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The cutting edge of leadership and management innovation, in brief.
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What Is Included

Hot Topic
& Checklist

A key topic for great leadership, right now.

High performance
management

The latest ideas and fresh thinking from around the world.

Innovation
leadership

New findings on building the innovative enterprise.

Expert
Viewport

Guest expert shares their latest insights on the future of leadership

Recent Hot Topics
Research

Corporate Reputation

Corporate reputation reflects stakeholders’ view of an organisation’s competence, integrity and reliability. It shapes access to customers, capital and talent, and can soften or amplify crises. In a social media world, reputations shift quickly, so it must be managed with evidence. Research shows performance tends to drive reputation, so programmes should begin with clear definitions and fit-for-purpose measures tied to strategy and audiences (Jeon and Nolan, 2024; Bigus, Hua and Raithel, 2024).

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KnowledgeBrief

January 2012

Leading a lean revolution in performance improvement
Research

Leading a lean revolution in performance improvement

Many businesses have been subjected to latest fad in performance improvement over the years, each promising to be better than the previous one. From ‘management by objectives’ to TQM through to knowledge management and six sigma, there has been an ongoing quest for the performance holy grail. Whilst there are specific techniques that every manager should have in their repertoire (such as statistical process control or creative problem solving), it can be argued that the essence of leading improv

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KnowledgeBrief

November 2011

Whole System Methods
Research

Whole System Methods

Many of the pieces of research in this month’s scan highlight the need for companies to develop their capability to handle complexity. Arguing the case for such investments can be challenging as many senior managers whilst used to the idea of businesses and markets being complicated are often far less comfortable with the idea of complexity. A complicated system can be very intricate and detailed, but it is essentially predictable. Whereas a complex system is one that is so complicated, interact

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KnowledgeBrief

October 2011

Lessons Learned
Research

Lessons Learned

Project management teaches you that no plan survives first contact with reality. Deadlines will always sprint ahead, budgets shrink, and stakeholders multiply like rabbits. Communication is key—because when things go wrong (and they will), you’ll need to explain it again. Flexibility is essential; rigid plans snap under pressure. Finally, if you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen—because no one remembers the good days, just the one you forgot to hit 'save'.

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KnowledgeBrief

Lessons Learned

Early Project Closure
Research

Early Project Closure

Projects may close early due to various factors, such as budget constraints, shifts in organisational priorities, or changes in stakeholder requirements. Other reasons include the project no longer delivering expected value, technical feasibility issues, or risks outweighing benefits. Additionally, market conditions, regulatory changes, or resource availability may render a project non-viable. Here, early termination minimises further costs and redirects resources to more strategic initiatives.

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KnowledgeBrief

Early Project Closure

Project Handover
Research

Project Handover

Project handover is like passing the baton in a relay race, except the baton is a pile of documents, and the recipient looks slightly terrified. It’s the stage where the project team hands over deliverables to the client or operations, hoping everything runs smoothly. It’s also the point where you realise you’ve either left them fully prepared or given them a lovely puzzle. A key part? Making sure they don’t call you later!

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KnowledgeBrief

Project Handover

Benefits Management
Research

Benefits Management

Benefits management in project management is like herding cats—organising chaos so that the project delivers value. It ensures those shiny promises turn into real gains. You track, measure, and report benefits, ensuring they don't vanish into thin air after the project wraps up. It’s the art of proving you weren’t just wasting time (or money), and that all the headaches were worth it! Basically, it’s turning hopes into measurable happiness.

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KnowledgeBrief

Benefits Management

Re-estimating throughout the Project Lifecycle
Research

Re-estimating throughout the Project Lifecycle

Re-estimating throughout the project lifecycle is vital for managing risks, adjusting to changes, and ensuring accuracy in scope, budget, and timelines. It helps address evolving requirements, unforeseen challenges, and new information, promoting better resource allocation and decision-making. Regular re-estimation improves stakeholder confidence and increases the likelihood of project success by keeping plans realistic and adaptable.

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KnowledgeBrief

Re-estimating throughout the Project Lifecycle

Psychometric Analysis
Research

Psychometric Analysis

Understanding psychometric analysis tools aids team development by providing insights into individual personalities, strengths, and work styles. These tools help identify team members' complementary traits, enhancing collaboration and communication. By understanding these dynamics, leaders can better assign roles, resolve conflicts, and foster a more cohesive and productive team, ultimately leading to improved performance and job satisfaction.

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KnowledgeBrief

Psychometric Analysis

Threats and Opportunities of Risk Management
Research

Threats and Opportunities of Risk Management

Risk management in project management is a double-edged sword; it presents both significant threats and opportunities. Properly managing risks can lead to project success, while neglecting this critical component can result in failure. This dual nature underscores the importance of understanding both the threats and opportunities that risk management entails. This Hot Topic seeks to examine how risks, once identified and managed, can in fact be moments of opportunity for the project team.

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KnowledgeBrief

Threats and Opportunities of Risk Management

How we can help

Become a Leader Your Employees Want To Follow

Become a Leader Your Employees Want To Follow

What makes a great leader?

Creating a Happier and Healthier Workforce

Creating a Happier and Healthier Workforce

Sustain a positive and psychologically healthy workforce

Better Management Training, Better Results

Better Management Training, Better Results

Our professional development courses are available to individuals or teams. Funded via the apprenticeship levy, the UK’s government apprenticeship scheme.

Essential Training to Grow Your Small Business

Essential Training to Grow Your Small Business

You can now get the same leadership, management and customer service training as the world’s most successful companies – funded via the government apprenticeship levy.

Maximise your Apprenticeship Levy

Maximise your Apprenticeship Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy, now in its third year, can on the face of it appear complex and inflexible and is often overlooked as a solution to recurring HR and L&D challenges. The good news is, the Levy doesn’t have to be disruptive at all.

Trusted by over 700 organisations
and more than 2,000 learners

“The quality of support I have received from my coach has been extremely high. His coaching is considered, tailored and aligned to my personal experience, career stage as well as my day-to-day balancing of responsibilities. My apprenticeship has helped to bolster my confidence that I am taking a reasonable approach with some challenging clients.”

Liane Langdon

Director

Clarity Consulting Associates

“The apprenticeship with KnowledgeBrief was transformative, improving my leadership, strategic decisions, and confidence. I gained skills in planning, change management, financial acumen, and stakeholder engagement. Completing with distinction, I secured a new contract and expanded my consultancy.”

Sally Kee

Programme graduate

Grosvenor Health and Social Care

“The coaching course through KnowledgeBrief was well-structured, balancing theoretical and practical knowledge. The platform is easy to navigate, providing access to support and promoting a solid understanding of coaching fundamentals. The resources provided have been comprehensive.”

Sandra Ajidahun

Senior Talent Partner

Publicis Groupe

“KnowledgeBrief has great content and is detailed in the area I am developing in. The system is very clear and easy to use and navigate. Thanks to my Skills Coach for his support and guidance. I apply my course knowledge and experience, such as team performance, leadership styles, and the Eisenhower Matrix, to manage tasks effectively.”

Jonny Burrows

Assistant Manager

Cheltenham College

“The apprenticeship has greatly enhanced my understanding of strategic work and how different areas of the organisation operate. It has boosted my confidence to ask questions and take on senior-level tasks. Studying has pushed me out of my comfort zone, showing me my capabilities and improving my overall performance.”

Lauren Mitchell

HR Manager

Canterbury Oast Trust

“The support has been timely and professional and, since starting, I have increased my knowledge through the online platform and workshops. I'm covering subjects like business understanding, communication, and operational plans - which has boosted my confidence. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend it.”

Jason Windsor

Operations Manager HVAC

DENSO Manufacturing UK Ltd

“As a result of this apprenticeship, I have gained confidence at work. I've developed key skills in project management, communication, and technical processes, and have improved my performance through focused feedback. I am now better prepared to contribute to the team's goals and tackle future challenges.”

Cristian Condurache

Software Engineering Team Lead

Reach

“I have seen positive work improvements using what I’ve learnt about leadership, communication, and decision-making. I highly recommend the easy-to-use KnowledgeBrief platform with visual progress tracking, extra resources, and valuable information.”

Sharon Boia

EHS Manager

Abcam

“This journey has strengthened my strategic vision, stakeholder management, team and organisational influencing skills, and, most importantly, my confidence in communication. The structured learning and the tailored guidance has proven invaluable in giving me direction and purpose as a senior leader.”

Sam Dykes

Accounts Manager

Milling International Marketing Ltd

“This course improved my performance by helping me create strategies, demonstrate values, develop my team, identify growth areas, and gain leadership principles like communication, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to strengthen their leadership abilities and make an impact.”

Linda Evans

UK Head of Product, Pricing & Marketing

Ferdinand Bilstein UK

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