Coventry University launch our Preparing to Manage Research Groups programme
Posted on 21 May 2010, by Kate
We are delighted to be working with Coventry University . Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Marshall opened the programme on 5 May and stimulated much debate within the group. Participants will attend four workshops and four seminars throughout the programme which is designed to prepare academics for the challenges of managing people as their research success grows.
There is growing demand for this programme and we have already taken a number of bookings for next year. If you would like more information about how the programme could work in your organisation, please get in touch as soon as you can.
Register your interest
Can anyone turn their hand to internal consulting?
Posted on 21 May 2010, by Kate
Staff Developers from the South West met in April at the Leadership Foundation's annual regional forum. Kate was invited to speak on the core conference theme of internal consultancy; specifically, how to move from being a staff development manager to an internal consultant. Kate used Paris Hilton, oysters and a chiuaua to illustrate the importance of deep questioning to find out what really needs to change. We have subsequently been asked to design development to support people whose role is becoming more consultative. This is underway, so please contact us if this is something you are also interested in.
Register your interest
Who is bullying who?
Posted on March 2010, by Kate
The University of Bristol has developed an impressive new response to dealing with bullying and harassment claims. Conscious that the formal approach was heavy-handed and intimidating for victims, a new system has been designed to enable a team of internal investigators to intervene at an earlier stage. Bud was commissioned to design a training programme to prepare this group of investigators for the role. We responded with an interactive programme with a team of actors who the participants interviewed to uncover what was really going on in a number of scenarios. The programme was a great success; participants said it highlighted many of the complex challenges ahead as well as honing their interview technique and analytical skills.
What's the point of this project?
Posted on December 2009, by Kate
You've found your partners for a collaboration, submitted the bid, got the money, started the work...but have you all got the same expectations about what the project should deliver? We worked with a group of Universities who successfully attracted HEFCE funding for a progressive partnership project. Before work got underway the project manager invited Kate to work with the multi-institutional group to define objectives and success criteria. This proved a valuable and revealing process as it highlighted the very different ways that institutions measure success, and the number of different aspirations for the project. The report enabled the Project Manager to review the parameters of the project before money was spent and contracts engaged.
Focus groups to support policy change
Posted on December 2009, by Kate
We are delighted to be working with Portsmouth University again. Portsmouth have developed an excellent approach to the review of their HR policies and have invited us to conduct focus groups to gather honest feedback from staff about what needs to change. Using Bud means that staff are able to speak freely about their own experiences and the impact of the existing policies. We then aggregate the themes emerging to feed back this valuable information into the review process to inform policy changes.
SDF delegates agree on the importance of the P factor...
Posted on 6 November 2009, by Kate
Delegates at the national Staff Development Forum held in Cardiff on 5 November agreed that exploring personality dynamics is a powerful ingredient in a management development programme. Kate demonstrated how using the MBTI as a model for understanding personality differences led to a dramatic shift in researcher's attitudes towards people management. The group of career academics were motivated by their own aspirations of research success rather than a desire to develop as a manager. The SDF delegates replicated some of the programme's activities and commented that "this training was of a very high quality to bring about such a change in attitudes."
Kate joins the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education as Programme Director
Posted on December 2009, by Kate
Kate is delighted to join LFHE as Programme Director for the Introduction to Higher Education programme. This series of residential events offers participants a deep immersion into the sector and the opportunity to hear from a range of high profile speakers.
More about the Introduction to Higher Education programme
SDF delegates agree on the importance of the P factor...
Posted on 6 November 2009, by Kate
Delegates at the national Staff Development Forum held in Cardiff on 5 November agreed that exploring personality dynamics is a powerful ingredient in a management development programme. Kate demonstrated how using the MBTI as a model for understanding personality differences led to a dramatic shift in researcher's attitudes towards people management. The group of career academics were motivated by their own aspirations of research success rather than a desire to develop as a manager. The SDF delegates replicated some of the programme's activities and commented that "this training was of a very high quality to bring about such a change in attitudes."
Working with University of Portsmouth to improve PDRs...
Posted on 27 September 2009, by Kate
We are pleased to be working with the University of Portsmouth to support more meaningful staff reviews. Portsmouth have done some excellent work changing their PDR (appraisal) system in response to staff feedback. We are developing online resources that enable staff to prepare for their review and make the most of it. For us this is about having real conversations about what's going on and not just ticking boxes.
UCL book us again for Team Management training
Posted on 30 July 2009, by Kate
After the success of last year's training in Team Leadership, UCL have booked us again to run training for managers in how to get the best from their teams. As part of the evaluation of the programme, one participant commented "I found the whole day useful and informative, coming away feeling enthused and with lots of new ideas and approaches to leading my team, and our interactions with other teams...the day didn’t drag at all! I’d heartily recommend Kate to run other courses as part of the overall management course."
Challenging researcher development - Vitae conference 2009
Posted on 9 September 2009, by Kate
We got delegates playing with lego at the Vitae researcher development conference 2009. We demonstrated how different people approach a task and how this can lead to conflict or synergy, depending on how well dynamics are understood. Delegates enjoyed hearing some of the innovative ways that we engaged researchers on our 'Preparing to manage research groups' programme. One commented 'it was crucial that this training was of a very high quality to bring about such a change in attitudes'.
London School of Economics ask what could be better...
Posted on 30th July 2009, by Kate
LSE is one of the world's leading social science institutions with highest percentage of world-leading research of any university in the UK. But what is it like to work there? In July we ran focus groups to inform an all-staff survey designed to highlight what could make LSE even more successful.
More about our work with Positive People
Kate takes the stage with her hero...
Posted on 30th July 2009, by Kate
Kate's hero is Richard Reeves, Director of Demos. On 2 April Kate had the dubious honour of following Richard in her address to the Positive Futures 2009 conference hosted by the University of Bristol. Richard's new book, The 80 Minute MBA, is set to popularise the idea that Energy, Autonomy and Solidarity are key ingredients for a successful organisation. We all couldn't agree more!
More on the conference, including photos of Kate and Richard...
Engaging people with change in turbulent times
Posted on 31 March 2009, by Kate
Bud Development is delighted to present an organisational change workshop in partnership with the CIPD. At a time when most people are anxiously seeking security and stability from their employer, organisations are changing to weather the economic storm. Kate offers CIPD members an approach to managing this fundamental clash of needs...
Event and booking information
New development programme for future research leaders
Posted on Kate, by 20 March 2009
We have designed an innovative programme for senior researchers at the University of Bristol. Combining interactive workshops with action learning seminars, the course equips future PIs with people management skills to lead effective research groups. Far from offering textbook answers, we invite researchers to question their own experiences and to find a management style that works for them.
More about the programme
University of Bristol’s change team recommend us..
Posted on 9 October 2008, by Kate
Our two day facilitation skills programme hit the right note for a mixed group of professionals supporting people and organisational change. Sarah Musson, Career Coaching Manager said it was “great to have two days that managed the right split between fun, learning and hard work”.
Find out more about our training
New article: why women are walking....
Posted on 11 September 2008, by Kate
After the Equality and Human Rights Commission report, Kate questions whether women are really 'losing out' on top jobs...
Read the article
Bud commissioned by University College London to deliver on management programme
Posted on 9 September 2008, by Kate
University College London (UCL) has chosen Bud to deliver the team leadership module of its new management programme. Management Development Advisor, Richard Churcher, said that Bud’s proposal stood out from other tenders because it "combined robust and innovative content with a good understanding of HE culture and UCL’s requirements."