New Addition Strengthens our Sales Consultancy

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Published: Wednesday, 25 November 2020 10:31

US2U Consulting are pleased to welcome Steve Thurlow to the team, who becomes our first specialist Sales Performance Consultant.

We are delighted to be able to add this new specialist dimension to our team and range of consultancy services, at a time when sales represents an increasingly integral business-critical functiuon as we all continue to navigate the new commercial landscape that this year has brought us.

Steve's addition strengthens both the Sales Performance Consultancy and Coaching sides of our business - more information on these can be found in the service sheet below.

Rachel Blackburn, Director US2U Consulting, said, "I am pleased that Steve with his many years of experience is able to join the team. In addition to his coaching skills for sales people, for the first time we are able to offer a Bid Management Service for those clients wishing to complete tendering processes to achieve their business goals."

Read our Sales Performance service sheet below, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more about how we could support your business sales performance as we venture into 2021.

 Developing Your Sales Performance in 2021 - US2U Consulting Service Sheet

Diverse Services for Diverse Organisations

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Published: Tuesday, 13 October 2020 14:23

Managing Diversity is one of the core values of US2U Consulting.

When Rachel Blackburn created the business back in 2005, her vision was to offer a one-stop shop for clients to be able to buy a range of management solutions which would make their business or organisation more successful. She based the services around the elements she studied for her MBA with the Open University - Business strategy, Marketing, HR Strategy, Creativity, Innovation and Change. Over time she has also been able to add additional services as team members have brought specific skillsets to the organisation, such as graphic design, logo creation, internet marketing and website design.

This makes our business unique in that we tailor and knit together so many different services to support clients, often over several years. An example of this is shown in the photograph; we worked with the Directors of Raingear Irrigation Ltd on several projects including recruiting a new Business Manager who is pictured in the photograph. Subsequently we worked with him to design their new company logo which supports their integrated marketing initiatives including livery on their vehicles (also pictured). It is always great to see our work in action.

Develop Your Personal Resilience with US2U Consulting

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Published: Friday, 09 October 2020 14:34

Our own personal resilience can be thought of as 'our ability to bounce back and adapt when faced with difficult, stressful situations' and it is something we have all required at various times during 2020.

It is also a skill that can be learned and developed, and one that can be applied to all manner of personal, professional and social challenges and situations.

At US2U Consulting, we have combined our team's training and experience in dealing with Mental Health matters with our extensive range of consultancy and change management services to produce a unique 'Developing Personal Resilience' toolkit to help you thrive in a changing world.

Our toolkit is built around our '30 Ways to Develop Your Resilience' handout, which is available to read now in the link below.

US2U Consulting Ltd - Developing Personal Resilience Handout

Incorporating these practical tips, we are experienced in introducing Mental Health policies, procedures and training to clients across various sectors, and offer various associated services that will make a positive difference to any organisation and its workforce.

A more resilient workforce will ensure you are best placed to overcome the challenges that the pandemic will present throughout 2021 as a team, as well as helping you to capitalise on the opportunities that will be unearthed within your industry.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more about how we can help you become more resilient.

Trading through a Pandemic - Business Update

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Published: Friday, 02 October 2020 10:25

Over 6 months on from the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, at US2U Consulting we are really pleased that we have remained open for business throughout, having continued to support our clients across the UK and internationally with their priorities.

Our flexible and creative approach to the challenges of Covid-19 has seen us continue to make a positive difference, and it is great that the Autumn has seen our team get back out on the road engaging in more face-to-face activities, thanks to the reopening of many of our clients' workplaces. (After all, 'us-to-you' is what we are about!)

Some of our successful adaptations over the last 6 months have included:

• We are delivering socially-distanced Leadership and Change Workshops in Covid-secure workplaces (see an example in the photo). We are adapting activities and exercises so that we still meet the objectives but in a safe way, recognising that a lot of management teams have not been working together face-to-face for some months and are keen to get more interaction to develop the way they are leading their teams through this level of unprecedented change.

• We are delivering options for face-to-face coaching and workshops online or on-site depending on preference and locations. This is enabling us to deliver some international projects which is great as we are 2020 'Export Champions', as appointed by the UK Department for International Trade earlier this year.

• Our office is Covid-secure in line with current UK government regulations and we have been pleased to welcome people to this safe space for one-to-one coaching - and we always get positive feedback as rural Norfolk is a great place to learn.

• We have taken this opportunity to produce two open online learning courses - Producing a Robust Business Plan and Influencing Skills to Achieve Your Goals

• We are helping clients adapt and manage their 2020 challenges including ensuring appropriate levels of support for mental health and wellbeing, communication strategies when some people are home-based, and encouraging and more proactive approach to encouraging diversity in the workplace.

While we will all continue to face work and social challenges in the coming months, US2U Consulting are always available with our wide range of tailored services, ready to make a positive difference to any organisation.

View our services here or contact us to find out more.

Rachel Blackburn joins Norfolk Chamber panel to discuss Diversity & Inclusion

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Published: Wednesday, 23 September 2020 15:51

US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn was invited onto a Norfolk Chambers of Commerce virtual panel to discuss the topic of Diversity & Inclusion on Thursday 17 September.

The four-person panel discussed the region's approach to this issue - offering practical takeaways that organisations can implement to ensure they and their staff are following best practice - and answering questions from the audience. The webinar was held in light of the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement that began earlier in 2020.

Feedback was very positive from attendees, who praised the 'enlightening' discussion. One audience member wrote "thank you all for your contributions and insights - really pleased I joined", while another wrote to Rachel, "thought you did a great job today - brilliantly articulated philosophical, procedural, practical and personal points, adding much needed insight and focus to the discussion. Thank you."

To find out how US2U Consulting can help you become up to date with your Diversity and Inclusion practices, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We'd also love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Click here to watch the recording of the panel discussion

Diversity and Inclusion 2020

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Published: Friday, 17 July 2020 10:30

Whilst we have worked with clients to develop their processes and behaviours for managing diversity for many years, we have now seen how the agenda has changed since the killing of George Floyd in the US in May 2020.

Therefore we have researched and developed a new Diversity and Inclusion Framework which supports the latest language and principles of proactively addressing black lives inequality.

This includes recognising what Diversity and Inclusion mean, understanding the latest terms and what is appropriate, exploring unconscious and conscious bias, reflecting on relevant black history, managing issues around recruiting, developing and promoting people and action planning to achieve positive change.

Please get in touch to find out how we can help you manage this sensitive priority which has moral and commercial implications.

(Pictured below is a painting by US2U Consulting team member Kerwin Blackburn - a Jackson Pollock inspired action painting of American civil rights activitist Martin Luther King, capturing the tone of the current discussion)

15 Years of Worldwide Fruit

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Published: Thursday, 16 July 2020 16:47

It was July 2005 that Rachel Blackburn first started working on Leadership Development Projects at Lincolnshire-based Worldwide Fruit Ltd. Established in 2000, Worldwide Fruit is an award-winning international fruit marketing and distribution company. It sources products globally from over 1000 growers worldwide, ensuring continuity of supply 365 days of the year to the UK's leading supermarkets.

15 years later the professional working relationship continues and Rachel, along with other colleagues at US2U Consulting, have delivered a wide range of solutions to assist Lincolnshire-based Worldwide Fruit to continue to drive positive change in their business.

"It has been great to work with Worldwide Fruit for so many years; to get to know the people, the culture and the product ranges. The business never stands still. There is always more to do to develop people and processes in line with the Worldwide Fruit values of 'Passion, Quality, Innovation, Together'" said Rachel Blackburn.

Trish McCarron, HR Director at Worldwide Fruit (pictured), said, "During the last 15 years our business has doubled in size and been really successful. Rachel and the team at US2U Consulting have played an integral part in helping to develop our people; they have been like an extension of the HR Team."

We look forward to continuing to make a Positive Difference to Worldwide Fruit in the coming years.

Using Emotional Intelligence to Develop High Performing Teams

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Published: Monday, 08 June 2020 10:20

One of the current priorities is to invest in Human Capital to deal with the many challenges that lie ahead. There is a need to develop Leadership and Management Skills and develop a culture of Lifelong Learning so that people can adapt to the new normal and make the most of the latest opportunities. As with any other investment we must focus on the likely Return On Investment rather than the upfront cost. Responding to this feedback we are pleased to launch our new service which incorporates Using Emotional Intelligence to Create High Performing Teams.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has a powerful impact on how an individual performs at work, communicates effectively, manages relationships, overcomes challenges, manages conflict and deals with stressful situations. Ultimately it can also impact on people's job satisfaction, engagement, well-being and overall organisational performance. This programme aims to enable participants to recognise, understand and manage their emotions and behaviour and develop interpersonal and personal effectiveness. It is suitable for individuals, teams and leadership development, with the goal of creating sustainable change that drives business results.

Please see full details of the service here - Using Emotional Intelligence to Develop High Performing Teams - Service Sheet

See Jan Baynham, Psychometric Assessment Specialist Consultant at US2U Consulting, present some of the details of Emotional Intelligence below, and get in touch to find out more.

Managing Equal Opportunities and Diversity

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Published: Monday, 01 June 2020 12:51

In addition to managing personal and professional situations in relation to the current pandemic, most of us will have been concerned about recent events concerning racial prejudice. We understand that we strive for all-inclusive workplaces; however none of us can be complacent. We must continue to review what we are getting right and what we can do differently or better.

We have many years of experience of helping Executive Teams, Leadership Teams and Team Members explore these sensitive subjects. It's always better to discuss best practice proactively than be forced to discuss it when someone has said or done something inappropriate.

Please get in touch to find out how we can support your business with reviewing Equal Opportunities and Diversity as this is such an important part of complying with the law, creating high performance teams and giving great customer service!

Mental Health Awareness Week 18-24th May 2020

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Published: Monday, 18 May 2020 09:10

Clearly mental health is something we are aware of on a daily basis as we lead and manage our teams.

It is important to acknowledge the relevance of being aware of everyone's mental health, particularly at a time of global pandemic.

Therefore it is positive to acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Week and this year's theme of Kindness.

Whilst we know we should be kind to people every day, this gives focus to the fact that we should do kind things for people even when it's difficult.

At work this may mean being nice to someone who frustrates you, telling your boss how much you appreciate them or taking time to listen to a colleague to find out how they are coping with the change in routine.

If you would like support to discuss mental health issues please contact us to see how we can support you. US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn is a certified Mental Health First Aider with experience of advising businesses and individuals on managing mental health issues.

To find out more about about this topic, please listen to or watch our podcast: Mental Health at Work.