I was inspired by the London 2012 Open Weekend!

July 26 2010 - posted in creating excellence This weekend I was lucky enough to celebrate two years to the London 2012 Olympics with a trip round what must be Great Britain’s largest building site... Stratford! The event had been organised as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend.

With the fresh theme of ‘challenge yourself’, over 900 events took place across the UK as part of the Cultural Olympiad. Organisations set public challenges at each of their events, creating an opportunity for everyone to set a new personal best by trying something new or taking an existing interest to the next level.

My challenge was photography (it’s up to you to decide whether or not I succeeded!). Throughout the day we were set a challenge of capturing three topics in photo: [Continue Reading]

2 Years to go…...

July 21 2010 - posted in creating excellence So – Tuesday 27th July represent 2 years to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

When I stood in Trafalgar Square as guest of the Bid team and heard those immortal words from Jacque Rogge, ‘and the 2012 Games is awarded to the city of….London’, I was overcome with excitement, hope and opportunity. Beyond a sense of being proud of what had been achieved, and having played just a small part in the victory, I realised the immense opportunity that this would present at both a personal and professional level.

5 years on and here we are with facilities nearing completion, sponsors activating the early stages of their 2012 programmes and cultural activities and festivals ten a penny in advance…

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What do you think about Wenlock and Mandeville?

May 20 2010 - posted in creating excellence
Were you watching the One Show last night when the mascots for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were revealed? What was your first reaction?

This was one of the first things that we discussed when we got into the Creating Excellence office this morning and although there was a mixed bag of opinion, the general consensus was positive. They are quite funky and modern, very different to any blue slugs and cuddly bears that have come before them and hopefully they will engage with the younger generation; there is something very alien and futuristic about Wenlock and Mandeville which will appeal to the technological wizards that are the youth of this country.

The names have also been carefully and considerately…

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Escape from Alcatraz, Good Luck Matt Harris!

April 28 2010 - posted in creating excellence Just a quick word to say that Pixelwork Director - designer of the Creating Excellence website - is taking on a massive personal challenge to raise money for the Callum Branch Trust. Matt harris is preparing to take part in the 30th Anniversary Triathlon, Escape From Alcatraz.

The race is held annually in San Francisco and takes place for it's 30th year this Sunday, May 2. The race includes a 1.5 mile swim through frigid waters from Alcatraz Island to shore, a grueling 18-mile bike race, and a demanding 8-mile run through the rugged trails of Golden Gate Recreation Area.…

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What would you do with your 25th hour?

March 30 2010 - posted in creating excellence
The Press Association this morning sent out a press release that really caught the attention of and inspired the team at Creating Excellence, it was about 'The 25th Hour'.

The 25th hour is a new campaign that has been set up to encourage people to give back to their communities through volunteering, the name suggests that we could all find that little bit of time in our busty lives to help others, in other words, our 25th hour.

What is even more appealing about this campaign - beside the obvious feel good benefits of helping others - is that the Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has said that as a thank you to volunteers on the scheme, many will get an exclusive look at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony,…

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

March 09 2010 - 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…

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A day out at Confex

February 24 2010 - 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…

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Fit For Business’ New Website is Online!

February 23 2010 - 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…

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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

December 23 2009 - 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!)
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Chelmsford Showcase for Business 2009

November 19 2009 - posted in creating excellence Yesterday Martin and I attended Chelmsford Showcase for Business at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.

The event was to showcase some of the local businesses in the area and allow business owners to network with like minded people and share thoughts and ideas on business.

Martin Corck, MD of Creating Excellence presented at the evnt on Wednesday, sharing his story of what Creating Excellence have done to stay 'Fit For Business' during the recession.

The presentation went done really well with audience members particularly interested in some key principles that we practice at Creating…

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Fit For Purpose

October 06 2009 - posted in creating excellence

It was fascinating to see the stunning success of the Rio bid in the race to host the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

There is an excellent article from ‘Inside the Games’ which outlines how the need for preparation, research, alignment and understanding of the client (IOC’s) aspirations were properly undertaken, and ensured that the Rio bid was ‘fit for purpose’.

The London 2012 Games is becoming ever closer and beyond the obligations to build a set of facilities, and to…

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Power to the Pedallers

September 30 2009 - posted in creating excellence

Well Done to the Creating Excellence team members Michele, Katie, honourary member James and myself who took part in the Prince’s Trust, Palace to Palace cycle ride on Sunday 27th September.

It was an early and chilly start on The Mall Sunday morning, with our cycle ride kicking off at 8.30am.

I had been a little apprehensive about the 45 mile cycle ride, particularly once Katie had pointed out that the direct route between the start and finish (Buckingham Palace to Winsor Castle) was 21.6 miles… I felt a bit like I’d been taken for a mug!

Once we got started though I knew it was going to be alright. The route was beautifully scenic taking us firstly though London, along the Thames, over Putney Bridge…

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FFB’s Michele Runs BUPA Great Capital Run

September 14 2009 - posted in creating excellence

Creating Excellence Fit For Business team member Michele Crease practiced what the FFB team preach yesterday when she successfully completed the BUPA Great Capital Run held in London yesterday (Sunday 13th September).

Michele who started running 6 years ago has taken part in various runs and this is the first time she has run the Great Capital Run which is a 5K run and part of the Bupa Great Run series, devised by former Olympic 10,000m…

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Have You LinkedIn

September 02 2009 - posted in creating excellence

At Creating Excellence we understand the importance of using new technologies in our business, one such form of this is LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is one of the new breed of social networks, although unlike Facebook and Myspace which are all about building your social calendar, LinkedIn is purely business focused.

It’s not about collecting and gathering “friends”, it’s about building relationships with new & existing business contacts and utilising those contacts to build a stronger network to grow your brand reputation. Effectively it’s based on the theory of “six degrees of separation”.

SO HOW DO…

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Thunder Bolt-‘Seeing is believing’

August 27 2009 - posted in creating excellence

Witnessing a World Record is an amazing experience for any sports enthusiast!
When I decided to go to Berlin for my summer break little did I know the feast of sporting entertainment lined up for me. Most people pack regular items to go on their hols, I went armed with a Sporting Champions banner, binoculars and a big dose of anticipation.

At Heathrow, the first attempt to get support for our athletes was bestowed on British Airways check-in staff. They smiled for the camera as the Champions banner was draped in front of their Olympic 2012 promotion.

Although I didn’t have tickets for the first night at the Olympia-Stadion, I knew Chris Tomlinson was jumping his way through the qualifying rounds so I was keen to get…

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Andy Mouncey Blog - Mood Management Masterclass

August 27 2009 - posted in creating excellence

A recent conversation with a good friend of mine who is in a similar line of business turned to that ole chestnut ‘Recession.’
‘So how are YOU finding it, Andy?’
I pause because I want to give John an honest answer and I also want to focus on where I am now – and not the dark scary place that I’ve seen signposted periodically!
‘Well…there have been lots of opportunities to practice the skills of Managing My Mood…’
A chuckle from the other end of the phone lets me know that there really is no need to join all the dots up.
‘…And what would you say you’ve learned from that?’
I have a wee smile to myself - such are the conversations between two fellow professionals!

Checking…

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The Games

August 26 2009 - posted in creating excellence

So - we host the Games in 2012, but what really can we expect to get out of it? My question is a little tongue in cheek as I am a huge supporter and advocate of the Games, but it is fair to say that not all around us are. The sports sector seems to be populated by others with an inbuilt sports heritage or fanaticism, but what of those who couldn’t care less? Our opportunity is surely to touch and help improve as many lives as possible, no matter how marginally, through the experience of 2012.

The initial forecasts and projections will need recasting as has the budget for building and hosting the Games, but where are the big wins to be had?
In my view, we could work to achieve the following:

1. A higher profile and…

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Swasie Turner MBE Blogs on his fund raising activities

August 18 2009 - posted in creating excellence

I have now pushed my chair 35,000 miles and have almost reached the magic £1,000,000 for my various charities.

I am continually involved and participate with ‘Hunter Company’, (injured Royal Marine recruits) at CTC Lympstone in glorious Devon (and have been for the last seven years) as well as my ongoing fund raising talks.

My last major push (still in my NHS wheelchair) was from Augusta to Perth, in Western Australia, over 300 miles, last year which raised over $20,000 for ‘Canteen’ (an Oz charity for children with cancer) and Legacy (Western Australian Police benevolent fund).

During the push I also gave my illustrated talks to childrens’ schools and local charity associations en-route. On my arrival at…

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The Power of Five

July 23 2009 - posted in creating excellence

Two weeks ago we took time out from our day to day business for an away day as a team. One of the key quality objectives for us for the year ahead is to SIMPLIFY our business. I laid out to the team the vision and the benefits of working towards better results, clearer thinking and execution. I gave examples of challenging processes, checking daily task activity for relevance and working to the power of five.

So what has happened? The feedback on the session itself was great and left me full of expectation. In asking the team today what difference it has made since our away day session, the answer was varied. Some have fully embraced the message whilst others have used perceived barriers as reasons not to change.

As a business…

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Embracing Web 2.0

July 06 2009 - posted in creating excellence

Here at Creating Excellence we are excited by technology!! Working with our friends at Pixelwork (who designed our new and enhanced website) we are embracing the concept of Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 for those of you not already in the know is the technical terminology referring to the new second generation of web development and web design, with Web 1.0 – the first generation - being the World Wide Web itself. Web 2.0 is very complex to explain, to make it easier to understand I found a good ‘YouTube’ video upload that explains it, to see the video follow this link; http://blogs.sun.com/robin/entry/web_2_0_explained.

To simplify the term though, Web 2.0…

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