Tag Archives: facilities management

end of another week

Where does the time go? I’m so busy at the moment that the weeks are just flying by. Life seems like an hour glass; as you get into the second half the sands seem to run through more quickly maybe?

Years of learning, often the hard way, to manage my time well pays off in trying to make my days effective and I do try to make time for quality things, whether that is people time or me time. These are the things that make it all work out and help me through the things that I’d rather not have to do.

Making each day a mixture means that I can always finish off with the thoughts that I’ve had some fun and learned something along the way.

They may be quick days but, in general, they’re happy ones.

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bullying by colleagues and what you and the boss can do

An email yesterday somewhat preempted the column I wrote on Friday for my Monday Musing for publication tomorrow (10th January 2011), but I’d like to deal with the specific issue here.

Your boss should not be allowing any form of bullying or harassment, but that does not mean that the victim has no need to do anything themselves. Most of these problems in the workplace are mind games; they are about power and control and many, as in the case in question, can seem very innocuous from the outside.

The problem referred to me is in regard of a colleague who has what I can CJ syndrome. For those not familiar with the world of Reggie Perrin, CJ was his boss, and a running gag through the books and TV series went something like; Reggie “I’ll see you at three on Wednesday”, CJ “Fine, Tuesday at ten”. Whatever Reggie suggested, CJ would want something different, and the email to me was about someone who has a similar problem with a colleague who is always changing meeting times for no apparent reason or finding an excuse for wanting them cancelled at the last-minute.

For me this is classic control freak territory and it is being done for no other reason that to have the upper hand. The perpetrator is getting a kick out of being difficult, so what can you do?

Well, as we’ve established, these things are about control, and part of the problem here is that you are allowing yourself to be a victim of the other person’s actions, so be prepared to make a stand.  In many of these cases it isn’t always easy for the boss to see the problem, so complaining is not always the right answer. If you do the boss has to speak to the other party about the issue and, at that stage, the boss is establishing both viewpoints, however distorted they may be. Do you want them just to act on hearsay? Well, yes you do, but they shouldn’t;t if they are a half decent boss.

What they might do is to tell you to get everything in writing and copy it to everyone concerned. OK, if it’s a direct order then you’ll have to do it, but it isn’t likely to work. The first problem is that it is you who is doing all the writing and that is a waste of your time as well as everyone else’s who has to read what you’ve written. The second problem is that, if your protagonist is one of those who is really unpleasant they will turn this against you. I’ve investigated many bullying and harassment cases and can assure you that the really nasty pieces of work love it when their victim gets into putting it all in writing.

No, you are far better off taking the matter on through your normal ways of working. Don’t let them divert or distract you because your performance will suffer and then you have another problem with your boss looming. Stick to your own agenda. Arrange the meetings with colleagues and, if your tormentor wants to change things, say no and hold the meeting without them. Yes there will be some issues, but tough it out. It soon becomes apparent that they are a pain and behaviour will change. You will never become pals, but if they know that they can’t get under your skin they’ll give up on you and try someone else. When you see who that is, help them overcome the problem.

It is difficult when someone is trying to undermine you, but try to fight your own corner. You have friends and family who can help take your mind off these issues and make you feel good. Whatever you do, don’t sink to the other person’s level; be true to your own standards. Office jerks may seem to do well, but that is an illusion that they like to foster and, while they have you under their thumb, it may look that way to you. Get out from under and you’ll see them for what they are, and that is probably the way everyone else sees them as well.

Keep the faith and feel free to write for advice. I’m happy to help.

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Networlding Masterclass: 7 Steps that successful networkers know and you need to find out

When and Where

Thursday 10 March 2011

0900 to 1700

Village Hotel Swindon
Shaw Ridge Leisure Park
Whitehill Way,
SN5 7DW  Swindon
United Kingdom

Why you should attend

You will discover why:

  • attracting followers is a fallacy that leads to your time being wasted and your productivity suffering
  • your true network, when you discover it, improves your net worth
  • you will never need to go to a boring, valueless networking function ever again

You will learn how you can:

  • stand out from 3 billion people who will trade/be active on the internet by 2020
  • cut your marketing and sales costs by as much as 50%
  • harness the true power of social networking most people will never discover

Who should attend?

If you are an adviser, accountant, board member, SME business owner, consultant, educator, entrepreneur, executive, intrapreneur, lawyer, leaders, manager, not-for-profit leaders, practice leader, politician, though leader, social entrepreneur, speaker, team leader or trainer – you will gain massively from being part of a networlding group.

Click on the link below for more details and to book your place. Early booking discounts are available.

Swindon Networlding

For SME business owners, non-profit organisations, the WHO is always the final challenge when it comes to finding key influencers and customer groups (or fund givers for non-profits).  Limited marketing budget is the reason many SMEs choose to attending networking events in the hope of chancing on a sale. Why rely on chance? As a community of Networlders, we create a Thoughtful Social Networking experience, both in person and online, to help you to build:

  • better business faster (business growth or a thriving non-profit organisation)
  • better collaboration for innovative ventures (better, faster, stronger)
  • better career faster (career growth)
  • better personal lives faster (personal growth)

Networlding helps you to cultivate advocates for your brand

  • Create great content
  • Get talked about
  • Build a tribe
  • Become a trusted resource for your customers
  • Make it easy for people to find, try and buy from you
  • Make your brand understood, relevant, credible and remarkable
  • Make meaning and create an insanely great customer experience


Networlding is a proven methodology that helps you to grow your network relationships and identify connections and key influencers that matter.

Assuming you are clear about the WHAT, WHY, WHEN and HOW of your goals … you should have a list of WHO’S WHO that you feel can help you (your primary connections).  We are not talking about who you would pay to help you.  We are talking about advocates that will tell others how remarkable you are.

What they say about Networlding

“I have always found myself frustrated with business networking over the years and never really sure why. I have give of myself and done my best. Often coming away with massive numbers of contacts, but this has rarely turned into solid business. Today I think I found out why.  With Networlding you learn from the ground up how to present yourself according to your values and most importantly how to find and keep hold of those precious contacts that suit those values; the ones who will bring you real and valuable future relationships. The ones who care about you not just crash and burn business. In short how to find the other ones like you! What a revelation. Kwai certainly know his stuff and can demonstrate this with personal success too.

And it was obvious I was not alone when the revelation came. Every single person in that room was not only convinced but was by the end of a single day passionate about making each other’s lives better. I have never seen that in any networking group of any kind and I have done them all.  So if you are frustrated with the vapidity of the 50 people in one room but need more than meeting the same six to twenty people over and over again. Can I suggest you consider changing your approach entirely. Don’t be a networker, be a networlder. Take the training day, like I did and work out just where you might have been wrong all these years!” – Jeremy Cobb, Owner of want2change and hypnoslim

“Like all other sectors, charities can benefit from thoughtful social networking.   Kwai’s networlding masterclass is a lovely way of beginning to get your head around the potential for your charity and how you might move forward in good company.  I am thinking through how best we can develop from it.  Thank you.” – Dr Rhetta Moran, Matron, RAPAR

“Superb day! Much of it very different to what I do now.  I see it will enable me to reach so many more people.  Many thanks.” – Roger Jackson. Business For Breakfast Knutsford.

“A must do. Very thought-provoking.” – Ken Lee. BusinessLink Northwest Skills Advisor

“Very interesting and well presented event which promoted great exchanges.” – Eileen Coldrick.  Owner at http://www.worksmartvpa.com

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Daylight Analysis Software being developed for Security Camera Analysis | FM Expert’s Blog

An interesting Facilities Management blog that you might like to take a look at.

Daylight Analysis Software being developed for Security Camera Analysis | FM Expert’s Blog.

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Education vs. Experience – The Trump Blog

You’ll find this topic here and there amongst my blogs here and on Monday Musings (ThatConsultantBloke). Given that many graduates I meet these days don’t actually have a great education then I tend to favour experience, but the Trumpster has a valid point here, and you don’t build a business empire like his unless you’re right more often that you’re wrong.

See what he has to say here: Education vs. Experience – The Trump Blog.

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10 things to do with business cards

Some free advice with 10 top tips over on the Gulfhaven web site Click here to check them out

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The tale of That Consultant Bloke – how I got the tag

People keep asking, so a short video clip telling a little of the background to the That Consultant Bloke name tag. Filmed on the laptop rather that my Flip cam. Click on the link below to check it out on YouTube.

The tale of That Consultant Bloke – how I got the tag: The tale of That Consultant Bloke

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cabinet mobile phone ban

About time too. If you are at a meeting you are there for a reason, and leaving your mobile (cell) phone on is both rude and unprofessional.

It’s rude because you should be respecting your colleagues and devoting your full attention to the meeting.

It’s unprofessional because your job for the duration of the meeting is to participate in the meeting.

Distractions like phones should play no part. Turn them off and put them away out of sight. No leaving them on the desk in silent mode; switch off and put away. The world isn’t going to stop if you’re off the airwaves for a couple or three hours.

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a good day really

I woke to blue skies and sunshine and the 13 year blight of the champagne Marxists finally over. Despite the weather on the South coast being none too good I signed up a new client for one of my business mentoring packages so, all in all, it’s been a good day really.

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getting the best from Powerpoint, part 2

For those of you that have enjoyed my 10 tips on getting the best from Powerpoint, I do a spoof presentation to illustrate the worst ways to use it with some discussion and examples of good practice. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like me to come along and present to your team or group.

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