England Hockey Men’s through to the World Cup Semi-Finals!

March 09 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in creating excellence After England won the first 4 games in the group stages, they had done enough to qualify for the Hockey World Cup Semi-Finals in Delhi, India. They lost their final game to Spain 2-0 however the fact they knew they qualified could have had an impact on the result. So how many of you knew about this? And how many of you England won the European Championships in 2009?

If it was England in the football I don't think there would be a moment where media would not be talking about what a great achievement it is and can they go on to win?

So can the England Hockey team go on to win? Well they face Germany in their first Semi Final since 1986 which is a momentous achievement and after beating them 5-3 in the European Championship…

[Continue Reading]

Celebrating Success with the Prince

March 02 2010 - (1) Comments - posted in role models

Yesterday I had the privilege to be invited to the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards. For me this year, there was something a little more special than seeing the young people receive their awards. This year, one young person who was supported not only by the Prince’s Trust, but also by Sport England’s Respect Athlete Mentoring Programme. Karen Mclaughlin has had a troubled life, finding herself at a very young age involved in serious drugs. After a serious health concern, having been asked to leave home at the age of 16, Karen turned to the Prince’s Trust for help. It was through the Prince’s Trust that Karen had the fortune to meet her RAMP Mentor Nick Gillingham. They have worked together now for the last 18 months…

[Continue Reading]

A day out at Confex

February 24 2010 - (1) Comments - posted in creating excellence Yesterday I went for my first experience. I went to the event along with my MD Martin Corck who was doing a presentation, 'Who cares wins: Using the recession to strengthen business through our people', in the Business Skills and Personal Development Theatre.

We arrived at Earls Court with time for a coffee in Pascucci Coffee Shop around the corner (which I highly recommend) before heading into the venue at 10 to set up for Martin's presentation at 10.30.

A quick sound check with the helpful staff at the event and then it was time for people to start coming in and taking their seats. The seminar theatres were temporary…

[Continue Reading]

Fit For Business’ New Website is Online!

February 23 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in creating excellence Fit For Business is delighted to announce the launch of our new website!

The website has been redesigned and includes a specific client log-in area for access to our bank of resources.

We are very excited here at FFB as this website shows the importance of workplace health for businesses and explains how a well structured workplace health programme can have positive effects on factors including staff productivity, happiness and perceptions of corporate social responsiblity. Please view our 'Business Case' for more info!

The website also gives information for prospective clients of how we can positively and…

[Continue Reading]

Mountaineer, Adventurer & Inspirational Speaker Nigel Vardy blogs on experience climbing in Nepal

February 19 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in inspirational speakers




In 2002 I wandered past Ama Dablam and stared in awe at her beauty. It was only three years since I had suffered severe frostbite and was on my way to climb Island Peak – ‘enough of a challenges for now’, I thought. Time passed, expeditions came and went and then one day…

I was sitting in Papua after climbing Carstenz Pyramid with Sibusiso Vilane, one of South Africa’s most prominent climbers. He had been up Everest twice, almost completed the seven summits and wanted a new challenge. Unbeknown to me we had briefly met during my Island Peak trip and almost without a word, agreed that…

[Continue Reading]

Exciting times ahead for Fit For Business

February 12 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in fit for business Fit For Business has seen a number of developments recently and it would be a good idea to give you an overview of what has been going on.

We are in the process of developing a new front facing website! The website includes more information and advice on what Fit For Business is and why it can be so beneficial to the workplace. To compliment this, a new 'client only' bank of resources site is being developed to create an easier and more effective way to access information that is crucial to helping our clients on their way to 'Fit For Business' recognition and a healthier happier workplace.

Fit For Business has also recently had a massive research drive within workplace health and wellbeing to ensure we can provide…

[Continue Reading]

Role Models - Born or Bred

February 03 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in role models All eyes have been on the sporting world this weekend. Andy Murray got Great Britain closer to a grand slam title than any other man since the era of Fred Perry, and John Terry dominated the headlines with allegations of off the pitch antics. The impact of others on our commitment to sporting participation is proven. The Taking Part survey shows dance participation increased from 8.4% to 9.7%*, and a 97% increase in dance undergraduate students with the success of Strictly Come Dancing in recent years. Equally though a recent study from the University of Alberta has found that P.E teachers can have a negative impact on the likelihood of young…

[Continue Reading]

Nigel Vardy blogs on… Telemarking!?

January 26 2010 - (0) Comments - posted in inspirational speakers Nigel Vardy blogs on... Telemarking!?

When someone says “I’m going Telemarking”, most people scratch their heads and look confused. When you explain that it a form of skiing, they look even more lost. When you tell them that you ski at almost downhill speeds, but with your heels free, they call you strange.

When you tell them that you do this without any toes they call you mad! Well, perhaps I am, but Telemark skiing has become my norm, no matter how difficult it is and how much it hurts.

I abandoned Alpine skiing years ago, after losing my toes through frostbite. I wanted…

[Continue Reading]

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

December 23 2009 - (0) Comments - posted in creating excellence

On Monday 21st December, along with my colleague Julie, I attended the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special at TV Centre in London.

We queued like all good Brits for 2 hours uncomplaining - well maybe a little - braving the driving rain and at times heavy snow, huddling under minute brollies against a brick wall in the hope that our stoic efforts would, in the end, be rewarded with the opportunity to see the show - I should point out that queuing for a BBC show does not necessarily guarantee entry !

However, having eventually gained entry into the hallowed place, we then proceeded to queue again for the cloakroom, and yet again to acquire, by now, a much needed a beverage (or two, or three!)
…

[Continue Reading]

My Olympic and Paralympic Dream - by Sarah Storey

December 16 2009 - (0) Comments - posted in inspirational speakers

As athletes we are all always assessing and evaluating our progress in both training and competition to ensure that we move forward in the most productive and successful way. The process of doing this is immensely satisfying, whether to try a different approach when things aren’t going quite so well, or to be in the privileged position of being ahead of schedule. Regardless of the situation, the process also allows you to be brutally honest with yourself and even when things are going badly it gives you the chance to think of alternative ways of getting the result that you are after.

In swimming and cycling I have had my fair share of ups and downs, both with illness or injury and also when the coach at the club…

[Continue Reading]