Face Forward

There's real power in doing something nice for someone else - someone in work, a relative or a friend.  But, like many things, we often don't take the time to stop and take action.  What we forget is that those actions only take a few minutes but could really make someone's day.  So what will you do to be nice to someone today?  Yep, go on, right now! :-) ------------------------------------- 'Scott's Thoughts' is a new short-form podcast in which Scott gives his tuppenceworth on subjects in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, organisational culture and internal communications.  #buildingbettercultures #scottsthoughts #inspiringchange #creatingconnections

On this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott welcomes guest Jen Grogono to talk all things internal communications and why Jen believes every organization should start an internal podcast. Jen is the president and CEO of uStudio, an internal communications company that began as a video streaming platform. But with the launch of their app in 2018, uStudio took off to become the premier platform for organizations wanting to communicate more effectively with their workforce. Now over 100 large enterprises use uStudio’s services every day, including Nike, Morgan Stanley, Boston Consulting Group, and others. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the typical modes of internal communication: in-person meetings, email, and conference calls were disrupted, as more and more teams turned to things like Zoom to retain that modicum of communication. uStudio’s push for organizations to create podcasts to internally communicate when other modes of communication were no longer an option took off. Alt

A key part of #internalcomms success is knowing what people want and if what you're doing is meeting their (and your) needs. And the best way to find that out is to ask them. In this ep of 'Scott's Thoughts', he talks about considering how effective your communications are from three perspectives - company, team and individual. ------------------------------------- 'Scott's Thoughts' is a new short-form podcast in which Scott gives his tuppenceworth on subjects in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, organisational culture and internal communications.  #buildingbettercultures #scottsthoughts #inspiringchange #creatingconnections

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott explores the Five Pillars for a Human Workplace with his guest, Dr. Jerry Gule, who has devoted a rich human resources career to working in multiple capacities towards creating healthy, inclusive workplace cultures. As CEO of the Institute of People Management in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jerry has had a front seat on the huge challenges and transformations that have occurred since apartheid ended a quarter century ago. He has helped managers proactively enfranchise workers and invite honest exchanges. He explains exactly how effective internal communications reflect enlightened leadership and transmit a message of inclusion, purpose and safety that resonates among personnel at every level.   Over the course of a remarkable career he has evolved Five Pillars for creating an environment in which the overarching culture is a unified and affirming: Yes! The ultimate goal is to inspire cultural changes in which all boats rise together.   Jerry walks

Along with Zoom, email usage has grown exponentially as billions of people globally have been forced to work remotely.  Sadly, it's not all good email - too long, too short, too abrubt, unclear what the ask is, too many CCs, and so on and so forth. So in this episode a few hints and tips to ensure your emails hit the mark (and not the delete key!) 'Scott's Thoughts' is a new short podcast format in which Scott gives his tuppenceworth on subjects in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, organisational culture and internal communications.  #buildingbettercultures #scottsthoughts #inspiringchange #creatingconnections

In this inaugural episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott invites listeners to consider the brave new world that has suddenly arrived, thanks to Covid19. While pandemic upended lives around the globe, it also has presented myriad opportunities on every level of society – and perhaps most especially among information and other workers whose “new normal” offers all kinds of positive change.   Featuring Kevin Embrey, the visionary behind the leadership and organisational consulting firm WorkMatters, this episode deconstructs the good, the not-so-good and the abundantly possible that await us in a post-pandemic world. Flexible hybrid workplaces, increased empathy and internal communication across silos; creative approaches to differing styles of work and a new openness to hiring across geographic barriers – these are just a few of the topics discussed. Kevin and Scott devote considerable time to challenges at the fore for HR Directors and Chief People Officers, who are right now working out how to

After 12 months of Covid, Zoom and Teams have become the go-to comms channel for many companies.  It isn't always the right answer but, when it is, Scott outlines some best practice for both organisers and attendees on calls. A new short podcast format in which Scott gives his tuppenceworth on subjects in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, organisational culture and internal communications.  #buildingbettercultures #scottsthoughts #inspiringchange #creating connections

First up in this new series of short pods is the hot topic of hybrid working and a few thoughts on what Scott believes are key building blocks for success - cultures based on trust, agreed working practices to ensure good work-life balance and human leaders. A new short podcast format in which Scott gives his tuppenceworth on subjects in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, organisational culture and internal communications. #buildingbettercultures #scottsthoughts #inspiringchange #creating connections

This episode of Inspiring Change takes on a topic that is top of mind for businesses around the world: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Scott welcomes three women who are at the forefront of the conversation, offering insights on making people of all backgrounds feel welcome – and valuable – in the workplace. Hosts of the Calm Edged Rebels podcast, Advita Patel, Trudy Lewis and Jenni Field, share their expertise, experience and ideas.   The conversation covers challenges associated with educating and inspiring genuine commitment on the part of leaders, changing workplace culture and engaging employees. The guests share insights on what makes for meaningful change. The process is not straightforward. It requires clear priorities, fearless and frank conversation and a program to roll out real, sustainable change. But, as Scott’s guests explain, there are common hurdles: generational assumptions, laziness, fear and awkwardness when it comes to tackling learned behaviors. By bringing awareness, however, internal

Summary: In the post-pandemic, work-from-home world, it can be especially hard to feel like your small tasks are having any impact on the overall strategic mission of your company. But this is where alignment comes in. The brands who make an investment in ensuring their workforce is in alignment—or on the same page, strategically—can ultimately bring about better cohesion of vision. To be in alignment is for everyone to be working towards the same goal, and to understand that their place matters. And Zora Artis happens to be an expert on alignment. On this episode of the Inspiring Change podcast, Scott talks with Zora Artis about how a concrete grasp of strategic alignment can help everyone in your organization to see the “red thread” that connects all parts of the business. Alignment, Zora says, can help empower even those at the very frontlines to see the value of their day-to-day grind. It gives people the opportunity to buy into the story of the brand, and to own it for themselves. Zora explains the vario

Summary: Inspiring change in a field like accountancy might seem like an insurmountable task. We often think of accountants as boring individuals who prefer to work in gray-walled basements, refusing to interact with anyone unless they have to. But Cooper Parry’s chief people officer, April Bembridge, thinks differently, and so does Cooper Perry. On this episode of the Inspiring Change podcast, Scott talks with April all about how Cooper Parry, a Midlands- based accountancy firm, is disrupting the industry, in the best way. Throughout their conversation, April hits on how Cooper Parry’s culture has evolved in recent years to accommodate and promote diversity of thought and values, create a more creative and flexible work environment for their people, and get away from the idea that all UK companies have to be based in London to be considered relevant. The episode concludes with an in-depth look at some of Coop Parry’s company values—how these values were collaboratively created with employees over a series of

Jim Egan always knew he wanted to be in communications to connect with and inspire people. As he says, he wanted to be Julie McCoy character in the TV Series ‘The Love Boat’

Chuck has over 20 years of experience in the internal communications world and is the self-confessed cheerleader of Internal Comms. By his own admission, he’s about helping communicators to strengthen communications, engage with employees and change businesses for the better. He has worked with brands like General Motors and Rolls-Royce where he has seen the benefit that really good internal communications can have on business performance. He’s currently a Senior Advisor with SocialChorus - where he focuses on digital employee experience - and he’s also the host of the Culture, Comms and Cocktails podcast. Show Notes: 2.40 – A bit about Chuck – 5.00 – The importance of purpose – 7.30 – Culture is an interesting and moving feast – 10.00 – Focus is key to success - 17.30 – How can internal comms help to maintain cultures – 20.00 - The role of leaders and checking in on people – 24.00 – We’re starved of connection to co-workers - 28.00 – Internal Comms in small businesses - 36.30 – Making onboarding more human a

Covid Christmas Craker Podcast episode 2-part series. This is part 2 of 2. It has been a wild year with many ups and downs. And, while times have often been tough, there are silver linings on many of those clouds. We wanted to give you an early Christmas present - some REALLY practical leadership, internal comms and engagement ideas that you can take and apply in your businesses. Our guests range from large to small organisations and commercial to not-for-profit. I asked them; From a leadership, engagement and internal comms perspective, how they maintained connection, motivation, productivity and empowerment since March. TELL me what you are planning to do in 2021 within your business below️? Shout out to our guests: Pedro Angulo, Head of Performance Brendan Foley, Managing Director Dennis Doolan, Chief of Organizational Excellence Margot Slattery, Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer Leontia Fannin, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack and Jill Foundation Denise Bl

Covid Christmas Craker Podcast episode 2-part series. This is part 1 of 2. It has been a wild year with many ups and downs. And, while times have often been tough, there are silver linings on many of those clouds. We wanted to give you an early Christmas present - some REALLY practical leadership, internal comms and engagement ideas that you can take and apply in your businesses. Our guests range from large to small organisations and commercial to not-for-profit. I asked them; From a leadership, engagement and internal comms perspective, how they maintained connection, motivation, productivity and empowered since March. TELL me what you are planning to do in 2021 within your business below️? Shout out to our guests: Pedro Angulo, Head of Performance Brendan Foley, Managing Director Dennis Doolan, Chief of Organizational Excellence Margot Slattery, Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer Leontia Fannin, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack and Jill Foundation Denise Blac

Jenni started her career, not in internal communications but, having studies marketing at uni, went into more public sector communications roles. She then moved into media relations and realised quickly that what she was missing was seeing the true impact of what she was doing - PR wasn’t fulfilling enough. And so came the move into internal communications which started when she was working in an internal communications agency, got totally immersed in the industry and could see the impact that great internal communications have on people. Jenni now runs Redefining Communications, is a founding member of the IC Crowd and is currently President of the CIPR. Show notes: 3.30 – A passion for IC – 5.20 – What’s really good internal communications? – 8.00 – Challenges of communicating in Covid – 10.30 – Creating magic moments with leaders - 13.30 – The power of purpose – 16.30 – Values and behaviours - 20.00 – The importance of internal audience segmentation - 26.00 – The benefits of diagnosing communications probl

Gillian French has a passion for people and for scaling indigenous Irish start-ups. She is Chief People Officer at Cubic Telecom an indigenous Irish tech firm with 200 employees. Gillian is responsible for people strategy – ensuring that the business has the right people in the right jobs doing the right things in order to deliver Cubic’s business strategy. Prior to joining Cubic Telecom, Gillian was CPO at Car Trawler where she grew the business from 25 to 600 people. Show Notes: 3.00 – Gillian and Cubic – 5.00 – A growing passion for people - 7.30 – Are leaders born or made? – 10.15 – Leadership IS a job! - 13.30 – Things get in the way of us being our best – 16.00 – Dealing with poor leadership behaviour - 19.30 – Everyone has a role in creating culture - 25.00 – Mind your people leaders – 30.00 – The power of communications during COVID – 33.00 – Good communications is about connecting people - 36.30 – What benefits might the COVID experience bring to business? – 40.00 – Where does Gillian go for inspirat

Zoë Routh is a Canadian-Australian leadership expert specialising in the people stuff. She shows leaders and teams struggling with office politics and silos how to work better together. From the wild rivers of northern Ontario to the remote regions of Australia, Zoë has spent the last thirty years showing teams how to navigate the wilderness of people stuff. Zoë is the author of four books and the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to exploring perspective in people stuff. Show Notes: 3.00 – Zoë’s background – 6.20 – The challenges of getting to the people stuff - 9.00 – It’s hard to find the work/leadership balance – 13.00 – Trust is a huge issue right now - 21.40 – The paradox of power –30.30 – Asking for feedback is key for growth - 35.00 – Elders, Mary Robinson and the practice of perspective - 41.10 – When good Elders go bad – Adam Neumann – 32.00 – Three things to avoid hubris – humility, curiosity and care – 46.30 – ‘People Stuff – beyond personality problems’ You can find Zoë’s po

If you live in Ireland and follow the sport, Jamie Heaslip is a household name and one that’s synonymous with Ireland’s rugby success over the past 15 years. As well as having earned 95 caps for Ireland and played 230 matches for Leinster, he was also part of two British and Irish Lions Tours. Due to injury, Jamie had to retire from rugby in 2018. He’s since carved out a very successful career for himself, investing in and setting up a business; and, more recently, a high-performance coach, supporting executives and their teams to be the best they can be. Show Notes: 4.00 – Jamie, rugby and where he is now – 10.00 – High-performance leadership is highly individual - 13.00 – In sport, your mid-year results are every week! – 15.40 – Purpose and success - 18.10 – Jamie’s leadership traits – 24.30 – Joe Schmidt’s leadership traits - 27.10 – Healthy conflict is positive - 29.30 – What you measure matters – 32.00 – Emotional intelligence and authenticity – 34.30 – Compassionate leadership - 36.00 - The challenges (

‘How are you feeling and why?’. That's the question Matt Stephens uses when he's measuring wellbeing and how engaged people are at work. Starting his career as a coder in Aviva, Matt was ‘found’ by the Head of Internal Communications and that put him on a new career trajectory. After a number of years in Aviva, he moved into performance coaching and NLP working with senior execs across a range of organisations before founding Quest Agency with a focus on leadership, culture and engagement. In 2015 he founded Inpulse, a new way of measuring how employees are feeling by asking them just that – ‘How are you feeling and why?’. His customers include Unilever and Asos. In this episode, he and Scott talk about putting more of a focus on people's wellbeing, why organisations struggle with emotions and why purpose is so important when it comes to creating great places to work. Matt runs Inpulse and his clients include Rolls-Royce, Asos, Zurich Insurance and Heathrow Airport Links: Matt’s book – The Power of Emotion is