January 2008 - Posts

• "Employee engagement" is starting to wind me up

  OVER LANCASHIRE -- There's a Stefan Stern review in today's FT of a book called " The Extra Mile " by David MacLeod and Chris Brady. (Come to think of it, I know David. I used to work with him... Hmm. I wonder if I have to be nicer now?) The list of what Read More... Posted 31 January 2008 15:06 by David Ferrabee | 4 Comments Filed under: CEO, People management, involvement, Engagement, motivation, morale, HR

• ROI: How do you measure communication?

  RICHMOND PARK -- We're painting. My 10-year-old is quite good. She's drawing poppies. And anyone who sees them would know what they are. As a medium, her painting communicates quite well. But then again, the messages aren't that complex. We are taking Read More... Posted 28 January 2008 09:58 by David Ferrabee | 7 Comments Filed under: Consulting, Internal communications, New business, marketing, selling

• Outting myself: I have 3 avatars

  THE CENTRAL LINE -- I have only just realised this. And I am coming to terms with it... Slowly. It was never meant to be this way. My parents loved me. I had a normal childhood. I hold down a regular job. I even have a family. How did this happen...? Read More... Posted 28 January 2008 09:57 by David Ferrabee | 0 Comments Filed under: Consulting, Conferences, involvement, Engagement, social media, Technology, motivation, etc., morale, SecondLife

• The perils of feedback

  FULHAM PALACE -- I was talking to Dave tonight about 360 degree feedback. And how well it doesn't always work. He works in corporate banking. And he's tired of making people cry. And I feel his pain (as Bill Clinton used to say.) Tonight, we're at a 40th Read More... Posted 23 January 2008 14:54 by David Ferrabee | 1 Comments Filed under: involvement, Engagement, motivation, morale, Language, HR

• This book's not selling...

  LONDON -- So, I'm not afraid of failure. I think we can learn a lot from it. But I would say that when business -- for my team -- is booming. This book... my book... People Power or how organisations should make life interesting for employees has sold Read More... Posted 19 January 2008 09:55 by David Ferrabee | 5 Comments

• Delivering on brands: 'My father's business'

  WIMBLEDON -- I am swotting up for a brand workshop this week. I have long been quite tentative about the whole area of management and brands. Most operational leaders quite honestly don't know what all the fuss is about. And more importantly they struggle Read More... Posted 16 January 2008 10:34 by David Ferrabee | 1 Comments Filed under: Strategy, Consulting, involvement, Engagement, motivation, morale, Brand

• Facebook, Second Life, Shakespeare... Obviously

  ON THE WAY TO HEATHROW -- My brother Mike is a clever and interesting guy. He's older than me but hasn't had a clear physical advantage over me since I turned about 15. So we've had to become friends. He wrote this morning (late last night) to say that Read More... Posted 09 January 2008 18:53 by David Ferrabee | 2 Comments Filed under: Culture, People management, social media, Technology, etc., PeoplePower

• What's new in IC in January?

  LONDON -- I am just back from 10 days on the continent. 10 lovely days. And it's cold, dark and public transit is my very own painful odyssey every morning. [Sigh.] January. Not so, however for Emma, who works down the hall. She bought a flat on the 24th Read More... Posted 07 January 2008 08:41 by David Ferrabee | 0 Comments Filed under: Consulting, Europe, Internal communications, Change Management, New business, marketing, selling

• Cool and silly: What the French can teach us...

  LE METRO -- I know I say this a lot. But I love Paris. You can use your mobiles in the metro. But no one does. Because it's not cool. You can no longer smoke in cafes and bars -- as of Monday -- but people standing on the street corners look like they Read More... Posted 03 January 2008 19:54 by David Ferrabee | 1 Comments Filed under: Culture, Europe