Category: Productivity + Workload

  • 005 – 6 Strategic Tools For SBLs

    005 – 6 Strategic Tools For SBLs

    Listen on…

    Helen Burge, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, shares 6 tools to help SBLs have more strategic conversations with their Head & SLT… or as we like to call it, ‘The One With All The Tools’…  If you’re a Friends fan, let’s just say you’re in for a real treat!

    The episode at a glance:

    [4:02] –Helen explains why SBLs need a toolkit for strategic conversations with the SLT

    [6:06] –Helen shares the first two tools for the first part of the strategic improvement cycle – the diagnostic phase

    [12:30] –Helen talks about ICFP as a strategic tool

    [17:22] – We move into the prioritisation phase where a vacuum cleaner takes centre stage…

    [22:46] – Helen and I get SMART as we talk about how this tool can be effective outside of performance management

    [27:22] – Helen explains how asking ‘why’ can be useful when it comes to tackling someone who says ‘but we’ve always done it this way’

    [31:00] – We look at how the tools fit together and in what contexts they can be useful

    [34:28] – Helen tells us which of the 6 tools is her favourite and why

    Related content:

    – Follow Helen on Twitter

    – Check out Helen’s blog

    If you’re a School Business Leader…

    – How To Be Seen As A Team Player

    – How To Implement A Risk Management Strategy

    – ICFP – Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning

    Subscribe:

    If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

    ·      Or click here if it’s easier!

    Get in touch:

    You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

    You can also find Laura here…

    –       Website, Blog & Free Resources

    –       Twitter

    –       Instagram

    –       Facebook

    –       LinkedIn

  • 002 – How To Hit The Ground Running Without A Handover

    002 – How To Hit The Ground Running Without A Handover

    Listen on…

    Sara Poultney, School Business Manager, shares 9 hot tips to hit the ground running in a new school when you haven’t had a handover.

    If you’re new to your school or you’re about to start your first School Business Manager role, this episode is for you!

    The episode at a glance:

    [4:08] – Sara’s advice on the first thing you should do after you’ve been appointed

    [6:36] –Sara talks about how to figure out how things operate when you’re starting from scratch

    [9:04] – Listen as Sara talks about her first meeting with her Head, the challenges she faced and how she made the role her own

    [14:20] – Sara shares a sneaky tip that will help you find out just about anything!

    [15:31] – Find out how to keep some perspective…

    [18:25] – Sara talks about the various types of support that are available to SBLs

    [21:29] – Sara explains the importance of stepping back and taking stock

    [24:45] – We talk about why SBL wellbeing is so important

    Related content:

    –       Follow Sara on Twitter

    If you’re a School Business Leader…

    –       New SBM Checklist

    –       How to set goals in 2021

    –       Applying for a new SBL job

    Subscribe:

    If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

    ·      Or click here if it’s easier!

    Get in touch:

    You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

    You can also find Laura here…

    –       Website, Blog & Free Resources

    –       Twitter

    –       Instagram

    –       Facebook

    –       LinkedIn

  • 037 – A Strategy To Deal With Interruptions

    037 – A Strategy To Deal With Interruptions

    Listen on…

    In this episode, I’m sharing my go-to system to help school business leaders manage interruptions. 

    I’m also sharing a 3-step process to help you to create structure, set boundaries and say no as well as some useful phrases to say to others to help you get started!

    The episode at a glance:

    [0:45] –I talk about the importance of boundaries and why I used to feel uncomfortable saying no 

    [2:37] –I share a strategy to help you to build structure into your role and two other steps to create boundaries that stick

    [4:54] –I tell you about my go-to system and how you can use it effectively

    [9:28]  I talk about how to make this system work and what to expect as you implement it

    Support:

    If you’re feeling like you could use some extra support, please get in touch if you want to talk.

    You can also find me here:

    –       Website, Blog & Free Resources

    –       Twitter

    –       Instagram

    –       Facebook

    –       LinkedIn

    Want to be a guest on the podcast?

    Click here to leave me your details and I’ll be in touch soon!

    Subscribe:

    If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

    ·      Or click here if it’s easier!

    Get in touch:

    You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

  • 021 – How To Achieve Inbox Zero

    021 – How To Achieve Inbox Zero

    Listen on…

    In the first episode of the Summer of CPD series, Leyla Tovey and Richard Page from School Business Services join me to talk about the holy grail of SBL life… Inbox Zero!

    We talk starting points, sorting and strategies to maintain it as well as the impact a tidy inbox can have on your mental wellbeing. 

    Also, stay tuned until the end to find out my Inbox status and what Leyla and Richard think of that!

    The episode at a glance:

    [1:38] –Leyla explains the importance of preparation before embarking on your Inbox Zero mission and Richard shares some tips on the philosophy behind it 

    [7:40] – Leyla shares the rules she uses to organise her inbox and Richard shares his folder method

    [15:21] – We talk about email habits and how to deal with emails more generally 

    [22:39] –Leyla describes her favourite sorting methods

    [27:08] – Leyla and Richard talk about where to start your Inbox Zero journey, summarise the steps you need to take and share their top tips… plus I commit to a challenge!

    Related content:

    – Follow Leyla on Twitter

    – Follow Richard on Twitter

    – Follow School Business Services on Twitter

    – Check out the School Business Services website

    Resources:

    PODCAST: Raising The Profile Of The Profession

    PODCAST: SBL Wellbeing Top Tips – including a discussion on inbox zero

    BLOG: The Triage System

    BLOG: How To Stand Up For Yourself & Set Boundaries

    Want to be a guest on the podcast?

    Click here to leave me your details and I’ll be in touch soon!

    Subscribe:

    If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

    ·      Or click here if it’s easier!

    Get in touch:

    You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

    You can also find Laura here…

    –       Website, Blog & Free Resources

    –       Twitter

    –       Instagram

    –       Facebook

    –       LinkedIn