In my last blog I outlined five growing pains a company can avoid; in this blog I cover five more people issues that occur when a company grows in size. When companies or departments grow in size, in terms of the number of people involved, it inevitably means changes to the way people behave and identify with the organisation.  Some people thrive on the change, whilst others find the transition really difficult. By recognising the [...]

It appears here in the UK we’ve just avoided going into a triple dip recession.  Hopefully from here on we’ll see healthy growth.  I’m certainly beginning to hear of businesses that are beginning to thrive again which is great.  However when companies or departments grow in size, in terms of the number of people involved, it inevitably means change to the way people behave and identify with the organisation.  Some people thrive on the change, whilst others find [...]

Owners of small to medium sized businesses often don’t have a clear idea of what will happen with the company when they eventually come to retire or simply want to pursue different interests.  Even when they do, they simply have trouble “letting go of the baby”. Will the company continue?  Is the company in a suitable state to be able to sell it or will it be the case of shutting the door and walking [...]

Yes I know chimps are primates, not monkeys – read on. In the past a common view was that chimpanzees are lovely and friendly little creatures that enjoy having tea parties and drinking a particular brand of tea!  It was certainly assumed they were passive vegetarian creatures.  However, over the past fifty years much has been learnt about chimps and we now know them to be intelligent, complicated, ingenious and powerful individuals.  It was Swiss [...]

You got the promotion – it’s day 1 in your new role – the race has begun! Many will seek to find some quick wins to be seen to be doing something, to gain credibility and as a show of strength.  Quick wins are good; however take those early steps with care. Research by the Corporate Executive Board (2009) showed that although quick wins were a good indicator of a successful new-to-role leader, there were [...]