Category Archives: Insights

Tackling the self-focus pandemic to build a culture of success

Kevin Johnson, CEO at learning and development consultancy OnTrack International, comments on self-focus and its impact.

In an era where the self-focus pandemic is increasingly prevalent in the workplace, businesses face the challenge of fostering a culture that aligns individual ambitions with collective goals.

But how can businesses in 2024 overcome the detrimental impact of self-focus to ensure growth and success, and what steps do they need to take to create the right culture?

The self-focus pandemic in business

The trend of self-focus […]

Why business leaders need greater leadership maturity

Leadership maturity comments by Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack for HR News.

In the post-COVID era, businesses face unprecedented challenges. However, many leaders today do not have the leadership maturity they need to deal with these challenges, lacking the experience to deal with a volatile, complex and ambiguous environment.

As such, leadership training needs to evolve and focus on developing the ability to ask insightful questions and make informed decisions without having all the answers. The goal is to equip leaders with […]

Embracing the returner workforce

by Sara Good

Embracing the returner workforce would benefit employees, employers and the economy at large – how can organisations better utilise this untapped potential?

Many employers are missing a trick when it comes to workers returning after an extended career break. They may either disregard the potential these experienced professionals bring or fail to support them adequately upon their return.

‘Returners’ often face an uphill battle, struggling not only to secure employment or re-employment, but also to reintegrate into a workplace that […]

Navigating 2024 learning strategy: a more complex and ambiguous world

By Fraser Jones, managing director, learning & development consultancy, OnTrack International

2024 has been billed as ‘the’ election year. How might that impact your 2024 corporate learning strategy? Well, a record-breaking number of governments and heads of state could change.

“Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, […]

Verbal Behavioural Intelligence – Q&A with Matt McIntyre

What is Verbal Behavioural Intelligence?

Verbal Behavioural Intelligence (VBI) is a framework for analysing how people communicate verbally in the workplace, what they do well and how they can improve. In short, it is the science of verbal communication.

The thinking behind VBI was born in the 1980s after a major airline carried out a four-year study while simultaneously overhauling its approach to leadership and customer service.

While they were looking at the attributes of both great leaders and team players within their […]

The Superhero Manager Programme

In a rapidly evolving workplace marked by technological advancements and shifting expectations, the role of managers has transformed into that of a Superhero Manager, according to the insights provided by Cecilia Westin Curry.

In this article, Cecilia explores the extensive skill criteria placed on today’s managers, delving into key pillars such as problem-solving, communication, coaching skills, understanding the human mind, and self-awareness, ultimately proposing a “Superhero Manager Programme” to equip them with the attributes necessary for navigating the challenges of the […]

It’s not just managers and leaders that require leadership skills

Morgan Burn, principal consultant at OnTrack International discusses the wide reaching relevance of leadership skills.

Traditionally, employer learning and development programmes around leadership skills have predominantly targeted individuals preparing to step into management or leadership positions.

However, there’s a growing recognition that all staff members can benefit from displaying leadership qualities such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and a growth mindset. These skills are invaluable and can ultimately benefit both employers and employees.

So, what is driving this change in learning and development? How […]

Learning and development – a review of 2023

The world is ever changing and so too are the pressures on organisations and their people. 2023 has offered both challenges and opportunities from a learning and development perspective.

Many businesses are operating in a challenging economic climate while trying to get to grips with some significant changes in the way we use technology. We’ve also seen many organisations struggle with their people management. At the same time, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of workplace culture and skills in […]

Ben White joins as executive consultant for OnTrack

Seasoned expert and business psychologist Ben White re-joins from Capita as Executive Consultant

Learning and development consultancy OnTrack International has appointed Ben White as Executive Consultant. Ben will work with senior leaders and board members within OnTrack’s client base to support their people development strategies with evidence-based learning and development.

Ben is a certified business psychologist and qualified executive coach dedicated to realising human potential and delivering sustainable organisational change. He has over 15 years of experience across in-house and consultancy roles, […]

Five things to remember when measuring ROI for L&D

Morgan Burn, principal consultant at OnTrack International discusses ROI for L&D.

Every business wants a return on its investment (ROI) in learning and development (L&D). Ascertaining tangible results is not always straightforward, though it is essential to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of training initiatives and, crucially, to secure continued buy-in from senior decision-makers. Measurement doesn’t necessarily need an extensive process to be meaningful, but it does need to speak the language of business to resonate with the right people.

Here are […]

Future-Fit Workforce in the Age of Digital Transformation: Leadership Strategies for Success

As observed by Paul Heath, Head of Client Solutions, OnTrack International, amidst the rapid digital transformation, business leaders face the pressing need to evolve beyond solely equipping employees with current skills, toward cultivating a future-fit workforce capable of thriving amidst technological advancements and rapid change.

Senior leaders at global businesses are grappling with a dichotomy. They want growth but do not know how to upskill employees to get there with the rapid pace of digital transformation and pressure to adopt technology.

So, […]

The role of managers in driving employee engagement and performance

Cecilia Westin Curry, Assoc CIPD, Development Partner, discusses supporting managers to drive employee engagement.

Companies with highly engaged employees outperform those with lower engagement time and again. Not only that, but research shows that a fifth of all employees are actively disengaged and work against their employers – potentially causing real damage in addition to costing their employer money through a lack of performance and contribution.

How can this be? And what could be done about it?

One recurring theme crops up in […]

Future-Proofing the Multi-Generational Workplace

Unlock the Power of Youth:

Join the Movement to Retain Young Talent in the Multi-Generational Workplace!

Are you tired of witnessing bright young minds leave your organisation, taking their valuable skills and fresh perspectives elsewhere? It’s time to take action and secure the future of your workplace by retaining young talent. Join us in a transformative journey to empower and retain the next generation of leaders in a multi-generational workplace!

Discover innovative strategies, proven techniques, and actionable insights designed specifically for today’s […]

Navigating communication in a hybrid workspace

Morgan Burn, Principal Consultant, discusses digital communication in the modern hybrid workspace.

The modern hybrid workspace has seen an explosion of different communication tools as organisations look to facilitate remote working while taking advantage of new digital developments.

It’s not unusual for employees to communicate on several different platforms throughout the day. They may swap between traditional methods such as email, phone and face-to-face meetings alongside digital channels such as Teams, Zoom, Slack and WhatsApp.

For new-to-role or aspiring managers looking to engage […]

OnTrack International launches ‘OnTrack OnDemand’

‘Off the shelf’ programmes offer blended learning solutions to companies embarking on their L&D journey

Learning and development consultancy OnTrack International has launched OnTrack OnDemand, an interactive learning solution developed to enable businesses to embark on their learning journey swiftly and effortlessly. OnDemand incorporates OnTrack’s blended learning techniques and covers a several topics to address many business challenges.

As people experts, OnTrack helps global businesses overcome challenges while supporting their people to grow. The firm delivers powerful results for its clients […]

How to prevent toxic leadership

Kevin Johnson, in light of recent revelations regarding senior politicians, and the seemingly continual flow of senior leaders having the “toxic” label applied, examines the causes and consequences of toxic leadership – and what can be done to address it. (Versions of this article originally published in HR News and HR Magazine, March/April 2023)

Toxic leadership has a disastrous impact on teams and organisations. Such leaders often stop people from performing at their best. So, HR executives need to understand the […]

Q&A with Brad Williams – Digital Production Manager

What is your role at OnTrack International and what do you do?

My formal title is Digital Production Manager but I’m essentially the Head of Film Production, and my team are OnTrack’s very own creative studio. We help develop visual learning and development (L&D) content that is both engaging and purposeful. We manage everything from creative pitch and conception, all the way through to production and post-production

Brad Williams

Why does OnTrack need a film producer?

Film is a hugely powerful medium and it’s […]

Helping organisations get the culture right

Company culture impacts everything from employee engagement and retention to sales, client outcomes and, ultimately, business success.

Yet all too often it is hard to define and is something that companies pay lip service to, becoming an agenda item for policies and procedures without any tangible outcome.   

So how can organisations impact culture in a positive and meaningful way?

What is employee culture?

From lack of engagement to ineffective sales, businesses often approach OnTrack International to tackle the specific problems that ultimately derive […]

Why and how is OnTrack International different?

There are thousands of learning and development consultancies in the UK. There are tens of thousands, if not more, globally.

Despite the competition, some of the world’s most successful organisations trust OnTrack International to solve their business problem through learning and development.

Why is this, and what makes us different?

What is OnTrack International’s value?

For us, much of what makes us different is our purpose. While some consultancies put targets against new clients, revenues or profits, we removed the financial focus from […]

Our spark of joy: a tribute to Rosie Bailey

“The Human Brain is a wonderful thing …it begins to work the day we are born and continues every day of our lives until we stand up to speak.” These were the opening words Rosie used to begin her public speaking and presence sessions that have significantly impacted the ability of senior leaders all over the world.

In 1988, Rosie founded OnTrack International with partner Phil Bailey delivering just one personal development programme.

Over the next 35 years, she ran thousands of […]

Rosie Bailey

We are deeply saddened to share the news that our co-founder Rosie Bailey passed away on Monday 27 February.

She was a wonderful colleague and friend. She will be missed by everyone at OnTrack International.

Her family are inviting anyone that would like to help celebrate her life to her funeral on Monday 13 March, as explained below.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends. Details of the funeral shared by her sons:

“We are very sad to announce that Rosie passed away […]

How To Transition Into a Large Enterprise

Making the transition to a large enterprise can be exciting. It means that your business has continued and sustained growth to the point that you need to expand operations.

However, it can also be a stressful time, your stakeholders and your employees will be in a state of flux and will be relying on your guidance and leadership at this critical juncture. To make things easier we have come up with some top tips on how to transition your SME into […]

What Makes a Good Leader, Great?

The key question a great leader should be asking is ‘how can I create a strong and effective team?’ In this article, we review 6 effective leadership skills which enable you to create a team you can rely on and why these skills make a good leader, great.

1. Bring the energy

Motivating your team can be half the battle but high energy is infectious! By entering team meetings full of energy and positivity you will encourage and invigorate your team for the day […]

The Great Resignation, or Was it?

The Great Resignation, or Was it?

In 2021 it was difficult to escape stories of the Great Resignation and the accompanying statistics. People revaluated their lives, how much time they spent at work and even what they did. Some, if in the position to do so, retired earlier than they had previously considered.

2021 did see people completely change careers and reconsider their work location. Others adjusted their working patterns or requested flexible working, and many have found they enjoyed hybrid working and if […]

Get a Costa on us

Fill out our 5 minute Hybrid Working survey to claim your voucher. What impact has hybrid working had on your company?

Over the last two years, companies have reinvented themselves and adapted quickly to workplace changes. Has your business been impacted by Hybrid Working?

Leaders had to understand how best to manage their teams, balancing the needs of employees with those of the organisation.

Are your leaders trained in managing a hybrid team? Can they manage the return to work efficiently? Have […]

The Performance Plan

“If we want to have an improvement in performance then we need to focus on helping our people grow.  Whether this be how they work themselves or how they work with others.  We cannot remain the same and expect to have increased outputs.”

Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack.

When it comes to managing your team, you want to ensure your employees are growing and developing whilst ensuring they are also focused on the company’s vision and values. This is when performance planning […]

Five Practical Ways to Increase Performance and Manage Your Workload

Do less to achieve more?

As organisations and individuals, we are always looking at ways we can manage workloads better whilst increasing performance. At times we have probably all been busy fools, leading us to be stressed, overwhelmed, tired and irritable but still with an ever-growing inbox. So how can we be less busy and more productive without working or even trying to create extra hours in the day?

To get you started here are five practical ways to increase performance and […]

Thinking Outside Of The Box

Thinking outside of the box is a common phrase used in business and often used to describe an individual or group of people thinking creatively to solve a problem or issue. In this post, we discuss the importance of this and exactly when standard processes and protocols should be challenged in the workplace.

Where did “thinking outside the box” originate?

The concept of “thinking outside the box” has been around since the 1970s when psychologist, J. P Guildford conducted a study. This […]

Top 5 Learning and Development Trends in 2022 

The 5 Top Learning and Development Trends We Predict for 2022

On average, 37% of all employees worked from home in the UK in 2020! Although that number will have reduced since then, we are still navigating our way through uncharted territory.

But we made it! 2022 has arrived. There are a lot of lessons we can take from past year which will help us identify learning and development trends for 2022.

Why are learning and development trends for 2022 important?

This year, companies will […]