key & popular colour. This has been further reinforced by the events of this & last year. On a primitive level (according to psychologists) green reassures humans, because where there is green in the natural world, we can find water & food; it signifies life & hope.

18. Post 2020, many more consumers will have a more principled approach to their purchasing activities and decisions.

19. As life settles during 2021 some people will become stretched financially, overseas holidays will become a luxury that many (perhaps most) will not be able to afford as well as eating out, or even popping to the pub.

20. Outdoor lounging, al fresco dining, exotic escapism, adventure and calming connection to nature; previously all satisfied during holidays & weekend trips will have to be achieved in our homes, their outdoor rooms & gardens. This is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the entire supply chain to the world of interiors.

Post 2020 people may well be forced to live more modestly, but they are likely to want to live more fully in terms of experiences ... and many (if not most) of these experiences will be lived in their homes & gardens; or those of their friends & family.

To find out further information on this topic please contact Phil via the following details:

Phil Pond | Scarlet Opus: www.scarletopus.com

Business flexibility & wellness

The keen gardeners amongst us will have noticed just how dry and frosty April 2021 turned out to be.

Not so the April meeting of Consult Yorkshire.

Our chair for the meeting kick started the procedures by asking us all to introduce ourselves in a different way to our usual 'elevator pitch’, - with some interesting responses!

From food blender analogies through to a musical introduction - Consult Yorkshire’s meeting certainly started with a fun and warm outlook.

From warm introductions to physical warm ups at your desk - our April ‘Skills Session’ was on the subject of Business Yoga and was delivered by Ella Mesma.

Ella guided attendees through a structured 23 minute gentle routine, with a range of techniques suitable for beginners through to those with advanced flexibility.

As well as taking the group through the physical practice, Ella highlighted the following benefits of practicing Business Yoga.

For the practitioner:

Improved strength, balance & flexibility.

Relief from back pain.

Benefits heart health.

Improves sleep.

Can help manage stress.

Boosts immunity.

Improves posture.

Increases blood flow & drops blood pressure.

Can offer better focus.

From an employers perspective, the key benefits are:

21% higher level of concentration on work.

22% higher for finishing work on time.

25% higher for working without unscheduled breaks.

41% for feeling motivated to work & reduce absenteeism.

Feedback from CY members in attendance at the meeting was very favourable. 

With all attendees agreeing that they could incorporate more physical activity into their working day.

Another fun, educational and business focused meeting for Consult Yorkshire.

If you are interested in learning more about Business Yoga, please feel free to contact Ella via https://www.businessyoga.co.uk/

If you are an independent business consultant or freelancer based in Yorkshire and would like to learn more about the ways in which we support each other - then please feel free to contact us.

The Truth about the Third Sector

Many people think that working in and for the Charity and Social Enterprise sector is somehow easier or less challenging than the private sector. That the ‘Third Sector’ is somehow amateurish, with lower standards and a generally friendly, warm fuzzy feeling, where shabby offices are full of well-meaning people who chat for ages over mugs of tea. 

After all, the sector is all about  ‘helping people’ and how easy must that be?

As a Business Development and funding specialist in the Charity and Social Enterprise sector for thirty years, I want to use this blog to explode some of those myths, because they are myths that sometimes prevent me from being taken seriously as a consultant, but much more importantly, these myths hold back the country from reaching its full potential.

The pandemic of 20210/21 has brought into glorious technicolour some deeply entrenched social problems in the UK, such as race inequality and injustice, and poverty and deprivation. The foodbank down my road, which I have been associated with for twenty years, is seeing a new type of customer – working families, where both partners are putting in the hours and doing several jobs whilst looking after children, but still, they can’t afford a supermarket trip. 

In 2021. In a wealthy, developed country.

Charities and Social Enterprises take action to change not just this, but all forms of deprivation, lack, and injustice in the world. A few of the organisations I’ve been honoured to have as clients do things like:

• support young black Londoners to set up businesses;

• create jobs for young people with autism;

• prevent elderly and vulnerable people from falling prey to scams;

• find solutions to rough sleeping;

• do something major about mental health in their local area;

• prevent suicide;

• or find links between deprivation and obesity to put in place preventative, long-term solutions.

Without these organisations, our country would be poorer, sadder and more dangerous.

The Charity and Social Enterprise sector, sometimes called the ‘voluntary sector’, or ‘Third Sector’ contributed £18.2 billion to the economy in 2018*. The sector employs 3% of the total UK workforce. It utilises volunteers, who contribute £23.9 billion of value, unpaid, to the economy every year*. The sector operates in those parts of the economy where people need services, but cannot pay the market rate for them. Organisations have to find ways to provide services, without an income stream that comes direct from customers.

Looking at the table, which type of organisation has the greater challenges?

	Charities and Social Enterprises	Private sector companies
1.	Have to generate a surplus, which is reinvested into the organisation’s purpose	Have to generate a profit, which is shared out to (already wealthy) shareholders
2.	Need to cover costs through grants, contracts, public donations, social investors, philanthropists, crowdfunding, physical and online shops, and other forms of trading.	Need to cover costs from income received from sales to customers.
3.	Have to attract and pay high calibre staff, even though salaries are lower and contracts of employment are often temporary or less secure.	Have to attract and pay high calibre staff, can pay attractive salaries and contracts are usually permanent.
4.	Have to manage volunteers, who come with a huge range of abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and availability issues, and who can leave without warning.	N/A
5.	Purpose is to deliver services (not usually products) that provide innovative solutions to entrenched social problems, which impact heavily on the NHS and on the economy.	Purpose is to find and exploit lucrative markets for products and services.
6.	Subject to regulation from Charity Commission, Social Enterprise Regulator, Companies House, and HMRC	Subject to Companies House and HMRC

After 30 years in Business Development in this amazing sector, becoming a consultant was a big decision. I was concerned that I would be seen as profiting from organisations that help people, and I was worried that charities and enterprises would be so self-sufficient that they would not allow themselves to pay for my services.

Then, in the first lockdown, I offered 65 free sessions to struggling charities and enterprises, to help them plan their way out of a financial black hole.  Slowly, the realisation was made that my 30 years of experience could be applied quickly and efficiently to organisations, and that this was worth their investment.

Over half (52%) of the voluntary sector workforce is educated to degree level, this figure is 53% in the public sector and just 30% in the private sector*. Casual opinions about  amateurishness are therefore unjustified, and usually stem from unthinking appraisals of an organisation’s buildings or its non suit-wearing staff. 

In line with the rest of my chosen sector, I’m well-qualified too, with a set of qualis that include a Masters in Community Development, and Marketing, Management, and Accounting diplomas. I’ve done loads of income-generation-related training courses, such as an Advanced Tendering Skills course just completed, so I can always over-deliver for clients. 

This is an important, if complex sector in the UK, and I am a consultant who cares enough about it, to choose it, and to want to support it. Whether as a volunteer packing food parcels, or as a Trustee. 

Or, through my consultancy business, called AmVic Ltd, because it is just me, ready and able to help you. 

*Statistics from the NCVO Almanac 2020

A Spicy Consult Yorkshire Meeting

On a lovely sunny day in Yorkshire, we spoke about longing for the summer as we look at restarting our in-person meetings in July (subject to restrictions). This month’s meeting marked a year of running our sessions on Zoom – time has really flown and we’ve become accustomed to “Ian – You’re on Mute”, “Can you see my screen now” and goodbye waves….

Whilst, our members are largely used to working from home, not having face-to-face meetings has been an adjustment so our monthly meetings on Zoom have been a great addition in our calendars. We’ve also welcomed new members who have joined in lockdown

As well as the coffee mornings and the Whatsapp group the support network at CY has been welcomed more than ever for our independent consultants.

The meeting this month started with some celebrations including Harriet surviving another round of home schooling, Noel getting a score of 100 on university challenge and Amanda getting her short story published.

We had the pleasure of Mike Croft running the skills session around the SPICE framework. He showed us his snappy new set of tools for people development in these challenging times.

A stark study by Consultancy.co.uk showed that most businesses wouldn’t use a consultant again – as they can’t quantify the impact that was made and this was one of the driving forces in developing The Spice Framework.

There are two main questions that are addressed with the SPICE framework;

How to deliver an accessible, user friendly solution for ongoing development

How to evidence behaviour change from development and measure impact in a return on investment

With a mobile first solution, these five principles are adopted with simple and integrated tools:

Connect People

Blended Resources

Accessed Anywhere

Ongoing development

Infographic reporting

We then got to see the tool in action, and the members had lots of questions for Mike.

A great proposition and a product that can work really well for consultant’s clients.

To learn more about the SPICE Framework please visit: https://spiceframework.com/

Don’t make change a thorny issue!

As Heraclitus, the Ancient Greek philosopher said,

“The only constant in life is change”.

So, true. 

Not a day goes by when we find that we need to change the way we think or do something. Internal or external factors, people or inanimate circumstances … many situations influence our personal and working lives.

In organisations, change is a necessity. It’s required for growth and in some cases, simple survival – think Covid-19! Without change, an organisation will stagnate - even fail, especially if competitors adapt more quickly to keep ahead of the curve, grow and develop resilience to weather the next storm. 

Yet, many SMEs fail to change: often their leaders don’t see it as necessary – “we’ve done it this way for years – why change it now?”, or they and their teams lack the confidence or skills to implement the changes effectively.

In fact, managing change has a poor track record, 50-70% often quoted for initiatives failing, whilst alongside, change is often perceived as stressful and fearful. But none of this has to be the case. 

But change doesn’t need to be a thorny issue!

Our practice-based approaches highlight that embedding a few simple steps can help create greater positivity and better outcomes.

By having a focus on People and Processes … underpinned by great communication and people engagement – success rates improve, the crux being effective, inspiring leadership. 

Why? Well, change leadership focuses on people – an organisation’s greatest asset; the heart and working cogs of the organisational machine, and people have to ‘go with you’ for change to be successful. Change management [models], whilst also important, focus on process steps and tools to implement the changes.

We’ve witnessed success and happy teams where leaders:

… communicate openly - why the change is necessary, its purpose, the benefits, the potential challenges, whilst listening to others – not being tunnel visioned!

… promote collaborative working, engaging all areas within the business, encouraging them to share their thoughts and contribute ideas … as its often the frontline teams that have the solutions to issues!

… believe in what needs to be done, their behaviours aligned to the initiative, showing dogged determination to over the challenges and practicing what they preach – not the complete opposite which undermines the situation!

… ensure changes are introduced in manageable and digestible stages, to allow effective monitoring and embedding … so they don’t drop off the cliff!

So next time you need to implement a change – don’t make it a thorny issue: consider the above, to help make your journey successful.

Jane Fisher

 e: jane@janefisherassociates.co.uk

m: 07837 024374

w: www.jfamanagementconsultancy.co.uk

Cyber Security for Independent Consultants, Contractors and Freelancers

At the February meeting we were treated to a very entertaining and educational Skills Session delivered by Steve Frost & Colin Whalen on the topic of Cyber Security.

Following on from Colin’s introduction and overview , Steve delivered the main body of the  presentation.

The key areas covered during the presentation included:

• Risks and Threats

• Top Tips to Mitigate and Defend

• Trusted Resources

The Risks & Threats section highlighted the vulnerability of professionals who regularly work from home or out and about in the wider community. 

Areas for awareness & concern included:

The ‘free’ wifi at a coffee shop or during a stopover at a hotel.

The charging points at shopping centres, train stations and airports.

Lost or stolen devices, (Phones, Laptops, etc), which could potential allow access to sensitive data.

Another noteworthy consideration was the fact that most people never get around to changing the default passwords on home wifi networks, smart devices and the whole ‘Internet of Things’, (IOT), that we often find ourselves surrounded by.

What are the security implications of this lack of action?

Are you part of a ‘Supply Chain Attack’?

Are you subject to ‘Social Engineering’?

Have you been ‘Phished’ or ‘Smished’?

Have you been ‘Pwned’?

The second area of discussion was how and what we need to Mitigate and Defend against.

Being vigilant and remembering not to automatically trust that any communication is genuine - even if it appears to come from a trusted source. 

Steve provided the attendees with a handful of key strategic ‘best practice’ actions that we could all implement straight away. Once again, these actions were both relatively simple to get right or wrong. The common denominator in either a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ outcome was the human interacting with the communication.

Best practice actions to help Mitigate & Defend included:

Be Suspicious.

Keep your Software (OS and Apps) Clean and Current.

Manage your Passwords correctly. 

Protect your Data.

Create a ‘security aware’ Client Relationship. 

The Skills Session was very well received by Consult Yorkshire members, who unanimously agreed that this was a subject that was worthy of digging a little deeper into.

With this in mind, perhaps we could arrange a follow up Skills Session to be delivered later this year?

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more information regarding Cyber Security for Independent Consultants, Contractors and Freelancers, please contact Steve Frost on the following details:

s.frost@firesand.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-frost/

If you wish to do further research into this area - please see the Trusted Resources:

National Cyber Security Centre
Helping to make the UK the safest place to live and work online 

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home 

Words, transformation & wellbeing for freelancers and consultants

“The unknown is the only place where you can create - you cannot create anything new from the known”

Dr. Joe Dispenza

When events occur the ground beneath us shifts, it is an uneasy feeling and many of us in the last year have had to respond to wave after wave of unknowns, find new ways of working, create opportunities and balance home life… dare I even mention homeschooling?! 

Systems and routines we depended on are no longer ‘functioning' in the way they once did - they haven’t disappeared they have changed but they supported us in our way of life, our plans and aims. Our livelihoods.

We can decide at any moment in time when to move with change, and hard as it may be, change - the kind we want! - begins with a single thought.

For change to be possible we need awareness around patterns in our thoughts.

Self-talk is my numero uno go-to in client sessions when they are keen to get out of a pickle. The words you mutter to yourself audibly or in your mind have an incremental influence on your beliefs, patterns, actions, habits... ultimately your destination. 

As the saying goes “where attention goes, energy flows".

Here are a few classic remarks that cycle through those spinning wheels… 

"This is XYZ fault"

“If this hadn’t happened then I would be OK”

“This always happens to me”

"I cannot find a solution" 

"I will never succeed unless XYZ (insert the condition)" 

How many times a day do you do this? 

Try keeping a tally on your desk for just a few hours, or a day.

Even casual mind talk, if we subtly berate ourselves here and there, over time will direct our decisions, actions and outcome. 

Creating greater awareness around our thoughts and for thoughts to be resonant with the desired outcome supports the incremental changes we want.

Quality thoughts rich in kindness, that support a neutral or positive feeling and behaviour, have a profound effect on our habits and the discernment that we bring to our decision making.

Start simple.

Every time you catch yourself berating or doubting acknowledge the thought. Allow-it to be there without judgement of good or bad. A tall order, I get it! 

If something doesn’t go the way we want instead of providing a body of evidence for your inner critic committee, disrupt it, take a breathe and ask:

'is this really true?' or simply ‘Cancel, cancel, cancel’

It is enough to create awareness of when you are doing this. Repeat the question 'is this really true?' 2-3 times, or more if necessary. 

Enquiry is wonderful way to neutralise and disrupt the inner “labelling.” 

You may be surprised how many times a day you do this? 

To relearn and disrupt a pattern, a well-trodden path of behaviour is to bring about change.

What nourishing thoughts will serve you? Back you, bolster you? 

Words carry power and so often we share our best quips and supportive one-liners for friends & colleagues. 

The exercise is about letting go of a pattern that is holding you back, stalling change and transformation in your work and personal life.

Words are powerful conductors of change. Wield your tools with grace, discernment & kindness, beginning with you.

Warmest wishes,

Adele @ Concept To Creation

www.concepttocreation.co.uk

adele@concepttocreation.co.uk

New Year - New Opportunities.

It was fantastic to see many of our Consult Yorkshire colleagues in attendance for our first official meeting of 2021.

The opportunity to meet remotely was warmly welcomed, especially during a month where Yorkshire has seen some very ‘interesting’ weather and travel conditions.

Following on from our regular informal networking and introductions, we moved on to the Skills Share section of the meeting.

This month we welcomed our guest speaker Katie Wytwyckyj - a Business Engagement Officer from the PAPI Project based at the University of York.

The PAPI project is a Product and Process Innovation program that provides funding to support innovation and business growth (ERDF) to eligible SMEs.

PAPI assists SMEs that are based in North & West Yorkshire and are looking to innovate through the development of a new product or service.

During her presentation, Katie covered the following key areas:

• Geographic areas served by the project.

• Key sectors supported.

• Size of grant funding available.

• The provision of fully funded Innovation workshops.

• The grant application process.

• Case studies of previously successful applicants.

The presentation was well received by members of Consult Yorkshire, many of whom are based or have clients that are based within the program catchment area.

Aside from our guest speaker, we had a couple of existing members who discussed new projects that they are developing. It’s always inspiring to see fellow consultants and freelancers proactively making positive steps into new ventures.

Perhaps the key takeaway from our January meeting should be:

Even though the whole world is currently experiencing a major global challenge, a regional network of likeminded professionals can still provide the support & feedback to help you onto the next stage of your professional development.

If you are a Yorkshire based Freelancer or Independent Consultant and are looking to connect with friendly and forward thinking like minded professionals, then please do get in touch with our team.

Alternatively, if you would like to find out more information about the PAPI Project, please use the following contact details:

Tel: 01904 328076
Email: papi-project@york.ac.uk

Outside Inset.

Outside Inset is an innovative approach to teacher professional development for academy staff, developed by Amanda Vickers and Jane Fisher, two Consult Yorkshire members. Jane and Amanda both have their own consultancies but have come together to create this initiative.

Outside Inset is THE alternative approach to teacher CPD: here is what we say about it on the JFA Associates website:

https://www.jfamanagementconsultancy.co.uk/outside-inset/

Break from past approaches to release the hidden talents within your team with the help of our experts from the world of business.

Our change-makers share their strategies, skills and mindsets to meet the needs of school leaders who want to create a dynamic organisation, whose staff flourish whatever the situation.

Our facilitators and trainers are not teachers or educationalists. They bring an external perspective into your academic environment, using powerful, tried and tested strategies to benefit all.

Programmes are tailored to your needs, as every organisation is different. Every session we deliver is distinct – designed to meet the most challenging budget. They’re not off-the-shelf solutions or your traditional National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) programmes. They’re unique. A blend of innovative, inspirational and interactive programmes shaped by our professional business network offering learning from other contexts.

From bite-size, quick win sessions to whole Inset days, our programmes can be delivered on-site or remotely.

Outside Inset has been well-researched with staff, headteachers, and Multi-Academy Trust colleagues, and a pilot to deliver a demonstration Wellbeing session proved highly successful:

Relaxing session. Very much needed after a tricky day! Good that interactive activities were included. Thank you.     Angela Wilde, Class teacher

Good to try out techniques, reflect on day and think about tomorrow. EYFS teacher.

It was a useful session that gave real life strategies that were easy to implement. It was good to work through the strategies during the session. Delivered by trainers who understood the school context.    Angela Fahy Deputy Headteacher

I like that it was interactive and you talked us through these techniques. They were easy to use in any situation and easy to share with others – ie. children in class. Class teacher.

Most teacher development activities are presently delivered by educationalists including former teachers, but our research with academy staff showed that they would welcome sessions delivered by alternative providers with a broader experience of Leadership, Change Management, Wellbeing and Teamworking; experts who can offer cross-sector thinking and insights.

Consult Yorkshire members are invited to contribute to our professional development programme to share their expertise in our four themes above.

If you would like to explore the potential for this, please do contact Amanda or Jane. 

amanda@amvicltd.co.uk jane@janefisherassociates.co.uk

Outstanding Online Presentations

It’s that time of year again when the team at Consult Yorkshire normally get together for our annual Christmas meal and to celebrate the highlights of our year.

In any ’normal’ year, we would hold our December meeting during the morning - with coffee and homemade mince pies (courtesy of Mrs Shepherd) appearing near the top of the meeting agenda. 

This year, for obvious reasons, our Christmas meeting was hosted via Zoom.

As problem solving and change management is a big part of what we do at Consult Yorkshire - adapting our meeting & working practice has been a challenge that we collectively embraced.

This month we were treated to a selection of best practice suggestions by international speaker David Abbott.

David delivered a skills session on Outstanding Online Presentations. 

This covered aspects of how to run the best presentation possible over your platform of choice, be that Zoom, Teams, or Skype.

Key advice and takeaways included:

• Technical audio and visual set up options.

• Promoting an online event.

• Best practice for time keeping.

• How to keep an audience engaged when you are not physically in front of them.

• How polls and Q&A’s can help to create a more interactive presentation.

Although unable to deliver his scheduled presentation live during the meeting due to other professional commitments - David took time out of his busy schedule to prerecord his Skills Session.

David can be contacted via his profile page or you can view his prerecorded presentation on Youtube.

If you are a Yorkshire-based freelancer or independent consultant do get in touch. You’re welcome to attend our monthly Zoom meetings, held from 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month or join us for the current casual ‘Coffee Break’ catch-up every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

At the end the end of the meeting we all agreed that digital mince pies are not as good as the real thing! 

We are are all looking forward to the time when we can meet in person again. Until then, enjoy the holidays and we look forward to catching up in the New Year.

Optimising your online Presence - November meeting

It was a full house during the Consult Yorkshire November meeting.

With Yorkshire and the rest of England in the middle of Lockdown 2.0, our Zoom networking event was busy from the get go.

Following on from the warm informal chat and introductions - group members and visitors moved onto our ‘Skills Share’ session.

This month we were treated to a timely presentation on the topic of ‘Optimising your online presence’. 

Delivered by CY members Jane Fisher & Sharon Stacey, the session addressed the challenges that have arisen from the often forced transition to online meetings & training during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Sharon approached the subject from the perspective of vocal health and projection. Participants were encouraged to practice warm up exercises and body posture techniques that can aid both the projection of the voice in the online workspace & the long-term health of the vocal cords and folds.

Jane addressed the subject regarding the potential physiological & psychological downsides of being sat down, staring at the screen for long periods of time. In particular, highlighting the symptoms of digital eye strain and the negative outcomes of poor body posture.

If you would like to dig a little deeper into the subject of ‘Optimising your online Presence’, both Sharon & Jane can be contacted via their profile pages on the Consult Yorkshire website.

Alternatively, if you are a Yorkshire-based freelancer or independent consultant do get in touch. You’re welcome to attend our monthly meetings, held from 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month or join us for the current casual ‘Coffee Break’ catch-up every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.