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Ready for Christmas?

Okay, Christmas is coming – and I’m usually on BBC Radio letting you lovely folk know what to get as presents….

This year, I’m going to do it slightly different. I’m going to recommend a few presents over a few blog posts – with some reasons why you should get that as a present for a friend, family or loved on.

So first up – it’s a book! – I’ve recommended it before – and I’ll be honest, many of you didn’t listen – so this is the last time I’ll mention it! (Actually it probably won’t… I will mention it again – because I think it’s soooooo important you read it).

It’s the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***

Honestly – one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Really made me challenge my thinking. Really made me think! – and I can say, I was a lot more happier and focussed since I read it. I’ve got it on my shelf and will be reading it again very soon.

Now – I’m recommending you buy this book and give it as a present to people who like to read – who need a little motivation – who need to think differently – who really need to not give a f*ck in life!

Now – I’m not just recommending the one book – I’m going to share 2 books with you!

Me personally…. I’m going through a thousand thoughts…. I’ll let you know what they are…. basically, if you’re reading this, you probably know I work for Coca-Cola EP and have done so for the past 10 years! – That’s right….10 YEARS!!! – Damn!…. in addition… I’m at that stage in my life where I’m thinking… how long have I got left… don’t worry, nothing happening to me, but it’s like – I’m not getting any younger, I’ve had a close friend pass away, there’s a lot to do in life, right? – so with all these thoughts going on…. I’m picking this bad boy of a book up over Christmas…

Now one thing I want to point out is I have loved the 10 years at Coke… and I’m saying that, because if you’ve read this book, then you’ll know the bit about the commentator… and how he was moved to another sport.

Who Moved My Cheese was first introduced to me at Kodak. Absolutely loved it the first time I read it – and love it today.

So there you go – 2 books for Christmas.

I’ll share some other Christmas present ideas in my next blog post…. don’t worry, it’ll be before Christmas lol

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Bal’s Friday Thought…

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Bal’s Friday Thought…

Had a lovely note from someone today…. saying thank you for your positivity.

I do intend to look at the positive side of things… usually asking, what’s the worse that could happen!?!

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Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation with Mark…

Did you know – it was 15 years ago that Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook invited five people to his room at Harvard.

Why?

He wanted to talk about a business opportunity.

Only two went to meet him – and accepted the challenge. Those two are now billionaires.

Dustin Moskovitz ($6.5bn) and Eduardo Saverin ($3.4bn).

So, when someone wants to talk to you about a business opportunity, listen and open your mind… who know’s what can happen….

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Shopping

2019 Black Friday Sales…

Yes, that’s right – Black Friday is nearly upon us… or is it?

Well… actually it isn’t. It started last week! That’s right – the likes of Amazon and others, started with their sales last week…. when they dropped the price of their Amazon Echo Dot down to £22…. and lots of other items right down in price!

Just seems to be getting earlier and earlier…. Now… whilst, I’m not going to tell you what the best offers are, or how to shop during Black Friday Sales… make sure you know what you want and that you’ve checked the price of it -what it was before the sale, what it was for the past year or so… and most importantly… is it really a bargain?!

Bal, how can I check the prices?

Well – you have several options… for me, I’d recommend – https://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/ – where you can check what the price has been before and if it’s really a bargain.

For example… check the price of an iPad Pro…

that’s right… down to £399! Now – you can check the biggest price drops and you can check your items.

So… enjoy Black Friday Sales… hope you get the bargain you want, and make sure, you don’t go too crazy!

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Bal’s Friday Thought…

Are you able to give a little extra?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

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Thank you for staying…

I’m not talking about a hotel stay – where at the end, they say thank you for staying with us. I’m talking about work.

If you are a manager, people manager… when was the last time you said to someone – Thank you for staying.

Bal – do you think people are naturally looking to leave?

Not naturally, but let’s be honest, most people, are looking for alternatives. Want to do better. Want to move on. Yes, there will be a section of the workforce that want to stay… however, this thought was provoked within me, when a few weeks ago, someone was leaving… and we were like, oh… we’ll miss you, etc.. and then someone else stood there, and we jokingly said to them – thank you for staying!

Image result for thank you for staying with us

Is everyone looking to leave? Do you really want some people to stay?

Well, your top performers, those who are doing well for your organisation and those you want to stay – should be thanked for staying.

I’m not saying, you go out and say thank you to everyone for staying. Choose wisely. Target the individuals whom you want to stay.

Studies show that there’s a high percentage of high performers that will not like becoming comfortable. They want to be challenged. They want to experience new things. They will look for opportunities – and if they don’t receive them, then guess what – they will look elsewhere for them. They could even move continent!

Image result for high performers graph

That’s right – not just moving job, but moving state/region, moving country… and 28% moving continent!

Ok, but in a time frame – what’s the likely hood of a top performer leaving?

Image result for high performers job opportunities

1 in 5! – intend to leave in the next six months!!

So just imagine what saying thank you for staying, could do to them….

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

This week, I was invited to give a talk about Leadership at the CIO London Event.

It was a fab event, thoroughly enjoyed it… and sharing one of the slides as my Friday thought…

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4 day work week anyone?

This morning, as you do… I’m having my English Breakfast Tea, scrolling on my social media and noticed that Nico Orie shared a brilliant article on LinkedIn.

Firstly, go follow Nico on LinkedIn, and secondly – you got to read the article he shared… for those wondering what it was – it was that Microsoft in Japan, trialed a 4 day work week, which meant, the employees had every Friday off.

What this meant was staggering! Productivity increased by 39.9%! 23% less electricity being used!

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Here’s the link to Nico’s post – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicoorie_microsoft-japan-experimented-with-a-three-day-activity-6596854917795852289-81UI

And here’s a link to the actual article that showed the information – https://www.inc.com/betsy-mikel/microsoft-japan-experimented-with-4-day-work-weeks-to-combat-overwork-results-were-pretty-incredible.html

So I started to read up a little more – it seems like there’s a number of companies that are trialing this 4 day week, with a Friday off…. and all the results show an increase in productivity. Why?

Because – firstly, this allows many employees to do things on a Friday that they struggle with during the week – for example, seeing the doctor, going to the bank (though many do online banking, a few still go to a bank), having the car MOT’d (if you’re in the UK, that’s mandatory), and many more things that you delay to the weekend or would have to do after work.

Also, it changes the mental attitude. Most of us complain about how short the weekend is. Now… you’ve essentially got an extra day! – the whole work life balance just got that little bit better!

Will we all move to adopt the 4 day working week – I don’t think it’ll happen overnight, but can definitely some companies and industries moving to this model. Some won’t be able to – because the way they are structured or how their business models work.

I’d like to take this opportunity, on this Monday morning to show my support for a 4 day working week! – And let the productivity increase commence!!