Think People Consulting Ltd

It’s almost time for the 2024 AABIE Charity Ball 🕰️🌟❤️!

Tomorrow night team FPM will host this incredibly special event to raise money for AABIE, our charitable initiative here at AAB Group.

Giving back has always been an important part of our culture across the AAB Group, and AABIE is the platform that enables us to continue to do just that by seeking partnerships with charities and inviting applications from worthy causes for donations, grants, and volunteer time🌟

The AABIE Ball is set to be a spectacular evening, and we will have a full house on the night! The additional funds we raise through this event will allow AABIE to continue to help and support so many worthy causes across our communities.

Stay tuned for event updates and our final count of how much we’ve raised for AABIE❤️!

In the meantime you can find out more about AABIE here: https://hubs.li/Q02zCyh00...

🎉AAB Wealth is growing! 🎉
Our colleagues at AAB Wealth are expanding in Central Scotland through the acquisition of Synergy Financial Planning. Led by David Neely, Synergy Financial Planning supports more than 200 families in Central Scotland.

Financial planning is a process that helps you ensure that the right amount of money is available at the right times to enable you to achieve your financial goals and live your desired lifestyle.

The acquisition marks a significant step in the teams growth journey since their establishment in 2011.

Hear more from Head of AAB Wealth, Andrew Dines and Financial Planner David Neely here:

AAB Wealth expands presence in Central Scotland with acquisition of Synergy Financial Planning | AAB Group Award-winning chartered financial planning firm, AAB Wealth, has announced the acquisition of Synergy Financial Planning, based in Bishopbriggs.

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

Pride month is so important for us to not only recognise but also celebrate the work of the LGBTQ+ community around the world. This month is a time to stand in solidarity, embrace diversity and continue to support.

At AAB we are passionate about providing a workplace where everyone belongs, grows and thrives. A workplace where everyone is empowered and feels safe enough to bring their whole true and authentic self to work not just this month but every day.

It's down to us all to work together to create a more inclusive society. In the fight for rights and a more inclusive, accepting world there's still a long way to go. That's why we're more passionate than ever to work on ensuring that we create a platform that's both inclusive and meets the needs of our entire team across AAB🌈.

Around 34% of people attribute work as the biggest cause of stress in their life.

As an employer, it’s likely that the wellbeing of your teams is high on your priority list, but how can you support wellbeing and more importantly, where do you start?

Our colleague Donna Wrigglesworth at AAB People covers 3 key areas organisations should be considering for employee wellbeing, and provides advice for leaders to improve wellbeing in their workplace in her latest blog here 👉 https://hubs.li/Q02swmC20

Over the year from March 2023- February 2024 there were 2,430 redundancies confirmed in Northern Ireland.

This was over two and a half times the figure we seen in the previous year.

In the face of economic pressures and uncertainty we’re seeing an increasing number of Northern Irish organisations being forced to make the difficult decision to make large-scale redundancies. While it’s a massive undertaking it’s really important that businesses make this decision in the most practical way possible.

In her latest article Shannon Lennon Assoc. CIPD outlines key practical considerations for employers who might have to plan redundancies: https://hubs.li/Q02sqmXD0

In case you missed it- Australia has passed a new law giving workers the right to ignore work communication that comes in outside of working hours 📣

It’s therefore up to the employee if they decide they want to ignore and refuse to respond to any out of hours contact that they deem unreasonable.

There are even penalties for bosses who fail to abide by the law!

It begs the question, with us all seeking better work life balances- should we all have the right to disconnect?

In his latest article our colleague from AAB People, Black answers this very question: https://hubs.li/Q02r8WNW0”

Are you a manager looking to take your management skills to the next level? Look no further! Introducing ENGAGE - a cutting-edge management development programme designed to help managers be at their best, motivate their teams, and drive growth. 🚀

With ENGAGE, you'll gain valuable insights, tools, and strategies to enhance your abilities and propel your team towards success. From managing change to creating high performing teams, this programme covers it all.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to invest in yourself and elevate your management skills. Join ENGAGE today and unleash your full potential as a leader! 💼✨

Book now 👉

ENGAGE Management Development Programme - FACE-TO-FACE Support your managers to be at their best, to engage and motivate your teams, and to take responsibility for driving growth.

Have you heard of bare minimum Mondays?

This is a trend that encourages self-care over work priorities on a Monday. This then becomes a specific day of the week employees put in the bare minimum amount of effort before returning back to their normal working week come Tuesday.

It’s opened up a conversation on the demands of employers on employees and whether employers can do more to help employees to manage workplace stress.

In today’s article Anna Prenter looks at the growing differences between employer demands and employee expectations while providing useful tips to support employees to manage their workload: https://hubs.li/Q02klbZ20

Say hey 👋 to Rhonda Redfern, Learning and Development Consultant.

Based in our Belfast office she specialises in people development. Working with individuals who are open to new ideas and are passionate about fostering a positive and knowledgeable working environment. Helping business to thrive through the development of their most important asset- their people. Helping them to improve performance, reach their full potential and grow as individuals.

Rhonda leads our EMPOWER course which was specifically designed for people managers, HR professionals and mentors. She’ll help you to improve your performance, reach your full potential and grow as an individual throughout the 3-day programme.

Find out more about EMPOWER and take the first step to being exceptional in your ability to engage and communicate today: https://hubs.li/Q02jD8lc0

Did you know we run a management development programme?

ENGAGE is designed for both new and experienced managers. We designed the programme to be flexible- allowing participants the chance to enhance their knowledge and skills in accordance with their own career goals.

ENGAGE can be delivered virtually or face to face at our office in Belfast- we’ll leave the choice up to you!

Hear from one of our ENGAGE alumni about their experience 👇.

Find out more about what the course entails and sign up to ENGAGE today:

ENGAGE Management Development Programme - FACE-TO-FACE Support your managers to be at their best, to engage and motivate your teams, and to take responsibility for driving growth.

Do you have an employee exit strategy?

It’s a sad truth that turnover is an inevitable part of being an employer. There is always going to be a point where you might not be able to meet the needs of every single employee and they look elsewhere for that need to be met.

That being said, it is important not to ignore this fact and instead to prepare for it. Arguably having a proper process and developed exit strategy for leavers can support your organisation as it increases the likelihood of retaining talent and welcoming back boomerang employees.

So, how do you master the exit strategy? What’s involved and what is best practice?

Alongside Denis McGettigan of McKeowns, Think People’s Ursula Henderson will provide you with all the information you need in our upcoming webinar on the 14th of February. Sign up for the webinar here: https://hubs.li/Q02jNzPt0

Exciting news for AAB Group! 📣 Following two years of delivering on our ambitious growth plans, there are some changes coming to the AAB Group leadership team. We are delighted to welcome Emma Lancaster as our new Chief Executive. Find out more:

AAB appoints new Chief Executive - AAB New AAB CEO. AAB Group has today announced the appointment of Emma Lancaster as its new Chief Executive. Emma will succeed Graeme Allan who has been at AAB for more than 16 years. Graeme will remain on the AAB Group Board of Directors and transition into the role of Group Executive Director.

Working in the office.

Working from home.

Hybrid working.

What approach should organisations take?

A recent report published by the CIPD found that remote working has resulted in employees’ connection with the purpose of their organisation falling by 21%. At the same time managers abilities to effectively lead their teams is also reportedly down by 18%.

However, the same report also found that 53% organisations who offer hybrid working say they are able to recruit a more diverse workforce, and that the attraction and retention of talent is up 61%.

The positives that working from home and hybrid working bring to both the employee and organisation cannot be denied, but the negatives should not be ignored.

In today’s article Jenni Barkley looks at whether the negatives do outweigh the positives and if organisations should consider a forced return to work: https://hubs.li/Q026xzGZ0

🌟More Exciting News!🌟

We're delighted to announce that Think People will be a part of the prestigious L&DI - Excellence in Learning Awards, taking part this Friday 22nd September. 🏆

Our very own Chris Deary and Emma Emsley will be taking to the stage to present the ''Best Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Initiative'' award.

We can't wait to celebrate excellence in Learning & Development and recognise the initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusion within the workplace. 💼

Stay tuned for updates from this fantastic evening! 🙌

&DIAwards

Say hello to Rhonda Redfern, our Learning & Development Consultant 👋

Rhonda has a great deal of experience in the people development field, working with individuals from every level to identify solutions to help develop their teams and grow their business.

Based in our Belfast office, she has expertise in delivering the right solutions for her clients, no matter their size or scope. With an open-minded and a forward-thinking approach to work, Rhonda enjoys working with clients that are open to new ideas and are passionate about fostering a positive and knowledgeable working environment.

Get to know Rhonda and what she can bring to your business to help it thrive! 👇

https://hubs.li/Q022Q0Kl0

🌟 Explore the Power of Adaptation in a VUCA World 🌏

In today's ever-evolving business landscape, adaptability is the key to success 📈 The concept of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) is more relevant than ever. Change management is not just a priority; it's essential.

Are you truly prepared to navigate the shifts ahead? A recent McKinsey report suggests that many leaders aren't. Only half feel ready to respond to external shocks.

💼Our Think People Academy is here to help you build your change management toolkit. Join our interactive workshop to:

✅Conduct a robust environmental analysis.
✅Identify opportunities for change.
✅Weigh up risks and benefits systematically.
✅Engage stakeholders effectively.
✅Overcome resistance to change.
✅Master structured project management.
✅Develop essential soft skills for change management.

Get ahead of the curve and be ready for whatever the future holds. Register now for our upcoming workshop. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

Want to find out more? Read our latest blog post from Chris Deary on Managing Organisational Change.

https://hubs.li/Q022w2450

📆Registration:(https://hubs.li/Q022w0_S0)

Meet Jacqui Jolmes, our Principal for People Development. She is instrumental in the creation of our People Development workshops and seminars and works closely with client teams to scope out requirements. This includes resourcing all elements of the programme, quality assurance, monitoring, and programme evaluation to ensure that it is meeting the brief.

Delivering real change and a positive impact for businesses is at the heart of everything she does. Find out more about Jacqui and what drives her below 👇

https://hubs.li/Q021Wqs80

Why not join us this Wednesday 13th September for our ‘Mediation’ Academy Interactive Workshop?

Delivered by our Senior Consultant, Rolanda Markey and Scott Alexander of Mediation Plus, the one hour session will provide attendees with an overview of the mediation process and how it can be implemented within the everyday workplace.

Participants will gain a greater understanding of when it is appropriate to use mediation and the benefits it will have in creating a harmonious working environment. Rolanda and Scott will also cover the step-by-step process that must be followed when initiating mediation conversations, what to expect during the process and how to manage difficult situations to generate positive outcomes for all involved.

Register today to secure your space; https://hubs.li/Q021vn9y0

If you are a people manager, HR professional, or mentor who wants to…

🎤 Be exceptional in your ability to engage and communicate

🤝 Build deep trusted relationships

😀 Apply deep Emotional Intelligence with Coaching skills to hold brilliant conversations

… then we would like to introduce you to EMPOWER.

EMPOWER Coaching Academy is our latest programme which combines the most recent research & current thinking with practical tools and techniques.

Over three months you will be immersed in exercises, practice and scenarios that will build your confidence and capability. In your group you will build relationships that support and challenge you while also learning from others. At the end of this programme you will have deepened your ability to provide impactful real-time feedback, to positively address those challenging conversations and to inspire trust and motivation that helps others achieve peak performance.

Interested?

Our first session kicks off on 31 October.

Find out more and book your space today: https://hubs.li/Q021pkhg0

Join us on Thursday 21st September to gain an insight into best practices for handling employee related issues.

HR functions across the country are often overwhelmed with handling problems that could have been addressed at management level. Management do not need to have expert knowledge in HR however they must be competent enough to manage issues in an appropriate and lawful manner.

This workshop is designed to help managers, business owners and junior HR employees negotiate the often complex world of people management in line with current legislation, policy and good practice.

Places are limited so don’t delay! We look forward to seeing you!

https://hubs.li/Q021czt00

ONE MORE DAY TO GO until our first ENGAGE Management Development Programme course of 2023.

ENGAGE is a management development programme designed for both new and experienced managers. It’s a flexible programme which allows individuals to enhance their knowledge and skills according to their own goals. The perfect balance of team activities and group discussions allows managers of various levels to network and learn from one another’s experiences, and gain insights into the management practices of a range of organisation types.

Are you a middle manager looking to take your people management skills to the next level? OR perhaps you are a business owner looking to invest in your talent?

No matter the size and scope of your business, Think People are here to help you nurture your skills to help you succeed.

Why not find out more about our ENGAGE Management Development Programme? You are not too late – there are still slots available for our October Programmes! Both Virtual and Face-to-Face places are available below. 👇

FACE-TO-FACE - https://hubs.li/Q020WS8B0
VIRTUAL- https://hubs.li/Q020WMfd0

Meet Rolanda Markey, our Senior HR Consultant.

She is responsible for providing ongoing support to our clients on a variety of HR matters including employment relations, employment documentation, recruitment, training and much more.

We managed to grab a sit down with Rolanda to discuss her role and what motivates her.

You’ll find her answers below! 👇
https://hubs.li/Q0203RyR0

Acas have estimated the cost of workplace conflict to UK organisations is in the region of £28.5 billion per year.

Effective employee relations, and particularly effective management, could avoid many workplace issues, and are therefore vital to any organisation.

Organisations that prioritise effective employee relations, and take a positive and proactive approach to dealing with workplace conflict, tend to thrive and have higher levels or productivity.

So, how can this be achieved?

Essential aspects to consider include:

🗨️ clear communication
👫 promoting fairness and respect
👨‍🏫 training and development
☑️ conflict resolution
👏 recognition

Prioritising these and other essentials will help organisations create a supportive and inclusive workplace, which can help to decrease the chances of issues.

Find out more about employee relations essentials: https://hubs.li/Q01_XDVY0

Acas have estimated the cost of workplace conflict to UK organisations is in the region of £28.5 billion per year.

Effective employee relations, and particularly effective management, could avoid many workplace issues, and are therefore vital to any organisation.
Organisations that prioritise effective employee relations, and take a positive and proactive approach to dealing with workplace conflict, tend to thrive and have higher levels or productivity.

So, how can this be achieved?

Essential aspects to consider include: [pick a few of these and add a relevant emoji for each]

🗨️ clear communication
👫 promoting fairness and respect
👨‍🏫 training and development
☑️ conflict resolution
👏 recognition

Prioritising these and other essentials will help organisations create a supportive and inclusive workplace, which can help to decrease the chances of issues.

Find out more about employee relations essentials:
https://hubs.li/Q01_XdLy0

Finalists unveiled for the Insider.co.uk 2023 Deals and Dealmakers Awards 🥁🥁…

…and we are aabsolutely delighted to announce that we’ve been shortlisted for Acquisitive Company of the Year!

Over a 12 month period between April 2022 - March 2023 we acquired 6 businesses as part of our strategic growth journey. This significant growth demonstrates our ambition to create unparalleled services for our clients who we now support in more than 140 countries across the world.

The recognition from Insider is testament to the dedication from our teams who are working together across 10 locations to help our clients achieve their goals.

Good luck to all the finalists!

Celebrating Pride and promoting inclusivity within your workplace should not just be exclusive to the month of June. Instead, be a champion for diversity and equality ALL year round. This year’s theme for pride month is !

To find out more about the practical measures employers can implement to create a more inclusive workplace, click here >> https://hubs.li/Q01SvZrr0