Isla and Richard will be waving our flag at the Swindon Business Show at STEAM this Thursday 10th February. Not only will they be waving our flag but Isla has promised us PomPoms as well, and Di will be joining them to check out the mystery.
For more information on the Swindon Business Show go to

Picture this – you have your own personal virtual cheerleader at your disposal, complete with pom-poms, that you can take out at any time to wave you on whenever you feel your life is flagging.

New Year is a time when we have an instinctive desire to make changes.  Seeing this as an opportunity to add to our lives rather than taking something away is a refreshing viewpoint and one which is very trendy.  The Telegraph recently gave us tips on how learning something new can bring a new dimension to your holiday experience and the Observer suggested some learning curves for a few of our business leaders “Perhaps bankers could go to charm school, BA could make friends with the unions and Warren Buffett could understand where he has gone astray”.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jan/02/business-new-year-resolutions)

Before we get back to pom-poms, what are we actually doing when we make a resolution?  We are committing to changing the way that we think and act.  The easy part is the deciding to change, the less easy part is the deciding what to change, the even less easy part is the deciding how to change it, and the most difficult part is making that change.  And that’s not to mention all the dithering and excuses that surround resolutions, before you even get to start learning or having your new life experiences.  And here’s where the pom-pom paradigm comes in.

Thinking and acting differently is a challenge and one very simple way to ensure this is to have a cheerleader or two.  In another Telegraph article a 2005 study was quoted which highlighted the importance of personal perceptions of self-control affecting the likelihood of achieving goals.  Self-control – a big word, and an even bigger action.  Time to turn to your cheerleaders!  Look around, where are the pom-pom wavers? Who is there to help you keep on course, support you when you dither, ensure you are making the right choices and have the right strategies to see these through?

Happily, the coaches at the Swindon Coaching Team provide cheerleaders for all types of personal and work related change, supporting business leaders, career professionals and individuals looking for personal change.  We have the metaphorical pom-poms to provide the supportive cheer needed to make good choices and achieve effective outcomes.  And we have a lot of other clever stuff to see you on your way forward to personal or business growth.

I’ve just read a fascinating article by Tim Weber, BBC News Editor, reporting from the 2011 Economic Forum in Davos as he chats to business leaders in a sea of laptops and other mobile devices.

He reflects on how we are now “hyperconnected” with mobile devices now outnumbering both laptops and toothbrushes. Is all this information which is changing the way that we relate and shop, that is “the abundant distractions of the internet” a help or a hindrance? If the size of my inbox is anything to go by, I suspect it is a hindrance!

In this age where people’s brands or reputations can be destroyed in seconds, advice to leaders is “treat your employees with respect and stick to your values” and make sure you find time to think and to reflect. This sounds like a good summary for success in the 21st Century information age. Discovering ways to be true to your individual and corporate values, and to find time to make good decisions that flow from these, sound like good topics for a conversation with your coach.

Full article here: the photo brings the message home!

Put the date in your diary (10th February) and come and say hello at the Swindon Business Show. Follow the link for more info and for a free visitor’s ticket.

Our team will be there on the Swindon Coaching Team stand (nr 24), and we can chat to you about ways to develop yourself, your staff, or your organisation to get the prosperous 2011 that you deserve.

See you there!

We’re meeting at the Madison Hotel, Swindon, which is a great venue – with Swindon Connections. Come along to find out more about how coaching from our wise and experienced team can help you to turn your hopes into reality in 2011.

This evening is also an opportunity to get to know local networking organisations, and to hear Swindon Connection’s own Warren Cass talk about how Social Media needs to be all about creating experiences.

The Swindon Coaching Team is all about supporting businesses and individuals in one of Europe’s fastest-growing and thriving towns – Swindon! What help would you like to turn your hopes into reality this year?

Start time is 6:00 p.m., ends at 8:30 p.m., and refreshments including a light buffet will be provided – so the £10 ticket is good value. For best results, book in online. Full details, location, and booking form here.

We’re also always happy to answer your questions online. Comments here are welcome!