Implementing a Coaching and Mentoring programme within an organisation can be of significant benefit to all parties concerned – The Mentor/Coach; the Mentee & the Business/Organisation. Major benefits can be broken down as follows:

Benefits to the Business/Organisation:

• Retention of staff
• Increased skill and knowledge levels
• Retention of key knowledge and skills
• Succession ability within the team
• Succession planning
• Motivation of staff
• Competitive advantage through ‘better people’
• Maximum utilisation of available resources

Benefits to the Mentor/Coach:

• Job satisfaction
• Further development of own skill level
• Involvement in strategic activity

Benefits to the Mentee:

• Increase in skill level
• Access to detailed knowledge
• Individual attention in terms of training and development
• Career path progression

With all the major benefits listed above it seems difficult to understand why many businesses and organisations fail to implement a Coaching and Mentoring programme.

How can we help you establish coaching?

THE Group have recognised the benefit of coaching for some years. As an accredited Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) centre, we have been responding to clients’ requests for a formal training programme that ensures the managers they want to act as coaches, have the ability to do it well. And those people identified as mentors are using an effective method to develop their mentees.

To discuss Coaching and Mentoring in more detail please contact us. We have a wide range of programmes running throughout the year.

Large and small organisations are employing e-learning to drive productivity and maintain their competitive edge. You could be doing it too!

The worldwide economic recession has prompted many companies and organisations to scour their business practices for opportunities to increase efficiency and cut costs. That includes how they train their employees and customers. Fortunately, when it comes to training, the pathway to meeting both objectives is clear. Companies of all sizes are discovering the benefits of e-learning.

THE Group’s goal is to help businesses and organisations enjoy the many benefits offered by e-learning:

Cost effective

E-Learning can be much more cost effective than traditional learning because less time and money is spent travelling; it can be undertaken at any geographic location.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a major benefit of e-learning. E-Learning has the advantage of being available anytime, anywhere. Delivery is available when and where it is needed. E-Learning can take place at the office, at home, in hotels, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.Learners like e-learning because it accommodates different types of learning style. They have the advantage of learning at their own pace. Students can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles. Learners can fit e-learning into their busy schedule. If they hold a job, they can participate in e-learning right at their desk. If the learner needs to do the learning at night, then this option is also available.

Personalised Learning

E-Learning encourages students to peruse information by using hyperlinks and sites on the internet. Learners are able to find information relevant to their personal situations and interest. E-Learning allows selection of learning materials that meet their level of knowledge, interest and what they need to know to perform more effectively.

E-Learning is more focused on the individual learner and can be more interesting for the learner because it is information and learning that they want. E-Learning can also be customised to meet the individual needs of the learners.

Develops knowledge

E-Learning helps develop knowledge of the Internet. This knowledge will help learners throughout their careers. E-Learning encourages students to take personal responsibility for their own learning. When learners succeed, it builds self-knowledge and self-confidence and can help develop self-directed learning.

Please contact us to discuss and explore how e-learning/Virtual Learning can be a useful and cost effective tool for developing your staff and organisation.

Take a look at the recent article in the Business in Focus News. (We are on page 9).

Business in Focus News

St David’s day, 1^st March 2012 marks THE Group Ltd’s Crystal Anniversary having been providing high quality, award-winning training & development services for 15 years.

THE Group is a privately owned company formed by Brian Taylor & Paul Tinkler, who are also part of the Executive Team. They met at the Wales Quality Centre in the early 1990’s, sharing a common objective of helping organisations to grow by developing solutions for people and processes. With over 20 years industry experience and a passion for the services they offered, they formed THE Group Ltd in March 1997. The training & development, virtual learning, coaching & mentoring, management systems & consultancy services that THE Group offer, are pivotal in helping growing organisations to overcome common issues and to optimise performance.

During this time THE Group have provided excellent services for both international & local organisations; key customers include Arriva Trains, Brother Industries, Bristol City Council, Track You, Babcock, Steritouch, Total Petrochemicals, Orange, Tetra Pak & Bath University.

One major highlight of our 15 years was being announced training provider to the winners of the Wales & UK National Training Award 2011.

With our innovative, continually improving portfolio of products & services, including our sophisticated learning management system Accredit, THE Group Ltd look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries in the future.

• FREE Half-day Coaching & Mentoring Workshop
• 12 months FREE membership to the IoEE
  (Institute of Enterprise Entrepreneurs)
• Open to any business located in North Wales
• Venues across North Wales
  Download the GETMENTORING PDF for further information
• GET MENTORING – WREXHAM – 29th Feb 2012
• GET MENTORING – MOLD – 20th Mar 2012

An innovative training scheme by THE Group has earned a top National Training Award for a Wrexham Factory. The judges were impressed with the unique programme developed with leadership development specialists, THE Group for Brother Industries UK (BIUK). The prestigious awards were hosted by The Duke of York and millionaire entrepreneur and TV ‘Dragon’ Theo Paphitis.

BIUK consulted THE Group and the lead trainer who designed the impressive programme, which has led to the implementation of projects saving in excess of £500,000.

The project aimed to find ‘future leaders’ within the workforce who had the aptitude for leadership, communications, team building, problem solving and ultimately change management and delivering results.

Those selected to take part were given 5 ‘pillars’ of support and earned an ILM qualification. Throughout the process they had the support of THE Group experts.

Gareth Evans, who is now department head of supply chain management said

I started work here as a production line operator and, although I had advanced to an administrative position within the supply department, over the last 3 years since starting the programme, I’ve taken on the head of department role as well as an additional purchasing role

At THE Group’s first formal Graduation Ceremony, The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) recognised the achievement of an enthusiastic group of students.

Watched by an audience of friends, family and colleagues the graduates, Julian Cooper & Juan Carot (of Brother Industries UK) and Jordana Stevens and Malcolm Tydie (of Agile Group) received their Certificates from Craig McCubbin, Managing Director at Brother Industries and programme facilitator Pete Stevens.

Amongst the attendees were Paul Tinkler, Melanie Allsop and Rachel Walker from THE Group Ltd, strategic training providers for Brother Industries UK, who recently received the UK National Training Award at a ceremony in London.

The qualifications included ILM Level 5 Certificates and Diplomas in Management, and ILM Level 5 Certificates in Coaching & Mentoring in Management.

The alliance between THE Group and the Agile Group is committed to individual and organisational development and is continuously refining their consultancy and training services.
Operations Director, Paul Tinkler explains:

All of our consultants and trainers possess a profound knowledge in their areas of expertise; this requires practical experience coupled with academic excellence. That is why we are happy to recommend the Institute of Leadership & Management and their wide range of qualifications, as they blend robust theory and best practice with practical application for individual and business growth.

Pete Stevens, of the Agile Group, adds:

In these financially challenging times, well trained and self motivated employees can make the difference between survival and extinction. We are determined to help our clients find their own particular pathway to success.