US2U Online Training Courses Now Available to Buy

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Published: Sunday, 10 May 2020 14:11

After 3 years of talking about it, we are pleased to have designed, scripted, filmed and launched our first two online training courses which are now available to buy on Udemy - the online learning platform.

These can be used as:

• Stand-alone learning solutions

• To complement other training and accredited programmes

• A useful refresher for people who wish to continue their personal and professional development

Our first two courses are based on topics which we often deliver via group workshops and 1:1 coaching:

Producing a Robust Business Plan

Influencing Skills to Achieve Your Goals

Click the links above to watch the course previews and purchase the courses. We do hope you like them.

Please let us know what you think and let us know what you think the topic for our next online course should be!

The Power Hour Online Consultancy Service from US2U Consulting

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Published: Tuesday, 21 April 2020 19:05

Do you have a business challenge that you need some help with?

There is a great new service from US2U Consulting - you can now book an online consultancy Power Hour with Director, Rachel Blackburn MBA.

Rachel has over 20 years' experience of running businesses and, as a management consultant, has helped hundreds of businesses in the UK and overseas to become more successful.

If you would like support, guidance and advice about any of the following then please email Rachel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 01603 716852 to book your Power Hour:

• How to produce a robust business plan so you become more successful

• How to develop your leadership skills so you become more effective

• How to tackle a difficult people situation

• How to prepare for a recruitment interview - the Dos and Don'ts

• How to manage a conflict situation

• How to plan your time better so you achieve your goals

The Power Hour will take place via Zoom or similar platform and a link will be sent with confirmation of the appointment.

The fee for an US2U Consulting Power Hour is £349 plus VAT. This is payable on booking.

Contact Rachel This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make your booking.

Workers Of The Home, Unite! NHS fundraiser painting By Kerwin

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Published: Tuesday, 07 April 2020 10:53

US2U Consulting team member Kerwin Blackburn has produced a painting commemorating the current Work From Home culture, along with all of the new makeshift bedroom and kitchen table offices being constructed around the world - and another reminder to #StayHome as much as possible.

The stoic, Jackson Pollock-inspired 'Workers Of The Home, Unite!' painting is available as a print, with proceeds going to NHS Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals Charity, in recognition of the NHS and its incredible staff.

The print is available in two sizes (12x16" and 18x24") and at a special promotional price, £30-£35.

Order now at www.bykerwin.com/product/unite-stayhome

For more information about US2U Consulting's new online coaching services can help you navigate the current challenges, click here.

US2U Consulting Celebrate 14th Birthday

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Published: Monday, 30 March 2020 22:14

We are pleased to celebrate our 14th birthday - although this year, like the rest of the world, we will be doing so in unusual circumstances!

To mark our birthday, US2U Consulting founder Rachel Blackburn has written a poem reflecting on the unique challenges of the current times while also sharing a message of optimism.

Watch this below, and scroll down for the words.

April 2020; normal life is dysfunctional

Coronavirus issues making life most uncomfortable

Through the doom and gloom we have something to celebrate

Another milestone reached that we really appreciate 

Our clients and suppliers are facing many challenges

If we all pull together we will see how we can manage this

We’re using new terms – asymptomatic; furloughed and social distance

We have the stay at home rules to protect our future existence

Adapting to the environment no matter what the future holds

We’re Zooming, Teaming and Skyping to help you fulfil your priority goals

Staying positive and hunting opportunities is the name of the game

Listening to our clients and applying our expertise is our aim

We are going to get through this and have a proper celebration

14 years of Guaranteeing Positive Difference and delivering innovation

So thank you clients for your support; it’s great to Achieve Success Together

Building on our strong relationships and the desire to be even better

US2U Consulting: Coronavirus Update 17 March

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Published: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 12:06

Throughout the ongoing situation US2U Consulting aim to minimise disruption to regular work and to clients, but will be responding appropriately to the increasing precautions as advised by the Government and adopted by businesses and wider society.

Like many others, we introduced simple measures to maintain hygiene levels and avoid physical contact several weeks ago (eg extra sanitisation/avoiding handshaking). We also have the capacity to alter the way we carry out certain aspects of our work (such as using Skype & Zoom to communicate instead of face to face meetings), but as of 17 March we are still fulfilling all of our regular work commitments.

If any our clients have concerns that they would like to discuss further, please contact Rachel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 07786 263610.

US2U Online Coaching: Keep Calm and Change How We Carry On

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Published: Monday, 16 March 2020 11:57

At US2U Consulting, problem-solving and adapting to change are two core values underpinning everything we do. The Coronavirus situation presents urgent challenges to people and businesses worldwide, with everyone having to adapt how they work and live for the timebeing.

US2U Consulting can help businesses to meet some of the imminent work challenges being faced, particularly in regards to working from home and finding ways to ensure business objectives are still being met. We have launched an Online Coaching Service to enable this to happen.

Below are some of the key services we can provide to assist in adapting with remote or virtual-based teamworking over the coming weeks and months. We are experienced at communicating virtually with clients, using platforms such as Skype, Zoom and Google Hangouts, and we are flexible to accomodate different schedules and timezones to ensure we can assist wherever you are in the region, country or world.

• 1:1 coaching, and small group-based coaching

• Mental health and anxieties relating to the Coronavirus situation

• Effective working with your team remotely

• Goal setting and time management

• Performance management

• Project management, and how to structure working multi-site

• Communication and influencing skills while working remotely from home

• Leadership, Executive Coaching and People Development

Looking for the opportunity in the adversity, this may be a great time for some companies to focus on the Leadership and Development of their teams and to get ahead, ready for when they return.

If you would like to learn more about how our Online Coaching can help you manage the change over the coming weeks and months, please contact Rachel and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01603 716852.

US2U Consulting named 2020 Export Champion by Department for International Trade

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Published: Sunday, 15 March 2020 10:46

US2U Consulting have been awarded the prestigious title of 2020 Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade.

This is in recognition of the international work we have done over the last few years, with international projects and trade visits to the likes of Belgium, Ireland, Canada, USA and across the Middle East - along with the insights our teams can share with other businesses looking to export their goods and services.

In this role US2U Consulting will provide peer-to-peer support, offering advice and inspiring others to export; raise awareness of UK DIT's services; and act as a sounding board for what exporters want, to help create a supportive exporting ecosystem.

Please get in touch to find out more about how we can assist with your export strategy.

Engaging with Generation Z

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Published: Monday, 02 March 2020 10:40

Rachel Blackburn volunteered to run two Recruitment Interviewing Tips workshops for students at East Norfolk Sixth Form College on Monday 2nd March to support National Careers Week 2020. "It was interesting to work with this group of young people to find out what their ideal job is and how they can promote their skills to achieve their goals" said Rachel.

Michelle Atkins, Work Placement & Employer Engagement Co-ordinator at the College said, "I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out today to speak to the two groups. I think they will all benefit from attending, and will take at least a couple of important points each away from the sessions this morning. I'm certain they will find it more beneficial than they realise at the moment, and what they learned today will come back to them when they're in a real life interview situation".

We were part of a Roaring Success

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Published: Saturday, 29 February 2020 10:30

US2U Consulting were pleased to be able to attend the North West Childline Ball in Manchester on Saturday 29th February, which had a Roaring Twenties theme. The evening raised an amazing total of £145k which will be used to provide the support services for vulnerable children in need.

Four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty and Brooke Vincent from Coronation Street (pictured with Rachel Blackburn) were two of the famous faces in attendance. Rachel said "it's always great to be able to meet such interesting people and raise money for a good cause at the same time".

Working Together to Prevent Modern Slavery

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Published: Tuesday, 11 February 2020 09:30

The thought of employing or encouraging modern slaves in our businesses or in our supply chains is not acceptable or desirable from a personal, moral, ethical or legal point of view. However, we can never be 100% certain that we have not done this or will not be doing this during 2020. This was one of the key messages from the recent Working Together to Prevent Modern Slavery conference that was hosted by G's Fresh in Ely, Cambridgeshire and attended by Rachel Blackburn and some US2U Consulting cients.

John Shropshire OBE, CEO of G's Group - which employs over 7000 people across multiple countries - gave an overview of some of the challenges and a variety of speakers including Dame Sara Thornton, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Nick Dale, Superintended of West Midlands Police and Paul Willgoss, Technical Director, Marks and Spencer, all shared their experiences and frameworks for managing businesses to prevent this type of suffering and exploitation. The conference contained film of victims of Modern Slavery explaining their stories as to what had happened to them and the ongoing trauma, even after they had been rescued from most distressing iving conditions in the UK.

Priority messages to conference delegates were to focus on prevention by raising public awareness of Modern Slavery (known as Trafficking in Scotland), making sure that all staff are trained to spot any signs, and the importance of sharing information across the business community and with relevant authorities if there are suspicions that gang leaders are exploiting vulnerable people across multiple companies and sectors.