happy Blogs

I have run Happy Ltd now for 22 years and employ around 30 people. Three years ago we employed 35 but, as staff have left, we have turned to using freelancers instead of recruiting a permanent replacement. However this has nothing to do with how easy it is to dismiss permanent staff. We are turning to freelancers because, in the current market, we cannot be sure of the level of demand. I have often been at events where fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners complain about red tape and employment law. Last time I asked the examples they gave were “the minimum wage”, “maternity pay” and even “holiday entitlement”. These are not unfair burdens. These are the basic requirements of running a decent business. I am delighted that we have regulations like this because it means decent businesses cannot be undercut by those prepared to do anything to make a buck.

The Happy Manifesto: 10 Steps to a Great Workplace

The Happy Manifesto is Henry Stewart's call for change in the way we work. Find out his 10 steps to a great workplace in his new book and his latest blog.

How to Change a Demotivated Work Culture

People don’t resist change, they resist being changed. See how Marion Janner’s approach to change in the workplace was too good to resist.

Are you Developing your People or Managing Them?

At TrainingZone Live this morning, Michele Owens of the Olympic Delivery Authority gave an interesting example of how people reacted to different approaches.

How Would Banking be Different if it Focused on the Customer?

The core of the problem, it seems to me, is that the bankers bonuses that we hear so much about are never based on the amount of money made for the customer, but instead on the amount of money made for the bank.

Is Enjoyment the Key to Successful Learning?

At a recent meeting of training providers we did an exercise on what was distinctive about each of our company’s approaches. As well as our learner focus I talked about making learning about computers enjoyable. The response from my colleague was interesting: “You mean, that’s for real? I thought it was just hype. How do you make IT training enjoyable?”

A Radical Idea: Try Listening to Your Customers

I was very struck today by an article in a local London paper, the Islington Tribune, on the special customer service award given to a local corner shop.

Business is About Relationships: Make People Feel Good Today

Think about the people you work with - those who work with you and your customers and your suppliers. Where could you make more of a real personal connection that would make life better for you and them?

Focus on Making Your Staff Happy

People work best when they’re happy at work. That principle is the core of everything we do at Happy (a training business in London, UK). Think about whether you agree with it. If you do, and I find over 95% of people do, then what should be the key focus of management? By simple logic, it should clearly be creating an environment where people are happy and feel good about themselves.

I often say that our most radical belief at Happy is this: you should decide who should manage people based on how good they are at managing people.