October’s World Mental Health Day got me thinking about how well small businesses tackle this issue. In recent decades many health conditions have benefited from public awareness campaigns, resulting in more open dialogue, but mental health remains one area where employers typically feel ill-equipped to support their staff and employees often feel that they need…
Good work is good for us all
The Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, which was published this summer, was widely reported in the press for comments about the changing nature of the employer/employee relationship with the rise of the so-called ‘gig economy’. An aspect of the report that wasn’t so widely mentioned was the conclusion that “The shape and content of work,…
Equality, diversity and discrimination
Yesterday was the UN International Day of People with Disability, a date in the calendar which reminds us to think about how we make people with a disability welcome into our businesses, both as colleagues and as customers. Many small business managers are fearful of employing a person with a disability, thinking that they will…
Responsible Reputation leads to Business Book Publication
As a member of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses for a number of years, I was delighted when they invited me to talk about how my book came about for their blog. I am a real believer in the principles of responsible business practice and make every effort to adopt responsible and ethical practices in…
Childminders – Taking Care Of Business
I was recently interviewed by Childcare Professional Magazine about the business skills that childminders need to develop in order to survive and thrive at a time of enormous change. You can read the article here Taking Care Of Business Childcare Professional is the magazine of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). Their recently launched…
Why Childminding Is Like a Three Legged Stool
Recent Ofsted statistics indicate that the number of childminders in the UK has dropped from almost 60,000 in 2012 to 43,500 this year. I suspect that if you asked those who have left what was behind their decision, it’s not because they don’t love looking after children, it’s because of the challenges they’ve encountered dealing with…
The dreaded appraisal
There has been some discussion in HR circles recently about dumping appraisal processes. I acknowledge that there are often problems with the way that appraisals are conducted which make them a less than positive experience for all concerned – but let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water! There are things that can…
Maximise income, minimise expenditure
Balancing the books as a childminder is likely to involve a combination of reducing costs and increasing income. My recent blog post for PACEY – Maximise Income, Minimise Expenditure as part of their Business Toolkit for Childminders, focuses on some of the steps that you could take to help you to operate sustainably.
Darwin’s Lessons Can Help Early Years Settings
Charles Darwin once said that “It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, but the one most responsive to change”. This is likely to be true for the early years and childcare sector over the coming years. “Change-ability” should perhaps be considered our most essential business skill. In my recent Nursery World article –…
Home Business Story – Flourishing People
Jacqui Burke’s experience in the world of big business inspired her to strike out with a home business that helps smaller, local firms develop their people to be the best they can be. Read more Home Business 100 article: Home Business Story – Flourishing People
HR Post-Brexit – keep calm and carry on
The recent Brexit vote has created uncertainty in many aspects of our lives and the world of HR is one of those that many businesses are wondering about. For many who voted to leave the EU it was the imposition of EU red tape and regulations that perhaps prompted that vote. Read my thoughts about…
West Suffolk Carbon Charter Group save 300 tonnes of Co2
As a holder of the Suffolk Carbon Charter Silver Award for environmental good practice, I was delighted to join other Carbon Charter businesses for a tour of The Precision Marketing Group offices in Bury St Edmunds. The tour of their premises was fascinating. There are so many energy saving ideas built into their building and…
Playing with Jigsaw – Early Years Business Magazine
Discover ‘the real you’ as Jacqui Burke of Flourishing People gets personal with the effectiveness of your team by pulling the pieces together. To read more click here
Small business success recognised in local awards
Flourishing People was amongst a number of small businesses in the Newmarket area to be honoured at the Newmarket & District Chamber of Commerce 2015 award ceremony held at Granary Barns. Recognised for her Contribution to the Community, Jacqui Burke said “I am delighted to have been recognised in this way. My support for local community…
The Mamas And The Papas
The past couple of years have seen a whole raft of employment law changes which have already, and continue to impact heavily on small businesses – pensions auto-enrolment, real time reporting and the right to request flexible working to mention just a few. But these almost pale into insignificance when compared with the complexities to…
Exploring Emotional Intelligence
If IQ measures your intelligence, then what is EQ and is it important to childcare business leaders? In this short article for EYB Magazine article – Exploring Emotional Intelligence I lift the lid on why EQ is critical to business leadership. If you are interested in exploring your emotional intelligence why not try our Emotional…
Secure A Flourishing Future With The Childcare Business Advisers Programme
A recent Practical Pre School article reports on how the Childcare Business Advisers Programme (CBAP) offered by Flourishing People in partnership with Silver Pebble, is providing practical benefits to early years business advisers and the settings they support. More information about the Childcare Business Advisers Programme can be found here.
Flourishing People celebrates GOLD recognition
Matthew Hancock MP and Vicky Ford MEP joined representatives from the business community at a networking event in Freckenham Village Hall on Friday to celebrate my Gold Award in the Responsible Business Standard. Flourishing People was audited by James Davey, a licenced auditor with the Organisation for Responsible Business. He said in his report that…