The Boss' NEW Blog October 09
21/10/09
'The Tipping Point'
As a business leader I find it essential to get an input for my output and one of the best ways of achieving this is to read biographies and thought provoking books. I generally take a few pearls of wisdom from most books I read which inspire or inform me in my own life and business.
One such book I read a few years ago was the ‘Tipping Point' by Malcolm Galdwell (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tipping-Point-Little-Things-Difference/dp/0349113467 ) which made a lot of sense to me because it helps you appreciate how little things can make a big difference to your business, your life or indeed your classroom. It helped me appreciate that you can't always force things to happen, you have to focus on the right things and create an environment where things naturally happen and I would say this is certainly true when working in the education sector.
Over the past month I have encountered a lot of comments and been in a number of meetings where it is becoming clear that U-Explore is getting to its first 'tipping point.'
It's clear that new additions to the product like the 'curriculum 360's' are having a big impact on how the Diplomas can be taught. Our presence at Edexcel Diploma roadshows are resulting in fantastic feedback from teachers offering comments like "is there anything you haven't thought of?!" We had the visit from the Schools Minister and Home Secretary in Hull to see U-Explore's approach to IAG in action and nationally the product is being championed and sited at the highest levels. However, in keeping with the theme of the book these things have not been forced but have just happened as a result of a patient committed team who have kept listening and delivering on the small things that will enable us to make the big difference.
So I believe we have arrived at a 'tipping point' but I am also aware that we have a lot of work to do this next year to move U-Explore on to the next level. The next level being for me, a greater awareness of how the product can be used in the classroom and how we can support the professional development of teachers with our accredited training courses.
There are lots of little things which we keep doing to U-Explore Interactive to enhance and update the product but our internal challenge is to make sure we are communicating these little things and creating the opportunities for you as teaching professionals to achieve your own personal 'tipping points' with young people everyday.
Enjoy the book... maybe put it on your Christmas list.
Andy
As a business leader I find it essential to get an input for my output and one of the best ways of achieving this is to read biographies and thought provoking books. I generally take a few pearls of wisdom from most books I read which inspire or inform me in my own life and business.
One such book I read a few years ago was the ‘Tipping Point' by Malcolm Galdwell (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tipping-Point-Little-Things-Difference/dp/0349113467 ) which made a lot of sense to me because it helps you appreciate how little things can make a big difference to your business, your life or indeed your classroom. It helped me appreciate that you can't always force things to happen, you have to focus on the right things and create an environment where things naturally happen and I would say this is certainly true when working in the education sector.
Over the past month I have encountered a lot of comments and been in a number of meetings where it is becoming clear that U-Explore is getting to its first 'tipping point.'
It's clear that new additions to the product like the 'curriculum 360's' are having a big impact on how the Diplomas can be taught. Our presence at Edexcel Diploma roadshows are resulting in fantastic feedback from teachers offering comments like "is there anything you haven't thought of?!" We had the visit from the Schools Minister and Home Secretary in Hull to see U-Explore's approach to IAG in action and nationally the product is being championed and sited at the highest levels. However, in keeping with the theme of the book these things have not been forced but have just happened as a result of a patient committed team who have kept listening and delivering on the small things that will enable us to make the big difference.
So I believe we have arrived at a 'tipping point' but I am also aware that we have a lot of work to do this next year to move U-Explore on to the next level. The next level being for me, a greater awareness of how the product can be used in the classroom and how we can support the professional development of teachers with our accredited training courses.
There are lots of little things which we keep doing to U-Explore Interactive to enhance and update the product but our internal challenge is to make sure we are communicating these little things and creating the opportunities for you as teaching professionals to achieve your own personal 'tipping points' with young people everyday.
Enjoy the book... maybe put it on your Christmas list.
Andy
