Press Release - Potency of People

BIRMINGHAM CONSULTANT LAUNCHES BOOK OF LEADERSHIP TIPS

The founder of a Birmingham human resources consultancy which ploughs all of its profits into charities to conserve wildlife in Africa has launched a book to help managers and leaders get the most out of their people.

Rob Ball of Rednal-based Naturally Concerned has launched “Potency of People – A Little Book of Leadership Hints.” The book gives advice based on the principle that a business or organisation can only succeed with the efforts of the people who work for it.

Rob Ball has co-written the book with American life and business coach Tammy Williams, with contributions from his daughter and fellow director Natalie Ball.

Naturally Concerned was set up in 2008 by personnel and management expert Rob, who previously held HR director positions at GKN and before that at MG Rover. He established the company in memory of his wife Alison who died from a brain tumour.

All profits from Naturally Concerned go to Alison’s favourite wildlife charities. She was passionate about animal conservation in Africa and travelled there often.

Rob Ball said the book – deliberately designed to fit into a pocket - offered HR and management advice on a wide range of issues including leadership, employee development, training, recruitment, handling difficult situations, listening skills and motivation.

He said, “We operate with a more ethical edge than many consultancies and the book reflects that. Our starting point is the firm belief that businesses should treat their employees and partners in a principled and moral way, and that those values should hold firm, even when a company is under economic and financial pressures.”

He added, “If managers and leaders do those things, then they will get the best out of their people. Work becomes an enjoyable experience and the business benefits from the contribution of its workforce. People can deliver pretty much everything a business wants, but if leaders and managers behave badly, they can equally deliver nothing.”

The book was launched at a special event held at Urban Coffee in Church Street, Birmingham.

“Potency of People – A Little Book of Leadership Hints” is available from Amazon, or from Naturally Concerned at www.naturallyconcerned.com.

Rob Ball is a former director and head of HR development at MG Rover. He was made redundant when the company collapsed in 2005 and soon after was appointed HR director with GKN Autostructures. He left there to set up Naturally Concerned following his wife’s death in 2008.

Tammy Williams is a Master of Liberal Studies and Bachelor of Business Administration and has spent the last 10 years working for the State of Oklahoma as a specialist in change leadership.

Natalie Ball – a professional actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic – is a co-director in Naturally Concerned and creates training programmes based on role play.

Press Release - Travel Agency

PROFIT-FOR-GOOD BIRMINGHAM COMPANY LAUNCHES ETHICAL TRAVEL AGENCY

A Birmingham company which ploughs all of its profits into charities to conserve wildlife in Africa has launched a ground-breaking travel agency based on ethical tourism around the globe.

Rednal-based HR and management consultancy Naturally Concerned is spreading its wings to launch a travel business based on wildlife and environmental conservation. All net profits go to wild animal conservation in central and southern Africa.

Naturally Concerned was set up in 2008 by personnel and management expert Rob Ball, who previously held senior director positions at GKN and before that at MG Rover. He established the company in memory of his wife Alison who died from brain cancer.

All profits from Naturally Concerned go to Alison’s favourite wildlife charities. She was passionate about animal conservation in Africa and travelled there often.

The new travel company offers all types of holiday and business travel, but specialises in holidays which help animal conservation in Africa, dolphin and whale watching holidays, orang-utan viewing in Borneo and other ethically-based holidays.

Rob Ball said his wife loved being in Africa observing and photographing animals in the wild and she was enthusiastic about helping animals under threat.

“When you lose a spouse it causes you to pause and re-examine your priorities in life. Having spent more than 25 years in the corporate world I decided it was time to use my expertise in a more constructive and thoughtful way. That’s how Naturally Concerned was born. Alison’s passions were travel and animals, so this is a natural progression for the business,” he said.

“Naturally Concerned Travel operates under ethical guidelines based on conservation and concern for the environment. We aim to preserve the environment to which we travel, and ensure that local people are treated fairly and with respect, and benefit from tourist intrusion into their world. We aim to ensure that we have a positive impact on the destinations we visit,” he said.

Naturally Concerned Travel operates as a franchise of Explorer Travel and is ABTA and ATOL protected.

Rob Ball is a former director and head of HR development at MG Rover. He was made redundant when the company collapsed in 2005 and soon after was appointed HR director with GKN Autostructures.

He left there to set up Naturally Concerned following his wife’s death in 2008. Naturally Concerned Travel also promotes travel as an employee benefit for other organisations.

Aged 56, he is president of the Warwickshire Cricket League, president of Bournville Cricket Club and a former committee member at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. He is also a graduate of Common Purpose, the people development charity which encourages managers to become better leaders at work and in society.

His daughter Natalie – a professional actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic – is a co-director in Naturally Concerned.



More information: Rob Ball, tel: 07850 954075

Press Release - Naturally Concerned

BIRMINGHAM CONSULTANCY IS WILD AT HEART

A Birmingham human resources and management consultancy is ploughing all of its profits into charities to conserve wildlife in Africa in a unique “profit-for-good” initiative.

Rednal-based Naturally Concerned operates as a normal HR and management consultancy, except that all net profits go to wild animal conservation in central and southern Africa.

Naturally Concerned was set up in 2008 by personnel and management expert Rob Ball, who previously held HR director positions at GKN and before that at MG Rover. He established the company in memory of his wife Alison who died from a brain tumour.

All profits from Naturally Concerned go to Alison’s favourite wildlife charities. She was passionate about animal conservation in Africa and travelled there often.

Rob Ball said his wife loved being in Africa observing and photographing animals in the wild and she was enthusiastic about helping animals under threat.

“When you lose a spouse it causes you to pause and re-examine your priorities in life. Having spent more than 25 years in the corporate world I decided it was time to use my expertise in a more constructive and thoughtful way. That’s how Naturally Concerned was born,” he said.

“We offer HR and management advice on a wide range of issues including leadership, employee development, training, manpower, recruitment and motivation. But we operate with a more ethical edge than many consultancies. Our starting point is the firm belief that businesses should treat their employees and partners in a principled and moral way, and that those values should hold firm, even when a company is under economic and financial pressures,” he said.

Rob Ball is a former director and head of HR development at MG Rover. He was made redundant when the company collapsed in 2005 and soon after was appointed HR director with GKN Autostructures.

He left there to set up Naturally Concerned following his wife’s death in 2008.

Aged 56, he is president of the Warwickshire Cricket League, president of Bournville Cricket Club and a former committee member at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. He is also a graduate of Common Purpose, the people development charity which encourages managers to become better leaders at work and in society.

His daughter Natalie – a professional actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic – is a co-director in Naturally Concerned and helps with training programmes.

Personal Responsibility?

There are riots; there is a profound sense of amorality; there is an abdication of any accountability.
Politicians of all hues feel the need to pontificate and give us their view of blame alignment and new directions. All designed to reflect on them well, cynically irrespective of outcomes. In business riotous behaviour is exceedingly rare but there is a continuum of dissatisfaction, on which everyone figures. But where and what improves people’s position?
The answer is simple; we do. As leaders we make a difference to our teams as well as ourselves. We can have a direct impact on the performance of everyone with whom we have contact. The Government is preaching the mantra of personal responsibility and, to a degree, it is correct. However, it is only a small part of the story. We all must accept some responsibility for the actions of others; especially as leaders. If we only think about our own responsibilities we will not optimise the contributions of others and as leaders we are judged by the results of our team. People deliver everything or, if led poorly, nothing.
Of all of the skills and talents on which we focus, the weakest is leadership. Far too many people assume they are naturally great at being captain of the team without any form of learning and personal development. They do not need to understand people, comprehend any principles of motivation nor acquire the basics of the mechanisms of leadership. They are wrong, wrong, wrong.
Leading a team is a massively complex task which requires more thought and talent than any other. Every team member is different, every problem is different, every situation is different and without the strength of any education it is no surprise most leaders struggle. Being at the front of a team is a very stressful place to be but it can be the most satisfying. Knowing you made a difference, that you influenced for the better the behaviour of others and the organisation is improving is fantastically rewarding.
The question is where can really relevant and appropriate leadership development be found?
Ring me (07850 954075) or write to rob.ball@naturallyconcerned.com

Time to Consider...

Do we take time to think about anything except this moment and its issues?
Are there other people who would like to delve a little more deeply into topics which matter, on a slightly different level?

A forum for thoughtful conversation or popular philosophy;
Venue; Urban Coffee, 30 Church St., B3 2NP
Close to Snow Hill Station
Date; 7th December 2010
Time; 6 pm
Cost; Free

Subject For the group to decide
Themes could be;
What is home or morality or knowledge?
What is hope or passion or purpose?
No-one will be asked to reveal personal issues but we can be open about that which resonates for us. It is not academic philosophy but it is an opportunity to think without constraints and to positively debate themes without judgement.

Sibling Power

The highly acclaimed TV series Frasier finished after eleven seasons. A comedy, it observed the relationship of two very intelligent brothers, their competitiveness and their love. The brotherly similarities were contrasted with the difference of their father.

In a revitalised programme the younger brother Niles, sorry Ed, has become President of the Wine Club, sorry Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The older brother Frasier, sorry David, is now unsure of his role. Until now Frasier/David has been the leader, has broken through all of the barriers. Niles/Ed has followed, confident in his own right but one step behind.

Now roles are reversed. Niles has to set the agenda and Frasier's ideas may be seen as meddling. However, if Frasier resigns from the club it will undermine his brother's credibility and make himself look petty.

Sadly, Eddie the dog has yet to make an appearance.

Book Launch

It is with a level of trepidation I write about the launch at Border's in Birmingham on 1st December (6pm to 8), as they are in financial trouble. Talk of failed takeover bids and administration. Unfortunate for us, cataclysmic for the employees if it went to the wall in the next week.
The book is "Africa, Animals and Alison". It is available through Amazon.