January Newsletter 2009

In this issue

We lead in this newsletter with an article on the power of feedback, how to overcome the challenges in collecting it, accommodating individuals' reactions to it, and how to put it to best effect.

Despite the difficult economic conditions, demand for our software and services remains strong.  We have three new collaborations to announce; two using our Talent 360® software, Optima Group & PH7 Consulting, and Saffron Interactive, a leading e-learning player.  We have also made another key appointment to the management team.

We are also announcing the availability of our updated Feedback Training Course.  On-site and one and a half days in duration it includes the development of questionnaires and key behavioural indicators, feedback role play, advanced applications of 360 and more.  Contact us here to request pricing and a full course outline.

New customers include Trapeze group and Fife Constabulary, both for our Talent 360® software.

We would like to invite you to the Annual Association of Business Psychologists' Conference in May where we will be presenting a case study on the subject of identifying and progressing those with high levels of leadership potential. See later for more details.

We've started our own 'blog' (who hasn't these days) and it's a great way to share thoughts and experiences quickly and as they occur.  Deliberately provocative and (unlike others) not sales-oriented, our blog focuses on examining the underlying rationale for conventional wisdom to see if it still stands.  Join in here.

Finally, we have brought together a wide array of different rating scales that are commonly used in performance and behaviour based reviews.  Access this tool below, with our compliments.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and if you would like to discuss any items within it, please contact me, Ian Lee-Emery, on 0845 054 2364 or 'reply' and your note will find its way to me.

The Impact of Feedback

Feedback, in its various forms, is an invaluable source of input for individuals, teams and organisations.  However, we all react differently to feedback, it may not be provided genuinely and many are uncomfortable in discussing it.

Yet feedback is a very powerful and surprisingly cost effective mechanism to assess and develop us as individuals, and the business as a whole.

Tools that make gathering and using feedback are available for organisations of all sizes and business benefits can be accrued without the need for full-blown or complex enterprise systems.

Here we touch on the people and technology aspects of feedback to show how it can be used effectively, the pitfalls to look out for and how feedback-centric HR processes can help employees to receive meaningful reviews of their performance, construct focussed training plans and set realistic career aspirations.  For the organisation, being able to collate and compare results can direct the overall skills development plan and individual training and succession plans.  Read our article here.

Using 360 to identify Leadership Potential

We have been invited to share our experiences of using 360 for 'high-stakes' applications such as Succession Management and Leadership identification.

Amanda Johnson of Hertfordshire Constabulary joins us at the Annual Association of Business Psychologists' Conference (May 7th-9th) and will be explaining how the Constabulary make use of and overcame the obstacles of applying 360 reviews to more than solely personal development planning.

The Conference, entitled 'Business Psychology in an Age of Austerity' will feature four streams:

• Adapting to the downturn
• Well-being in hard times
• Business psychology in practice, and
• Developing business psychology.

Find out more here.

Other news:

Optima Group partners with Head Light Communications

To support the launch of OptimaRQ, their relationship-based psychometric, Optima Group have selected Talent 360® as their delivery platform.

Following an extensive review of the market of 360 tools, Optima Group concluded that only Talent 360® had the flexibility, power and reporting capabilities required by their psychometric instrument, and demanded by their blue-chip clients.

Do contact them on +44 207 440 3000 or http://www.optimaabr.co.uk/

Saffron Interactive partners with Head Light Communications

Head Light Communications and Saffron Interactive have entered into a marketplace co-operation agreement whereby we will bring each organisation’s capabilities to the client base of the other. 

Current clients will benefit from a trusted referral of proven products and services. New customers will be able to acquire a broad and cohesive portfolio currently not available from any other provider.

Saffron Interactive is a leading provider of bespoke e-learning design and development services and enjoys a high profile and influential position within the HR and Training community through its exclusive Advance 100 programme.

Do contact them on +44 (0) 207 092 8902 or http://www.saffroninteractive.com

pH7 Consulting partners with Head Light Communications

pH7 provides business psychology and HR consultancy services, supplying professional advice and bespoke solutions to companies seeking to improve the performance of the people in their business.

They are using our Talent360® software to provide their clients with highly customised feedback programmes.

Do contact them on +44  (0)1375 482147 or www.Ph7Consulting.co.uk

Another key appointment at Head Light Communications

As the company continues to develop and grow, we are expanding with the appointment of another key leadership team member.

Debbie Hance joins the team as Head of Business Psychology and brings with her 13 years' international consulting experience.  She  has worked in both the private and public arenas, across a range of sectors including central and local government, professional services, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals, law practices and financial services. 

She specialises in assessment, personal development, training, competency modelling, 360-degree feedback and performance management.

See our web site here for more information.

Resources & Articles

The following resources and articles are available as pdfs on our web site:

Review Rating Scales Tool - select the scale that's right for your assessment.

Talent & Employee Engagement - you can't ignore the connection!

Are your Talent Management processes fair? - advocates and saboteurs!

Choosing your assessment strategy - which assessment instrument?

Keys & Eyes - designing 360 questionnaires that will really tell you something.

Positioning 360 - creating 'pull' from the business for a 360 feedback programme

Introducing a 360° Review - Keys to success

What 'good' looks like - finding a consistent way to describe it

Appreciative Inquiry - a technique for extraordinary results

Motivation to change - dealing with different attitudes to change

Competences & business planning - developing competences to deliver a business plan

If this newsletter is the first you have seen, past issues can be found on our web site in Media Activity.