July 2010 Newsletter

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400 million users and counting!

In the time it has taken me to type these 10 words (about 10 seconds) some 6,000 messages, known as tweets, have been posted on Twitter. The microblogging site boasts around 50 million tweets each day and 100 million users. That’s amazing growth in just four years but Facebook’s development has been even more meteoric. Its users have grown to 400 million since Mark Zuckerberg, 26, founded the social networking site six years ago! Twitter, Facebook, You Tube and other 21st century giants like Google were born out of the internet, the global system of interconnected computer networks to which a quarter of the world’s population is now connected. Individuals and organisations alike are continuing to jump on the internet bandwagon and earlier this year we joined in the fun too. Picture shows Mark Zuckerberg at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland. Copyright: World Economic Forum. 

Blogger Mike knows a thing or two

Last February we launched our own blog with the help of one of our authors, Dr Mike Clayton. He’s a bit of a techie and knows about these things. And as a consultant and trainer specialising in leadership and management skills, he also knows what he’s blogging about. His weekly blog is ‘dedicated to all things management’ to quote his own blurb. It covers a wide range of topics in a lively, informative, practical and entertaining style. Take a look and find out what our picture is all about.

An OFFER you won’t resist

While we’re on the subject of Mike Clayton, you may like to know that his new pocketbook on handling resistance will be published in September. Using his own innovative ‘onion model’, he explains how to overcome resistance to your ideas, to change and to your proposals. Copies of the Handling Resistance Pocketbook ordered prior to its publication can be purchased at just £5.99 - £2 off the normal price. To place your order, go to www.pocketbook.co.uk/offer and enter the code ‘MAIL5’. If you prefer to order via the phone, fax or email, please remember to quote the code. Offer ends 31st July 2010. 

NEW additions also on OFFER

Within the last few days we have published the Discipline & Grievance Pocketbook, a practical guide for line managers and HR staff on managing formal staff issues. Author Ruth Sangale also co-wrote the Induction Pocketbook. Another newcomer is the 3rd edition of our ever popular Mentoring Pocketbook, complete with new cover illustration. All three books are on offer to Pocketmail readers at £5.99 each. Quote the MAIL5 code when ordering and follow the ordering instructions given above. Offer ends 31st July 2010.

Trust in the virtual world

We introduced this issue of Pocketmail by looking briefly at the internet and its effect on blogging and social networking. The internet has also enabled people to work together more effectively even though they may be separated geographically. With the internet they can communicate better and keep in touch more easily (gone are the days of tin cans and string, illustrated). In the Virtual Teams Pocketbook author Ian Fleming says that the big challenge for any virtual team is how to build trust between team members who rarely meet. To quote from the book, the basis for trust comes from team members being:
• Clear about what has to be achieved
• Skilled at communicating with each other
• Prepared to listen and tell the truth
• Reliable (meeting commitments)
• Calm in times of difficulty
• Positive even when things go wrong
• Prepared to put their peers before themselves

Above all, Fleming continues, trust comes from the actions you take and not from saying the right words. Trust takes a long time to develop, can be lost in a moment and should not be taken for granted.