Helen Tupper

City & Guilds has long pointed out how crucial it is to support younger learners to get on that all important ladder to lifelong learning. The announcement today is welcomed as a boost to help kickstart careers and give learners and employers greater flexibility over the training they need to plug the growing skills gap that is hampering industry and growth. We look forward to supporting the successful delivery of apprenticeships as part of a broader offer that supports learners for life. Its only by doing this that we can unleash the hidden talent of so many who could have a rewarding career but currently may find themselves as one of the many who are not in education, employment or training or are economically inactive. This needs a whole system approach and we welcome too the first report from Skills England highlighting how urgent the situation is. Our #MakingSkillsWork report sets out how we can get things right from the get go. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eSivxN7u

99

‘Brand storytelling isn’t just a marketing tool; it’s how you turn customers into believers.’ This was just one of the themes considered yesterday during a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging lunch and learn session at Teesside University International Business School. While there’s so much marketing ‘noise’ out there at the moment... Facts tell, but stories sell! Your brand story goes beyond products - it’s about creating connections that turn customers into loyal supporters. And why does brand storytelling work? ✅ Creates emotional connection – stories make brands relatable. ✅ Builds trust – authentic stories show the human side of your brand. ✅ Simplifies complex messages – stories make ideas stick. ✅ Engages across channels – videos, blogs, social media - it all works. ✅ Highlights impact – shows how you make a difference! A huge thanks to this brilliant bunch of Teesside businesses and Dr Gbemisola Ogbolu, Lucie Burton, Sufri Weithers, Samantha Kendall, Stephen Goodall, Helen Jamison, Dr. Suzanne Hague for their support! So, come on - share with me... What's your story? #brandstorytelling #authenticity #marketingtips #marketingcoach

46

12 Comments

What is PARS? I have been talking to a number of colleagues over the last few weeks around the fantastic news of Apprentices being able to use post nominals when they complete their apprenticeship if they register with the Association of Apprentices (AoA - free registration). Quite a number of colleagues were not aware of this so I thought I would share on here for all my connections too. These post-nominals will give visible confirmation of achievement and increase the kudos of apprenticeships - so from this summer expect to see more CSA/CAA/CHA/CDA appear on linked in. There are guidelines on the AoA website below but the majority of apprentices who completed since 2019 (standards) will also retrospectively be able to apply for their post nominals. Share the good news with your apprentices and employers and let your HR/recruitment teams to look out for those as your look for your next talented recruits! #kudos #apprenticeships #recognition # Emily Rock (Austin) Jason Holt CBE #associationofapprentices

15

12 Comments

Please do join me this Thursday ... Are you feeling fit for the future? If you are looking for a bit of inspiration and motivation then please do join me on Thursday 19th September at 3pm (BST) for a 55-minute webinar. I will be sharing lots of tips on ways that we can prepare ourselves well for the future. The content of the webinar is based in my “Mindfit” model and will cover the following: ·     Empower and motivate yourself to be fit for the future ·     Build and sustain your overall wellbeing and resilience ·     Cultivate a growth mindset through curiosity and continuous learning ·     Adapt well to rapid change by being flexible and resourceful ·     Unleash fresh thinking and use creativity to solve problems ·     Practise kindness by seeking out ways to make a positive difference The webinar is free to join and even if you can’t make the date then please do register for a digital goody bag of resources. https://lnkd.in/g9PfVnR9 hashtag #webinars #webinar #resilience #lifelonglearning #wellbeing #future #fitforthefuture #lifeskills #empowerment

10

Only a few spaces left for this breakfast workshop on Thursday 27th June at Digital Gurus - a brilliant opportunity to join me and share my mission to build a better future and unlock the huge talent in the workplace for neurodiverse people. I need to be upfront though - what you won't get from this session is expertise in neurodiversity. I don't have all of the answers and I was only at the beginning of my understanding as a leader a few years ago. However, I come from a position of deep personal knowledge from my families journey to diagnosis, and from building policy in organisations. I also have enormous passion as a leader of large teams with years of experience in managing people... You will get a safe space to grow your understanding, ask questions, give thoughts and share opinion. Let's get in a room and build on what I and we all have done in organisations to drive change in working environments for the better. That is where the magic will happen. We will work together to start a plan of action. We will debate and come up with some great ideas. This will be a working session so lets get the free coffee down us and lets get cracking... A few spaces left so let me know ASAP. Emma Johnson and I can't wait to see you at this session 😍 Let us also know if you need any adjustments or additional support for the session.

24

3 Comments

Great reflections and insight on loneliness and feelings of disconnection & what you can do about it from Christina Wyatt PCC I know it’s something I’ve felt at various times in my career. I’m excited to say that we’re joining forces to work on something to help leaders - message me or Christina if you want to find out more! #leadershipmatters #connectionsmatter #takebackcontrol

7

AoEC alumni coaches, can wholeheartedly recommend Anise who I know from the Resilience Dynamic community. If you can join her session on the 26th September, book a spot and enjoy. #walkingcoaching

4

1 Comment

Coaching skills are a MUST for leaders. Find out if its right for you. We are running a huge campaign for our May & June professional coaching IOL accreditation. Bag yourself a spot at more than half the normal price. Complete the quiz below to find out if adventuring into a coaching is the right move for you ! #EthicalCoaching #TheEthicalCoachingCompany

6

“Resilience interventions do work’ – why coping strategies should be a staple of education” The Guardian’s recent article makes a powerful case for teaching resilience in schools, pointing out how early interventions can build lifelong coping strategies. Resilience 3.0 takes things further, than basic 1.0 fight, flight or freeze or 2.0 mindset entrainment. Resilience 3.0 addresses resilience as a holistic system. It integrates mind, body, and energy to create alignment and adaptability, enabling you to operate not from reaction or routine, but from intention and purpose. For young people, introducing holistic resilience early could reshape how they navigate stress and adversity, empowering them to lead healthier, more connected lives. For solopreneurs, co-founders, and leaders, Resilience 3.0 is not optional—it’s essential. These roles demand more than reactive or routine-based resilience. You need to know how to recalibrate on all levels to avoid burnout and create meaningful, sustainable impact. Resilience isn’t static. It’s a system should evolve with us—and the more we lean into holistic approaches like Recoded Resilience 3.0, the more we thrive in every stage of life. Here’s the article. https://lnkd.in/evuMthtn

13

1 Comment

Book below 👇👇👇 for another superb day of live training, mentoring, networking and fun - meet likeminded peoole and businesses from your community and get a step ahead in 2024 🙌🏼✅ You’ll be glad you did ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ See you there! Enterprise Nation Google Digital Garage #Kelso #ScottishBorders #DigitalTraining #Networking #Mentoring

7

Could your business use £5,000 worth of support to help build a communications strategy? Ex TAB member Karen Tinkler is partnering with the West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme providing PR support for teams in West Yorkshire businesses. Click on the link below to find out more 👇 #TABboards #LeedsBusiness #YorkshireBusiness ##BusinessOwners #BusinessSupport

3

1 Comment

‘Innovation Strategy, Leadership & Culture’ This episode of ‘The New Abnormal’ podcast features the strategic psychologist Dr Max Mckeown - a writer, consultant & researcher specialising in innovation strategy, leadership and culture. He’s written a series of influential books and conducts research with Warwick Business School. An advocate of innovation culture, he also argues that failure can be positive for progress if it is viewed as part of learning. He makes a distinction between change and progress, "change is inevitable but progress is not". His book on strategy was one of the winners at the Chartered Institute of Management's Book of the Year Awards, Max argues that "strategy is about shaping the future" and approaches the subject as something that people do, both as style of thinking and the combination of actions taken along with their consequences. So, we discuss the above and his viewpoints on those including Sartre and de Beauvoir along with topics including satisfaction, dissatisfaction, radical freedom, progress, and the illusion of stability. Finally, he also gives us advanced notice of his next book 'Super Adaptability'. --- My podcast series focuses on understanding today and anticipating the future. It’s been running for over four years, featuring a wide range of guests inc philosophers, writers, creatives, activists, strategists, psychologists, lecturers and futurists; in locations from Helsinki to Sydney, and Chicago to Beijing.   Links: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dD9L6Y / Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2YuAVmE / Apple: https://apple.co/3faOfCG The series is bought to you in partnership with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies – global leaders in applying futures studies to solve strategic challenges within organisations, whose clients use their services to help them be ‘Futures Ready’… #TheNewAbnormal #FuturesReady #Adaptability #Innovation #Strategy

13

This week, there’s been a lot of noise around the Women In Innovation grant from #InnovateUK. What began as a few individuals expressing dismay that the grants issued was inexplicably cut from 50 to 25, rapidly became a movement. Sometimes it takes this - a few brave voices speaking out to spark change. The power of communities* shone through. So many rallied around the issue, which speaks to the old saying of ‘strength in numbers’. Or in this instance, ‘never mess with female founders!’ (Lee Chambers) For anyone thinking that this is ‘sour grapes’ (I have heard that accusation already this week!) I’d respectfully suggest that it is not. And comments like this are why so many people remain silent. As founders, we know, there are always winners and losers in a competition. You have to get used to disappointments and failure and learn from them.  But we also know the odds are stacked against women. Especially with funding. Which is why this issue caused so much of an outcry. Apart from the arbitrary reduction in the number of grants, which has now been remedied by an apologetic Innovate UK, there have been many questions asked about the entire evaluation process. Feedback received by many women applicants last week included huge contradictions. Comments neither made sense nor provided a source of valuable reflection. Or learning. It brought to mind a process I experienced many years ago when I was an official ‘exam marker’ for one of the UK’s examination boards.  The assessment process for the examiners went like this: We were all required to ‘test mark’ the same 5 papers. It was ‘English Language’, so often no definitive ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. A meeting of everyone was then convened and the extraordinary, extreme ranges of 'judgements' were disclosed and discussed. The goal was to examine the examiners. The remarkable thing is, a consensus was somehow achieved. This was followed by a one-on-one interview with a chief examiner, along with regular spot-checks of marked papers throughout the process. All designed to ensure fairness and equity and that we all stayed on track. I have no idea how assessors and their assessments are monitored within Innovate UK. As far as I’m aware, the process is not widely shared. So I would like to ask: - how far their process includes careful moderation and overview of the assessors themselves?  - Is the process open for review and improvement?  - Will this be the moment when the programme is redesigned, so that fairness and equity can be restored? #funding #femalefounders #communities #bettertogether #innovateuk *Meanwhile calling fellow female founders! Join the likes of Female Founders Rise, Breakthrough Labs, to meet the most amazingly diverse individuals who become your tribe and amplify your voice. And provide the support needed for everyday and for just causes and campaigns. Becky Lodge Emma Jarvis Emma Wright Emmie Faust and many, many more. Thank you!

13

3 Comments

Great to see so many businesses/HR staff seriously thinking about and engaging in the well-being of their staff at The Watercooler event in London today. What I keep hearing is that workers want flexibility, to trust their leaders and to be trusted and to feel as though they provide value and are recognised for that. When thinking about engaging with attracting and retaining ethnic minorities remember they too want all these elements. People want to be seen as full humans using a tailored approach.

2

How many times have you been asked what you do and you struggle to articulate it in a way that tells your story well and also, people understand how you can help them? I know through going to 100’s of networking events, so many great people struggle with this. Including myself. Why is that an issue? When it comes to business and getting more clients - it’s not good enough to be the best at what you do if a) no one knows nor understands how you can help them b) you can’t articulate what you do Whether you want to elevate your brand and get some high levels media coverage or you just want to build your competence and confidence in speaking to your peers and future clients, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Check out the amazing Media Training Day below that is already positively impacting some seriously capable people in their businesses. Contact Mirela Sula or Andrea McLean to secure your seat. And be quick as there are only 3 spots left 🎥

7

🌟Calling all Edinburgh based impact leaders 🌟 Curious about the B Corp movement and how to get certified? Join Michelle Sutherland for a deep dive during the “Become a B Corp Workshop” co-facilitated with certified B Corp Zebra Growth and Co Founder Lee Fitzpatrick. We’re excited to be delivering this workshop together because we firmly believe in the B Corp movement and its values. Lee from Zebra Growth will be sharing their own B Corp certification journey, including their experience with the B Impact Assessment, how they manage being a B Corp and the positive impact it has had on Zebra Growth. 📆 Date: 23rd July 🕔 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 am GMT 📍 Location: myEdinburgh, 18 Brunswick St Ln, Edinburgh, EH7 5JG 🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/d343vay5 In this workshop, you’ll kickstart your journey towards becoming a Certified B Corporation. Here’s what you’ll gain: ✅ Insights into what a B Corp is and its significance. ✅ An understanding of the B Corp movement and its impact (featuring a B Corp business). ✅ A clear overview of the B Corp certification process. ✅ Guidance on mapping your path to B Corp certification. ✅ A walkthrough of the B Impact Assessment (BIA) tool. ✅ An initial assessment of your business’s impact using the BIA tool. ✅ Tools to set goals and track your business’s impact improvements. ✅ A chance to get your questions answered by a B Corp Consultant and a B Corp certified business.

3

2 Comments

Since I’ve had quite a few new people follow me recently, I’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce my business. At MA Consultancy Ltd we are internationally recognised leaders in racial equality and wellbeing training. Our mission is straightforward: to help organisations build more inclusive, equitable, and thriving workplaces. At MA Consultancy, our focus is on developing racial literacy within organisations, ensuring that leaders are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of diversity and inclusion. We don’t just offer coaching; we partner with leadership to evaluate internal systems and structures, identifying necessary changes to truly embed equity at every level. Our expertise extends to recruitment strategies that are designed not just to attract diverse talent, but to retain it as well. We provide ongoing training and support for all staff, covering crucial topics such as racial literacy, understanding microaggressions, bystander training, workplace wellbeing, and community outreach. We understand that lasting change requires continuous learning and a deep commitment. Our tailored programmes are designed to meet the unique needs of each organisation we work with, ensuring meaningful progress. Though we are based in the UK, we work with organisations all over the world. If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your organisation in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment, please visit us at [www.ma-consultancy.co.uk](https://lnkd.in/ebeugAUs). #RacialEquality #LeadershipCoaching #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceWellbeing #Equity #RecruitmentStrategy #OngoingSupport #InclusiveWorkplace #MAConsultancy

20

1 Comment