David Klaasen
Total live articles: 23
Questions: 0
Answers: 1
Inspired Working was set up by David Klaasen in 2004 to work with Leaders, Directors and Senior Managers who want to avoid pitfalls in implementing their business strategy. We help them align their people with business objectives to produce sustainable profitability and growth. We provide the insights - you get the results He moved into the Learning and Development arena, inspired by the measurable results it can produce, after gaining valuable international management experience in 5 Star Hotels and Haute Cuisine Restaurants. Since 1988 David has been working with all levels of management, across a broad range of sectors. He has designed award winning training programmes for the Méridien Hotel Group and developed nationally recognised Management Development programmes. His friendly and accessible technique makes it easy to evaluate management effectiveness and implement organisational change by aligning the personal aspirations of staff with business objectives. His approach can often release unexpected resources and innovation amongst management and staff. David is an enthusiastic and emotionally intelligent communicator who clarifies complex issues and engages audiences, inspiring them into action. This highly pragmatic approach has successfully assisted many clients to achieve internationally recognised standards of best practice. He is passionate about ensuring that shared values, clear communication and targeted development of people are the furnace that drives business success. As a relentless learner he is continuously honing and developing his skills, and he loves to relax by scuba diving, practicing yoga, listening to live Jazz and hosting dinner parties with his wife Pam. He is currently enjoying the challenge of learning to Kite surf.
Recent Activity
Learning and growth are about developing a new set of internal standards and distinctions that inform and influence our behaviour and capability. But what do you do when managers are struggling to apply their skills and knowledge?
It's all too easy to get caught up in the complexity of work. We have to juggle vast amounts of information, interruptions and still meet our deadlines. But what about the basics? They have the power to transform your business!
The relentless pressure on finances means there is less money available to invest in improvements and yet there is an ongoing demand from staff to increase salaries. But what are your staff and managers really worth? How do you go about estimating their value; their contribution to your success?
The ability to rapidly learn and apply new skills is the key to success. Dramatic changes in technology are leaving some senior people stranded as they struggle with vast amounts of information. But there is also something else that can inhibit your ability to learn.
You probably have very high levels of expertise in your chosen field. You can effortlessly make decisions by sorting through millions of mental maps with various levels of complexity. But what about your people? What are the steps you need to take to help them?
You can only control that of which you are aware, that of which you are unaware controls you. Awareness is very empowering but we often neglect it because we are too busy; addicted to the urgency of crises and fire fighting. But there is another way . . .
Are you falling into the trap of telling your people only once and assuming that they will then diligently get on with your request? How do you ensure that your requests stay at the top of the list? There is now scientific evidence to prove that effective managers say the same thing at least twice, if not more.
While many businesses have a set of values, they are often seen as irrelevant and even a source of disgust by staff. This is because they don't see the connection between the stated values and behaviour of senior management.
Your emotions are setting the standards in your business and the performance of your team is like a mirror of your inner state of consciousness. If you want to change their performance you need to change the way you are thinking about it.
We all make our own reality by selecting specific evidence as proof for our beliefs. How you see yourself can help or hinder your ability to respond effectively because no matter what your situation, consciously or not, you see yourself as either a Player or a Pawn.
