PurpleLine Consulting

An article in The Independent - Secret Agent - a day in the life of an estate agent, recounted the experience of appraisal time at the office.  Their experience is sadly all too common - and across all sectors.

It’s that time of year – end of year reviews. Managers are walking around looking more pre-occupied than ever and complaining about how much time they take up and about HR chasing them up for completion information.

Want to start the year as you mean to go on? Then focus more of your time on your strengths.  You will enjoy what you do and be more productive.

Several people I know who work in large organisations were informed before Christmas that their jobs are redundant or ‘at risk’ of redundancy because of organisational plans – to cut budgets, change the way they are delivering products or services or some other reason.

At a recent Cambridge Network event I had the pleasure of meeting Megan.  Megan works for Innovia Technology, which helps large organisations like Shell, Nike and Proctor and Gamble come up with new product ideas. 

I still cherish a note from the managing director of the company I worked for 20 years ago.

Fast Company, an American business magazine, has interesting and thought provoking articles and often takes a very challenging approach to aspects of people management.

Have you seen those ‘motivational’ pictures that organisations display in reception areas or training rooms? You know, the ones with a symbolic picture – eagles soaring over the Andes, for example – and a quote about attitude or excellence. Do they work?