Rubicon Developments Ltd

2010-06-21T06:29:00.001-07:00

I am looking forward to our training showcase event tomorrow! Watch the front page of www.rubicon-developments.co.uk - for the live stream.

Acts of Kindness

2010-06-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

It's nice to know that in business there exist many types of human kindness. When I take time to think of all the wonderful people that I've met whilst networking, and the paths that have lead on from this, I am amazed.

The "6-steps-from-anyone" rule of contacts certainly can apply when networking, I've proved this many times over. The rule is, that you are only ever 6 steps from someone that you would like to meet, i.e. someone in your network will know someone who may know someone who can put you in touch with that person. However, what I find so wonderful about the whole networking scenario, is how busy business-minded people, will spend their time doing favours for you, for no economical gain themselves.

In turn, I do the same, and always have, when I cast my mind back. However, it seems even more wonderful when this favour is reciprocated. They always say "it's easier to give than to receive" don't they?

This blog, really is, just a thank you to all the people I've met whilst networking, it has helped me to realise that not everyone is in business is a "money grabbing egoist" - far from it!

2010-06-13T10:31:00.001-07:00

Do you fancy learning Chinese or Japanese? 28 June 2010 7-9pm (4-weeks @ Â£45) at the Rubicon Developments training centre.

2010-06-13T04:15:00.001-07:00

Lunch time at Katherine Cavendish, fancy seeing what we can cook up in your kitchen?

Doesn't eveyone speak English?

2010-06-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

How many times have we heard these words?...

As a nation, we are understandably lazy when it comes to learning new languages, as everyone speaks English. However, I have now lost count of the number of our training centre's language students who have told me about remote parts of either Germany or Spain that they have visited, where no English was spoken.

In fact, the whole reason that I started to learn Spanish was for that very reason alone. For those of you, who are interested in the works of Salvador DalÃ, you will know that he was born in the little fishing village of Figueres just North of Barcelona. It's a tiny village, but his final masterpiece was the museum that he built there before he died. As like with all his work, it's a show piece in it's own right. So whilst holidaying in Spain, I decided to visit the museum. After a 1- hour train journey, I just thought that on arriving a the railway station in Figueres - someone was bound to know where the museum was. After all, it was such an unusual building in such a small village.... however, this was not the case unfortunately!

I approached several local people in my loudest, slowest English voice "Excuse me please, could you tell me where the Salvador Dali museum is?". After asking the 10th person I finally got a reaction "Oh! you mean Salvador DalÃ", I was then directed to the museum in exceptionally brief pigeon English. At this point I realised 2 things:

1. the importance of speaking the basics when in a foreign country, especially if you want to travel around

2. the importance of correct pronunciation

In Spanish "Salvador DalÃ" is pronounced "salbadoor dar-liiii" as there is an accent on the "i" and "v's" are pronounced as "b's".

The same principle applies to visiting Germany. Some parts of rural Germany have very few people who can speak English, and will not be particularly accommodating to you as a foreigner if you don't speak German.

On this note, we are now widening our course offering here at the Rubicon Develoments training centre, to teach Eastern languages, as well as Western.

On 28 June 2010 we will be starting our 4-week introduction to Japanese from 7-9pm - æ—¥æœ¬èªžã‚’å¦ã¼ã† (Learn Japanese) at Â£45.00. Very shortly we will also be launching our 4-week Introduction to Mandarin Chinese at Â£45.00 å¦ä¸æ–‡ (Learn Chinese).

I hope that reading my blog has tempted you to fulfil that desire of wanting to learn a language. If you would like to enrol on any of our courses, or would like to chat about your learning needs please log on to www.rubicon-developments.co.uk or call us on: 0161 330 2546 and we will be pleased to inspire you further!

2010-06-03T12:13:00.001-07:00

Our German and Spanish learners have now come to the end of their courses - and what excellent feedback!

2010-06-01T01:15:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to our training centre's showcase event 22 June 2010, where we will have taster courses all day. Want to come?

2010-05-25T11:41:00.001-07:00

Doesn't this nice weather affect everyone's morale? Even when giving training, I notice how much more "on form" everyone is!

2010-05-25T11:40:00.001-07:00

I am looking forward to starting to teach a new "Refresher for Spanish Beginners" course tomorrow evening!

2010-05-18T02:15:00.001-07:00

Another great Speak Easy session last night, with 3 great presentations and some excellent feedback!

2010-05-17T06:02:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to attending Speak Easy tonight, we have 4 presenters to see!

2010-05-13T05:18:00.001-07:00

Finance for Non-Financial People is a really popular course at the moment - our next one runs on 28 May 2010 http://ping.fm/sIT0e

2010-05-13T05:12:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to being able to offer Chinese and Japenese lessons in our Training centre soon!

2010-05-12T08:43:00.001-07:00

The "Unleash your writing power course" will now take place on 3-4 July 2010!

Are we Creatures of Habit?

2010-05-12T04:32:00.001-07:00

As a Trainer it is key that my training "hits home" and that delegates go away from their course, whatever it may be, with a positive impression. Not only is this achieved by training techniques, good quality hand outs and presentation skills, but also by their mentality and receptiveness to learn new things. It is also essential that training delegates understand the reasons why they are learning.

We all hate change.... don't we? If you have been doing a task in a certain way for 20 years (or even less) your mind tells you that it works. So why change? Well, imagine if you were told a better way to perform that task that can save you hours of your life... what would you do? I'm sure that most of you would like to say that you would do it the new way and save time, but would you really? Would your inner sense of habit kick in and prevent you from making that life changing change to the task.

What I have experienced with some trainees in the past 10 years, is that they are so enthusiastic about learning new things and can't wait to put them into practice. Day one, week one, month one... these new practices continue and they are making excellent progress, but then they undertake, what I call "training flip back", whereby they revert to their old way of performing the task. Why is this? The "buy in" to the training was clearly there, the results were proven and they demonstrated clear enthusiasm for learning.

It was a mystery to me, until I recently posed this scenario to our Business Psychology Trainer, Sharon De Mascia. Sharon identified that there are 3 clear strategies that need to be in place to prevent this "training flip back" from happening, and explained that we are habitual creatures who program our brains to repeat tasks rather than re-think them and process them differently.

1. Ensure that the internal change is made with the delegate (i.e. they understand WHY they doing something differently)

2. Ensure that their physical environment supports the change

3. Continually monitor the results and outcomes

Having now got a clear perspective and pointer to this, it made me realise even more, just how important my follow up calls are to training delegates and their Managers, after I have delivered a training session!

So, is there light at the end of the tunnel? Can we, as human beings, overcome our reticence to change and take on new training? Or are we creatures of habit?

Please call me back!

2010-04-06T04:17:00.001-07:00

Time is of the essence when you run a business, isn't it? I always feel a great sense of satisfaction when I work through my "to-do list" and make those all important calls to various suppliers and customers alike. In my mind it's a job done, if I am able to leave a message on a mobile answer phone or with a colleague, as that person will then call me back when they get the message, won't they? Or will they?...

Many times these days, I recognise that my"to-do list" is full of follow up calls to various people with whom I left a message several days or maybe even weeks ago - who haven't yet returned my call. I ask myself, on occasion, why this is. Is it because people are rude? Is it because they don't get the messages? Is it because they are disorganised? Or is it because people simply do not have enough hours in the day anymore?.... Whatever the reason it multiplies my "to-do list" five-fold and creates far more work for me to keep on top of things within the business.

In truth, I have also started to use the "call-back factor" as a key indicator of supplier performance. For example, if I am looking to place an order with a brand new supplier and they don't return my calls, I use this an indicator for the future, when perhaps they may / may not deliver the product?

Turning this thought on it's head, as companies offering either a product or service, we should think about what effect this "call-back factor" (or lack of it) has on our business. For this reason - I always return people's calls, you never know who they are, what they might need, until you speak to them. Even perceived nuisance calls can be turned into a plus if handled correctly, in some instances.

So, next time you get a pile of messages, sit down and take some time to call people back - it may be in your best interests!

Carol Saunders, Director
Rubicon Developments Ltd

The Art of Presentations

2010-03-23T08:15:00.001-07:00

How many presentations have you been to - where you find that you've studied the back of your hand more than ever before...?

In reality, it doesn't take a lot to keep your audience interested and attentive, with a few basic techniques, such as changing the tone and pitch of your voice, for example. Whilst presenting - wake up your audience now and again with a raised tone to your voice, when you want to emphasise a point and whisper when you want to have their undivided attention - you watch them strain in to hear. Ensure that you have a very clear message during your presentation, with a mapped out path to get you to your finale. Don't let your audience sit and wonder what the point of the whole presentation is - make it clear from the onset.

Why not use some interesting props during your presentation (preferably heavy ones, that don't highlight your nervous shaky hands!), to add another dimension to your presentation? Try posing questions to catch their attention or make them ponder a point that you are trying to convey. How about a bit of audience participation now and again to make people become more involved in your message and actively participate - why should you do all the hard work?

This, amongst many of the other tips were shared by our guest Neil Firth of Vocal Coach and Andrew Thorp, at last night's well attended "Speakeasy" training session.

2010-03-23T08:10:00.001-07:00

Great Speakeasy session last night, where all attendees gained invaluable tips on their presentation skills. Why not join us on 19.4.10?

Blog title...

2010-03-21T08:10:00.001-07:00

Difficult customers just need more advice

Internet retailers – the scurge of the kitchen industry.

That’s what we are led to believe, if we listen to the major wholesalers, in particular, complaining about how even they are affected by the prolific number of cheap appliances available to retailers on the internet.

For retailers, fair enough. Margins are pressed and customers are savvy enough to do their homework and establish what a fair price is for their chosen appliance.

I became somewhat perplexed, recently, when through our kitchen and bedroom retail division, Katherine Cavendish Fitted Interiors Limited, we tried to deal with a well known trade supplier of appliances.

Fair enough, they wouldn’t open an account and we didn’t expect them to. However, a particular customer wanted a particular appliance, so we needed to source it from said wholesaler.

Would they take a cheque? No

Would they take a credit card? No

So, what did they want – cash? No, they don’t accept it !

They wanted a company debit card – we don’t have one.

We offered to electronically transfer £1000 as a bond, so that we could order up to that limit and replenish monthly – they couldn’t accept that either.

The “Sales Prevention Department”, sorry “Credit Control Department”, seemed to put every possible obstacle in the way of bringing money in, alienating us every step of the way.

This is, I stress, a MAJOR supplier, currently expressing regular concerns about their financial woes, both in the UK and the USA, continually “bleating on” about how their retailer business is affected by manufacturers flooding the internet.

I now have, I’m afraid, no sympathy whatsoever. Nor, I believe, should anybody else.

What did I do?
I bought off the internet, of course.

Peter Saunders
Director
_______________________________________

Rubicon Developments Limited
(www.rubicon-developments.co.uk) are a training and installation company, with a retail division, in kitchens and bedrooms (Katherine Cavendish Fitted Interiors Limited – www.katherinecavendish.co.uk)

Do you realise that when you are participating in self development you are accessing both side s of your brain?

2010-02-22T07:02:00.001-08:00

The right side of your brain is the creative part, with no logic applied. This is complemented by the left side of your brain which then applies the logic and intellect.

So how is this applied when you are learning?

Firstly, you open your mind to receiving training, by becoming receptive to what is being taught to you, then the creativity flows from the right side of the brain.

It is amazing what happens when you block the left side of your brain, ignore any logic and just let your creativity flow (depending on what subject you are learning of course!). So many people are unaware of their own capabilities, purely down to letting the logic, intellect and sense of reason kick in. We allow ourselves to think that it’s a “silly idea” or that we “can’t do something” – instead of relaxing into our own creativity.

Naturally when you are learning a logical topic, such as science or maths, the left side of your brain is king. It will be essential then to quash the right side of the brain and let the logic and intellect make sense of the topic.

I was recently opened to this revelation during a course I attending on writing magazine features, and it prompted me into thinking... how many people are in the world, who don’t know just how capable they are?

Carol Saunders, Director

Difficult customers just need more advice.

2010-02-20T04:13:00.001-08:00

I looked at some of the headlines in the February issue of "kbb review" and read;

"Tough but positive year for Ripples"...
"Wolsely pulls out of lossmaking....."
"BLP bought out of administration..."

It makes fairly depressing reading but our business levels indicate optimism in a shrunken market and this being the case, our ethos of placing customer service at the heart of everything we do, is a wise one. I'm not saying that it's easy to do so but if I feel aggrieved at being the recipient of poor customer service levels, then why won't my customers feel the same?

The series of pages in the "kbb review", citing the industry's current issues, placed customer service as a new entry at the 8th biggest issue, facing the industry.

I read the "Editor's comment" - "....keep calm and carry on...", explaining that perhaps we are over the worst but what short memories we risk having.

Then, I read with some dismay, the article about "Nit - picking customers", from Tim Foley, advising to "ditch them".

I continued and then read replies to Lisa Mather's previous article about "Time Wasters", filling almost a page with opposing opinion and backlash. All I can say is, quite right, too.

Lest we forget, customer service is at the heart of providing a great customer experience and we train all of our staff and sub-contractors in delivering such customer excellence. This ensures, that we not only do not fail in our goal but ensure that we have the skills to deal with all situations.

Have we all forgotten the hard times recently witnessed and the ensuing aftermath? A pound is a pound, wherevever it comes from but you can't extract profit from that pound with rudeness and arrogance.

At Rubicon Developments Limited, we have a couple of mottos;

"Good enough is never good enough" and

"Step back, look at your work and ask yourself, if I were paying this money, for this installation, would I be happy to accept it?".

If we have the slightest hesitation, then there is work to be done.

Mr Not-Happy and Mrs Nit-Pick, as referred to by Tim Foley deserve high standards. I'm sure that the previous correspondents promise them when taking a deposit, so the customer can expect them. The "Time Wasters", referred to are admittedly not always easy to sell to but it's our job to use our industry knowledge and expertise to win them over and give them confidence.

Fair enough? - I think so!

Clearing Snow!

2010-01-09T05:26:00.001-08:00

I’ve never seen bigger icicles in the UK, I’ve never seen better snow for skiing and sledging, I’ve not seen so many people gathered together having such fun for a long time!

Certainly in the minds of many children – and a lot of adults – that constitutes a fun start to the year, with bigger and better prospects. I think so too.

Many businesses have been “treading water”, for some time now but when the water freezes, then you can walk on it.

The “big freeze” has frozen many businesses and their trading activities even more, than late last year. Traffic at a standstill, fewer shoppers on the high street, all in the midst of a recession. Yet John Lewis, Next and even Marks and Spencer, report record takings.

So what’s the secret? Are we turning the corner of recession? I suppose the answer is, we probably are starting to do so but prices have reduced, many people’s wages have been reduced by their employers, lean thinking is no longer just a “buzz word” to many businesses, it is a necessity and has been fairly fully embraced.

We’ve all suffered but businesses are leaner, cuter, more agile, more customer focused, more customer service aware and more acutely aware of what can happen in the real world.

The “Sales” may not turn out to be as successful as anticipated due to the abnormal weather conditions and that will clearly be an “ill wind” for many but the creativity of many to modify the “Key Success Drivers” of their businesses to cope with the current business climate can only assist sustained improvement.

The “Ambition Club” by Rubicon Developments Limited assists, nurtures and develops the skills needed for managers to succeed and is a partly government funded management and leadership programme.

Those businesses with ambition will succeed – stick with it!

Peter Saunders
Director (Rubicon Developments Limited)

2010-01-07T07:09:00.001-08:00

THE BIG FREEZE - VAT frozen at 15%.Katherine Cavendish fitted Interiors Ltd. A new kitchen or bedroom for less. www.katherinecavendish.co.uk

Reduced VAT on kitchen appliances ? is it justified?

2010-01-07T07:01:00.001-08:00

We read continually about energy saving ideas and how to recover hard cash through savings. Couple that with “switching” suppliers and the significant savings make for a very happy consumer. “Switching” however, does little for the environment.

Payback on boiler replacement can be in as little as 4 years, with annual savings reported as high as £200 to £300 pa and something as simple as investing in a hot water cylinder jacket can be recovered in a matter of months.

So what about a new kitchen? Is it wrong to think of such a “big ticket” purchase, in terms of savings and cost recovery?

There are tangible benefits to fitting a new oven, microwave combi, dishwasher, hob and A+/ A++ rated refrigeration equipment.

The consumer can achieve annual savings and reduce chemical usage, hence contributing to environmentally friendly initiatives.
For instance, Siemens appliances offer a “pyroKlean” function, which takes approximately one hour at 2.5kw, costing, say 14p per kw hour. In real terms, this costs about 35pence, with no chemicals! Compare this to more traditional scrubbing – in itself unpleasant and kind to neither hands nor environment, costing about £1.23 when taking into account raw materials and proprietary chemical cleaners, there is a saving of almost 90pence per clean.

An induction hob by Siemens or Gorenje, uses automatic pan recognition to heat only the area of the base of the pan, unlike traditional ceramic hobs, where the red glow around the outside edge of the pan clearly represents the amount of wasted energy.

“Quick Stop” functions on Siemens gas hobs eliminate wasteful use of unnecessary gas and hot water taps, such as “Quooker” and “Insinkerator” by Emerson, totally eliminate random clicking of electric kettles and heating of unused water. That can certainly add up to a considerable saving!

Humidity control on fridges reduces fresh food waste and “four star **** ” freezer compartments allow food to be stored at less than -18 degrees centigrade and for longer periods, reducing food waste.

Modern state of the art refrigeration electronics, monitor fridge and freezer cycles, saving considerable levels of energy by initiating cycles only when needed.

A+ refrigeration uses up to 25% less energy than A rated and A++ refrigeration appliances are 45% more energy efficient. This means that a Siemens IQ700 “A cool” fridge costs as little to run as £20.17 per annum.

So, can the cost of a new kitchen be linked to “payback” and cost recovery? Can the purchaser be considered to have an “environmental conscience”? You be the judge but new kitchen technology indicates that it can.

I wonder when government will start giving grants for appliances other than boilers? It makes sense. Maybe VAT could be held at 15% on domestic appliances, against a justifiable energy consumption saving?

Peter Saunders
Director

Get ready to roll! Roll back VAT to 15%

2010-01-06T07:36:00.001-08:00

The turn of the year is usually the time, when many of us look to new opportunities, new starts, new resolutions and unfortunately, new debts.

These are unfortunate times in some respects but in other respects, offer bountiful opportunities for bargains. Business is tight so discounts are a permanent high street feature, rather than the “one off” rush, normally witnessed at the January sales.

A couple of things have crept stealth like upon us, though. Currency exchange rates and VAT increasing to 17.5% from the reduced level of 15%. We all got used to it, didn’t we?

For a “big ticket” purchase, 2.5% represents a lot of money! Couple that with a foreign holiday and the increased cost, in real terms and it hurts.
Rubicon Developments are involved in the “Home Improvement” industry, through their installation division and also associated retailers and suppliers, such as “Katherine Cavendish Fitted Interiors”, “Bauformat”, “Burger”, “Lechner”, “Siemens”, “Gorenje” to name but a few. The overseas manufacturing element of this impacts further on the back of a weak sterling. “Big Ticket” purchases are the life-blood of this division.

So what do we do? We plan. We forward buy goods and currency, enabling our retail divisions to effectively hold VAT to our customers at 15%, whilst still offering sale discounts of up to 20%.

It’s not easy but as always, innovation is the vehicle, planning is the fuel and training enables us to turn the ignition. Let’s get ready to roll!

Peter Saunders
Director

Christmas - Is it over?

2010-01-05T04:25:00.001-08:00

Due to the bad weather preventing me getting the car off the drive since about New Year’s Eve, I’ve taken to walking and using public transport quite a lot.

I’ve been amazed by the number of people I’ve heard referring to the “Christmas Break” and saying things like....”I’m glad it’s over!” and “I don’t miss it!”

Bearing in mind the tremendous build up, the amount spent by us all, the welcome holiday with the family, I ask myself “Why?”. I know Christmas can’t go on forever but surely there’s more to the whole thing than a post Christmas series of regrets?

Times are bad for many, at the moment, both commercially and personally, as money is tight and jobs are lost but based on the premise, that there are no problems, only opportunities, we should feel reflective, renewed and energised after Christmas.

Without putting aside the real reason for Christmas, which we shouldn’t forget, January presents a time for fresh thinking, renewed energy and extra challenges. This time of year, as always, even 2010 years ago, presents a fantastic opportunity, so let’s not, as then, waste it through disbelief and doubt.

It’s “SALE TIME!”..... let’s be creative, forward thinking and plan for the future. It’s a time when we should not just look after ourselves but others, too. Training plans can be part of that ethic.
Develop a “20-20” vision in “20-10”.

Peter Saunders

Director

2009-12-30T07:29:00.001-08:00

Develop your 20-20 vision in 20-10.Long term training strategies give long term benefits.

Never to be beaten Kitchen and Bedroom deals!

2009-12-30T05:28:00.001-08:00

Yes, it’s “Sale Time”, again!

One of our associated industries, fitted furniture, yet again manages to offer “never to be repeated” discounts of 60% reductions (and more), on goods that are still manufactured to order.

How do they do that? Discounts of 20%, I can understand. A discount like that, can still leave some margin but 60% - how does that work?

It works because for most of the year leading up to the “sale season”, the headline price is unrealistic but the customer sees (and likes), the opportunity to strike a bargain. Good old fashioned barter. It creates satisfaction for the “cute” consumer, via the “Mexican Hat Dance” leading up to the moment of satisfaction for the salesperson – the close!

So how is this funded? Are such retailers really taking substantial amounts of money from their own bank accounts, to benefit every customer who walks through their door, eagerly awaited by the “ever so humble”, hand writhing, Uriah Heap character, equally eager to offer discount beyond your wildest dreams? Are they true modern day benefactors of the general public?

Of course not and deep down, we all know it! They don’t make a loss. They just make a higher than average profit all year and charge “extras” at every given opportunity;

“Sorry madam, we didn’t know that your electrical system was inadequate, so we need to charge an extra £450”.......” Removing the tiles has meant more plastering than we first thought, so the extra cost is £1500”........”We thought you were going to move the sockets, so we will have to charge £150 per socket extra”.......”We thought that you would have moved the radiator, before we arrived. We now need a plumber and who knows what that will cost!”......

Unfortunate but common-place industry solutions to gaining margin. It’s the cowboy mentality that we would seek to eliminate.

Our advice? Stick to the realistic discounters with first class installers! Try Katherine Cavendish Fitted Interiors Limited (www.katherinecavendish.co.uk), installed by Rubicon Developments Limited.

Peter Saunders
Director

2009-12-21T07:47:00.001-08:00

National Skills Strategy is most welcome aims to deliver 35000 apprenticeships over 2 yrs. Training is key to business success. Such schemes can only help.

Blog title...

2009-12-21T07:18:00.001-08:00

Three wise men and the Messiah

The pressures of business in the current climate are causing stress amongst many businesses.

Three wise men and a Messiah would be welcomed openly by many of us, as a potential solution to raising finances, new business development, cash-flow improvement and business planning and forecasting.

Who are the wise men in your business and who is your “Messiah”?

Are the wise men, the “Managing Director”, the “Sales Director” and the “Financial Director”? Let’s hope so!

Is the Messiah the bank manager? Probably not.

In this analogy, the Messiah is planning, strategy, resourcefulness, training and communication.

The Messiah for business, is looking after staff now and in the future. The three wise men of business, should embrace this Messiah in 2010.

Don’t allow business pressures to negate true values and the reason for Christmas.

On that note, Merry Christmas to all and let’s put our faith in a happy and healthy New Year.

Peter Saunders
Director

2009-12-21T05:49:00.001-08:00

Communication - the cheapest and most effective tool for business improvement in 2010. Network and open new channels. I recommend it!

Walking the Floor

2009-12-21T05:46:00.001-08:00

Walking the floor

What is management?

Every manager has occupied a more junior position and almost certainly, looked upward to higher ranks and said “I could do it better”.
So what happens, when the opportunity to “do it better”, is given? Is it initial enthusiasm, overtaken by eventual apathy?

Pose the question;

“If all the directors left the business, could the shop floor personnel create output and profit?”

The answer is undoubtedly “Yes”.

Now pose the alternative question;

“If all the shop floor personnel left the business, could the directors alone create output and profit?”

The answer is more than likely, “No”.

So what do managers and directors do? What should they do? What “added value” do they contribute?

They should direct and manage resource, including people, to ensure that the output and profitability of the business is directed and managed to the greatest effect, adding value through improved efficiency and planned growth.

They should empower the shop-floor and create “transparency for growth and improvement”.

All too often, “KPI’s” are cited as the “Holy Grail” and the cornerstone of business improvement. All too often, managers and directors, rewarded by bonus based on performance improvement cite numbers and then massage them for the benefit of themselves.

As a management consultant, my first approach is to “Walk the floor” and talk to the people that matter and too often discover that they don’t know about business policy, company direction, growth strategy, imminent new products and even more surprisingly “KPI’s”. Improvement here is the best first step in any improvement process.

Even when surrounded by glorious coloured charts with clear upward or downward trends, they often don’t know why. In many cases, the charts are out of date on the shop floor but up to date on the manager’s laptop.

The best KPI’s of any, are “how often do the directors and managers walk the floor?” and “how often do they communicate personally with staff?”

Such two way flow is a key element in improvement strategy.

Don’t wait until “bonus time” or “pay review time” to communicate and take a careful look at your “KPI’s”. Do they really reflect reality and more importantly, does you greatest asset (staff) know of them and agree with them?

Peter Saunders
Director

Rubicon Developments Limited

Meeting Tips: 6 tips for making a good first impression in vital meetings

2009-12-20T04:51:00.001-08:00

For any sales person, business principal, account manager or other business professional approaching client meetings is a time to make a good first impression. Aspects such as appearance and personality (and age, despite non-allowable prejudice), sway the initial proceedings for the meeting. So how can you eliminate as many of these negative initial reactions as possible?

Tip 1: Have an Agenda prepared.
Too many meetings either “shoot” off on tangents as you lose control, or last too long when your time could be spent on winning business. Many decision makers that you meet, will have little of the precious commodity of time. It is important to maintain a quality, structured meeting agenda so you get your ideas across and hold an efficient meeting. If you talk too much you will bore them. If you talk too little, you don’t get the message across. Strike a balance and above all, read the signs.
Write the agenda (where possible and appropriate) in good time and send it in advance, to everyone who will be attending. This will structure the meeting in a way to suit you and facilitate a path towards the “close”.
Tip 2: Small Talk.
As part of your agenda (don’t write this on any documentation sent to the client of course!) you should include small talk at the beginning. It can be deemed very negative to walk into a meeting and start pitching immediately. Understanding the individual you are to meet is crucial, so be observant. Channel small talk around a picture on the wall (football team maybe), a sporting link, an emblem on a tie, a crash helmet in the corner etc. Be creative!
Tip 3: Look smart.
You are an ambassador of the business you are representing. You should always aim to dress better than the person you will be meeting (but don’t tell them that!). A scruffy, dishevelled appearance indicates a dishevelled approach to business. Shiny shoes, crisp shirt, neatly pressed suit. When travelling, hang your jacket up, where possible – there is nothing worse than that creased jacket look!
Tip 4: Listen first, pitch second.
How can you expect to offer the best solution you can by pitching straight off? The etiquette for this tip is simple:
· Ask what their requirements are
· Listen to their in depth requirements
· Take the stem of your product/ service and tailor it to suit their business.
90% listening and 10% talking - you have 2 ears and one mouth, so try and use them in proportion.
Tip 5: Talk about the competition.
The minute a competitor’s activity is mentioned, good business owners and executives listen. If you can show that you have researched their market and competitors, it emphasises your company and it’s advantages.
Do not, however, malign the competition. Use the features and benefits approach. This is far more professional and sets you apart from “also-rans”.
Always give out 2 business cards – one for them and one for a colleague. That way, you ensure post meeting conversation and stand every chance of reaching true decision makers.
Tip 6: Follow up and close.
Clearly arrange a “close” and/ or a “follow-up” strategy.
“what day would it be best for me to call you?”
“when will you be making a decision?”
“how do you feel about the information I have given you today?”
“when would you be looking to take delivery?”

Peter Saunders
Director, 20th December 2009

A Refreshing Change

2009-12-15T14:46:00.001-08:00

It just goes to prove that not all companies are having the same approach to their budgets for 2010. Forward thinking companies are planning ahead and forecasting what training they will be doing in the new year to optimise their success.

Having just visited a company to discuss their upcoming requirements, I was impressed by their refreshing approach and forward thinking. They are looking ahead to next year and planning both strategically (i.e. what new staff will require training), financially and from a business development perspective to offer their employees consistent and regular training. They pride themselves on their staff retention, which is so key to minimising the costs in your business, yet not a lot of companies have this in mind when considering staff training.

I relish working with companies with such positivity, and making such an investment in their staff and in turn the future of their company - long may this attitude continue!

Carol Saunders
Director - Rubicon Developments Ltd

2009-12-15T14:40:00.001-08:00

Hosting the Ambition Club just gets better and better. We had yet another successful training session today.

2009-12-12T07:03:00.001-08:00

A path through life is like 2 sides of an equilateral triangle. there is a wrong path or side and a right path or side. The further progress is made down the wrong side, the harder it is to get back to the right side. The path becomes longer and more entangled with difficulties.

Training follows a similar pattern. An untrained person often lacks guidance and if their path lacks structure, the stage can be reached, where there is no route back across the triangle, the only option being to go all the way back, "unlearning" all of those bad habits and the further down the wrong path you are, the harder that journey becomes.

The return journey is not impossible but it takes a strong character to firstly identify or admit to such issues and an even stronger character to correct it.

It never ceases to amaze me though, how many such characters exist and it gives us, at Rubicon Developments Limited, an unbelievable level of satisfaction, when we meet them and in some small way, assist.

Training is like the guidance of a parent. We never stop needing it and we never stop passing it on. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Sensational Service in the Service Industry...

2009-11-21T08:12:00.001-08:00

Well, that should be a given shouldn't it?

Not always unfortunately, it only takes a smile, or a bit of communication with your customer to put things right in many instances, which isn't rocket science is it?

At Rubicon Developments we offer a furniture installation service to both commercial and domestic customers and always train our installation staff in customer service before they even leave our premises!

So how can we make a difference? Think about what you would like, as a customer, and apply this to what you offer. If you were having your kitchen, bedroom or home office fitted, think what would be important to you, as a customer.

For example, if it were your bedroom, you would want somewhere to sleep at the of the day, be it in another room or in the room where the installation is taking place. This should therefore be the first consideration of your installer before they start to rip your existing bedroom apart.

If you were having your new dream kitchen installed - what would be important to you? Personally, as a minimum, I would want somewhere to be able to make a cup of tea and wash the pots, after eating my take-away, at the end of the day. With one of our installations - not a problem, as the Installer will sort out a temporary sink stand and tap on a flexible pipe for you to use until the kitchen is installed.

We've all been a customer at some point in our lives, haven't we? So why don't we, as product and service providers, start to think like one?

Carol Saunders, Director
21 November 2009

2009-11-21T07:57:00.001-08:00

What a fantastic Spanish lesson on Thurs 19 Nov! A great revision session that brought all 9 week's learning together. Loads of fun!

2009-11-11T12:51:00.001-08:00

It was great to see ourselves on the front page of the "Ashton Reporter" on 3.11.09 as the National Training Awards winners - North West 09!

Ambition - are we born with it?

2009-11-11T12:49:00.001-08:00

I can only imagine that there are differing opinions on the mega-million lottery winners. My opinion is "good luck to them"!

In reality, many people would welcome a "fortune for a quid" - but some people will be jealous and saddened.... but why?

I'm not saying we can all come by £45 million in a hurry, but we can all work, strive and maybe even take a few risks to achieve more. In the words of George Bernard Shaw:

"Some men see things as they are, and say "why?". I dream things that never were and say "why not"?"

The "Ambition Club" that Rubicon Developments run in Tameside nurtures this mentality, turning ordinary issues and problems on their head. Working amongst like-minded professionals, finding solutions and turning, what at first glance, are deemed problems, into opportunities.

Simply stated "that's life", but also "life's what you make it". Nothing comes easy, unless you're a lottery winner, but let's face it, in truth - most of us have to work for it!

Peter Saunders, Director

2009-11-11T08:20:00.001-08:00

To support our students and clients in their training, we have added recommended reading to our German, Spanish & Corporate Training pages. Peruse at your pleasure.

2009-11-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that it's 20 years since the Berlin wall came down - it makes me realise just how much progress Germany has made.

A Smile Costs Nothing...

2009-11-09T12:10:00.001-08:00

How often do you sit down for a meal in a restaurant, make a purchase in a shop or take your car for a service only to find yourself dissapointed with the level of service? Which results in dissatisfaction with the purchase.

Yet every business can only survive by giving a level of service that results in repeat business and wider recommendation to others. So why does this happen? Poor experience is not an isolated event either, it endures and I'm convinenced that the fault lies in staff training (or lack of it).

Particularly in lean times, businesses see survival in cost cutting, when the truths is, that investment in staff and their capabilities distinguish a business from it's competitors, by creating an enhanced and pleasurable epxerience.

Whilst not suggesting a generalised and potentially insincere "American Burger Bar" style approach, a smile helps, as does a confident approach through product knowledge and a genuine passion for "the brand".

A smile costs nothing, but customer service and investment in staff is often far more beneficial than advertising and investment in plant. There's no point advertising poor staff, an atmosphere lacking in morale, or a poorly manufactured product.

Investing only £120 in your most valuable asset - your staff - can yield great dividends. Why not consider a customer service course as a means of business development?

Peter Saunders Bsc
Director - Rubicon Developments Ltd

2009-11-04T01:58:00.001-08:00

Our network of web 2.0 sites is now complete and all listed at www.Rubicon-developments.co.uk

Business Networking is on an Upward Trend

2009-11-03T15:29:00.001-08:00

We are currently reminded of these "tough economic times", but as Sir Alan Sugar stated during his interview on Granada news yesterday, after his visit to the North West, if you want to start a business, you don't hold back - just in case. Entrepreneurs will motor on with their idea regardless, and launch their business. In his opinion, incidentally, an Entrepreneur is born and not bred.

That having been said, what do we do to survive in business, to make the most of these economically lean times? Well... the tough get networking.

For example, I was encouraged to see a fantastic attendance at the Tameside Business Family's event at Stalybridge Celtic earlier today. Businesses in all sectors were represented and their representatives were clearly there to "do business". It's also impressive to note that business people have improved their networking skills. We don't all stand around the edge of the room anymore and wait for someone, who is slightly more confident than us, to approach us. The room was absolutely buzzing with companies discussing their "USP's" and explaining why you should use their company over their competitors.

As a result I made approximately 30 new contacts with businesses, whom I had never met before - what a productive day, well worth taking the time out of my busy schedule to do!

It's a shame that small companies don't invest more in training

2009-10-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

What a shame that small companies don't invest more time and energy into training their staff.
I've been calling around local companies this week to ascertain what training needs local companies have. It's really shocked me, as to just how many staff reply "we're only a small company, we don't do any" or "what do you mean? I've never had any training". Wouldn't it be wonderful if the companies for whom these employees work, were able to pick up the phone to a training centre like ours and reply "oh we are always training our staff and really believe in developing people's careers"?

A quote from the "Ambition Club" management and leadership program:

"Isn't it better to invest time and effort in training your staff, rather than not bother and be stuck with them as they are?".

Research shows just how motivational training and development is for the staff in your workplace. Upon walking into a company's reception, you can instantly tell if the staff feel valued or not - and believe it or believe it not, alot of this has to do with training.

I can quite honestly say that attaining the Investor in People award in January 2009, has been one of the best exercises we did, as a company, to focus our minds on staff development and training. This having been said, I enjoy coming to work and being greeted by my friendly, helpful work force - wouldn't you?

Greater interest in Spanish in Ashton-under-Lyne

2009-10-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

It's great to note that people are still interested in learning Spanish
We are getting calls on a daily basis from local companies and the general public wishing to learn Spanish. I think that this is so encouraging, when the English are normally branded as being lazy, regarding learning a foreign language.

I am continually impressed by people's interest and enthusiasm to learn Spanish and by how hard they work, and the varying resources that they use to study. It's great from our point of view to be able to offer a flexible learning solution that doesn't stop for 6 weeks in the summer or 2 weeks at Christmas.

I encourage our learners to either read or listen to a bit of Spanish every day for only 5-10 minutes. This is a far better technique than sitting for prolonged periods of time studying text books, and not enjoying learning the language or having any fun.

My students either keep a list of spanish words in their briefcase or handbag to refer to when in a queue or waiting room, or listen to CD's in their car or around the house. Some have even logged onto various Spanish websites (such as www.about.com or www.bbc.co.uk) for further guidance. I was recently asked to procure several copies of Usborne's Spanish for Beginners for my "introduction to Spanish" class, which is very light reading and in full colour to add a bit of interest.

I will continue to support this level of enthusiasm in learning Spanish, as we may slowly negate our bad image as "Brits abroad", which would be great wouldn't it?

2009-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

La Noche Española!

On 17th October 2009, we held a Spanish Night in our Kitchen Showroom downstairs. Angel Fernandez-Sanz worked extremely hard in the kitchens (using our Gorenje and Siemens appliances - which at least we had the foresight to wire in!). He prepared a selection of Spanish food:

Spanish tortillas
Paella de pollo
Paella de marisco
Patatas bravas (con salsa)

The food was amazing! It was also great to see a full paella in our oven in the showroom.

About 30 people attended, who spoke Spanish for the evening (some more than others!), we even had Libby attend in her full flamenco outfit - she really looked the part. We drank Sangria, red wine and listened to Spanish music during the event, which lasted about 2 hours. The evening drew to a close at around 9.30pm, which was just enough time for us to tidy up and prepare for the showroom to open on the Sunday. We have had some lovely e-mails from the guests who attended since the event, to tell us how much they enjoyed their Spanish Evening.

2009-10-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Winner of the National Training Awards in the North West, Rubicon Developments Ltd are pleased to share their success. Having attained the only nomination in our category we are now the proud holders of this regional award. It gives kudos to small companies like ourselves who invest time and money into the development of our staff and their career paths.

2009-07-13T06:47:00.001-07:00

The Rubicon Developments Training Centre is now up and running. We are offering courses in Spanish, German, Fitted Interiors, Manual Handling, NEBOSH, IOSH, customer service and leadership and management.

Having undertaken a full refurbishment of the building we now have training rooms available to cater for up to 40 students at any one time.

We are offering night classes and are always open to new ideas - if there are any bespoke courses you wish us to run please contact us on: 0161 330 2546.

2009-04-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Refurbishment of New Training Centre

After having purchased an old building back in February 2009, we are pleased to report that work is progressing fast. Rennovations are progressing to the extent where we will be able to open our new training centre in June of this year. Training Furniture Installers in Fitted Interiors has become an issue that is close to our business hearts, as we want to drive the quality of fitted furniture installations forward in the UK market.