Moving Past the Status Quo: A New Take on Performance Reviews
For most of us, “performance review” triggers memories of formal sit-downs and stiff ratings, often feeling more like a ritual than a real opportunity for growth. But for SMEs, they are where agility and a close-knit culture are core to success, and there’s a chance to turn this typically dreaded exercise into something meaningful. Reimagine…
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The Human Side of Change: How to Get Your Team Onboard During a Major Business Shift
Change is inevitable especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When it comes to navigating a major transformation—be it adopting new technologies, restructuring, or shifting strategies—how you manage the human side of change can make or break the outcome. While large corporations often have extensive resources to handle transitions, SMEs can leverage their agility to…
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Why Small Businesses Need Agile Thinking to Thrive: An SME’s Advantage
Running a small business comes with its own set of unique challenges, but what if those challenges were actually your biggest strengths? Businesses that can think quickly, adapt on the fly, and keep innovating are the ones that succeed. And guess what? Smaller companies are already set up to do exactly that. This is where…
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Beyond Surface-Level Recognition: Cultivating Real Connection Through Personalised Feedback
It’s easy to fall into the habit of only acknowledging the “big wins”. The real key to a connected and thriving team lies in the everyday moments we often overlook. Research from Gallup and Workhuman reveals a striking insight: just 13% of employees feel confident they know how their colleagues prefer to be recognized. This…
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Finding the Right Leadership Style: A Deep Dive Into Unconventional Insights
As a business owner or entrepreneur, your leadership style defines the trajectory of your company’s success, employee engagement, and overall culture. But finding the “right” leadership style isn’t about following a rigid template—it’s about understanding the nuance, blending techniques, and using your natural tendencies to get the best out of people. While many articles discuss…
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Why Emotional Intelligence is Key for Business Leaders
The role of leadership has transcended traditional boundaries. It’s no longer just about managing numbers, closing deals, or driving projects to completion. While technical skills and strategic thinking are critical, there’s a growing recognition that emotional intelligence (EI) is the secret weapon in the arsenal of successful business leaders. The Growing Relevance of Emotional Intelligence…
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Flexing the Future: Why More Aussies Are Embracing Flexible Work
The Australian workplace is undergoing a metamorphosis, with a growing number of professionals seeking out flexible work arrangements. This trend is driven by a confluence of factors, including advancements in technology, evolving demographics, and a heightened focus on achieving a healthy work-life balance.Here are some of the reasons behind this surge in flexible work and…
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Building Managerial Capability: Key Questions for Better Leadership
One of the most pressing challenges managers face is the lack of time. Often, they juggle their own responsibilities while supervising others, navigating bureaucratic processes, and resolving mini-crises. Amid this, weeks can pass without significant progress. However, for managers aiming to enhance their leadership, taking moments for critical self-reflection can drive meaningful change. Our capability-building…
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Address Poor Performance Metrics by Implementing KPIs and Optimising Processes
As a business owner, nothing is more frustrating than seeing poor performance metrics and feeling unsure about how to turn things around. These metrics are more than just numbers—they represent the health of your business and its potential for growth. We understand these frustrations deeply, and we’re here to help you not only address but…
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Bridging the Skills Gap: A Growing Owner’s Frustration
In Australia, the skills gap has become a critical concern for business owners across various industries. As the market continues to evolve, the need for specialized skills is more pressing than ever. However, many Australian business owners are increasingly frustrated by their inability to find workers with the necessary expertise to meet their growing demands.…
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Work-Life Balance: The Key to Happier, More Productive Employees
The concept of work-life balance often feels like a distant dream. The constant pressure to be available 24/7 can take a toll on employees’ mental and physical health, leading to decreased productivity and job satisfaction. However, research consistently shows that employees who enjoy a healthy work-life balance are happier, more engaged, and ultimately, more productive.…
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SMEs Facing Revenue Declines: Why Now is the Time to Rethink Business Strategy
As small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia grapples with declining revenues, many are holding back on growth and shifting their focus to sustaining operations. The latest SME Sentiment Tracker by Fifth Quadrant and Ovation reveals that 40% of SMEs have experienced a drop in revenue compared to last year. Sectors like distribution, retail, production,…
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How to Weather the Storm: Preparing Your Small Business for Economic Uncertainty
Let’s face it, running a small business is a rollercoaster. You’re constantly hustling, adapting, and hoping for the best. But economic uncertainty can feel like that first drop on a rickety rollercoaster – scary and unpredictable. A report by The National Bureau of Economic Research found that small businesses are twice as likely to close…
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Did You Know? 80% of small businesses survive the first year. Here’s How to Beat the Odds
Starting a business is exhilarating yet challenging. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just diving into the world of business ownership, the statistics can be daunting. According to SBA, 80% of small businesses survive the first year. However, only about 50% of small businesses survive beyond the fifth year. While these numbers may seem discouraging,…
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Planning for Long-Term Success: Sustainable Growth Strategies for SMEs
Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) chase short-term gains. But for true longevity, SMEs need to prioritise sustainable growth strategies. This means building a solid foundation that fosters long-term success while adapting to evolving markets and customer needs. Why is Sustainable Growth Important for SMEs? Here’s why a focus on sustainable growth is crucial for…
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Standing Out In The Crowd: Win The Local Talent War
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly battling for skilled workers in your local market? You’re not alone. Attracting and retaining top talent is a major frustration for businesses of all sizes. According to a McKinsey report, 82% of executives surveyed believe that their companies will need to hire new talent over the next five…
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Key Performance Indicators – Its always the critical few.
Understanding Key Performance Indicators Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics used by organizations to measure their progress towards achieving specific goals and objectives. They provide a snapshot of performance, highlight areas that need improvement, and help drive strategic decision-making. When it comes to KPIs, the principle of “the critical few” is crucially important. The…
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From Frustration to Focus: Conquering Strategy Implementation with Resource Alignment
The fire burns bright: you’ve identified innovative strategies to propel your business forward. But then comes the pit in your stomach – the struggle to translate those brilliant ideas into reality. This blog post tackles the two biggest roadblocks on your innovation journey: aligning strategies with resources and the fear of making irreversible mistakes. The…
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Maximising Return on Talent: Unlocking Potential in the Digital Age
Organisations are constantly seeking strategies to maximise return on talent. As the competition for skilled professionals intensifies, companies are realising that investing in their human capital is crucial for sustainable growth and success. In this blog, we’ll delve into the concept of return on talent and explore how businesses can leverage it to drive innovation,…
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How SMEs Can Adapt Business Models to Changing Consumer Preferences
Staying relevant means being agile and responsive to shifting consumer preferences. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges in this regard, often lacking the resources and infrastructure of larger corporations. Almost 70% of consumers believe that behaving inconsistently is being human and that it’s totally acceptable. However, by leveraging strategic approaches and insights, SMEs…
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Competitive Strategies for Navigating Established Players
Navigating the competitive landscape in today’s cutthroat business environment can feel like traversing a minefield, especially when facing established market leaders. We understand the challenges businesses encounter when vying for market share against entrenched incumbents. Drawing from our expertise in competitive intelligence and strategic positioning, we’ve compiled actionable insights to help you thrive in the…
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How to Achieve Consistent Performance: A Guide for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) with CPC
The journey of an entrepreneur is exciting, but fraught with challenges. A report by Forbes Advisor paints a concerning picture: over half of small businesses cut costs in 2022. This highlights the ongoing struggle with achieving consistent performance, a key ingredient for long-term success. Inconsistent performance can erode customer trust, hinder growth, and ultimately threaten…
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Navigating Change: Why SMEs Struggle and How to Overcome It
Change is inevitable. However, for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), embracing change can pose unique challenges. From limited resources to fear of disruption, SMEs often find themselves grappling with the complexities of change management. Let’s explore five common reasons why SMEs struggle with change management and provide actionable tips to help them navigate through it…
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Upskilling and Reskilling: Examples for the Future-Proof Workforce
Upskilling vs. Reskilling: Understanding the Difference Upskilling refers to enhancing existing skills and knowledge within your area of expertise. This could involve learning new software, mastering advanced techniques, or deepening your understanding of industry trends. Reskilling, on the other hand, implies acquiring entirely new skill sets to transition into a different area of focus within…
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SME Concerns: Rising Costs, Staffing Shortages, and the Path to Resilience
Recent studies highlighting the anxieties of SMEs regarding rising costs, staff shortages, and retention paint a sobering picture. For these vital engines of our economy, these challenges are more than just statistics – they’re daily hurdles threatening their survival and growth. But, in my experience as a Performance Consultant, I see not just difficulties, but…
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Failing to Adapt to Change
Failing to Adapt to Change: A Performance Killer (and How to Get Back on Track) Change is not just inevitable, it’s essential for peak performance. Companies that cling to outdated practices and resist change risk falling behind competitors who embrace innovation and agility. The prevailing 70% failure rate of most organisational change initiatives adds pressure.…
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Building Business Capability: Navigate Your Course to Market Domination
Businesses need more than just grit and determination to succeed. They require robust business capability, a strategic blend of skills, processes, and resources that empower them to deliver exceptional value and achieve their aspirations. Defining Your Business Capability Compass: Think of business capability as your organisation’s unique roadmap to success. It encompasses core strengths like: …
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Unlocking Team Potential: Why Psychological Safety Training Drives Success
Organisations seeking sustained advantage must foster environments where employees thrive. Traditional performance improvement strategies often overlook a crucial element: psychological safety. This concept, beyond mere physical safety, refers to the belief that one can speak up, take risks, and learn from mistakes without fear of negative consequences. Cultivating this belief within teams unleashes remarkable results.…
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Navigating the Dynamics of Organisational Culture and Change Management
The synergy between Organisational Culture and Change Management holds the key to a company’s triumph and longevity. As a company deeply entrenched in the world of performance consulting, we’ve had a ringside seat to witness how businesses can truly transform and prosper when they get the delicate balance between these two elements just right. …
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Escape the Performance Plateau: Tap into Human-Powered Success!
Is your business stuck spinning its wheels? You have the vision, the products, the passion – but something’s holding you back from that next level of growth. Maybe your team’s firing on different cylinders, leadership needs a tune-up, or your culture feels more like a stale baguette than a tempting sourdough starter. We’ve been there.…
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Charting Your Course: How a Clear Strategy Drives Business Growth
As an SME owner, you’re likely juggling countless tasks and responsibilities. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, neglecting the crucial step of strategizing for long-term growth. But having a clear roadmap in place can be the difference between success and stagnation. The Power of Strategy: Increased Focus and Clarity: A well-defined strategy provides…
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Middle Managers: Unsung Heroes of Organizational Performance
Often overlooked amidst the fanfare surrounding senior executives and the diligence of frontline workers, middle managers occupy a critical yet understated position in the organizational hierarchy. These individuals serve as the bridge between the strategic vision of top leadership and the day-to-day operations of the workforce, playing a pivotal role in translating plans into action…
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Elevating Consistency: Chalon Performance Consulting’s Key Role in Building Organizational Excellence
Achieving and sustaining consistent performance requires a strategic approach. Let’s explore how integrating services from CPC can amplify your efforts in developing organizational capability and culture for peak performance. Customized Strategy Development: CPC specializes in tailoring strategies to meet the unique needs of each organization. By leveraging our expertise, you can craft a roadmap that…
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Unveiling the Power of Consistent Performance with CPC
Competition is fierce and expectations are high, so achieving consistent performance is the key to long-term success. Let’s delve into the realm of sustained excellence, exploring how Chalon Performance Consulting stands out as a beacon in guiding organizations toward unparalleled and reliable success. The Essence of Consistent Performance Consistency is the cornerstone of any triumph.…
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Unveiling Organisational Dynamics: A Deep Dive into Schein’s Organisational Culture Model
Organisational culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the identity and success of a company. Edgar Schein, a renowned organisational psychologist, (widely acknowledged as the father of modern organisation culture), introduced a model that delves into the depths of organisational culture, providing invaluable insights for leaders and managers. Understanding Schein’s Model Schein’s Organisational Culture…
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Navigating Success: The Imperative of a Clear Business Strategy for Busy SMBs
Running a small or medium-sized business (SMB) can feel like steering a ship through turbulent waters, especially when daily operations demand your immediate attention. In the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook the compass that guides your business: a clear strategy. Let’s explore why taking the time to chart your course is not just…
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Navigating Business Success: The Dynamic Synergy Between Culture and Strategy
The interplay between organisational culture and strategic vision stands as the linchpin of success. The widely circulated adage, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” reverberates in corporate circles, but its true essence often eludes understanding. Let’s unravel this complex relationship and explore how these two vital elements collaborate to drive businesses forward. The Misconception: Demystifying the…
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Maximizing Profits and Potential: The Strategic Impact of Investing in Workers
Companies are constantly seeking ways to innovate, cut costs, and boost profits. While various strategies exist, one approach stands out as a true win-win: investing in workers. According to a groundbreaking study by McKinsey, organizations that prioritize both performance and people can reap significant economic rewards, with the potential for a whopping $1 billion in…
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Maximizing Returns: Measuring the ROI of Skill-Based Hiring Strategies
Traditional methods of evaluating candidates based solely on resumes and qualifications are becoming obsolete. Skill-based hiring has emerged as a revolutionary approach, focusing on a candidate’s abilities and competencies. So, how can businesses ensure that investing in skill-based hiring strategies delivers a significant return on investment (ROI)? Let’s explore the importance of measuring the ROI…
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Navigating Labor and Skill Shortages: How Chalon Performance Consulting Can Elevate SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of economies worldwide. In Australia Small and Medium sized companies account for over 99% of Australian businesses according to the ASFBEO. The vast majority (93%) of these businesses have a turnover of less than $2 million. The rising challenges of increasing costs and labor and skill shortages…
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The Power of Diversifying Revenue Streams: Navigating a Volatile Market
Companies face numerous challenges due to market volatility. Fluctuating consumer demands, economic uncertainties, and unforeseen disruptions can significantly impact a company’s financial stability. As businesses strive for stability in uncertain times, diversifying revenue streams has emerged as a vital strategy. Let’s explore the benefits of diversification. Risk Mitigation: Building Resilience in Uncertain Times Diversifying revenue…
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Build Your High-Performing Team with these Strategies and Best Practices
There’s nothing quite as vital as having high-performing teams. Teamwork isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce that fuels innovation, boosts productivity, and propels organisations toward success. But crafting and nurturing these teams isn’t as simple as waving a magic wand. It takes thoughtful planning and dedication. Let’s explore the strategies and best practices…
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The Evolving Role of Middle Management in the Professional Landscape
The role of middle management is undergoing a significant transformation. Gone are the days when middle managers were seen as mere intermediaries between top-level executives and frontline employees. Instead, they are now becoming pivotal players in organisational success, driving employee satisfaction, performance, and overall well-being. The Significance of Middle Managers Middle managers have often been…
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Recognising Cultural Barriers to Professional Leadership Development
Leadership development programs are crucial for nurturing and enhancing the skills and capabilities of professionals in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape. However, many of these programs fail to take into account the influence of a company’s culture and organisational context, as well as the role of senior leaders in shaping that context. This oversight…
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Leading with Purpose: The Key to Professional Success and Fulfillment
Image Source: FreeImages Professionals constantly seek ways to navigate challenges and achieve success without sacrificing their well-being. Traditional leadership models, such as servant leadership, have been crucial in promoting a more compassionate and human-centered approach to work. As the landscape evolves, it may be time for leaders to adapt and embrace a more impactful and…
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Creating a Culture of Accountability: A Guide to Building a Blameless Work Environment
In the modern workplace, mistakes are inevitable. Whether you’re a startup founder, a team leader, or an employee, it’s essential to foster an environment where individuals feel empowered to take risks and learn from failures without fear of blame or punishment. A blameless culture promotes collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. Redefine Failure as Learning…
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Embracing Uncertainty: Rita McGrath’s Discovery-Driven Growth
The traditional approach to strategic planning no longer guarantees success. As markets shift, technologies advance, and customer preferences change, organizations must learn to navigate the uncertainties and risks associated with growth and innovation. One of the groundbreaking concepts that has gained prominence in recent years is “Discovery-Driven Growth,” introduced by the esteemed business strategist and…
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Unlocking Middle Manager Success: Five Steps to Enhance Organisational Performance
“Creating the right atmosphere for middle managers to be the “force multipliers” they are meant to be is not a trivial endeavour.” According to a study by Gallup, companies that effectively develop their middle managers achieve 96% higher levels of employee engagement compared to those that don’t. Higher employee engagement leads to increased productivity, lower…
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The Value of Professional Assistance in Assessing Your Business: Unlocking Growth Potential
Assessing the current state of your business is a critical undertaking that requires a comprehensive and objective approach. While it is possible to conduct this assessment internally, seeking professional help can significantly enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the evaluation process. This article highlights the importance of professional assistance in assessing the current state of…
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10 Key Organizational Shifts for MSMEs
Today is world MSME day. According to the latest ASBFEO report, the economic contribution of small business to the Australian economy has topped half a trillion dollars. The value of small business to the economy surged by 15 per cent in 2021-22 to $506 billion and accounts for one-third of Australia’s GDP. The report also…
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Leadership as Alignment Champions: Driving Success in SMEs
In the realm of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), leadership plays a crucial role in fostering organizational alignment. When leaders act as alignment champions, they create a strong foundation for success, driving the entire organization towards a shared vision and goals. In fact, research shows that SMEs with strong leadership alignment are more likely to…
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Unlocking the Competitive Advantage Within with Employee Empowerment
Organisations are continually searching for ways to gain a competitive advantage. While traditional strategies focus on product innovation, cost reduction, and market positioning, there is a powerful yet often untapped resource that can propel companies forward: employee empowerment. Employee empowerment as a competitive advantage is closely intertwined with strategy development. When employees are empowered, they…
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Strategic Foresight: Navigating the Uncertain Future
In the present climate, all organisations – particularly MSME’s, are faced with the challenge of planning for an unpredictable future. The traditional approach of relying solely on historical data and linear projections is no longer sufficient. Fortunately, there is a powerful tool called strategic foresight that can assist organisations in navigating this uncertainty. Strategic foresight…
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A change in culture is essential for every corporate transformation
All companies continue facing unprecedented challenges. Disruptive technologies, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing competition are just a few of the factors that are causing companies to rethink their strategies and operations. One of the most common solutions is to embark on a business transformation journey, where they restructure their operations, adopt new technologies, and…
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Mastering the Art of Strategic Planning: Unveiling the Key Frameworks for Organisational Success
In today’s competitive business environment, strategic planning has become a crucial element for organisations striving to achieve long-term success. It goes beyond simply envisioning goals and requires a systematic approach to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing market. In this article, we will delve into the key frameworks that can help organisations master the art…
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Nurturing a Strong Organisational Culture: Insights for SMEs
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, building a strong organisational culture is critical for the success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to a study conducted by Deloitte, “organisational culture has a clear link to corporate performance.” The study found that companies with strong cultures had a 51% higher employee retention rate and…
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10 Significant Changes that Businesses Must Adapt To
Global consulting firm McKinsey has identified ten significant shifts that organizations must address, including increasing speed and resilience, finding a balance between in-person and remote work, making way for AI, tailoring employee value propositions, building institutional capabilities, matching top talent to high-value roles, self-aware and inspiring leadership, making meaningful progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion,…
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Building Stronger Capabilities Through Effective Talent Management Strategies
In today’s competitive and constantly evolving business landscape, it is essential for organisations to have a robust talent management strategy in place. Talent management encompasses various initiatives and processes aimed at recruiting, developing, nurturing, and retaining an organisation’s most critical asset – its people. By leveraging effective talent management strategies, organisations can build stronger capabilities,…
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Turning Your Strategic Vision into Reality: Tips for CEOs and MDs
Having a strategic vision is an essential part of running any successful organization. However, as a CEO or MD, it can be challenging to turn that vision into reality. It takes a lot of teamwork, organization, and planning to execute a strategic vision successfully. Below are ideas on how to turn your strategic vision into…
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How to Drive Your Employee Feedback Strategy Forward
Employee feedback is an essential part of any successful business. By actively engaging with employees and gathering their feedback, businesses can better understand the needs of their workers, work teams and workplace, to improve engagement and boost productivity. Let’s discuss driving your employee feedback strategy forward and creating a more engaged and productive workplace. …
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Challenges and Opportunities of “Talent Tightrope” for SMEs amid Economic Uncertainty
The economic downturn has upended the job market in ways nobody could have predicted. Businesses of all sizes are trying to find new methods to stay open and productive, as job seekers scrabble to find positions in industries that are facing unprecedented challenges. While economic uncertainty makes it tempting for companies to reduce expenses, hiring…
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Thriving in Turbulence: Strategies for Leading Your Company in a Dynamic Environment
Thriving in Turbulence: Strategies for Leading Your Company in a Dynamic Environment Change is the only constant in today’s business landscape, and companies must equip leaders to handle these dynamic environments. More than merely reacting to change, influential leaders anticipate, embrace, and capitalise on the evolving landscape. As a CEO or MD, developing strategies to…
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Management Principles From Edgar Schein
Management Principles From Edgar Schein As a professor emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Edgar Schein dedicated his career to researching and teaching topics related to organisational development, change and innovation. His work on teamwork, culture, and leadership has significantly impacted how firms approach management today. Here are five management principles from Edgar…
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The Top Challenges Faced by SMEs Today
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many economies, accounting for a significant portion of employment and economic output. However, despite their importance, SMEs face a number of challenges that can hinder their growth and sustainability. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top challenges faced by SMEs today. Talent Acquisition…
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How To Elevate Leadership With Meeting Curation
Organisations and teams of all sizes have embraced meeting curation to become more effective, efficient and organised. Meeting curation is actively managing meetings’ content, structure and flow to ensure they are productive and meet the desired outcomes. Elevating leadership through meeting curation is a skill anyone can build. What is Meeting Curation? Meeting curation is…
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The Advantages of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the Workplace
As business leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that our organisations are diverse, equitable and inclusive. These three practices are essential components of a successful organisational culture, as they can create a positive environment for employees while also leading to increased productivity and profitability. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of diversity,…
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Leveraging External Expertise to Boost Leadership Development
Excellent leaders take a long time to develop. Based on research by the Brandon Hall Group, businesses spend more time and money on leadership development each year than on any other aspect of human capital management. However, just 33% of businesses claim that their leadership development programs are successful in creating new leaders who can…
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How To Improve Employee Retention
For the majority of firms, how to improve employee retention is a critical and urgent issue. People leaving can be due to a variety of reasons, and sometimes those reasons are beyond your control. However, many solutions to resignations are well within your control. This leaves businesses with a tough dilemma to deal with. Organisations…
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Turn Your Can’t To Can
Everyone can practically turn their can’t into can. However, sometimes people don’t or won’t attempt to do so. Why is that? There are four reasons some people say they can’t do it or won’t attempt according to leadership writer and editor Bill Abbate: Lack of desire, lack of motivation, fear of failure, and little to…
Read articleCase Study on Performance Improvement – Training Situation
Performance Improvement Case Study – Training Situation Overview The client organisation is a leader in the provision of banking and financial services in Singapore. While successful in achieving business growth, the issue they grappled with was in their HR. As the company expanded in the region, it had to send more of its managers to…
Read articleCase Study on Performance Enhancement
Performance Enhancement Case Study – an intervention designed to take up opportunities Overview India’s largest independent and premier law firm needed its organisational capability. This is to cope with the spectre of international law firms entering the Indian market within a 3–5-year timeframe. The family-run law firm had enjoyed a leadership position in the market…
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Two Major Advantages Of A Learning-Centered Culture
An organisation has a strong workplace learning culture when all of its employees are encouraged to learn about the company’s principles, rules, and practices as well as how to better their own skill sets. Few owners and managers understand why providing employees with opportunities for development in a wide range of seemingly unrelated skill sets can…
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Five Ways to Lead a Productive Team
No one really willingly leads a team that is unproductive. Creating cohesive teams that consistently come up with clever solutions causes leaders a great deal of difficulty. However, despite having the best intentions, many of the methods used by leaders to enhance teamwork are not very successful. Leigh Thompson, a management and organisation professor at…
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How To Thrive in the VUCA World
Business leaders must develop three competitive advantages for their organisations to thrive in this VUCA World: insights, commitment, and execution. With the Ukraine war, inflation, and the pandemic in recent years, we can all agree that we are already in the volatility age. There are two types of emerging business leaders according to McKinsey: Leaders…
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How To Build Your Organisational Capabilities
Organisational Capabilities Defined Harvard Business Review defines organisational capabilities as the “collective skills, abilities, and expertise of an organization—is the outcome of investments in staffing, training, compensation, communication, and other human resources areas”. Organisational capabilities develop when a business satisfies its employees’ combined talents and abilities. Companies Focus on How To Build Organisational Capabilities According…
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Training That Promotes Learning In The Flow of Work
Creating Training that Promotes Learning in the Flow of Work LIFOW or Learning in The Flow of Work conceptualised by Josh Bersin, contends that learning resources must be accessible inside the learner’s workflow in order for continuous learning to occur. According to author Asha Pandey, employees learn most effectively when they are expected to apply…
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5 Reasons Why Employees Quit
There are 5 Reasons Why Employees Quit The Great Resignation, coined by Anthony Klotz- University of London’s school of management, was sometimes referred to as the “Big Quit” and the “Great Reshuffle.” Workers have started deliberately leaving their jobs in considerable numbers beginning in early 2021 in Western countries, China, and India. Possible explanations include…
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Culture: The Only Corporate Defining Factor
Culture is the Only Corporate Defining Factor. We all appreciate corporate creativity and executives who create revolutionary new products, reimagine how people access goods and services, or come up with new approaches to engage and delight consumers. However, it is our responsibility as business leaders to create and maintain the company culture, which is the…
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How Analytics help Winning Teams
How Analytics help Winning Teams According to MIT Sloan senior lecturer Ben Shields, “as a side effect of that rapid change, there’s now a “deluge of data” created about how employees collaborate and get things done.” Organisations adopted digital platforms and tools to help their employee groups in the transition to remote work. Shields and…
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Culture is the Hidden Catalyst of Change
Your executives come to the conclusion that the company needs change. Soon after, the higher-ups send out statements filled with vague content. The confused employees adapt because the company “needs to be agile” in everything they do. However, after a few months, hardly anything significant has improved. According to Stokum and Corbetta, that is “how…
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Strategy Should Reflect Corporate Purpose
Previously, companies assumed their ‘ultimate purpose’ as ‘serving the needs of the shareholders. Even the U.S Business Roundtable issued the “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation” in August 2019, which says “a corporation exists for the benefit of all stakeholders”. When the Roundtable came to the realization that no one sector is the emphasis…
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Four types of workers that destroy teams
It is a perpetual challenge to create and keep high-performing teams, and it became even more complicated with the pandemic. According to Price, “when team dynamics are healthy, it’s easier for people to be happy at work”. Thus, they are more productive and effective. However, leaders can no longer use traditional or older approach. Change…
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A Paradigm Shift Delivers Vastly Improved Performance
A Paradigm Shift Delivers Vastly Improved Performance. A 2,000-ft bridge in Norway was built using 3D models, unlike other large-scale building projects. They omitted the usual two-dimensional construction blueprints, which show how contractors translate designs into final projects. This is a new technique for planning and building projects. This method helps save time and money…
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Three Roadblocks to Strategic Planning
As time passes, a plan will need to be continually updated; Therefore, dubbing strategic planning a “big lie”. According to Kenny, another complaint is that “strategic” planning isn’t actually “strategy” at all. Corporate as usual takes over, and the innovative thinking that underpins ambitious business actions is pushed aside. The strategic planning process has a…
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Culture should support its mission and strategy
Culture should support its mission and strategy. Purpose has recently become a critical component of running a business, serving as the guidance and impetus for all firm actions. However, there is often a significant disconnect between a firm’s purpose and what its people experience; therefore a simple communication campaign touting the excellent new company purpose…
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How To Prevent Hybrid Work From Breaking Company Culture
It’s difficult to sustain a unified culture when most of your employees regularly work from home. The ‘hybrid work’ approach to work has been proven to greatly affect company culture. A Harvard Business Review (HBR) and PwC’s Global Culture Survey found that employees who remotely work felt more excluded and found it hard to sustain…
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Healthy Office Politics
HBR’s (Harvard Business Review) analysis demonstrated that disengagement with workplace politics is a result of a toxic culture. Negative politics can have a nasty downside and can derail relationships and performance. And once it becomes part of the organisation’s culture it can be exceedingly difficult to remedy. Among the negative experiences were exclusions from informal…
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Workforce Ecosystem Management
What is Workforce Ecosystem Management? MIT Sloan Management Review and Deloitte define Workforce Ecosystems as a structure that aligns business and workforce strategies. Successful leaders are understanding the complexity of these workforce ecosystems and modifying their management techniques to support these new systems, according to this report, as firms increasingly rely on both internal and…
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Be Prepared For The Next Wave Of Covid
“The pandemic is not done, and corporations must be prepared for whatever the pandemic throws at them next, with the Omicron BA.2 strain and its progeny growing prevalent and protection to infections and immunisations fading.” Patricia Toro, Jeff Levin-Scherz, and John M. Bremen According to the authors, most of us suffer from pandemic fatigue after…
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Change Exhaustion, Do Something!
Adapted from: HBR| Managers, What Are You Doing About Change Exhaustion? | By Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien “Change fatigue. Resilience fatigue. Agility fatigue. WFH fatigue. Video-conference fatigue. Online schooling fatigue. Restriction fatigue. Conflict fatigue. Fatigue fatigue. 2020 – the international year of fatigue.” (digital health consultant Simon Terry) When the pandemic hit, everything…
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5 Practices for an Inclusive Hybrid Workplace
5 Practices for an Inclusive Hybrid Workplace A hybrid workplace paradigm combines in-office and remote work to provide employees with flexibility and support. Employees in a hybrid workplace often have more autonomy and a better work-life balance and are therefore more engaged—building a more productive, healthy, and stable workforce that benefits employers. When developing hybrid…
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Toxic Rock Stars
“Research has shown that toxic cultures cost U.S. companies almost $50 billion per year, and toxic culture was the single biggest predictor of attrition during the first six months of the Great Resignation.” Purushothaman and Stromberg. Yes, toxic rock stars can deliver today but one cannot ignore the long-term impact of these culture bullies on…
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Tackling Cultural Transformation
“The bottom line for leaders is, if they do not become conscious of the cultures in which they are embedded, those cultures will manage them.”—Edgar Schein Here’s the truth. The majority of businesses do not have a firm grasp of their culture. Others don’t even consider it worth assessing the culture. According to Skip Richard,…
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Human Performance Improvement Can Transform Businesses
Human Performance Improvement Can Transform Businesses. A small business should consider the tremendous financial impact that employees will have on the organizational bottom line. Employees are one of the leading expenses for a small business and should therefore be set up to succeed based on these factors – focus, capability, time well managed, high productivity,…
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Knowing the Purpose of your Purpose
“For any individual company, determining the purpose of its purpose is fundamentally a business decision and must be anchored in strategy. Corporate purpose requires clarity about the trade-offs being made and should result in something that is internally coherent. “ Jonathan Knowles, B. Tom Hunsaker, Hannah Grove, and Alison James| HBR Knowing the purpose of…
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Distinguishing Toxic Culture
According to a 2015 Harvard Business School research, nearly fifty percent of employees who encountered disrespect at work preferred to expend less effort and minimize their hours spent working. So how therefore can leaders verify their perceptions of their company’s culture? There are factors to consider when distinguishing an actual toxic work culture. “Pinpointing the…
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Business Process Optimisation
Business process optimisation streamlines operations in an effort to increase productivity and achieve strategic goals. Based on MIT Sloan’s survey of 370 business leaders from Consumer Products Companies: 98% consider transformation a priority. 86% believe they must transform to be future-ready. 85% already have transformation efforts underway. These companies have these issues at hand: Lacking…
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Broken Culture?
“Whether it’s caused by culture clash, cultural inertia, or total toxic collapse, broken culture syndrome can sink an organisation. But there’s a cure if leaders take action”. –adapted from Douglas Ready| Does your company suffer from broken culture syndrome?| mitsloan.mit.edu There are three common triggers of a broken culture syndrome: culture clash disorder, cultural inertia,…
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Training Alone Won’t Solve Your Company’s Problems
“The go-to response for organisational issues is typically some form of reactionary training. The mantra goes like this: Design the training. Deliver it. Move on.” Sue Bingham. Training has long been regarded as the universal panacea for all performance deficiencies. However, training alone won’t solve your company’s problems. Training on its own rarely solves the…
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Competitive Advantage & its Evidences
There is this notion that in the modern world, especially in the technology sector, competitive advantage is fleeting. However, we believe in competitive advantage and its evidences. “People will always think the current time is more VUCA than any previous time because we know now how all previous times played out — thanks to history books — and we…
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Psychological Safety Works
There are a few key misunderstandings that make the difference between actual psychological safety, and psychological safety as so many organisations practice it. 1) Safety, not Comfort Leaders do not protect their team from discomfort but to protect them from harm. They help motivate and push through the discomfort and harness it for growth. 2)…
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Re-Think Healthy Working
We have been shaken by a once-in-a-century pandemic, particularly in the way we perform our jobs. However, we believe it also presents a great opportunity to do things better. Globally, the pandemic compelled businesses and employees to re-examine and restructure how to live and work while re-imagining some ways of working that were operating pre-pandemic.…
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Let Your Team Do Their Job
“When you do your team’s work for them, rather than guiding them and allowing them to grow, no one wins. Their performance will continue to be mediocre, and eventually, you will be left with a group of people who can’t function at all without your intervention,” says author Martin G. Moore. Gaining the self-control to lead rather…
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How to Clean Up a Toxic Culture
You need to develop a supportive and sustained culture of performance to attain true success. Every manager and senior executive in any company should build the right culture. Here’s how to clean up a toxic culture according to author Jeremy Andrus: In his experience, the first step in trying to solve a cultural problem is…
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SMES Staff and Customer Worries
The surge in COVID has increased not just staffing concerns but customer worries too, according to a study released by ScotPac on SME Growth Index research poll. The survey is Australia’s longest-running, in-depth research on small business growth prospects. “Staff issues were nominated as a key concern by almost half of the business owners. They…
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WIN Support for Flexible Work
“Management experts have long predicted the demise of the standard 9-to-5 workday. Thanks to the internet and mobile technology, we can now work where and when we want, they argue. “-Amy Gallo More managers and organisations are seeing the benefits of non-traditional schedules. When people are given the flexibility they need, they meet goals more…
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Boost Retention Through 6 Strategies
“There is a widening mismatch between the job environment, employees want — and now expect — and the one their organisations have. Employers need to recognise that it takes significantly longer to recruit someone than it does for them to give their two-week notice and depart. The solution, then, is to immediately bolster retention while…
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Getting Your Company’s Mission to Work
“Making a company purpose come to life is an arduous journey that requires a multi-pronged and sustained approach. The main reason for the gap between intention and reality is that it’s hard to translate the company purpose — however well-defined and inspiring it may be — into how the company operates on a daily basis.…
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Creating Psychological Safety Among High Performing Teams
“Paul Santagata, Head of Industry at Google knows that the highest-performing teams have one thing in common: psychological safety, the belief that you won’t be punished when you make a mistake. “ (Laura Delizonna) Increase psychological safety among your team by replicating the steps that Santagata took: Taking conflict as a collaborator. We hate…
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Winning Your Performance Review
Adapted from: Your Performance Review Went Really Wrong | HBR | Shyamli Rathore Many of us let our jobs define our self-worth. Any negative messages we receive about our performance hugely impact our self-esteem. This is not an uncommon feeling. “In a performance review, while you can’t control what your boss will say to…
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The Connection Between Strategy and Culture
Adapted from: Strategy& | Mastering the connection between strategy and culture| David Lancefield “The goal should be to master the connectivity between strategy and culture. They both should be anchored by capabilities—the “key activities in which you must invest disproportionately and perform distinctively to underpin your theory of competitive advantage,” according to author and CEO advisor…
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Capability-Driven Strategy
Adapted from: Strategy & Business | Paul Leinwand and Cesare Mainardi “In a survey of 500 senior Executives around the world, about 80 percent said that their overall strategy was not well understood, even within their own company.” This problem arose from the way these companies are managed. There are significant gaps between strategy and execution. This…
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A GUIDE TO OPEN STRATEGY
A GUIDE TO OPEN STRATEGY Authors, Christian Stadler, Julia Hautz, Kurt Matzler, and Stephan Friedrich von den Eichen | Adapted from HBR “Strategy is developed in three distinct phases, each of them requiring a different solution to get the balance between openness and secrecy. Whether a company wants to open up in order to determine…
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What, Who, How, & Why of Strategising
Adapted from: HBR | Demystifying Strategy: The What, Who, How, and Why | Michael D. Watkins “A business strategy is a set of guiding principles that, when communicated and adopted in the organisation, generates a desired pattern of decision making.” Michael D Watkins, What is a business strategy and what is not? When it comes…
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Diversity Counts
Adapted From: McKinsey | Vivian Hunt “New research makes it increasingly clear that companies with more diverse workforces perform better financially.” Authors Vivian Hunt, Dennis Layton, and Sara Prince reported this finding recently. They found that diversity is the probable competitive differentiator that shifts market share toward more diverse companies over time. More diverse…
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A Sense of Purpose and Community Retain Employees
“Microsoft’s recent research suggests that 41% of workers across the world are thinking about quitting their jobs. That means 59% of workers aren’t thinking about quitting. “ How do these organizations retain their employees? Author Ron Carucci gathered some insights from his interview of HR Executives that three practices appeared to be common across companies.…
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12 Technology Trends Essential for Small to Medium Scale Businesses
According to a Human Resources and Non-Profit Management Expert, Perla Jones, small businesses have to understand the impact of technology trends to help their company find the right solution to stay productive and competitive. Implementing the right solution is critical to the increasing investment in technology nowadays. Complete Mobile Experience- The company website has to…
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Using Evidence as Basis in Managing Organizations
A Combination Rather Than Simple Remedies. Research shows that strong organisational performance is developed when fuelled by a combination of 3 or more carefully selected complementary management practices. Tendencies of executives to rely on their experiences and personal knowledge tend to lean toward isolated application and therefore turn out to be quite ineffective. Assess Current…
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Managing Your Talents Effectively
“Talent consists of those individuals who can make a difference to organisational performance, either through their immediate contribution or in the longer term by demonstrating the highest levels of potential” – CIPD Talent management is selecting, training, developing, retaining, rewarding, and helping employees. One can achieve ROI by implementing talent management with strategies using a…
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Conquering a Toxic Workplace (for Leaders)
“Corporate culture matters. How management chooses to treat its people impacts everything for better or for worse”– Simon Sinek The Leadership Reformation suggests that toxic leaders create toxic workplaces with toxic cultures. Leaders are responsible for the teams, even if the cause is a toxic fellow employee. It’s their job to correct their members’ behaviour…
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5 Myths about Strategy
Myth 1: Strategy is about the long term There are indeed industries where the competition dynamic remains unchanged for a long time. Leaders who stick to their strategy through thick and thin follow this process. However, if you think of strategy as a long-term commitment, you forget that strategy is about the fundamentals of how…
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Why Leadership Development Fails
Organisations have been spending a lot of time, money and effort to improve leadership capabilities and foster new leaders—Yet some still fail. Here are a few reasons why leadership development fails: Poor/No clarity on the “end” or outcome (Why this training)? – “We fear what we do not understand”. Organisations can adjust to this paradigm…
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World-class Performance in the New Normal
Transcription: Lorraine 0:00 Over to you. Cliff Chalon 0:03 Thank you, Lorraine. Great to be here, everybody. And thanks for taking the time to give me the opportunity to share some interesting information with you. Cliff Chalon 0:12 As you well know, we’ve entered an era that no one was expecting or wanted, in…
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How to find your ideal business advisor
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Main business consulting trends 21/22
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District32 Member Introduction: Cliff Chalon
Introduction to Cliff Chalon as a member of District 32. Cliff talks about what is world-class performance and how to achieve it.
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Top 6 financial planing tricks
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Optimize your system
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Prestige industry awards
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Business consulting ethics
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Kate Richardson
Business Systems Manager, Multi-Direct (Australia) “Cliff was commissioned to conduct a climate survey for Multi Direct. The resulting report produced from a mixture of questionnaire and qualitative answers provided management with valuable observations of our company’s climate and culture. Cliff has also facilitated a Strategic Planning workshop for the Executive Team from Multi Direct.” “This workshop…
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President & Vice Counselor, University of Selangor (Malaysia) “Through the workshop, we have been able to identify key issues affecting the organisation and we know where we are at the moment in relation to our competitors. We have also learnt about our profiles, strengths and how to develop the potential to reach a higher level…
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Director, Mercer Mooney (Australia) “I have worked with Cliff on developing new business models for the provision of HR consulting services. He was visionary in his outlook and able to translate that into a business plan that he has successfully implemented over the last several years…” “..Though having a HR background myself and receiving many…
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Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, New Delhi, India “About 10 years ago, I met Cliff when we engaged him to craft a change management policy for upscaling skills and work methodology at our firm. Over 35 partners of the firm attended this workshop; Cliff was very thorough and professional in the engagement, developing…
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HR Director, Kone Malaysia “I met Cliff five years ago when I attended a leadership development program in a former company. The workshop covered a range of topics, such as planning, performance management, motivation, communication, teamwork and situational leadership. It was truly an inspiring training program, complemented with a range of profiles, practical tools and…
Read article Iftikhar Kamaruddin
Former Senior Manager, Petronas Change Management Unit, Malaysia “When I first met Cliff some 10 years ago, our organisation was in the midst of an organisation-wide change. We already had, at the time, discussions with three established international consultancy firms with the intent of building change management staff capability for the group. The proposal made…
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Regional CFO, Altana Singapore “I’ve known Cliff for over 12 years, since the organisation required an experienced seasoned facilitator to work with our emerging leaders in the Asia Pacific region. I have organized and personally attended several of his workshops and appreciated the profiles, practical tools and frameworks shared to lock in valuable skills and…
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Former CEO, ChemCentre “Cliff introduced a structured strategic planning process that not only met our statutory needs for an annual Statement of Corporate Intent and a Strategic Development Plan but also contributed significantly in producing a commercial orientation in ChemCentre. I particularly appreciated the logical and coherent CPC framework Cliff worked within, and the way…
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Chief Corporate Services Officer, ORS Group “I met Cliff more than seven years ago when we needed someone to help us revitalise our HR function. He was very thorough, professional and shared his extensive expertise freely. The end result was that our HR function was put on track to performing as a true HR business…
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Achieving World-Class Performance
Cliff talks about his new book and explores the 10 Truths that every senior executive needs to know to leverage people and culture to achieve world-class performance.
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Explored the concept of performance consulting and the differences between this approach and traditional training and development.
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Radio Interview with Freda Liu – BFM, Malaysia: Exploring the concept of strategy and how to create one that focuses on performance.
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Is It Time For Banks To Stop Apologising And Fix Their Culture?
Interviewed by Chris about the Royal Commission report that highlighted the culture of the bank and how they must now fix it.
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The Culture Of Banks As Reported By The Royal Commission
Can’t say that I’m surprised by the recent findings and revelations of the Royal Commission into the financial sector – it’s been evident for some time.
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Any Change Must Have Value
Resistance to change is a common phenomena. Where no value is apparent, people will resist. So how can we present a clear value for change?
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Understanding Organizational Culture
While changing an organizational culture can be a complex issue to tackle, it should not be dismissed with hopes that it will evolve on its own. It can be managed.
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