Time for a fresh start?
There’s a definite whiff of sharpened pencil in the air as the summer holidays draw to a close and the children head back to school. September is often a time for new beginnings in the workplace too, as people return […]
Erika Lucas
Writer and Communications Consultant
Erika Lucas is a writer and communications consultant with a special interest in HR, leadership, management and personal development. Her career has spanned journalism and PR, with previous roles in regional press, BBC Radio, PR consultancy, charities and business schools.
“Compassionate” leadership linked to improved profitability and productivity
A question for you to ponder on over the coming weekend. Just how compassionate a manager are you? Now I know that the word compassion generally doesn’t have much of a place in the business world. But recent research from […]
Fatal flaws of bad managers
If the reading material that’s crossed my desk in the last few days is anything to go by, it’s not been a good week for bad managers. First came the Chartered Management Institute’s annual Quality of Work Life survey, which […]
Making flexible working live beyond the Olympics
So it’s all over. The stadium doors are closed, the competitors are heading home and the talk has turned to how we can ensure the Olympic legacy lives on. Sports clubs up and down the country have already reported a […]
Are you celebrating your business achievements?
It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been swept away on the tide of triumph created by London 2012. With the medal total standing at 48 at the time of writing, even the most sports-phobic amongst us have got caught […]
The missing middle
Middle managers are a crucial cog in the wheels of any business. Their day-to-day dealings with their team have a ‘make or break’ impact on the way people feel about work and the effort they put into their job. Developing […]
How can SMEs get a step ahead of the competition?
How SMEs can get ahead of the game has been a recurring theme in a number of articles that have crossed my desk this week. The clear message coming through is that there are practical steps that smaller business can […]
HR for SMEs: time to get strategic?
It’s probably fair to say that HR strategy isn’t at the top of the agenda in a busy SME. With a limited number of staff to go round – and particularly at a time when economic conditions are tough – […]
Making the case for HRIS Software
There was a real buzz at Olympia this week as HR people descended in their droves on the CIPD’s annual HR Software Show. SMEs were well represented among the throng – and it was clear from the conversations and presentations […]
Do you need HR Software?
I’ve always found trade exhibitions a good way to gather new ideas, see the latest HR software initiatives, update my knowledge and make useful contacts. Like the HR Software Show (20-21 June, Olympia, London), they are also very often free […]
A right royal celebration: celebrating work achievements
There’s a definite whiff of celebration in the air this week as up and down the country people are getting ready to party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There’s nothing like a right royal celebration to create a bit of […]
Turn that light on: inspiring creativity at work
When was the last time you had a light bulb moment at work? You know the kind of thing – the random conversation with a colleague that leads to the realisation there’s a really simple solution to a niggling problem. […]