Friday 23rd March 2007, 21:31Everthing MattersEverything matters
I have spoken to a number of our friends who we are helping and asked them what makes a difference to the way we offer the service. Was it the welcome meeting, the smile of the staff, warmth in the centre, clear documents, a tailored approach, clean premises, swift response to requests?
The resounding answer was………. “Everything Matters”.
I have been reflecting on this really simple idea. Everything Matters. Because although very simple it is actually a very helpful mission for all of us as seek to constantl..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 23rd March 2007, 19:57My MarathonMy Marathon
This time last year at our One Vision conference I met some people who inspired me with their personal achievement of running the London Marathon. I was in awe. They had trained all year in the rain and the snow to build up their stamina so that in April they could complete a tough personal challenge. Fantastic. Not only had they run the marathon but they had raised over £5,000 for the NSPCC. I left the conference very impressed but also slightly bowed that this was something I felt was beyond my reach.
Oh well, I thought, I have other mountains to cli..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 23rd March 2007, 19:55European UnionI have just three days exploring the bowels of Brussels. On a visit organised by the RSA (many thanks) I was able to meet staff from the commission, discuss issues and process with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and hear how the Council of Ministers operates whilst sitting in the Commissioners debating Chamber. This was very interesting and useful as we develop our strategy for working with other EU member states. I have gained a valuable insight into how we can work with the commission as we take our vision of improving peoples lives to new communities.
This weekend th..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 23rd March 2007, 01:46Whistle BlowingWe have all heard of the value of whistle blowers. These are people who work in organisations and are quietly aware that some one or something in that organisation is “not quite right”.
There are examples of whistle blowers leaking information to the press about the known dangers of cigarette smoking by the cigarette producers and yet the still produced for profits.
There are whistle blowers who feel uncomfortable that “homemade” is perhaps an unfair descriptor of the soup shipped in from a factory once a month. And feel it is an unbearable burde..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 23rd March 2007, 01:04Volunteers in A4eWhen Emma and I were in Israel we saw the way volunteers add real value to the way a company can deliver a service to disadvantaged communities. I was amazed at the energy, commitment, professionalism and strength of the volunteers. And whilst this is wonderful there was something much more important – they were able to bring the voice of the customer into the delivery team. These volunteers had an insight into what it is like to be on the receiving end of this service which many of the paid staff were unable to present.
I was also thrilled to see the way the volunteers chang..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Thursday 22nd March 2007, 16:38A cracking couple of days Just finished my two days back to back - meeting 250 A4e staff. Phew - pretty tired now - but filled with ideas and thoughts. As soon as people had gone home I was in touch with the relevant senior teams at A4e to tell them of the things I had learnt and the things we need to think about - and the few things it appears we need to sort out straight away.
The people that came over the two days were great - funny, lively, opinionated and therefore made it really worthwhile.
My general impression is that people love our shared vision to improve people's lives - .. eharrisonView Complete Post Tuesday 20th March 2007, 14:17Two views of the same thing - which one do you see?Two views of the same thing…..
I have recently visited a number of our offices. The commitment and passion of the staff is always overwhelming. I am so impressed by the way our front line teams make every part of the process work for our clients. You are amazing.
I sat down this week and started to think about where we can improve our offer and make a step change in our delivery.
I started to think about our premises and the environment we offer for our friends when they come to us for help. I have two views;
View one:-
Our .. Roy NeweyView Complete Post Tuesday 20th March 2007, 11:30In Conversation... for A4e staff at my house this weekThis Wednesday and Thursday around 250 A4e staff have been invited to come to my house for a 'chat'.
Around 125 on each day. I really look forward to these days - ( I have done several before) - it is a chance for me to meet people and very importantly listen to their thoughts, ideas, moans!, solutions and bits of friendly gossip!
I know that on the invite list - the organising team has concentrated on people who are relatively new into the business - but if anyone else would like to pop along for one of the days - there are a few places left - and I would love to welco.. eharrisonView Complete Post Saturday 17th March 2007, 09:55Think the UnthinkableI spent a day at the House of Commons last week as a guest of Patrick McCloughin (the Conservative party Chief Whip and my local MP). Fascinating day - I sat through Prime Ministers Question Time ( the Trident discussion day) and then had lunch and a chat with Patrick.
After lunch he had arranged for me to meet with members of the shadow cabinet to swop a few ideas - get an understanding of their thinking and I suppose tap into A4e's thinking on social and welfare reform etc. This is the team that have been tasked by David Cameron to think the unthinkable!
Very interest.. eharrisonView Complete Post Saturday 17th March 2007, 02:14Lech WalesaLech Walesa
Last week I had the privilege to meet a man who changed history. Lech Walesa did more than lead momentous change in the ship yards of Gdansk he acted in such a way that changed a country forever.
How was he in the flesh, bloody angry actually?
He was frustrated that organisations like A4e are still needed to support his country. He was angry that the people in his country can not find work and that they are driven to depression and alcohol.
He is on the front page of Newsweek and the day I met him he was giving two interviews. Tell.. Roy NeweyView Complete Post Saturday 17th March 2007, 02:12Brother James ZulluBrother James Zullu
I had the chance to spend a chunk of time with members of our catholic community who are responsible for leading the education of children in their faith based schools. These professionals tackle their job of inspiring the young people in their care to learn and stretch their talents within the context of their faith.
Brother James Zullu is an international speaker who facilitated a conference for this group on the impact of change and how to lead and take people with you. James was brilliant; he spoke to a room of 300 people but managed to speak to ..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 16th March 2007, 17:16Made time to think - reflect and found a fresh determination to act If you have been following my blogs - you will know I have been 'on the road.' Several countries, many cities, hundreds of people all with ideas, thoughts, comments and their view of the world.
Now I have had time to reflect and some thoughts are definately taking shape - most of them I will relate to A4e - but I suppose they could apply to most organisations that try their damndest to do good stuff for other people.
A4e Volunteers
First off - I have seen many many examples of volunteering - I have seen how volunteering is stunningly good for the vol.. eharrisonView Complete Post Monday 12th March 2007, 09:38My Extraordinary Travels in IsraelJust returned from a whirlwind trip to visit A4e's operations in Israel. Non stop - I met so many people, I spoke at a large conference, I spoke to hundreds of staff individually and in large groups, I met clients, made many impromptu speeches, listened to (and did my best to answer) tens of questions, met with our charitable supporters, ate and drank with homeless people, leaders of institutions, colleagues and Alizia Olmert ( the PM's wife).
My overall impressions?
Wonderful people full of life, energy and emotion. Determined, funny, opinionated - as .. eharrisonView Complete Post Monday 5th March 2007, 15:40Off on my travels againPacked my bags - gathered up my essentials! - three hours to Heathrow - sleep and then catch the early morning flight to Israel. A4e has a large centre in Jerusalum - helping seven thousand families from right across the ethic range to find work. Some amazing work is being done - with great success. I am visiting to say thank you to all the people involved. ( I hear that we speak 17 different languages in the centre - fantastic!)
Quite rightly - the staff in Jersalum want to get the most from my visit - so they have got me working every hour - making speeches, meeting Governmen.. eharrisonView Complete Post Sunday 4th March 2007, 16:21Freud Welfare ReviewThe details of David Freud's review to John Hutton is due to be reported tomorrow on reinvigorating the UK's approach to welfare to work. Over the last few years the UK has been recognised as a world leader in this (and other aspects) of its broader social policy. Drawing an analogy with sport - if you're a world leader, there's only one way to go if you don't continue to improve, and that's down. Hence many people have spent time looking at ways to continue to evolve the UK's approach to be 'world leading' in the future.
I was fortunate enough to have a couple o.. View Complete Post Sunday 4th March 2007, 09:19Freud Review and Welfare ReformThe details of David Freud's review to John Hutton is due to be reported tomorrow on reinvigorating the UK's approach to welfare to work. Over the last few years the UK has been recognised as a world leader in this (and other aspects) of its broader social policy. Drawing an analogy with sport - if you're a world leader, there's only one way to go if you don't continue to improve, and that's down. Hence many people have spent time looking at ways to continue to evolve the UK's approach to be 'world leading' in the future.
I was fortunate enough to have a couple of hours one to one w.. Mark LovellView Complete Post Saturday 3rd March 2007, 18:23ThanksI just wanted to say thanks to everyone. As you will see from Emma’s blog we have just undertaken a European tour, taking in our offices in Germany and France. It was great; it made me really proud to see the offices open and our teams improving people’s lives.
We really are taking our vision across the world and there are so many people involved in making this happen and giving more people hope. So I know they tell you never name people because you are always going to forget someone but here goes;
Thanks; Emma for your inspiration and giving us the chance t..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Saturday 3rd March 2007, 18:15A Fathers WorriesWe often hear of the power of the internet and it is easy to accept these grand phrases without stopping to think just how amazing it is.
I received an email response to my blog from the father of one of our clients. Unfortunately he was concerned that his son was not getting the best chance in life to move him into work. It would be fair to say this man had become pretty frustrated with what he felt were missed opportunities.
I was able to contact him and after a few missed calls o both sides we were able to speak and work together to resolve the issue. The main thing ..Roy NeweyView Complete Post Friday 2nd March 2007, 08:29My mate Win from DagenhamAs part of the C4 programme i did called Secret Millionaire - I met an amazing woman called Win. A star in her community -a warm, loving, up beat person who volunteers helping adults with learning difficulties.
Without exception - everyone who watched the programme fell head over heels for Win - so did I. Everyone I meet always asks me - 'How's Win?'
Win is great - fighting fit, loving life and we are in touch on a regular basis. We have had lunch in Harrods, done some shopping, chatted on the phone and are busy making plans to get together in the summer - Win, me, my .. eharrisonView Complete Post Thursday 1st March 2007, 18:19Introduce a friend - get some famous Jaipur BeerI am getting big numbers reading my blogs - cheers.
However a special message to the A4e gang - I would really like to think that everyone at A4e is having a read - please point them in the right direction - let me know how many people you have encouraged - some names etc - the person who gets the most new readers - I will send you a case of the infamous award winning Jaipur Indian Pale Ale - brewed in the brewery at my home.
I'll also give you a massive mention - so let me know - I am wrapping the beer as I type...
Cheers
Emma. eharrisonView Complete Post Thursday 1st March 2007, 17:36Too much management? Speak directly.Why oh why when a company gets bigger do some people feel the need to distance themselves from direct and practical actions? It seems to me that some managers make things more difficult by asking that everything goes through them - channeling all the information - and thus blocking the natural flows. What a shame. Real leaders will set the shape and the vision - outline the outcomes they need to see and really encourage people to get together to achieve. No blockages - no fixed protocols. People speaking directly to the people they need to speak to.
I had a blog respo.. eharrisonView Complete Post Thursday 1st March 2007, 10:22My Eye Opening European TravelsJust returned from an inspiring trip to Germany and France. A4e has just opened up new centres in these countries - the new centres are dedicated to helping unemployed people find work.
I flew into Dusseldorf on Monday with Roy Newey (the guy who has been leading the international develpoment)- and was met by Achim ( A4e Deutschland boss man) - I liked him straight away - cool, switched on and mildly eccentric. He drove us to the A4e centre in Gelsenkirchen. I walked in. Wow - it was A4e. It was all there - the feeling, the smell, the smiles. I met all the staff .. eharrisonView Complete Post |
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