In this podcast we discuss how learning and coaching add value and contribute to business performance, especially in the current economic climate. We also look at the latest annual CIPD Learning and Development survey.

Just what is employer brand? And how does HR go about building it? We visited one major DIY retailer to hear about their approach, and got an overview of the CIPD’s research on this burning issue. We speak to Deborah Fernon, CIPD organisation and resourcing adviser, who’s led the CIPD’s research on employer branding. We also hear from Nathan Clements and some of his colleagues at B&Q about how the project has been introduced into their company.

In this podcast we are focusing on reward; hearing from specialists in different sectors and organisations. We will also be getting an insight into the latest CIPD Reward survey.

Philippa Lamb asks Tom the contentious question: why is the US better than us? Tom gives three possible reasons why this might be the case. He also refers to an HBR study by Nohria, Joyce and Roberson of 160 companies looking at what management and leadership practices really work. Tom explains the four conclusions and how they are relevant to HR departments. He touches on what HR departments are not doing and has an amusing anecdote. Philippa wants to hear how Tom might use this information in a practical way to encourage team building. Tom illustrates his answer by referring to an article by Lynda Gratton and Tamara Erickson in November 2007, on project teams. Diverse, large teams need skilled management and Tom explains how this is done. You may find his ideas controversial. ‘How do you measure team performance?’ Philippa asks. Tom is honest enough to say he has no pat answer, but he does have some good tips. Lastly, Philippa wonders what HR could do better. Tom explains, using two headings: hygiene and equity. Listen to find out more.

In this episode we follow up on a CIPD research report which focuses on the way HR departments set about delivering organisational objectives and the changes they introduced to make this possible.

In this episode we look at research from the Boston Consulting Group in association with the European Association of Personnel Management and CIPD, 'The Future of HR in Europe: Key Challenges Through 2015'.

This podcast focuses on the highlights of the Conference and challenges for the profession and the professional, both for today and into the future.

In this episode speakers consider the effectiveness of learning activities and how to assess its value to the organisation.

This podcast looks at the employment law surrounding employee status, bonus schemes, harassment, age discrimination and pensions.

Greg Dyke, in conversation with Adam Kirtley, gives frank insights into what it means to be a leader and what is key. Greg explains how important the way people are managed is to the success of the business and wonders why this doesn’t always happen. He goes on to explain the qualities of a good leader and how to assess success, using a personal, nightmarish situation to illustrate the point. Selling change is key to employee engagement with the process. Experience at the NHS had an impact on how he achieved change at the BBC. Greg explains the cost- effective strategies he used to improve relationships, enabling him to get agreement on some tough decisions. Leadership training, Greg says, is a must for supporting managers in their jobs. He then tells us how he used ‘public money’ to build a more caring culture and describes the cost benefits of doing so, despite repeated media criticism. At LWT, big, unpleasant changes needed to be made to the company. This was done using a sensible long-term view and treating people properly. Greg tells Adam how he views the differing roles of line managers and HR managers and explains why HR was centralised at the BBC. We hear that encouraging a culture where risk and innovation are important and that getting information to everyone, especially in a big organisation like the BBC, is crucial. Adam asks Greg about his failures. Not following ‘rules’ has had mixed results in his career at the top. He also concedes that impatience is, to some extent, a weakness. Finally, hear Greg’s two top tips that listeners should follow to win at leadership.