One of the services we supply is support for people whose jobs have been made redundant: particularly in situations where people are looking not just to find a similar job to their previous one, but want to review their career direction in the light of their strengths and interests.

Richard Hovey, one of our coaches, has been asked to join the Redundancy Support Service provided by the Chartered Management Institute for their members.The CMI seek to develop leadership excellence among their 90,000 members and this extended service provides support for members facing redundancy.

We’re pleased that this appointment recognises the quality of service we provide, and presents new opportunities to support people in developing their careers.

Our most popular grant scheme (the Leadership and Management Advisory Service) ended in April and the new batch of grants focus on businesses that want help to grow fast – whether they are established businesses or start-ups. Three of our coaches are specially authorised to deliver coaching under the new schemes.

This grant programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports coaching for leaders in businesses seeking high growth. Key extra criteria are that turnover is more than £1 million and there are not more than 250 staff. (A similar grant is available for new businesses with no turnover!)

These funds can be used to support individuals or management teams to help them in a targeted way to realize the ambitions of the business, for example through support in formulating strategies, identifying options, and developing leadership and delegation skills of key staff.

Stage 1 – first three months 
A grant of £1100 including VAT is available to help fund twelve hours coaching (£76.39+VAT per hour). The grant is paid to the coach, reducing the amount that the coach invoices you. This must be completed within three months (e.g. four hours per month). To apply, request and complete an application form. This may be followed by an informal telephone interview. The process takes about one week.

Stage 2 – further six months
A grant of up to £2000 is available for up to 48 hours (8 days) of coaching (£41.67 per hour), up to half the cost of the coaching. Being a grant, this does not attract VAT, so if the amount invoiced by the coach is £4000+VAT, you can reclaim £2000. The amount of coaching is flexible, however the first (up to) 24 hours of coaching have to be completed within three months (e.g. eight hours per month). All the coaching has to be completed within six months. Stage 2 requires the completion of a further short application form, and payment is made to you after you have paid your coach.

Contact me for more information or for an application form.

Next Monday 2nd July between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. David and I will be chatting with Gerry and Peter on Swindon Radio. We’ll be answering questions to help people with business growth, career development, and handling stress. The conversation is fluid, affected by any phone calls you make!

This is Swindon Radio’s show “Mind your own business” – the show that looks at issues of concern to local businesses. You can listen – anywhere – on the internet at Swindon Radio 105.5 (click on Listen Live) or on a real radio in the Swindon area at 105.5 FM.

We look forward to talking to you!

Isla and I visited Swindon Connections last night to meet with existing and potential clients. The speaker was Nikki Owen who talked about developing charisma in corporate life. One of the things that fascinated me most was her “Rotten Apple” experiment to show the difference it makes if you have love in your heart when communicating at work or at home.