Notion Blog and News

Most economists tend to agree that productivity will remain sluggish into 2018, with no signs of marked improvement. And, although unemployment remains low, the average annual growth in output per worker has actually fallen. Yet, the TUC calls Britain’s long hours culture a national disgrace – so aren’t people busy enough already? Probably! But clearly busyness isn’t having the positive impact on productivity that one might expect, therefore, isn’t it about time that organisations started to help their people to work smarter, not harder? Herein is the secret.

Retention is set to be a key issue for organisations in 2018.  Several factors are at play: stabilised employment, shocking engagement levels, the transparency of job opportunities, and the flexible career mentality of a largely Millennial workforce, to name a few.  Keeping hold of top talent must be a priority for organisations if they are to remain competitive.

So, what can organisations do to retain their talented employees?

We are not always entirely aware that we are learning; when we ‘just know’ how to do something it’s often as a result of repetition and eventually habit. In other circumstances, learning is more intentional, for example, attending a seminar or reading a book. Intentional learning can be effective but it can also be impersonal, forgettable and replaceable. However, when you add purpose to learning something transformative occurs. 

Are there a set of factors that typify high performing organisations? What are the common themes?

High performance organisations share several features, that when working in unison over a sustained period of time, can deliver substantial financial and non-financial results that far outstrip others in their peer group. 

Frustratingly, the myth that coaching cannot be measured still endures.  Why? Because it’s far too easy to use ‘confidentiality’ as a reason to shroud the coaching exchange in secrecy.  Yet Notion have repeatedly proven, whilst still respecting the privacy of individuals at a micro-level, that it is possible - moreover necessary - to set clear coaching objectives related directly to business outcomes that CAN be measured and reported.  

How is this possible? Notion’s COO, Laura Ashley-Timms, suggests we get CLEAR about this…

In 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond attributed an £84 billion productivity loss to poor performing managers.  Set this in an environment of unprecedented change, dangerously low engagement levels, and a new generation of employees prepared to jump ship regardless of the amount of change happening; and we can be certain that managing performance in 2018 will be a whole new ball game.