“What do you want to get out of today?” Dawn asked at the beginning of the session. “Inspiration” I replied,  and within 10 minutes I had already started scribbling down ideas.

So if you are looking for an action packed session, answers to all those daft questions as a non-techie, some fun, learning about other businesses on the learning journey with you … talk to Dawn Brewer – Writing Words for The Web, here’s her blog: http://www.dawnb.co.uk/dawnb-blog/

Proof of taking action in the moment – she already has us all writing blog posts.

Thanks Dawn – INSPIRED. Contact Dawn to find out more http://www.dawnb.co.uk/

Now I just need to do it weekly!!

What is innovation?

Well, I guess it depends where you are. In Nokia’s case, they appear not to be looking all the time at what their clients or potential clients would want, or desire next. How desirable are Apple products? I’ve no idea what Android is, but they told me it was fantastic to have on my new netbook, so I got it, even though I’m not using it!

Don’t beat yourself up if you are not the one who lights up the room with all the bright whacky ideas, but do kick yourself if you don’t use that talent in others when you need to. Innovation can be about “introducing something new or different”, so if you don’t naturally spot the next opportunity, find people who can, and let them do it.

Top Tips for managing INNOVATION?

• Know your market. Network it, research it, talk to customers/clients.
• Develop an environment where ideas can be freely expressed – freedom, openness, non-judgemental.
• Brainstorm – 2 heads are often better than 1.
• Accept that some ideas will not run – use sound judgement to know which ones will play out effectively in the marketplace.
• Don’t procrastinate – timing can be the difference between being seen as innovative, and just a copier!

Thanks to a client for prompting this Blog headline. In a recent executive development feedback session we were discussing style and impact, and how sometimes, when under pressure, or in the heat of the moment, you need to stop yourself from coming out with an emotional response that can undermine your effectiveness as a leader. He suggested a technique which works for him - sticking a note to himself, readily visible at all times (on the small notepad he carries everywhere), asking “What shadow do I want to cast?”

You may find your own prompt to get emotions under control and manage your behaviour to make the impact you really want to make, rather than one that brings undesirable consequences. But, whatever you choose, make it simple, memorable, and easily accessible. Some people take a deep breath, or count to 3 when they feel the emotions rising. So, what are the benefits of finding an appropriate and memorable prompt?

• It makes you stop before coming out with the first and often emotional response, which you may regret afterwards.
• That gives you time to THINK. Take that time to make a choice – if you still want to give the emotional response, then it has been a conscious decision to do so, rather than shooting from the hip.
• Alternatively, you may choose to make a different response based more on logic than emotion.
• You are more likely to get a rational response in return, rather than raising the hackles and emotions of the person you are facing. A great technique for those who find conflict an issue.
• You are taking more control of your stress level!



What shadow do you want to cast?

Make it a choice.

It is a shame that CURIOSITY often gets bad press, as I have found it to be pretty handy skill to have, as long as it is used in a positive way. Being curious, or developing curiosity can bring many benefits; though be careful of using this in overdrive and being perceived as ‘nosy’, or getting in as much hot water as the proverbial cat! Curiosity can help to:

• build positive relationships
• keep your finger on the pulse
• develop creativity

So how can you be curious in a positive way and reap those benefits? Consider how and when you ask questions, do they lead to you:

• demonstrating genuine interest in others?
• gathering adequate information to make sound and timely judgements or decisions?
• getting inspiration, or the motivation to experiment or learn?

If not, then think again about how you are using or phrasing your questions and you might reap the benefits.

If you’d like to know more about asking questions, or how to phrase them for best effect, e-mail us at angiemartin@impactpositive.co.uk  or call us on 07779 639569

I often go on about ‘living in the moment’, well, savouring those moments at that event both:

• took me back: to happy childhood memories of standing on the little bridge in the lane, watching and smelling the approach of the train, and running to avoid the steam; and
• inspired me forwards: ideas for buying Christmas presents for those of my friends and family who would treasure the nostalgia.

So, where did I get that surge of well-being? At the Bluebell Railway.

A hobby, an enthusiasm,a passion for something, all these can contribute enormously to a positive outlook, and it is positively infectious – it can spread to those around you. Top tips:

• Find your key interest – running, cinema, cooking …
• Give time to it regularly
• Share it with others
• Celebrate it from time to time
• If it lapses, re-ignite your passion by going back to it, or find a new one.

Just in case this ignites some nostalgia for you, you could also help the Bluebell Railway to link up finally to East Grinstead, by giving a “Tenner for the Tip”, which will pay to remove quarter of a ton of landfill rubbish from the Imberhorne Cutting. www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

SMARTER

CLEAR

PURE

Specific

Measurable

Agreed

Realistic

Time Phased

Challenging

Legal

Environmentally sound

Appropriate

Recorded

Positively stated

Understood

Relevant

Ethical

Engaging

Rewarding

Developing others
You promote other people’s learning and development to help them achieve their goals and fulfil their potential

Extract from Angie Martin’s Strengthscope Report

Thanks to Julie Maxted www.horshampages.com

We are accredited in the use of ©Strengthscope. To find out more, please ring us on

07779 639569 or 01403 888044

Dee Blick The Marketing Gym

Penina Shepherd Acumen Business Law

Through the power of our words we can give energy or take it away. On a beautiful sunny day, and after an hour’s journey in the car singing to my latest CD I arrived at the office of a client and approached 2 different employees with my usual smile and cheery greeting. ‘Good morning, what a beautiful sunny day today. How are you?’ The responses I got?:
‘Could be worse’
‘Great thanks, how about you?’

Research suggests that we have up to 50,000 thoughts a day processed through ongoing ‘self-talk’; the average child under 6 is told ‘no don’t’ many times each day; if asked to describe ourselves in detail, the average person will often use up to 8 times more negative adjectives than positive ones. No wonder it is hard to think and talk positively! The good news is that we can choose to take a positive stance if we so wish. Here are a few examples to get us thinking about how we can give energy or take it away with the words we use – which do you choose?:

What we say to ourselves

+ve or -ve?
I need more energy or I’m tired
I must remember or I mustn’t forget
I’ll find out or I don’t know

What we say when talking with others

+ve or -ve?
Feel free to contact me or Don’t hesitate to contact me
Have you considered ? or Why didn’t you ?

When those 2 people responded to me, it wasn’t just the words that had an impact on my energy level, it was also the way they said it. Positive words can be undermined by the way we say them. Mehrabian’s model on the effectiveness of spoken communication is often misquoted but gives food for thought:
7% of meaning is in the words that are spoken
38% of meaning is the way that the words are said (tone of voice)
55% of meaning is in body language (facial expression)