Highlights – 15 January

Ann Francke OBE, CMI’s chief executive, was quoted in an article in The Times last week, highlighting the role of better managers in helping employees who’ve suffered a dip in job satisfaction. Elsewhere, Ann has been vocal about the need to support workers pursuing fertility treatment – highlighting the difficulties they face balancing work pressures with last-minute hospital appointments. Indeed, CMI’s research into fertility treatment support found that, if organisations don’t implement formal policies, they risk losing valued staff.

Such measures have a greater chance of success if they’re not introduced piecemeal. In this week’s newsletter, we hear how Adrian Walcott CCMI left a long career in brand marketing to help companies better understand their culture, so they can make comprehensive improvements. He explains how the arrival of Covid-19 sent clients flocking to his diagnostic platform, which helps organisations truly align with the needs of their people – and helped him find his own purpose along the way.

Sticking with hybrid

One workplace practice with a powerful role to play in company culture is hybrid working. Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and external affairs, has appeared on BBC Radio [topic starts at 49.00] discussing the subject. She stressed that, while some companies are demanding their staff return to the office full time, the majority are sticking with more flexible models.

Transformative training

As Ann suggested above, the success of so many of these initiatives ultimately comes down to decent management. It’s no surprise that CMI’s research into the damaging impact of accidental managers is still getting attention.

Proper training is key. The Times has featured a letter to the editor from Petra Wilton, who flagged the importance of Level 7 apprenticeships and the positive effect they can have on the public sector. 

She’s not alone in banging that drum. In this week’s newsletter, we hear from apprenticeship ambassador Kate Walker, who reveals the transformative impact that apprenticeships are having in Cumbria and beyond, as well as sharing her own inspiring journey from rejection to success. 

Meanwhile, archer and quality and assurance director Mark Braham shares why he embarked on a Senior Leader Apprenticeship at 51. And we hear from Solomon Siyanbade CMgr MCMI,  who was recently named Chartered Manager of the Week, about how he built 12 years’ experience in his role as finance manager at an award-winning international law firm in Lagos, Nigeria, before he travelled to the UK to boost his management skills with an MBA (and CMI accreditation). 

As with so many of these inspiring stories, Solomon recognised his own value and was bold enough to do something about it. 

It’s never too late to make a difference. 

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI

Image: CMI