Taskus Ltd

Supporting Local Economy

2011-11-14T16:36:00.016Z

Reasons to be cheerful.... (written by Graham Gardner, Aspiren.net)

We know somewhere deep down that supporting your local independent business makes sense, yet we find ourselves using the big chains out of "convenience." If we're not careful our shopping habits can leave us feeling guilty. So what about turning that round to a positive?

Here are my top reasons for supporting your local business...

They bring character into a local area... All high streets are in danger of looking the same as each other, all national (and international) corporate brands. Where's the local character?
They bring prosperity into a local area... Did you know that for every £100 spent with a national retailer only £13 stays in the local economy? That changes to £45 when you spend your money with a local retailer. Your pounds make a difference.
They increase community well being... Local businesses are often the main supporters of community events, providing prizes for raffles, organising time, goods and services as well as a whole host of other ways they contribute to communities across the UK. Big businesses might sponsor the premier league and the olympics but just remember who sponsors your local under 10's football team. I'll bet it will a local small business. Local businesses create a economic and social web of relationships that sustain local communities.
They create jobs for the local economy... Local businesses create local jobs. FACT. And they are often higher paid, with great prospects of personal development as the company grows.
They are environmentally friendly... Did you know the average person travels 893 miles a year to do their weekly shop? Strong local businesses mean we travel less to shop. Saving the environment. Saving money on fuel. Reducing pollution.
They encourage entrepreneurship... The Government believes that we need to create many more businesses to help us get out of the economic mire we are in. Have a strong local business sector provides young people the role models they are looking for. Yes, they look to the Bransons and Sugars of this world too, but seeing the success of someone from a similar background is priceless.

So... Why are we not shouting? I think it is in part because we have little faith in ourselves.

It feels a little woolly, maybe we are kidding ourselves? We need proof!

We have developed a simple online tool that will help your local business evidence that you contribute to the local economy, local jobs, the community, the well being of your staff and the environment.

The Local Impact Measurement Tool (http://aspiren.net/LIM/taskus/) is really easy to use. It doesn't take long to do. It provides a wonderful body of evidence that you can use to shout about!

Let's start shouting about how important we are!

Skan my Socialprint!

2011-11-07T17:03:00.000Z

Skan my Socialprint!

2011-09-12T13:41:00.014+01:00

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IMPACT YOU ARE HAVING ON THE WORLD AROUND YOU?

DO YOU EFFECTIVELY MEASURE THAT IMPACT?

CAN YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THAT IMPACT TO YOUR STAKEHOLDERS AND SUPPORTERS?

Increasingly organisations need to demonstrate the impact they are having and provide evidence of their return of investment. This leads to questions of what, and how do I measure impact. How is it recorded? What benefits can this have for my organisation?

As commissioners, such as Local Authorities, look for organisations that provide added value and social return we need to be ensuring we have the mechanisms in place to measure, record and report the impact we are having.

This information is also vital when attracting and retaining funds from trust funds and individuals, all of whom want to know that their contribution is being used effectively.

To address these challenges you have a number of options, firstly look at how you measure your effectiveness, not just numerically but include the soft outcomes that are so important to most third sector organisation. There are a number of tools to assist with this including Rickter™ and Outcome Stars™.

To provide empirical evidence of your impact you can use Social Impact Modelling or Social Return on Investment which is recognised by local and national government as a significant tool which will be recognised by commissioning bodies and can be presented to all stakeholders across your funding mix.

The information gained through these processes is also invaluable for the production of your annual report.

If you would like more information or support in any of these areas I am happy to meet with you to discuss your options and the implementation of IMPACT MEASUREMENT.

Call me, David Johnson, on 07515 288105 or email david@taskus.biz

Demonstrating Impact - Motivating Clients

2011-05-18T10:14:00.005+01:00

As you are aware it is becoming more and more important to demonstrate the effectiveness of the work we do. If we work one to one with clients the impact we have can be significant but difficult to capature.

One proven method is a process developed by the Rickter Company which involves motivational interviewing techniques and the use of scaling which is interactively recorded by the client themselves using a unique Rickter Board.

To use the system “Practitioners” have to be licenced which involves training for one day with an observational assessment at the end. This provides a lifetime licence.

There is the option for additional training for Group Rickter which, as you may guess, is for working with groups rather than individuals, and to track, monitor and report on any programme there is bespoke software package.

Rickter as a meas

urment of distance travelled is recognised by many of the major funders including PCTs, JCP and has been used as part of ESF assisted programmes to evidence the impact of intervention.

If you would like more information on how Rickter can benefit your organisation please get in touch, I can provide you with casestudies and demostrate the significant range of applications that Rickter can be put to, oh and of course the all important costs, email me at david@taskus.biz.

Social Return on Investment - What's that all about then?

2011-03-14T15:22:00.014Z

Along with my colleague Steven Fox, I have recently undertaken training with nef Cons

ulting to allow us to provide support on SROI, but what is it all about?

There is a lot of talk about measuring 'return on investment' and service commissioners are looking at using SROI as part of the commissioning process, so it is becoming an important issue for any organisation who wants to either receive funding or have a chance of winning contracts with bodies such as Local Authorities.

This is because SROI demonstrates the value for money of the services you are providing to ensure that any investment, through grants or contracts, will be positive if not significant.

But SROI is more than just a measurement of a financial ratio - £x in : £y out; it also provides a valuable tool for determining how well an organisation is operating, it offers an insight into the outside world's perception of what you are doing, and provides an opportunity to step back and consider what you are achieving and the validity of the activities you undertake.

This is achieved through:

Improved programme management
More effective planning
More effective evaluation
Increased understanding of the impact of your work
Stronger communication of the value of your work to ‘the people that matter’ (internal and external stakeholders)
Enhanced attention to the social, economic and environmental value created by your business or organisation

SROI can be either evaluative, looking at previous achievements and demonstrating the worth of the activities undertaken, or forecast which predicts how much social value will be created if your activities meet their intended outcomes.

SROI was developed from social accounting and cost benefit analysis and based on the following seven principles:

Involve stakeholders
understand what changes
Only include what matters
Only include what is material
Do not over-claim
Be transparent
Verify the result

It is well worth you considering using SROI as part of the evaluation of your services and certainly when planning future activities. You could look at including it as part of your annual report/review to provide a recognised and verifiable way of recording and reporting the impact of your work and the outcomes you have achieved.

SROI is not something to take lightly as it requires commitment and an investment of time and, if you bring in outside support, money. However, it will give you a clear statement of what you are trying to achieve and the benefit that your service has for your clients, stakeholders and the wider community. It can be invaluable in both developing your organisation and publicising the impact you are having.

You can find more information at the SROI Network website:

http://www.thesroinetwork.org where you can find the Cabinate Office of the Third Sector Guide to SROI.

Or give me a call on 0191 6450010, I would be more than happy to discuss how SROI can be of benefit and advise on how to introduce it to your organisation.

SROI: Measuring Value, Impact and Value for Money

Repost of the metaphore post

2010-12-15T20:16:00.000Z

If you ever met a metaphor you've met a Meta frame

(Using metaphor to explain metaphor)

The apprentice said to his master "it's amazing how our language and our thoughts are littered with metaphors, they seem to be everywhere!"

"And so they are" replied the Master, "let's dwell on this for a moment. Why do you think metaphors are so common?"

The apprentice pondered for a moment, "well we often use a metaphor to explain what we mean or to embellish our language I suppose."

"Yes you are right but the metaphor has a much greater role in our lives than you think. Other great masters of language and the programming of the mind have spent much time studying this. George Lakoff and Mark Johnson have published studies on this very subject, you should read their work I suggest "Metaphors We Live By."

"I will" the apprentice promised, "but couldn't you give me an overview?"

"Well Lakoff and Johnson's concept became known as the cognitive linguistic view of metaphor and they came up with five key findings:
1. Metaphor is a property of concepts, and not of words.
2. The function of the metaphor is to better understand certain concepts, and not just for some artistic or aesthetic purpose.
3. Metaphor is often not based on similarity.
4. Metaphor is used effortlessly in everyday life by ordinary people, not just by special talented people; and
5. Metaphor, far from being superfluous through pleasing linguistic ornament, is an inevitable process of human thought and reasoning.
In fact our minds use metaphors in a very structured way and Lakoff and Johnson provide a cognitive linguistic view that the metaphor is conceptual in nature and is a valuable cognitive tool. Within this cognitive linguistic view we see the metaphor as tool of understanding one conceptual domain through the language of another and this follows very distinct patterns".

The apprentice looked somewhat perplexed, "what does that actually mean?” he asked.

The Master, as patient as Job, offered more explanation: "A conceptual domain is any coherent organisation of experiences, for example we all recognise the conceptual domain of a journey and understand the meaning of phases such as ‘we're on our way’ and ‘we're at a crossroads’, but you recognise these phrases not just as representing an actual journey but also as representing other concepts . The conceptual domain of the journey is used primarily when communicating about the conceptual domain of relationships, so for example:
Love is a journey
Look how far we have come together
We're at a crossroads
We'll just have to go our separate ways
I don't think this relationship is going anywhere
Where are we?
We're stuck
It's been a long bumpy road.

I could go on but you understand what I am saying.

This use of conceptual domains being used to help organise and frame our thoughts can be found everywhere, it is even used in the business world, consider how we talk about business:
He works at the local branch
Our company is growing
They had to prune the workforce
The business has blossomed
Share holders reaped the benefits of the increased profits
We even call manufacturing sites, plants!"

"I see" exclaimed the apprentice, "are there any other such linked domains?"

"There certainly are, for example an argument is war, theories are buildings, and ideas are food"

As sharp as a knife the apprentice interrupted, "well that's food for thought!"

"Indeed it is, so I would like you go and think about how we might use the power of the metaphor to our advantage, you may wish to see how other people have used metaphors and report back to me when you feel you have learnt sufficient to impress me!"

Some time later the apprentice returned, "Master I have studied long and hard, I have studied those who have used metaphors and those who are experts on their use and effects. I have learnt examples of metaphors and built my ability to communicate through their use."

The Master looked pleased, "tell me more."

”Aristotle said: "Metaphor consists in giving the thing a name that belongs to something else." But I have looked deeper than this and I have investigated how metaphors have been used in the great books such as the bible where Jesus uses metaphors to teach his disciples and even uses himself as a metaphor, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through me.” He says. And in the old testament there are lots of examples, my favourite is in proverbs 'a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day’ ."

"Ahh there is much wisdom in the bible", chuckled the Master, "where else have you found such uses of the metaphor?".

"Well there is a story adapted from the Sufi tradition, would you like to hear?"

"Yes please go ahead." The Master sat back and made himself comfortable, encouraged by his apprentice’s enthusiasm.

The apprentice began, "A school master approached a certain well respected Teacher and accused her teachings of being illogical psycho-babble, and numerous other unflattering things. The teacher took from a hidden pocket a jewel. She pointed to the arcade in the shopping centre and said, "Take this jewel to the shops that sell silverware and watch batteries and see if you can get a hundred gold pounds for it."

The Schoolmaster tried many such stores but could get nothing more than the offer of a hundred silver sickles.

"Excellent," said the Teacher. "Now go to a real jeweller and see what he will give you."

The Schoolmaster went to the nearest jeweller’s shop and was amazed to be offered, straight away ten thousand gold pounds for the jewel.

The Teacher said, "Your understanding of real knowledge, and of my teachings, is as the silverware sellers' understanding of the jewel. If you want to value a precious stone, become a jeweller. "

"A fine story" complimented the master, and well delivered; you have obviously enjoyed your exploration of isomorphic metaphors but have you taken the time to understand the theory, the hows and whys, and do you know how to apply their use?"

The apprentice had been caught out like this before and being as shrewd as a snake was able to smugly come back: "Of course Master I have read much about the metaphors from many texts of the great including the great Milton Erickson and of course your own writings," I'll get some brownie points there thought the apprentice, "and in the writings of experts I have found: "that a vital property of the metaphor that impacts on most peoples' lives is that a metaphor describes one experience in terms of another, and in so doing it specifies and constrains ways of thinking about an original experience. This influences the meaning and importance of the experience, the way it fits with other experiences, and actions are taken as a result.”

This property enhances what Andrew Ortony identifies as three remarkable properties of metaphors:
1. Inexpressibility - they give form to the inexpressible.
2. Vividness - they make use of everyday concrete things to illustrate intangible, complex and relational aspects of life, they are vivid and memorable.
3. Compactness - Because of isomorphism, only the essence of an experience need to be captured; the rest can be reconstructed from inferential knowledge.vii
This means that a metaphor can change a perception, an attitude or responsive state but the process can also limit and constrain.
This is something that concerned me so I spoke to fellow apprentice, an apprentice of a Magician called Nick Owen and he has learnt that we can use the metaphor and isomorphic stories to assist people to make useful and beneficial changes to their lives by developing greater awareness that all things have a structure, that change is always possible, that there is always more than one perspective, and that the essence of useful change lies in having both creativity and access to a greater number of choices.”
Once we have mastered this, Master, we can lead those we seek to help on a guided journey which not only enables us to access our meta-states: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, olfactory and gustatory, but, Arnold Mindell tells us, we have access to a sixth learning style as we can transcend our linear view of time and space and intuition allows us to listen to our inner voice.”
The Master was pleased with the apprentice’s progress and allowed him some more time as he knew the power in what the apprentice had learnt.
“I have explored the teachings of Michael Berman and David Brown who use metaphorical stories followed by guided visualisations which themselves are personal visual metaphors to captivate the listener activating the subconscious and changing peoples perspective, which enables them to access positive states.
So the isomorphic metaphorical story is a powerful tool and, as my apprentice colleague’s master demonstrates that metaphor can be used for many purposes including:
Changing a mood, state or energy level of a person or group
Reframing a problem as a new opportunity
Seeing a behaviour or attitude from a different perspective
Disturbing a limiting view of the world
Challenging unacceptable behaviour
Teaching a point indirectly
Demonstrating that a problem is not new or unique
Enhancing creativity
To mention but a few.”

“And can we use the metaphor other than in a story?” asked the Master.
“As sure as eggs is eggs you can!” through listening to other peoples’ use of metaphors we can determine their frames of reference and then match that frame to gain rapport. And with the use of metaphors we can, in the words of a Grand Master, begin to ‘give form to those aspects of life which are most mystifying; namely, our relationships, our problems, and their solutions, our fears and desires, our illness and health, our poverty and wealth, the love we give and the love we receive. Furthermore, metaphors allow us to reflect on and describe our own cognition in a manner that is isomorphic with that which is reflected upon. It is through this iterative, systematic and wheels-within-wheels process that metaphors for who we are, why we are here, how we are a unique part of a larger whole, and other question of knowing and being become amenable to exploration.
The Master sat forward and placed his hand on the apprentices shoulder, “you have learned much and must now know how much you have to learn. Let me share some wisdom with you now.
The baby mouselets were only a few days old. And they were full of the joys of life. Under the watchful eye of their mother, they were jumping and tumbling, leaping and hopping, squeaking and squealing, and having a great time.
Suddenly they all froze in their tracks. A large black shadow had fallen across them and the space they were playing in.
Slowly they turned their little mouselet heads around to see the source of the shadow. There, standing crouched and ready to pounce, was a huge black tomcat. His yellow eyes were as big as plates, his whiskers were long and menacing, his teeth were yellow and sharp and dripping with saliva. If that cat could have said one thing it would have been, “Lunchtime!”
Quick as a flash, the mother mouse leaped over the mouselings and occupied the space between them and the tomcat. Glaring into the tomcat’s eyes, she barked loudly and with attitude: “Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!”
The tomcat was so surprised it turned on its heals and shot off into the distance with its tail between its legs.
The mother mouse turned to the mouselings and said, “There you are my darlings, let that be a lesson to you. Never underestimate the importance of learning a second language.”

References:

Lakof G, Johnson M. Metaphors We live By, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1972
Adaptation of Kovecses Z, Metaphor: A Practical Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2002
Aristotle Poetics 21. 1457b. 6-7
God. The Bible New Kings James Version John 14:6
God. The Bible, New International Version, Proverbs 19:13
Shah I, Thinkers of the East, London: Octagon Press, 1971
Owen N. The magic of Metaphor, Crown House Publishing Limited, 2001
Bridoux, D, the are of Coaching with NLP with Emotional Intelligence – module 5 2007.

Update

2010-12-15T19:48:00.005Z

As the year is approaching it's conclusion I have been prompted to update my blog site and noticed how long it is since I posted anything.

Taskus is currently very busy particularly in relation to the Work Programme and we are assisting orgisations in the process of submitting expressions of Interest.

As on update on the off shoots of the work we do we have joined forces with a group of professional consultants to form two new companies. The first is Convergence Point CiC and the other is Onboard, follow the links to find out more.

It has been a good year for forging new partnerships and we are looking confidently into 2011 with a number of new opportunities on the horizon.

Taskus Website

2010-05-07T23:23:00.001+01:00

I have updated my website to take a look and let me know what you think. www.taskus.biz

Rickter Practitioner Training

2010-05-07T23:21:00.003+01:00

The next Rickter practitioner Training will be held in Hull on the 18th of May.

If you are interested in joining the training you will have to be quick!

Contact me at info@taskus.biz

2010-03-24T10:50:00.010Z

Rickter Practitioner Training

The next Practitioner course is on:

15th April 2010, 9:15 - 4:30

Stockton on Tees

To book your places contact David Johnson

01642 742020 info@taskus.biz

Rickter the unique motivational assessment and evaluation package, which incorporates "The Rickter Guidance Model"; offering an integrated approach to working with a wide range of clients.

Rickter and the Rickter Impact Measurement System is a model that, in the first instance, will enable you to quickly engage with clients, build rapport, identify barriers and draw up solution focused action plans. With subsequent use of Rickter you will be able to measure the distance travelled by each client and the impact each of your support activities are having.

To book your places contact David Johnson

01642 742020 info@taskus.biz

For more information on Rickter visit our website:

Rickter at Taskus

Lent

2010-02-17T09:39:00.003Z

As it is the start of Lent why not use this time to consider the nature of God and forgiveness. To assist with this you can join the gang who are considering this online using "The Shack" at: http://stfrancisandtheshack.blogspot.com/

2010-02-09T12:22:00.005Z

Groupwork Training
Using the Rickter Process with groups

Groupwork Training is available to existing Rickter Scale® Practitioners.

The Groupwork Board is an A1 sized version of the standard Rickter Scale® board designed for use with groups. It enables facilitators to engage with a group, to encourage interaction and supports multiple perspectives to be shared and produce group action plans.

The use of this board allows the measurement of soft indicators within a group perspective which can influence course work, network planning, community group development, partnership working and staff development. This unique way of working offers evidence for funders and management and will help develop good practice
and demonstrate accountability.

There are two models of practice for use with the board which will be established during the training session and the Rickter Company can work with you to customise an overlay to meet your requirements.

Rickter Packages

Rickter Groupwork training for a maximum of 12, one day training £800.

We now offer a package pairing our two most popular training courses. This is designed to provide a cost-effective and time-saving solution for your staff development, encouraging skill development and confidence.

Day 1 delivers the Rickter Scale® Training, enabling your staff to become confident,
comfortable and competent in using the Rickter Scale®

Day 2 focuses on the Groupwork Board, building on the learning from day 1, and looking at different applications of the process within group situations.

*Duo-Package special rate.................£1600.00
(Maximum 12 delegates per day.)

The Groupwork training session will:
Coach and support Practitioners in the effective use of the Rickter Scale® GroupworkBoard
Ensure the facilitators are competent, confident and comfortable in using the Rickter
Scale® Groupwork Board with their clients

Enhance user proficiency with the Rickter Scale® Software
All quoted prices exclude any boards, trainer expenses and vat
Rickter Scale® Board @ £85.00 each
Groupwork Board Package @ £340.00 each (comprises 1 Groupwork Board and 10 individual sliders).

What next?

If you think you would more information or would like to book a course please contact us by phoning 01642 742020 or use the contact page.

2010-02-01T09:14:00.007Z

Rickter Practitioner Training

2010-01-29T14:48:00.007Z

The next Rickter Practitioner Training will be on the 26th of February in the Tees Valley, venue The Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe. To reserve places email info@taskus.biz. For more information go to: http://budurl.com/qrk2

New Year Resolutions

2009-12-08T11:29:00.004Z

Each new year many of us take the opportunity to look at life afresh and resolve to make changes to our lives. These resolutions often take the form of loosing weight and getting fit, (particularly after the indulgences of Christmas), or it may be starting or restarting a hobby or something more radical and life changing such as a change of job or career.

Most of us have made such resolutions but how many have seen them through. Those who actually start to put action to their resolution often loose steam a week or two after buying that art kit or joining the gym. But for some the change can be quite dramatic.

So what is the difference between those that make a difference to their lives and majority of us who fizzle out after good intentions lead to inactivity and apathy?

The first important factor is that those who succeed have very clear goals that they wish to achieve.

If you question most people about the goals they have in their life they tend to be quite vague with answers such as I would like the kids to be happy and have a good job, I’d like a better job, I would like a bigger house, more friends, a better social life. Their goals are often board and non-specific and most likely going to happen by chance if at all.

So if you are to achieve you new years resolution or your life’s ambition make sure you are SMART about it, ensure you are Specific and clearly define what you want to achieve; know how your will Measure success, how will you know you have achieved what you set out to do – don’t say your going to loose weight, decide how much you are going to loose, but be Realistic and set yourself a Time frame in which to achieve.

Many will be familiar with SMART objectives but do you apply them to your life, this is the starting point, what you need then is: motivation; self belief; self discipline; and willingness to change.

Now this is where we see the differences between those who achieve and those who don’t; motivation, self belief, self discipline, and willingness to change are attributes that are programmed into us at young age and the effect of early programming enables us to make positive changes or can cause is to stick to the status quo whether we’re happy with it or not and will stay with us all our lives unless we choose to change - we can be reprogrammed.

It is the same with self confidence, fears, phobias, and self image all can be changed though a bit of reprogramming.

It is impossible to give you the details of how to reprogramme yourself in this short blog but there is plenty of help available to do so, you could use a Life Coach, probably the most personal and worthwhile investment you can make,(check out my website on Life Coaching: www.taskus.biz ), or read many books on Life Coaching such as Fiona Harrold’s “Be Your Own Life Coach” or “Change Your Life in 7 Days” by Paul McKenna.

Personally I would choose a Life Coach as a book doesn’t give you someone to be accountable to or provide you with that extra support when you start to struggle.

In summary, making changes to your life requires clear goals, motivation; self belief; self discipline; a willingness to change, and ideally a strong support system to help you make you dreams and ambitions a reality.

May the next year bring you all you hope for – it’s down to you!

Onboard

2009-11-04T13:58:00.002Z

Onboard brings together the need of third sector organisation to attract experienced managers onto boards of trustees / directors, and the increasing need of experienced managers and directors to gain further experience and to be engaged in relevant professional activity to increase their chances of employment or career progression, as well as ‘giving something back’.

Third Sector organisations can post board vacancies along with a specification of skills, knowledge and expected levels of commitment.

Experienced Managers can specify the type of experience and skills they can offer and express interest in different fields whether that be young people or elderly, faith based or community led.

What onboard can do

For the organisation:

· Work with the existing board looking at their vision, planning, existing skills and skill gaps

· Assist in drawing up a specification for new board members based on the needs of the organisation

· Match potential applicants

· Assist with the recruitment and induction process

· Provide ongoing support to the board

For the manager:

· Provide training on governance, finance, and the Third Sector

· Assist with motivation and linking into what drives them to succeed

· Link them to potential board experience

· Assist with the application process

· Provide ongoing support and mentoring

For more information contact:

David Johnson or Ann Stonehouse

at onboard 0845 6170718

The EnhancementFund Update

2009-11-04T13:54:00.002Z

The Enhancement Fund which provided funding for Rickter Practitioner Training in Yorkshire and Humberside has now unfortunately come to and end. However Training will continue across the region so if you wish to receive practitioner training call David on 01642 742020.

Rickter Practitioner Training

2009-11-04T13:53:00.003Z

The next Rickter Practitioner Training Course is in Tees Valley on the 24th November, places are still available phone 01642 742020 for details and to book your place.

2009-09-02T11:19:00.004+01:00

Rickter Practitioner Training

Rickter the unique motivational assessment and evaluation package, which incorporates "The Rickter Guidance Model"; offering an integrated approach to working with a wide range of clients.

The next Practitioner course is on:

Thurday 10th September 2009, 9:15 - 4:30 in Tees Valley

End of September in Hull*

*Companies on Yorkshire and Humber may be eligible for grant funding through the Enhancement fund - contact David Johnson for more details.

To book your places contact David Johnson

01642 742020 info@taskus.biz

For more information on Rickter visit our website:

www.taskus.biz

http://www.rickterscale.com/main.htm

MindSkills

2009-08-07T14:23:00.005+01:00

MindSkills - a new offer from Taskus

Click on image below for larger view

2009-05-27T11:31:00.006+01:00

Rickter Practitioner Training

Rickter the unique motivational assessment and evaluation package, which incorporates "The Rickter Guidance Model"; offering an integrated approach to working with a wide range of clients.

Bespoke courses can be provided for your organisation.

*Funding is available through the Enhancement Fund for this training event

To book your places contact David Johnson

01642 742020 info@taskus.biz

For more information on Rickter visit our website:

http://www.rickterscale.com/main.htm

Volunteering Into Work

2009-03-25T17:01:00.000Z

West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust

you bring

Volunteering into Employment and Work

Through Volunteering into Employment and Work we are offering employers the opportunity to provide volunteering opportunities for unemployed people of Middlesbrough. This will allow them to gain confidence and learn about the job as well as gaining employability skills.

Through this volunteering we will bring into view career options within your sector and allow potential employees to showcase their skills whilst the work with you as a volunteer.

How the programme works:

When an organisation joins the scheme our Employer Support Officer will talk to them to see what volunteering opportunities you can offer. These opportunities should be for 50 hours and offer a meaningful experience for the volunteer and provide you with a valuable pair of hand and a potential employee.

There will be no costs involved in hosting a volunteer.

Taskus is working in partnership with Network Solutions to provide project implementation management and support to ensure VIEW gets of to a flying start and meets its delivery targets.

Rickter - Funded Training for Yorkshire & Humber

2009-03-25T16:57:00.000Z

Sport England, A4e and SPORTING PASSPORT

2009-03-24T23:50:00.001Z

Taskus is working with A4e and Sport England to develop a tool to work with young people to translate the

ir sporting activity into identifiable employability skills.

When applying for jobs young people often have difficulty in appreciating and expressing the quali-ties and skills they have that employer look for when recruiting.

The CBI believes there are seven employability competencies which would benefit young people and increase their employability:

Self-management: clocking in/out, keeping timesheets, achieving tasks on time, under-standing accountabilities and expectations, keeping a log of activities
Teamworking: attending internal meetings and team briefings, contributing to discussions, working closely with a ‘buddy’, sharing basic tasks such as getting teas/coffees
Business and customer awareness: learning about the organisation’s business strategy and performance, observing or assisting with answering customer queries face-to-face, over the telephone or by email, drafting letters of response
Problem solving: investigating and responding to customer queries, assisting an IT help-desk, setting up spreadsheets, interpreting diagrams
Communication and literacy: completing an application form before the placement, draft-ing and proofing documents, drafting letters, faxes and emails, observing and making phone calls, attending presentations and briefings, writing a report on the placement
Application of numeracy: analysing receipts and calculating expenses, working with spreadsheets, measuring and taking readings, conducting stock-counts and completing stock sheets, checking orders received against delivery notes, weighing goods
Application of IT: updating databases, preparing a presentation using PowerPoint, con-ducting internet-based research, preparing a report on the placement itself.

CBI also recognises that a positive attitude is the key foundation – this can be summed up as a ‘can-do’ approach, a readiness to take part and contribute, openness to new ideas and a drive to make those ideas happen, this underpins the seven competencies.

Many young people gain these skills through their sporting activities but need a way to translate their activity into concepts and terminology that will help them gain employment.

Sport England and a group of stakeholders wish to consider the viability and subsequent develop-ment of a mechanism of recognising the contribution that involvement in sport can make to a person’s employability skills.

We are considering the potential of a Nationally Accredited process that will be recognised by employers in the recruitment process and by awarding bodies to count towards accreditation of prior learning.

We propose having 3 levels of achievement to demonstrate young peoples level of achievement:

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Many young people gain employability skills through their sporting activities and talents but need a way to translate their activity into concepts and terminology that will help them gain employment.

Sport England and partners are developing a mechanism of recognising the contribution that involvement in sport can make to a person’s employability skills - PasSport, using a national recognised tool, Bright-Sparks.

Life Coaching for the Primary Care Trust

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Working with A4e, Taskus is providing Life Coaching for clients who are on Incapacity Benefit to assist them to move towards employment.

We work with clients for one hour a week for six weeks using the tradition TGROW model of Life Coaching but utilise techniques from Neuro Linguistic Programming and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to maximise the time we have with them.

The Rickter Scale is also used at the start and end of the programme to assist with goal setting, provide motivation, and demonstrate distance travelled. (For more details see previous blog on The Rickter Scale).

This is a very effect combination and can significantly change the clients outlook on life.

We can apply this model to innumerable situations from the those furthest from the job market to those in the board room.

The Rickter Scale

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The Rickter Scale

The Rickter Scale® provides you with an innovative hands-on assessment and evaluation tool.

Easy to administer

Instantly engages the client

Helps to overcome communication barriers

Produces a clear, comprehensive profile of individuals needs which is immediately available to facilitate action planning

Motivates the individual to take ownership of their own action plan

Produces valid and reliable information within a short period of time

Offers standardisation

Provides a measure of soft outcomes and 'distance travelled'

Helps identify appropriate support

Can be adapted to different client groups/needs

Provides evidence to demonstrate accountability to stakeholders

The Rickter Scale® allows clients to better understand their present circumstances, to identify priority areas for support or intervention, to recognise strategies that have worked for them previously and to explore future possibilities.

Easy to use and understand
Avoids communication barriers
Allows the client to explore possibility
Builds on what works for the individual
Is non-threatening and non-judgemental
Gives instantaneous feedback about progress made
Allows client to see the 'big picture' and make connections
Creates greater self awareness
Helps identify appropriate specialist support
Builds motivation

This exclusive tool has been created for practitioners by practitioners, with a minimum of recording documentation.

What it does is measure distance travelled and the soft outcomes that clients achieve such as:

Improved confidence, focus, direction and self-esteem

Feelings of well being, safety and satisfaction

Personal skills e.g. time management and problem solving

Practical skills e.g. cooking, healthy eating and budgeting

Community involvement and a sense of place and purpose

For details of upcoming Practitioner Training events email info@taskus.biz