It is how you develop and learn that is important

A little story.

This boy grew up in the countryside, left school at 11 to work on the farm. He was dyslexic and had never been away from his community. He couldn't read or write. Did he resign to his fate or did he succeed in his dreams?

He succeeded and built a multi million pound company, how did I know? He was my dad.

He always said that it was not what you were taught that was important, it was what you learned. It was not the knowledge that you had, it was how you used it.

Often we can focus on what development we have not received....well, with the world of the internet this is an excuse not a reality. To succeed at work you need to evolve your learning, evolve your thinking and practice, practice, practice.

You are your own barrier.....if you want to succeed you can, if you think you won't, you won't...

As Dad always said "The world of business is always looking for new ideas, new ways of working, new products....no body could have taught me about them, as they didn't exist. I learned to watch the world, see the problems then think of a solution and sell it. I didn't need to be educated to do that, it would have been great but it has never held me back because I have never let it"

Educating the New Generation

We are aware that our values, behaviours etc are formed during our school years. That is why as a manager and as a company I have always linked with local schools and colleges. I see this as important for the following reasons

1. It builds links with the community which after all will be a key talent pool.
2. It is an investment in the future of business - helping children understand and become passionate about the commercial world.
3. The children act as a great sounding board - they ask you questions that maybe you should be asking yourself.
4. Children talk to their parents - people who are in the current talent pool, so free advertising of your employment brand.
5. The new generation care about society, and your role with the community. Your linkage helps both the Employment Brand and also your personal brand.
6. It is huge fun and very rewarding!

A new style of CV

We all need to learn from failures, failures are fantastic if you grow as a person so to ensure that you have developed

Create a CV which concentrates on your mistakes !

Put underneath each one write your development plan, how you have progressed and future action to be taken.

Clearly, you can keep this to yourself but it can help you focus on your growth.