MDA Training

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  • Commercial awareness: what is it, and why do graduates need it?

    Commercial awareness: what is it, and why do graduates need it?

    Commercial awareness is a core skill, which is highly sought-after by potential employers.

    Consisting of an individual’s accumulated knowledge of the business world, and paired with a critical understanding of how organisations function, being able to demonstrate a good level of commercial awareness can help secure employability, while also being a contributing factor in the progression of your career. 

    Despite this, commercial awareness is a skill that very few can display well. A 2018 report published by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) found that 23% of graduates failed to show appropriate levels of commercial awareness in the workplace. So, to help you understand what commercial awareness is, and the part it will play in your working life, read on!

    What is commercial awareness?

    Commercial awareness is a developed knowledge of specific objectives, such as how a business works and the impact of broader external factors on operations.

    Employees should have an assured knowledge of the company they work for, immediate competitors, and other relevant bodies. This knowledge can assist the employee in making sound business decisions that act in the best interest of the company.

    Why is commercial awareness important?

    In any sector or industry, you are expected to have a clear understanding of how changes within the wider business world would potentially affect the business. Being able to demonstrate this understanding can immediately position you above other employees, and reassure your employer that you are the right fit for the company. 

    The vital thing to remember about commercial awareness is that it is a mindset. It’s less about being able to regurgitate facts and figures, but rather demonstrating an active interest in your sector. After all, the events happening in the wider industry could potentially play a part in the future of your role and organisation. 

    Who needs commercial awareness?

    To put it simply, everyone – regardless of who they are, their position within the company, and what sector or industry they work in – should be able to develop an adequate level of commercial awareness in the workplace. 

    With increasing levels of competition within all industries, and a rapidly-evolving working world, every employer is looking for potential employees who are up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends. After all, being able to keep up with these updates could result in an adverse decision from an employee, which could reflect poorly on the company. 

    Thankfully, as with all workplace skills, you can hone your commercial awareness skills with time and effort. 

    5 easy ways of improving your commercial awareness 

    Getting into the habit of being business savvy now will stand you in good stead throughout your working life. As we’ve said in the past, many can demonstrate being commercially aware without realising it – but upskilling can benefit you exponentially. 

    The below infographic details five simple activities that can help you boost your commercial awareness:

    5 easy ways to improve your commercial awareness infographic

    In more detail…

    1. Read the business pages of newspapers/websites

    Dedicating time every day to familiarising yourself with the current worldwide financial and economic situation can help develop your commercial awareness. Magazines such as The Economist are readily available to read online, and can provide you with the grounding you need to understand what’s going on. 

    2. Watch the news

    Watching the news is one of the easiest ways to develop your awareness. Many large broadcasters have programmes dedicated to business news, which can help you understand more about the wider business world, as well as remaining up-to-date in your relevant industry or sector. 

    3. Refresh your existing skills

    As someone who is new to the working world, it’s understandable if some elements of your new job seem overwhelming. That being said, you also don’t want to be stumped by a graph or some maths you haven’t thought about since leaving school. Take the time to refresh your numeracy and statistics skills, if you can – which will also put you in good stead with your future employer! 

    4. Take on a new voluntary role

    Is a local group looking for a role, such as a treasurer? Taking on a new voluntary role will help improve your commercial awareness, as you’ll be gaining a better understanding of how organisations make money, and how objectives can influence how well a business is doing. 

    5. Reflect on your previous jobs and experiences  

    Think about any previous positions you’ve held. Are there any generalisations you can take from that role, and apply to your new job? Take into consideration the customers, industry, sector, and wider company news.

    For example, if you worked at a fast-food restaurant, you will have known which products were bestsellers, and when to anticipate busy periods. In its simplest form, this is commercial awareness! 

    Improving commercial awareness within the workplace

    The modern workplace has evolved rapidly in recent years, without the addition of COVID-19. For employers wanting to boost the commercial awareness of their team, implementing a face-to-face workshop would have been sufficient to help employees learn in the past – but this simply isn’t the case anymore. 

    Here at MDA Training, we can work with employers to host virtual training sessions, in the form of commercial awareness webinars, that can help support employees develop their skills. We can tweak our offering to suit any budget and team size, while still assisting employees to bolster their knowledge, and give the business an additional competitive edge. 

    To summarise… 

    We know the impact of commercial decisions has never been more crucial. Whether it’s related to finances or internal processes, being able to display a good level of awareness could be the difference between success and failure at an organisational scale.

    Our commercial awareness programmes can be delivered virtually, via Zoom or Webex, and are designed to help employees develop key financial skills. For more information about these applications, contact MDA Training today.

  • Our SME Survival Tips

    Our SME Survival Tips

    During this extended period of business disruption and widespread lockdown, we have been working to utilise our extensive knowledge of business operations to provide tips, advice and guidance on everything related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In particular, Bill Liddell, one of our Directors, has been focusing on the financial impact that this pandemic is undoubtedly going to bring for millions of SMEs across the UK. With his background in underwriting and knowledge of business continuity, he has been regularly producing ‘SME Survival Tips’ for businesses to help ease the storm.

    We have summarised a few of his tips, and shared them below:

    1. Retain essential employees and use the furlough scheme if needed

    Now that the Government’s furlough scheme is officially open, employers can now apply to furlough their staff members, with the Government paying 80% of furloughed employees’ wages, up to a cap of £2,500.

    Before applying for this scheme, employers need to assess who are their essential employees and who are not. Securing the employment of crucial employees at this time is essential to business continuity.

    When this has been ascertained – the decision to furlough remaining staff must be taken with further consideration, as this cash is likely to not be available for another 2-3 months. To apply for the furlough scheme, please click here.

    2. Delay paying VAT, NI and PAYE

    While this may appear obvious, it is crucial to the cash flow of the business to delay paying VAT, NI and PAYE at this time, in order to maintain finances. It is also advised not to pay rates over to the council until the business is in a position to trade under normal circumstances once again.

    Similarly, for businesses that pay rent for properties, it may be beneficial to seek a rent deferment from landlords for the next few months to ease any financial pressures.

    3. Renegotiate credit terms with business suppliers

    Renegotiating credit terms with suppliers can be potentially difficult as all businesses are likely to experience some form of cash flow disruption during this crisis. If, however, the supplies are critical to the continuity of the company, extended credit terms are certainly a viable option in order to delay having to pay when cash flow is reduced.

    4. Press for early payment from customers

    While the majority of clients and customers will be reluctant to part with their money for the foreseeable future, offering incentives such as a discount for early payment can prove to be a quicker source of cash for businesses. It is much better to have most of the cash in the bank now than all of the money in 60-90 days.

    To summarise, conserving cash, reducing the amount of cash that is leaving the business and controlling internal costs as carefully as possible are the most sensible ways of maintaining operations at this moment in time.

    Bill will be uploading a series of SME Survival Tips on our Youtube Channel over the coming weeks. Please click here to watch some of his other videos.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR DIGITAL LEARNING SOLUTIONS, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

  • Introducing the MDA Learning Lab

    Introducing the MDA Learning Lab

    We are thrilled to announce that our online resource centre ‘MDA Learning Lab’ is now available to access.

    Full of articles, videos, statistics and more, our resource centre will serve as a hub of information related to learning and development in the workplace.

    At MDA Training, our experiential learning solutions are tailored to the banking, manufacturing, insurance, service and asset management industries.

    In our years of experience delivering programmes to market-leading companies all over the world, we have gained valuable insights and knowledge that enables us to continually improve our operations.

    With all of the vital industry knowledge we have developed over the years, we are pleased to be able to collate and share it.

    How does the Learning Lab work?

    When you open the MDA Learning Lab, you will see our ‘featured’ resources, which will cover the latest topical subjects in the ongoing world of workplace training.

    Below the featured resources will be the latest videos, articles and infographics produced by MDA Training.

    Alternatively, if you are looking for a resource related to a specific professional sector or area of learning and development, you can use our search bar to find what you are looking for.

    Why does the Learning Lab exist?

    The MDA Learning Lab exists to provide an insight into the latest trends and topics related to workplace development and the challenges of business operations.

    We have built up so much knowledge over the years across our entire business, and we feel it necessary to share it in one easy-to-navigate area.

    Can I use resources from the MDA Learning Lab?

    We encourage those who use the MDA Learning Lab to use the information freely either on their website, in an academic piece, or anything else. We do, however, ask that you link back to the resource centre when using the material.

    How often will resources be added to the LearningLab?

    We will be adding a range of useful resources and information to the Learning Lab on a continual basis.

    To see how the MDA Learning Lab works: please watch this video:

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MDA LEARNING LAB, PLEASE CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

  • 4 key statistics on remote working

    4 key statistics on remote working

    Now that a significant number of the UK workforce are working from home as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the remote policies and strategies set out by businesses across the UK and beyond will be put to the test more than ever.

    For so many companies, this will be the first time where a majority of the workforce will be required to carry out their roles and responsibilities outside of the office.

    While this time will serve for some to highlight the adequate support and strategies in place to facilitate remote working, some businesses will inherently suffer in terms of productivity and performance due to a lack of preparation.

    While no-one could have predicted the widespread impact of this pandemic on the average workplace, it rings true that the businesses who have prepared for a remote working situation will fare much better than businesses who have not.

    With this in mind, here are four statistics on remote working that you need to be aware of:

    1. 68% of businesses in the UK reported having a ‘flexible workspace policy’

    68% of businesses in the UK reported having a ‘flexible workspace policy'.

    While this statistic can be varied in the sense that some businesses will have more flexible workspace policies than others, the fact that the UK lies above the global average highlights how flexible working is not lost on the UK professional world.

    With so many businesses reporting that they are flexible in their policies, the implementation of remote working across the board should be something that can be managed and maintained for an extended period.

    2. 82% of remote workers report lower stress levels

    82% of remote workers report lower stress levels.

    The lack of a busy morning commute, working in comfortable surroundings and having less distractions are all reasons why a typical remote worker is likely to be less stressed than if they were to work in an office every day.

    We have shared our tips and advice in the last few weeks about how to adjust to the new normal of remote working, from wellbeing tips to confronting the stress of uncertain change and how managers can inspire their workforce during this time.

    3. 56% of employees believe that managers need to adapt their skills to manage a remote workforce

    56% of employees believe that managers need to adapt their skills to manage a remote workforce.

    The decision to advise businesses to set up remote networks and continue their operations from home was one that will have definitely shocked the system for many businesses, and in turn, many managers.

    With so many employees stating that their managers need to adapt their skills, this pandemic can serve as an opportunity to learn and implement skills in order to manage the workforce more effectively both now and in the future.

    4. Companies that allow remote working have a 25% lower employee turnover those that do not

    Companies that allow remote working have a 25% lower employee turnover those that do not.

    A study conducted by Owl Labs highlights a significant gap in business turnover between those who offer remote working and those who do not.

    Employee wellbeing is more important to business continuity right now than ever before, and businesses should take note of this.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR REMOTE WORKERS, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

    Sources:

    Merchant Savvy
    FGi
    PowWowNow
    Owl Labs

  • The next steps for insurance businesses affected by COVID-19

    The next steps for insurance businesses affected by COVID-19

    The rapid and unexpected worldwide spread of COVID-19 is continuing to affect the strategic, commercial, operational and leadership challenges associated with the insurance industry.

    As areas such as risk, regulation, relationships, and finance present their own challenges, there needs to be a wider consideration of business continuity and response during this crisis.

    Referring to Deloitte’s recently published ‘Understanding the sector impact of COVID-19’ as well as drawing on our experience in learning and development in insurance, we have identified three key areas for businesses to focus on in the coming weeks. These are:

    • Ensuring the safety and protection of staff members
    • Reviewing internal operations and processes
    • Preparing adequate strategies and responses going forward.

    Ensuring the safety of your people

    While it may appear to be obvious, the absolute priority for any insurance business at this time is to ensure that their employees are able to work in a safe environment in order to best serve their clients.

    While the majority of insurance businesses will be well-prepared for this crisis, the importance of creating effective communication networks and making alternative working arrangements must not be undermined when looking to ensure business continuity.

    While this may seem simple enough for businesses in other sectors, cybersecurity and regulation both play a significant role in the insurance sector, meaning that new protocols may have to be introduced in order to permit the exchange of confidential data to employees outside of a registered office.

    Reviewing internal operations

    To better understand how best to proceed when alternative working arrangements are in place, those at the top of the hierarchy have a responsibility to review how processes are set to be affected if they are going to be ready to respond accordingly.

    Key questions to consider when carrying out an internal review in light of a crisis include:

    • Which parts of the business or processes are most exposed and at risk to this crisis?
    • Is our brand risk exposure going to increase as a result of the disruption?

    Whether it is general business interruption, event cancellations, trade credit insurance or even travel claims, there needs to be a direct action and policy in place, which in turn needs to be communicated to employees, to react and mitigate the consequences of this pandemic.

    Prepare an adequate strategy and response

    Once the workforce is prepared to carry out their roles in whatever capacity and plans are in place to proceed with any customer queries and claims that may come in, communicating this officially and directly to both stakeholders and regulators is critical.

    While this entire process is easier said than done (considerations such as staff shortages and immediate cash flow issues must be made), the business must be able to respond accordingly to the challenges that COVID-19 will bring.

    Neal Baumann at Deloitte also notes that actively engaging with regulators and insurance markets is key to maintaining confidence across the board.

    MDA Training’s Digital Solutions for Insurers

    While we specialise in delivering in-house training solutions for insurers by utilising experiential learning methods like business simulations, we are currently developing our digital solutions to support businesses in light of this pandemic.

    Moving away from the asynchronous and one-way form of digital learning, our solutions are designed to enhance communication networks between remote workers. They are delivered using a range of methods including:

    For more information on our digital learning solutions for insurance, please click here.

    While businesses in pretty much every industry are having to deal with widespread change, the actions that are taken now will help to define how the business fares when the pandemic has settled.

    Especially for insurers, who will likely see a surge in consumer activity combined with a disruption to continuity, putting the right plans in order can yield significant benefits in the long run.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAMMES WE PROVIDE, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

  • The importance of digital learning for remote workers

    The importance of digital learning for remote workers

    In a world where setting up your laptop in the kitchen, lounge or spare bedroom to work has recently become the norm; many employees can be forgiven for shifting their immediate focus to getting used to their new professional surroundings.

    In recent weeks, following the coronavirus outbreak, we have been providing regular updates on how to eliminate distractions, practice self-care and utilise the software and programmes at your disposal in order to make the transition to remote working as seamless as possible.

    With everything in place to work and communicate from the confinement of your own home, continuing to learn and develop skills should be considered as important as being able to carry out your role(s).

    In addition, businesses should be utilising digital learning programmes in order to ensure continuity during this time.

    Learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Typically, remote working and digital communications have existed to complement operations taking place from an office or other professional setting.

    Now that the majority of employees are working in varied locations, however, there needs to be more time and effort spent utilising digital methods.

    When the pandemic begins to slow down, and employees across the world are able to return to work, businesses that have spent time investing in their learning & development programmes will be better prepared than companies that haven’t, as they will have minimised any disruptions that could last for several months.

    With several learning materials available, there is no reason why an entire workforce cannot continue to develop their skills away from their typical environment by utilising emerging technologies.

    MDA Training’s approach to remote learning

    Here at MDA Training, we have spent years developing and perfecting our digital solutions in line with the latest innovations and requirements of businesses. When it comes to learning and development, we focus on:

    • Listening to specific requirements
    • Creating bespoke solutions for remote workers
    • Delivering digital training to improve productivity
    • Sustaining learning back in the workplace.

    Whether it’s delivered in-house or using a range of virtual learning methods including e-learning, webinars, PDF toolkits and film-making activities, we lead the way in developing programmes that drive positive change on an organisational scale.

    With our consultants and training specialists currently unable to deliver our programmes in person, we are creating simulations and other learning programmes to help strengthen the communication between remote workers, as well as embedding key messages and skills that can be developed at home.

    While the current UK lockdown and remote working requirements have created new obstacles and challenges for us to consider, our scenario-based learning solutions serve to help employees overcome these situations long term. For more information on our digital services, please click here.

    The implementation of remote working across the workplace should not be considered a hindrance where learning and development is concerned.

    Instead, business leaders can and should be using this time to develop their digital offering to maintain and secure their operations for as long as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect businesses.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DIGITAL LEARNING PROGRAMMES WE PROVIDE, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

  • Inspiring the remote workforce from the top down

    Inspiring the remote workforce from the top down

    There has been much discussion from a professional development and business continuity perspective about what employees need to do in order to acclimatise to their new environment when working from home. While this is important, those at the top of the hierarchy also have a responsibility to support and nurture their talent during this time.

    We have been discussing our own tips for working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as how employees can embrace and explore the stress of change during this uncertain period. One area that needs to be focused on also is the role of effective leadership.

    With long term targets likely to be disrupted, those in leadership positions will be responsible for a greater number of things than usual during this pandemic, especially those involved in making financial decisions.

    Although the Government’s recent announcement of a support package for both employers and employees under the job retention scheme will help, businesses with a short term lack of cash flow will continue to suffer.

    Despite all of this, it is essential that leaders have plans in place to support the entire workforce and ensure that operations do not come to a standstill. Here are three ways in which they can do this:

    1. Communication is key

    Communication throughout an entire hierarchy can make or break a business. Without it, employees become disengaged with both their roles and one another, which can lead to regular mistakes and damaged operations.

    According to Fierce, 86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures, further highlighting the importance of adequate communication.

    Now, more than ever is the time for business leaders to put their communication strategies to the test, as the majority of employees set up to work from home for the foreseeable future.

    Regular conference calls, updates and check-ins on individuals will put the entire workforce in good stead to carry on as normal as possible.

    Whether it’s providing guidance, regular updates or even keeping employees in the loop regarding wider business decisions in light of this pandemic, effective communication will help to ease the entire process.

    2. Ensure that employees can do their job

    It is at this time more than ever where the workforce will be looking to their managers for inspiration and guidance.

    As progress significantly slowed due to employees working from home, it is up to those at the top of the hierarchy to formulate and implement plans going forward.

    While plans will have to be agreed across all levels of seniority to ascertain what needs to be done in the coming months, particularly for client-facing businesses, the responsibility will lie with leaders to ensure that this is put into action.

    At MDA Training, we are currently creating digital solutions for the remote workforce. These solutions draw on skills learnt in our typical leadership training programmes to help develop key areas such as boundaries, distractions, remoteness and the impact of change. For more information about our programmes, visit our website here.

    3. Prioritise employee wellbeing

    This will prove to be an incredibly challenging time for so many employees. Especially for those who are worried about losing their jobs or having to take a significant amount of time off, their morale is likely to be damaged.

    As we’ve previously discussed in our blog on improving employee wellbeing during this pandemic, ensuring a healthy work/life balance and encouraging self-care among the workforce will go a long way.

    It is easy to think of coronavirus as just a physical disease, but many will suffer mentally as a result of their disrupted work routine and new ‘normal’.

    The most effective leaders will put steps in place to ensure that every employee has the tools they need to carry out their roles while continuing to check-in on them.

    While the coronavirus pandemic will no doubt pose one of the biggest threats in recent memory to businesses across the world, the most effective leaders will have the necessary tools in place to weather the storm and come out through the other side.

    There is no shortcut to inspiring and motivating employees in this respect; leaders have an extra responsibility to ensure business continuity by managing their workforce to the best of their ability.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DIGITAL LEARNING SOLUTIONS FOR THE REMOTE WORKFORCE, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

  • Exploring and confronting the stress of uncertain change

    Exploring and confronting the stress of uncertain change

    “Working from home” is the current ‘in thing’, though it may not be wholly new to some. At MDA Training, many consultants have been doing so for years, and this work profile is reflected nationally as well.

    But many others this week have had change forced upon them and are home-working for the first time, struggling to come to terms with boundaries, distractions, remoteness and the impact of change.

    In isolation, these issues are not hard to understand and react to – they are topic areas that appear in many of our courses on management, leadership and handling change.

    But taken together, some might find their changed working day quite uncomfortable, and as the shock and resistance elements fade, are now trying to explore different ways of handling uncertainty in their new-look workspaces.

    This article explores a handful of hints and tips that can address some of the stresses of dealing with uncertainty and change.

    As mentioned, many of the ideas come from our work with managers and leaders, in areas like EQ and handing change within the workplace.

    And although the working environment for many has now changed, those same ideas remain. It is time to put the theory of building emotional resilience into practice. The article breaks these ideas into four themes:

    It’s good to talk. But listen to yourself. And others

    Offices – like cities – can be some of the most lonely of places: full of people, yet working alone. Even the name “self-isolation” conjures a sense of gloom, loneliness and despair. And yet even this shall pass.

    The key is to look after yourself, ask for advice – from yourself and others – and listen. Self-isolation should not be isolating: you have your phone and your laptop.

    So talk, especially to those whom you trust. One of the most frequent requests in our village from older residents at present is for someone to ring them and just talk and listen: it is good for the soul, and it is good for your inner voice that says you are going through this alone.

    The frustration is that our mind plays games with us all of the time. We talk to ourselves, convincing ourselves that everything is really bad. And sometimes the black dog takes us into places that are not good for ourselves or others.

    And yet we all know the impact an unexpected call, a smile, or a cheery wave, can have on our emotional state and the raising of spirits. That call could be yours. Or it could be a conversation that leads to a further act of random kindness which lifts two souls.

    But also do not deny the power of self-care: making yourself look or feel good (and telling yourself that), or finding a daily anchor – a task, mantra or activity – that gives you pleasure, quietens your mind, and brings that dog to heel.

    Only do the things only you can do

    I picked this point up from one of the busiest people that I have met. In context, it was about time management, but it applies equally to emotional baggage which distracts attention, fills your head, and clouds your judgement.

    The problem with change is that people no longer feel in control. It is this loss of control that is summed up in “people do not mind change: but they do mind being changed”.

    Being unable to control your actions – whether it be because you are lost, in unfamiliar surroundings, or stuck at home – leads to decisions that you are not used to making. And non-habitual decisions under uncertainty are always stressful.

    Regular news updates don’t help: they only emphasise the sense of less control still, especially when sensationalising issues for the sake of a good story.

    Cut down on them. And whether looking at social networks or traditional news channels, always ask yourself: what is the objectively verifiable truth in this story? And what are the more sensationalised alternative facts that make a story emotionally personal to me? If it is bad, and it seems personal, it feels uncontrollable.

    Yet in reality, you should only concentrate on controlling the things you are capable of controlling, and stop thinking too much on the issues that influence you but cannot be controlled. I cannot stop the journey of COVID-19 across the globe, alarming though that is.

    But I can stay at home and wash my hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds. Uncertainty is not ideal, but it is tolerable once you realise that you should only plan your way on those areas that you can control, and don’t sweat the things that you can’t.

    What’s the worst that can happen?

    There’s a lovely line in Finding Nemo where Dory challenges Marlin’s desire not to let anything happen to Nemo. Our brains have a natural risk-averse bias which, combined with the fear of the unknown, means we often overplay risk and the fear of failure.

    We look back, full of delusional rose-tinted hindsight, to a time when everything worked as planned (it never was so), and despair at the now bleak, uncertain future. And yet bad things, while feeling bad, don’t happen all of the time, so don’t beat yourself – or others – up about them: the bark is often worse than the bite.

    Your anxieties will feel very real: but don’t judge your feelings or those of the people around you. Emotional reactions and tensions over the next few months will run high – missed life experiences, exams, holidays, weddings.

    But it is our reaction to those feelings rather than the feelings themselves that we need to master and control. In the cold, objective light of day, things are rarely as bad as they feel in the moment.

    One way to be kinder on yourself is to pause and reflect on what has gone well as a result of recent events. Write down just two things that you are proud of or that have made you feel great over the past few days. Think about them.

    Capture that feeling of mastery and success. Let the dopamine and serotonin flow in your body as your mood lightens, and you can see the possibilities.

    Now look again at that impossible challenge. And see a way through. On a recent change programme, we discussed the impact of micro-behaviours: not massive external changes that suddenly make everything go great.

    However, tiny variations in habits and leadership which are small and risk-controlled, and yet collectively have the power to change behaviours and organisations. Sometimes it feels easier and better to sweat the small stuff – only a little.

    Seize the day

    If, when this is all over, and the football stadiums are full, bars are busy, and we are back to shaking hands and not elbows, someone says to you “what new skill did you learn in the months of time you had, stuck at home, looking out of your window?”, how would you reply? The truth is, we may never (I hope) have such an opportunity in our working lifetimes to sit at home for weeks on end looking for things to do.

    What will you do? Learn Python? Learn to touch-type? Start playing an instrument? Lose some weight or get fit? Tidy the clothes pile? Paint the kitchen? Try a new language or a new cooking technique? Maybe even watch every episode of GoT back to back (this is certainly the time I have been promising to watch every episode of Breaking Bad, but just limited to one or two a day)? The opportunities to try something new in the extra time we all now have are endless. Carpe Diem.

    For my part, I want to become more of an expert on Solvency II. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I suspect, but I don’t normally have the time. And now there seems too much of it. Every. Day. And so much free, on-line information out there at the same time.

    So, what is holding you back? What is stopping you, in the comfort of your own home (because let’s face it, you won’t be leaving it any time soon) from trying out something new, to develop an interest in something very different, to push the boundaries of what you know to the advantage of your future self? Even if it is about Solvency II.

    Wouldn’t it be great to return to the office a bit like a (less extreme version of) Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, with a new skill that you can use for life to make your workplace, or your daily life, just a little bit richer?

    Conclusion

    These are uncertain times, and never have so many adjectives – “exceptional”, “extraordinary”, “unusual” – felt so appropriate.

    Many people’s lives will be changed in ways they could not have imagined a few weeks ago. But we can and will get through this, all perhaps a little more aware of what is really important in time spent with families, a hug from a loved one, or a greeting from a stranger.

    Strangely, I think one societal outcome from all of this is that it will speed up the principle and practice of remote working for everyone. Like many organisations, our local District Council has engaged on a WorkSmart programme that changes ways of working and dealing with members of the public, and ensuring the council is fit for purpose for the next 20 years.

    As well as new technology and office spaces, this involves a fundamental shift in agile and remote working practices, which are changing the nature both of the workplace and the work carried on there. As a result of COVID-19 just about all Council staff are now working from home, and many appear to be thoroughly enjoying the experience, with increases in workflow and work-rate as a result.

    A shift that was going to happen over ten years is now happening in less than two weeks. And that change now might become the new norm.

    And I suspect another outcome is that people may become more attuned to their inner thoughts and feelings – a little more open to the company, ideas, and opinions of others.

    And in applying some of the ideas and thoughts above, I think we can also be a little more resilient and less stressed in handling the challenge of change and uncertainty.

    Keep safe: keep connected: keep well.

  • Top tips for employee wellbeing in light of COVID-19

    Top tips for employee wellbeing in light of COVID-19

    The current COVID-19 outbreak is proving to be one of the most significant issues faced by individuals and businesses alike for more than a generation. 

    Many workers have now been working from home for a considerable period of time – which may mean that emotions are running high, and some may be struggling.

    And, after a recent poll from People Management and CIPD revealed that staff anxiety would be the biggest challenge employers face during the coronavirus crisis, it is no surprise that many of us will be wondering how we can best support our colleagues through these trying times.

    If your team is new to remote working, it could present a host of challenges that you’re unfamiliar with. With this in mind, we’ve put together our top five tips for maintaining employee wellbeing during these uncertain times:

    1. Ensure everyone maintains a positive work/life balance

    When working remotely, it can be easy to slip into a routine that sees you working longer hours and taking shorter breaks. You wouldn’t do it in the office, so why are you doing it at home? 

    Encourage your team to take regular breaks away from their designated workspace – it can be vital for enhancing and maintaining productivity. They should also be taking a proper lunch break, and getting plenty of fresh air (even if that means going and standing in the garden). 

    2. Remember: A pandemic isn’t just a physical health issue

    Due to the sudden onset of coronavirus in the UK, it is possible that some members of your team may be worried or stressed about the impact the virus is going to have on their lives. Thankfully, Mind has produced this useful resource, that is designed to help anyone take care of their mental wellbeing during these uncertain times. 

    Plus, it is worth keeping in mind that, for some, working from home can be quite isolating. You can tackle this by organising regular virtual check-ins, both with individuals and your team as a whole. 

    3. Keep regular communication

    Life is messy for everyone at the moment, which is something we need to embrace. Everyone in your team will be dealing with the upheaval and uncertainty in their lives differently. That is why we would recommend using video for any formal discussions, as this would allow you to pick up on any non-verbal indicators of how an individual is coping. 

    It is also possible that some employees may be experiencing increased pressure to maintain their work productivity in a new environment. It is vital to acknowledge that sometimes, you won’t be as productive while working from home – but there are ways to improve. 

    4. Encourage self-care

    We all have unhealthy strategies for dealing with stress – the key is to make sure you replace the bad habits with beneficial ones. 

    During times of stress, it is essential to stay connected with friends and family – even if it is virtually, via an instant messenger or video call. Even though working is important, properly taking care of yourself will be more beneficial to your organisation in the long-term. 

    If any members of your team are struggling, then Mental Health First Aid England have put together this helpful resource to help employees protect themselves from stress. 

    5. Utilise the available support

    Make sure your team is aware of the wellbeing support available within your organisation, and how they can access it. The current times can be very challenging on an individual’s mental health – and the increased stress of working from home may be detrimental to their wellbeing. 

    An increasing number of organisations are finding new and innovative ways to support employees virtually, whether that be through online counselling sessions or live-streaming a workout. If in doubt, ask your team – they’ll know what they need best. 

    To summarise…

    During these tough times, there is no denying that the health and wellbeing of your workforce is paramount. Besides, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of your workforce during the COVID-19 outbreak will ultimately help future proof your business. If you can prove to staff now that you have their best interests at heart, you will be helping to guarantee that most of them will return to the business when things return to normal.

    Here at MDA Training, we understand that we are all united by the challenges presented to us by COVID-19. That’s why we’re currently pioneering digital simulations that will help strengthen the communication between remote workers. Through virtual and experiential learning, we can help enhance the working from home experience, for you and your team. 

    For more information on improving employee wellbeing during the current coronavirus pandemic, contact MDA training today.

  • Preparing for a digital working world

    Preparing for a digital working world

    As the world continues to be significantly affected by the global spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the operations of so many businesses will inherently suffer. Particularly for companies where employees are required to go into an office, or dedicated workspace, the very sudden need to work from home can cause severe disruptions in the long run.

    At MDA Training, we are no strangers to remote working. Many of our consultants regularly travel away from their offices, working to deliver experiential learning solutions for our clients across the globe, as well as creating and perfecting digital solutions to embed and sustain learning back in the workplace.

    The latter has now become significantly more critical as the majority of businesses, in the UK at least, begin to prepare for remote working for an extended period.

    Digital communications have become vital in maintaining operations in every corner of the globe. It is now possible for two people to engage with each other and complete work no matter where they are situated.

    The same can be said for learning and development within the workplace. No longer is it absolutely necessary to group individuals at one given location in order to transfer key messages throughout an entire workforce. With the advancement of innovative technology, we are now able to transfer the learning and deliver it through digital mediums.

    The implementation of webinars, e-learning, virtual reality, digital simulations and much more have all been manipulated and reworked to serve the modern workforce in several professional industries. From developing credit skills in banking to achieving LEAN processes in manufacturing, there are so many digital solutions widely available.

    Online simulations not only take advantage of providing a learning platform for employees, but they also serve to improve learning retention as much as a physical training activity. When implemented correctly, they serve as a more flexible solution than a physical simulation event.

    At MDA Training, we are currently designing digital simulations that help strengthen the communications between remote workers, as well as developing employee wellbeing on an organisational scale. We understand that the changes in the light of the coronavirus pandemic will prove to be challenging for so many, and how virtual learning can help to enhance correspondence at every stage.

    While our consultants, trainers, coaches and facilitators in every corner of the world will find their travel opportunities limited, we will be maximising our digital offering to provide learning initiatives that continue to meet specific needs.

    TO ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR DIGITAL LEARNING SOLUTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.