If you’re a regular visitor you’ll know this blog supports Womankind .This is just a taste of what they do; you can see why I hold them in high esteem:

We help women achieve change:

1.    We help courageous individuals to challenge violence and discrimination
In some countries, this could involve accompanying a girl to a village meeting so she can tell women and men that it is now against the law for a girl to be forced to marry a man after he has raped her, and encourage girls to see they do have a choice.
2.    We help women come together
In many different ways, we help women join together, often for the first time, to talk about what they want to change, and then we help them achieve it. This could involve providing training in how to resolve conflicts, or in leadership skills, so women are better able to challenge violence and speak up for better healthcare or education.
3.    We help women claim their rights and improve their lives
We might provide legal help to enable a woman to obtain a divorce from a man who beats her, or work with the police to encourage them to help women rather than return them to their husbands.

Buy a Book and 100% of Profits go to Womankind!

I wanted to do a little more as we approach the season of giving, and I wanted to bring their excellent work to your attention. So, from now until December 24th every single penny made from the sale of my book When Work isn’t Working will go to Womankind. If you’ve been thinking about getting hold of a copy I hope this will prompt you into action.

Please do share this with your friends, enemies, family, work colleagues, anyone who hates their job, people you pass in the street (only joking on that one -sort of), and lets see if we can make a decent contribution to Womankind this Christmas and spread the joy to women everywhere!

If you don’t want the book either in download or paper, perhaps you’d consider donating directly via this link, or you can just get the book knowing Womankind will get the money, or you can even do both!

THANK YOU!

Jane

Individuals and Change

I was making the point that, when we as individuals decide to make a significant change, for those close to us or who work closely with us, our decision to change is a change in their lives over which they have no control. And when we feel we have no control over change we instinctively want to resist it.

If we don’t let the appropriate people in our lives know what we are doing then we can expect them to be potential saboteurs of the change we want to make. They may not even realise they are doing it. But one thing is for sure, if you don’t give them information, communicate with them, they won’t be allies.

Change in the Workplace

Our discussion then became more wide ranging and we began to discuss our experiences of organisational change. Why, asked my group, do senior managers start well but then stop communicating with staff?

I suspect it’s because they themselves are also going through the change process as change may be imposed on them (as in redundancies because of the economic situation) and they are coping with their own feelings. Also, we expect senior managers to have the answers, to know what is going on.

Having been on both sides of the equation I can tell you that they often don’t know what is going on! They know the end result required, i.e. saving money, but the route may be far from clear. Fearful of giving the wrong answers they go to ground and give none; they stop communicating. Bad move, as nature abhors a vacuum and it will be filled! Often with misinformation and rumour.

BBC

Coincidentally, this discussion was almost mirrored on the BBC this morning as they talked to two experts on organisational psychology and change and why change caused us so much stress. A recent survey has shown stress to be the biggest cause of lost working days. Lack of communication was cited as the top reason. Why, asked the interviewer, does knowing more about what is going on help keep stress levels down?

The experts didn’t have much time to respond but this is the answer. Once we have the facts we can take back some control, we can decide how we are going to react. When we’re not told what is going on we’re being treated like children. And guess what? Treat adults like children and you’ll get some childlike behaviour back! Not knowing makes us stressed as we imagine so much worse (magical thinking) and feeling stressed lowers our immunity to the usual bugs and ailments doing the rounds. Even if we think we’re coping well the chances are, if we’re stressed, we’ll end up taking time off for a minor complaint when in normal circumstances we’d womanfully struggle on!

Free Guide for Managers on Change

I have written a guide for managers who have to manage staff through change; I run change seminars within organisations for both managers and staff (any gender!) who are undergoing change. I also worked as project lead for two organisations undergoing huge change: the book is a result of my experiences but, knowing how busy managers are, it’s a short, easy read yet contains everything you need to know!

If you’d like a free copy, and you are a newsletter subscriber, simply go to the contact page on my site and let me know. If you are looking for support within your own organisation, or personally please call on 01761438749, or also use the contact page.

Are you in the midst of significant change? How is it for you? If you’re a manager do you feel you have sufficient support and information? If you are an employee what’s it like for you? Do you know enough about what is happening and why? If you run your own business what’s the biggest problem you face? Please do share your stories!

Also, here you can find a free fact sheet on work related stress from CIPD but you’ll need to register – it’s free.

Photo Credit: Omacaco

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Her natural beauty took his breath away. “I may look like just an ordinary man,” he said to her, “but in just a few years, my father will die, and I’ll inherit $200 million.”

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later….

she became his stepmother.

Women are so much better at financial planning than men!

But seriously, look at this about women and finances -Neuroeconomics-Put Women in Charge!

Photo Credit: Garrison Photograpy

WOMANKIND Worldwide believes women in developing countries are a powerful force for change and works with women’s organisations across the world as well as in the U.K.

Why Womankind?

Why did I choose Womenkind? Well, I love their philosophy. They are not about doing things for women but about boosting women’s confidence to do things for themselves. Regular readers will know this whole site is dedicated to boosting the confidence of women to challenge the established order so it seems like a perfect match! This is what they say on their web site:

“Women have an abundance of practical ideas for improving their own lives and lifting their families and communities out of poverty. But this can only happen if they have the confidence and opportunities to articulate their needs and ideas – and be listened to.

WOMANKIND Worldwide is the only UK charity devoted to enabling women to achieve this.”

And:

“WOMANKIND Worldwide helps women in developing countries – silenced or isolated by harmful traditions, conflict, violence and intimidation or the sheer exhaustion of surviving in poverty – to have a distinctive say in what goes on in their family, community and country.

Our aim is to embed what matters most to girls and women into every aspect of life, from the smallest domestic details to the most sweeping strategic decisions.

How we help women achieve change

We help courageous individuals to challenge the status quo. In some countries, this could involve accompanying a girl to a village meeting so she can tell women and men that it is now against the law for a girl to be forced to marry a man after he has raped her, and encourage girls to see they do have a choice.

We help women get organised

In many different ways, we help women come together, often for the first time, to talk about what they want to change, and then we help them achieve it. This could involve reading and writing lessons or training to resolve conflicts, so women are better able to get involved with what?s going on in their community.

We help women claim their rights and secure new ones

We might provide legal help to enable a woman to obtain a divorce from a man who beats her, or work with the police to encourage them to help women rather than return them to their husbands.”

International Women’s Day 2011

Sometimes it feels too complicated, too difficult to really make a difference in the world. Womankind is making a difference by supporting women across the world, and by supporting them so are YOU!

In honour of International Women’s Day (and in the profound hope that in years to come the idea of a women’s day will be quaint because we won’t need it) I have made a donation to the Womankind charity and I urge you to do the same. If everyone who read this blog gave just one pound or a dollar that would be amazing and really help women the world over- come on The Sisterhood!

In addition, from this day on, I pledge 10% of  the profits of every book sold through my site or received in advertising revenue to Womankind. It’s not much but it can really help to make a difference!

Happy International Woman’s Day!

“Nottinghamshire’s great and good were out in force, including the chief constable, the city council’s chief executive, the head of the probation service, the governor of a sex offenders’ prison, the sheriff (yes the sheriff of Nottingham, surely the most famous sheriff title in the world), the high sheriff, the university’s pro-vice chancellor, a former chief nursing officer, the head of children’s services … and every single one of them was a woman. Also there was the country’s first female black High Court judge.

“In addition the whole evening was put together by a woman, aforementioned High Sheriff Amanda Farr, and Mental Health Research UK founded by a woman, Claire Chilvers.”

This was from the blog of Alastair Campbell written in January and it’s great that he took the time to acknowledge the women involved.

But isn’t it sad that it was something of note?

Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past year and I look forward to talking more with you in 2011, either through the newsletter, a personal contact, or comments on the blog posts.

My dear old Dad always used to raise a toast on Hogmanay:

 ”To absent friends”

It’s a lovely wee toast, a poignant memory of those you’ve lost, and those you just aren’t able to be with at New Year. And now I think I can add another category: all those friends you never see but are out there in the ether offering support and words of encouragement.

Happy New Year to you all!

But he also found that women were often reluctant to ask for this help, cutting off this source of support. Which is understandable; we don’t always want to share our innermost thoughts and aspirations with people we see every day, it can feel too personal. Which is why working in total confidence with a professional can be so successful in helping you achieve your ambitions for 2011.

January Special Coaching Offer!

Throughout the first month of 2011 I am offering everyone who signs up for my  coaching session a really great deal! If you sign up for my introductory package during January, you will receive an extra session of one hour’s coaching absolutely free! At an agreed time after our first call, (when we will have discussed strategies for your maximum success) I will contact you to see how you are progressing, and to inspire and motivate you to continue!

Make this year the one when you do achieve your resolutions and live life to the full! Sign up now!

I am very happy to admit that I was wrong, very wrong. Instead I have been blessed to have worked with some amazing people, people who are generous, caring and thoughtful and to whom I am very grateful.

Personal Challenges

On the personal front I’ve had a ‘challenging’ year; (professionally it’s been all good, thankfully, or I may have gone bonkers!) On my birthday at the end of October I invited some of my dearest friends and family to share it with me, and to thank them for the support and love they had shown me throughout the year.

However, there have been many of my professional colleagues, most of whom I have never actually met, who have also offered me great support and friendship. As the year draws to a close, I’d like to thank them publicly for their help and many kindnesses in 2010, and also introduce them to you.

Unsurprisingly, most are women, but a couple of special chaps get a mention too!

Supportive Women

First, thanks to all my inspirational women who, as well as inspiring me, have freely given of their time and advice, put up with editing and additional questions and badgering for photos etc!  All of them have been wonderful, but if I may I’d like to give special mention to Sarah Beeny and Maggie Philbin. They are both women with busy and successful careers in the media and I rather expected my request for interviews to be turned down. I was wrong again! Maggie and Sarah were charming, gracious, incredibly helpful and kind. My thanks to them and I wish them much success in 2011.

American Supporters

Across the Atlantic I have some rather special friends too. Yana Berlin is the person behind Fabulously40.com, a social networking site for women over 40. Her encouragement and enthusiasm is boundless and she has been a real friend in promoting my book to her readership, and generally being a good mate. We did actually get to meet, albeit fleetingly, in a London hotel and her energy is most impressive! More power to your elbow, Yana!

And while on the subject of the book, another as yet unmet American friend has been exceedingly generous in that respect. Julie Walraven epitomises American generosity of spirit and I recommend her to you! She runs Design Resumes and I am sure her clients love her! She is always ready to do a good turn if she can and a great ambassador for her country. I salute you, Julie!

Back this side of the ocean, Sarah Pennells has been a great source of advice and inspiration. I have actually met Sarah, at the Everywoman conference last month and she was every bit as delightful in person as in Twitter land. She dispenses great financial advice to women through her company Savvy Woman and she has given me some helpful insights on several occasions. Thanks Sarah! She’s also one of my Inspirational Women.

Twitter

Twitter is a strange phenomenon but I have learned that it is possible to make good relationships. Among the many on twitter who have been incredibly kind and supportive re my professional life are:

The successful novelist  Sara Sheridan – do read her books, wonderful stuff, and who has been most generous with her time. Sara, you are great and i wish i could write like you!

An amazing business woman, Hannah Coleman who runs Dreamwalls, a wall business…yes, I did say walls! Thanks, Hannah!

Ann Lewis, a coach on the Isle of Wight who is quite simply a good woman. Thanks Ann, for all the support.

Dorothy Sanders, is another American friend who is dedicated to the cause of empowering women over 50 ( a topic close to my heart) and has also been very generous to me this year. Thank you!

There are many others but I know they would not wish to be named here so to them my thanks.

The Men in My Life (professionally speaking)

It pains me to say that I really do conform to female stereotype here! I am less than wonderful with both marketing and technology and took professional advice and support in these areas early on in my self employed career.

Coming from a public sector background I was really green when it came to marketing but I was lucky enough to encounter Jim Connolly who has guided me with extraordinary skill! He has taught me more that I ever believed was possible about social media and marketing; I’d like to thank him here for his kindness and support, and for still watching out for the gloopers I commit from time to time! Thanks James, you are much appreciated.

And on the technical side, Mark White is a very patient man! He helps me keep this site running and answers all my questions promptly and with a wry humour. I am forever asking him to try this out, or how would it look if…. True, he sometimes sighs a lot, but he does it all with good grace and never talks down to me! Thank you, Mark!

Thanks to You!

And finally, my sincere thanks to all of you. So many of you have made contact with me, either through the blog, the newsletter, or in person at events. I truly love to hear from you; it makes the world seem a very small place. And when you tell me that something I have written helps you, or that attending one of my courses has helped change your life for the better, I am both humbled and thrilled. Thank you.

I wish you all success in 2011. I wish you good health, and joy in your life. And thank you again for your support in 2010.

Jane

But whatever you feel about it, you have to admit that it changes everything. Of course everything looks different, and also everything sounds different. The quality of the light is different.

Conversely, while looking different some things begin to look the same. A Ferrari covered in snow and immobile is not much different (and as much use) as a Fiat Punto covered in the white stuff!

I am in Edinburgh as I write this and I have never before seen the city looking as it does now. Grand, majestic, yet also somehow vulnerable.

Wherever you are, take a few moments to look at your world in a different light. Try a new viewpoint. See it as if describing it to a stranger, or the opening chapters of a novel. Help someone, talk to someone, try something different!

Photo courtesy of http://www.edinburgh-scotland.net/

If you’re a regular reader of the blog or newsletter, have been coached by me, or attended any of my courses, you will know that I work with tried and tested techniques. No gimmicks and no mad acronyms. Everything I do is based on:

• years of experience of working with others to help them achieve their best,

• respected research,

• my  own continuing studies and evaluations received.

Similarly, my book is full of exercises I have successfully used over the years which I know work for people.

When I launch a new course I test it out first by offering it for free to specially selected groups (i.e. not my friends!), with follow up questionnaires as to effectiveness;  my coaching is based on the professional training I have received and many years of experience.

The Project

My  Renewyou programme has proved itself time and time again to help people make positive CHANGE in their lives. The drawback is I can only deliver it to a limited number of people at any one time …… up until now!

In response to requests from readers unable to attend my seminars in person, I have begun work on turning it into a download/workbook with audio so anyone can do it anytime, anywhere in the world.

Now you know I only deal in what works. I know the Renewyou seminar works because of the many testimonials I have received and because of the feed back from organisations who send staff to it. But I want to know how the programme works in a different format.

User Panel

I am assembling a User Panel to try out (for free) various exercises from the programme and give me honest feed back as to how easy it was to follow, effectiveness, etc. I’m looking for a large cross selection of ages, gender, (this course has worked equally well for men too) nationalities, and backgrounds.

If you are interested in becoming part of my user panel please send me a few details about yourself – I will respond to every person who applies.

Thank you! I am really looking forward to hearing from you!