The HighGrowth East Midlands Awards are unique business awards focussing on recognising the growth of businesses located in the East Midlands and the professional excellence of the coaches supported by the Growth Enabler programme.

The awards are an excellent opportunity for businesses and coaches registered on the HighGrowth East Midlands programme to demonstrate and celebrate their growth and ambition.

Open Mind Coaching UK were pleased to have reach the finals for the Growth Enabler Professional Excellence Award 2010.

After receiving the trophy on behalf of the company Sandra Pollock, Director said “This is a wonderful opportunity and it is great to receive recognition for all the hard work we have done and enjoyed doing to support and enable our clients to grow their businesses, their staff and their personal performance, to achieve success.  I am happy to receive this trophy on behalf of our clients, associates and support team. To achieve recognition at this level amongst, other such high calibre businesses and coaches is fantastic.”

Sandra  along with other members of the Open Mind Coaching UK team, husband Mike Pollock and Associate trainer Liz Archer attended the gala dinner.  The team were accompanied by their invited guests Rob Simpson, Director RMJS Associates and Chair CMI East Midlands Regional Forum and Elain Crew, Director University of Leicester, Life Long Learning.

The Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday 11th March at the  Nottingham Belfrey.  Anne Davies from East Midlands Today did an excellent job as host, sharing from her expansive experience in the TV and Radio world.

The keynote address was given by renowned regional entrepreneur Kavita Oberoi.

Kavita shared from her life and experience growing up in an Asian culture which has different views of women working and their responsibility for home and family and the many other organisations she is currently working with.  Kavita shared how she has dealt with this and still manages to be such a tremendous success.

Other speakers included Bryan Jackson OBE , Chairman, East Mdlands Development Agency (left) and Michael Seals MBE, emda Board Member.

Congratulations to all the Award winners and finalists. In particular Andrew Woodward from Hilltop Partners in High Peak Derbyshire for coming tops for the Growth Enabler professional development programme.

The Award dinner was an excellent event with good food, good company and an opportunity to catch up friend and meet new people.

CMI WiM Leadership Team handover

At a meeting on Saturday 24 October 09 held and the CMI offices in Savoy Court, London the two took up their new roles.  Many will know Sandra from her tireless work over many years in Leicester and the East Midlands on behalf of Women in Management.  She also sits on the CMI East Midlands Regional Forum and heavily involved with working on the strategic planning across the region.

Paula has been a previous WiM Chair with the Gloucestershire group a few year back and now also runs her own consultancy.

Outgoing Chair Val Lawson has held the post for approximately three and half years and on Saturday received an Award for her contribution over this period of time.  Val said “I am honoured to have received the award. Like most of the WiM volunteers, I don’t do it for recognition, but because of a passionate commitment to the principles of WiM.  This is a start to a new chapter for WiM and I know we can make good use of the opportunity.”

Jenny Wilson outgoing Deputy Chair, has decided to step down at this time because she is currently undertaking a MSc course which she is finding quite demanding.  Jenny intends to make the subject of her dissertation either Women and Science or more specifically Women and Chemistry.  We look forward to hearing more about her work in this area.

Sandra with Val Lawson and Jenny Wilson

Both Val and Jenny were presented with gifts from the WiM Executive and National Chair teams by Sandra on the teams behalf.

The other members of the WiM National Executive Team are Joan Toon - Treasurer, Yvette Meneaud- New Groups Development, Pam Smith and Carole Marits.

The role of Chair is ordinarily held for a period of two years with the Deputy Chair in place in the wings as Chair Designate.  For those in the East Midlands Sandra will still be around and will also continue in her role as East Midlands Chair, as she continues the development of WiM Groups in Derby and Nottingham, with plans for Rutland and Lincolnshire.

Sandra & Paula

We want to congratulate both Sandra and Paul on their new roles and look forward to hearing more from their work together.

Sandra receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award presented by Ron Simpson CMI Regional Chair (right) with Rob Bennett Regional Manager

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) held their East Midlands Regional Convention on 10 September this year at Derby University.  The focus of this year’s event was on Celebrating Success within its volunteer team.

Men and women give  many hours of their time, expertise and knowledge to support the institute in its goal in maintaining high standards of quality in leadership and management across the UK,  and in this regard the East Midlands, in a variety of ways.

The network of branches including Women In Manager (WiM) run events, conferences, seminars and networking to provide additional educational,  performance development and networking opportunities for members and friends.

An awful lot of work goes on in the background of the institute carried out be people who are unpaid, but passionate about what they do.

So this year the Regional Forum wanted to ensure that its many volunteers received the recognitions, and development information and support for all the work they have undertaken over the years.

Many of you will already know that Sandra, who is a member of the CMI, has also been Chair of  WiM Leicester for the past two plus years.  In her time as Chair she has continued the lead the Network in providing outstanding events and seminars for WiM and CMI members, their friends and visitors, working with many other organisations across the region. Continuing this year with the setting up two subgroups (Derby and Nott5ingham) to provide the same high quality service to a wider audience.  Although these two groups are in their infancy, it has brought about the need to create a Regional WiM structure to ensure that support can be given to all the subgroups and Leicester continues it’s sterling work as the established group.  This new structure brings WiM more in line with the CMI regional structure and better enables the running of events regionally.

In support of her outstanding contribution and dedicated service to WiM East Midlands, Sandra Pollock was presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award by the Ron Simpson CMI Regional Chair. The award is only given by the Institute in exceptional cases.

Delegates during workshop

As well as presentations the delegates heard from a number of speakers outlining the Institutes plans for its new member resources web site and the wider range of benefits that will come on line early in the New Year.  We will feature more about these in the coming months.

If you would like to find out more about the Chartered Management Institute visit www.managers.org.uk    To find about more about Women In Management visit www.managers.org.uk/wim

WiM has received a number of requests to run events in Lincolnshire and Rutland and are planning these for the new year.  We are recruiting for more people to join the WiM Management team across the region. This is an exciting time of expansion, which provides opportunities to develop new skills and to strengthen existing ones.

If you would like to find out more email wimeastmidlands@managers.org.uk or contact Sandra Pollock on 079 7722 7872  she would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Developing People. Growing Your Business. Achieving Your Dreams.

Introduction

Open Mind Coaching UK is a team of experienced and respected professional trainers working in partnership with organisations and individuals to improve, develop and achieve their objectives.

Open Mind Coaching UK was established primarily to fill the gap in the provision of support for small to medium size businesses across the East Midlands. Our areas of expertise are in Management and Staff training; People Development;  Human Resources and People Management, Business Coaching, Advice, and Mentoring.

With 25 years of management experience in a wide range of business sectors, including Retail, Healthcare, Social Care, Transport and Manufacturing, we are committed to working with you to help you achieve your full potential. Our experience, knowledge and skills are at your disposal, to help you develop and improve your business and your professional management skills. Whatever your requirements – individual, team or group development, we can help.

Our Vision

To provide our customers with the complete Management and Human Resources Training and People Development solution to grow their businesses and achieve their targets:

• Training and development that changes behaviour to improve profits;
• Practical, hands on support when you need it;
• Affordable, guaranteed serviced or your money back.

• Mailing list – sign up and receive our quarterly e-newsletter loaded with inspirational tips and information on personal and management development issues, information on coming events and activities and more.

• Information on taster sessions – these are short, sweet and effective training sessions that you will enjoy.

• Blog – where we will pass on information, articles, new services, video clips, free and discounted sessions and more.

• Comments and suggestion area, where you can keep in contact with us, ask questions, make comments and let us know what you are interested in hearing about.

• And not forgetting the News & Updates – find out what’s coming up, what we are involved with, sign up for events and lots more.

We hope you find our new website, informative, easier to use and enjoy the opportunity to keep in touch with us. Go to our Contacts page and leave us a comment, let us know what you think about our new site.

Our new website would not have been possible without the creative design and web making skills of Pete Lucas. Pete is usually too modest to blow his own trumpet, so I’ll do it for him. If you want someone who will not only listen to what you want your website to look like and contain, but is able to transpose your ideas into a creation to be proud of, then you are looking for Pete.

Thanks Pete another job done well – well done.

Sandra Pollock

A coach provides a place for clients to be held accountable to themselves by monitoring the client’s progress towards implementation of their action plans and goals.

Together they evolve and modify the plan to best suit the client’s needs and environmental relationships.
A personal coach acts as a human mirror for clients by sharing an outside and unbiased perspective on what they are observing about their clients. A personal coach may teach specific insights and skills to empower the client toward their goals. Finally, a Personal Coach encourages the client to celebrate their achievement of milestones and goals.

Some of the  topics that may be covered:

• Building Confidence
• Assertiveness
• Career Change
• Communication
• Personal Growth & Development
• Creating the Life You Want
• Improving relationships
• Parenting
• Dating
• Surviving Divorce
• Dealing with separation
• Personal Goal Setting

Presentations and interviews a nightmare?

Could do with some help on making them better?

Read how coaching with us helped Christine pull off a presentation that got her the job she was looking for…

Book coaching sessions for yourself now!

We have flexible packages to suit your needs and save you money.

Coaching Packages

Coaching 1 Session £50.00 Coaching 3 Sessions £147.00 Coaching 6 Sessions £290.00 Coaching 8 Sessions £392.00

For Business Coaching rates please call us to discuss your requirements.

This support and advice can be provided by using various methods. Sandra may use a variety of methods and techniques, such as one-on-one tuition, group coaching sessions and seminars, depending on the needs of the business.

Sandra specialises in providing business coaching to all sized businesses. She specialises in helping business owners and senior management to take an objective view of how they can improve productivity, staff moral and motivation, through coaching, training, personal and team development to improve the effectiveness, performance, creativity and to help create an environment where new ideas are encouraged – the ultimate goal of which is increase profits.

‘Small Business Coaching’, one of Sandra specialist areas is a collaborative relationship, solution focused; results oriented which is specifically focused at the Business Owner, Senior Management and or employee level. In smaller business environments the coach is may be required to look at both personal development and the business elements, as these can a direct affect on business outcomes. As with other coaching areas, this is entirely, in order to achieve improved business results, improved business performance, improved operational effectiveness and to improve their personal performance.

Open Mind Coaching is able to support small businesses with their particular needs in relation to size, expertise, training, development, human resources and management requirements.

OMCUK offers a range of practical HR training courses providing the skills, information and techniques to equip managers and supervisors to succeed in this important role. All of our HR training courses are designed to ensure that skills learned can be transferred back into the workplace.

Our trainers are experienced management and HR professionals with a clear understanding of the needs of the business, the manager, and the expectations required by employment legislation. We are equipped to train your staff and to support your human resources development.

Our courses are particularly useful for new and middle management individuals and teams.

Recruitment & Selection

This range of courses will take you from understanding what Human Resources is and its role in your business; to realising your need to employ a new member of staff right through their first 6 months of employment. We will provide practical training on:

• What is Human Resources?
• Developing a staff management and development strategy
• Job Description
• Advertising Your Vacant Post
• What type of recruitment process is right for you?
• Interview
  • Purpose & Process
  • For the interviewer
  • For the interviewee
• Policies
• Health & Safety
• Employee Development
• Ending Employment
• Employment Law for beginners

We run training Courses in Human Resources for business owners, Managers and supervisors in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and parts of the West Midlands.

• Employing People
• Interviewing Skills
• Creating Effective Questions
• Writing Job Description and Person Specs
• Assessment  Processes
• Employment Law

Have you got staff performance issues?   Find out how we introduce staff improvement processes.

Sandra has in the past and continues to work in association with local schools, colleges and community centres; running after-school workshops for young people between the ages 8 – 16 including Creative Art classes: pottery, silk and glass painting and card making. She is a volunteer mentor at a local secondary school, supporting youth between the ages of 11 – 14 dealing with bullying and other issues that hinder achievement at school. She has also runs community and business workshops covering Assertiveness, Confidence, Presentation Skills, Management, Finance and Personal Development Courses, supporting the growth and start up of other local community groups and networks.

Sandra is totally committed to supporting people to reach their true potential and is passionate about working with women so that they too can choose to make the best of their abilities and opportunities. For the past two years Sandra has been Chair of the highly successful Leicester WiM group; held a seat on Chartered Management Institutes’ Regional Forum on behalf of WIM and in more recent months sponsored the start of two new WIM sub-groups in Derby and Nottingham respectively.

Sandra has worked within large public organisations such as Social Services and the NHS and private regional and international corporate companies in the Transport and Manufacturing in senior managerial positions. Sandra is credited with establishing and developing the first five day driver training programme in the transport industry, covering basic skills in literacy and customer service. This programme was nominated for an award by Route One Bus and Coach Industries Awards in 2006.

Sandra’s speciality in the business sector is providing help to business owners and senior management teams to take an objective and more creative view of how they can improve productivity, staff moral and motivation, through coaching, training and personal and team development, to improve effectiveness, creativity and performance.

In recent years Sandra has added to her list of clients, Business Link, EMDA, Lincoln College, Leicester City Council, as well as corporate organisation such as Terex, Arriva, Chartered Management Institutes, BraSense, Skills For Enterprise,  Transformations, DeMontfort University, Enterprise Radio, Social Enterprise Coalition, NBV and East Midland Business, to name a few.

Sandra has an interactive, friendly and informative style of delivery that puts learners and managers alike at ease, but maintaining an entirely professional, results focussed environment. Sandra has written and delivered a vast range of training programmes,  (some of which have been bespoke, whilst others were criteria based) – meeting the specific needs of the organisation, programmes and accredited criteria for qualifications awarding bodies’ standards.

Sandra is

• An emda Women’s Ambassador
• An East Midlands Business Champion
• An Associate member of the Institute for Learning (IFL)
• A Member of the Institute for Business Advisors (IBS)
• A Member the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• An Associate of the Charted Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)
• Chairs the CMI Women in Management Network Group in Leicester & East Midlands
• A Myers Brigs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner
• An Associate Member with the European Coaching Institute (ECI)

In 2007 Sandra was awarded the Chartered Management Institutes East Midlands Regional Presidents Award for Outstanding Achievement. Her love of people and seeing individuals succeed has earned her respect and recognition within various industries.

Sandra is also a motivational speaker and Coach and has worked on a number project for EMDA, Business Link, Chartered Management Institute, DeMontfort University and the Social Enterprise Coalition speaking on matters relating to BAME, Management, Business, Enterprise skills, Personal Development, Women and encouraging women into business, along with Confidence, Motivation and Networking.

Working on your personal development in a confidential environment is guaranteed. You can discuss and arrange personal coaching, which will provide the support and focus you need.

Personal Development

• Building Confidence
• Employability Check Up
• Getting back to work
• Interview Skills
• Impact & Presence
• Presentation Skills
• Assertiveness
• Stress Management
• Personal Success
• Telephone Skills
• Completing Application Forms
• CV Check up
• Writing a CV
• Completing an Application Form
• Job Search
• Positive Thinking Positive Behaviour
• Dealing with Conflict
• Commentating Clearly
• Coaching
• Administration Skills

Performance Development

• Influencing Others
• Chairing Meetings
• Managing Upwards
• Leadership
• Managing Your time
• Making Presentation
• Negotiating
• Developing Yourself
• Emotional Intelligence
• Mentoring
• Business Writing
• Coaching Others
• Networking
• Personal Success

We update and increase our list of courses regularly, so sign up to our mailing list today and keep informed.