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People will take more risks in tough economic times
PEOPLE'S
appetite for risk-taking in the workplace is likely to increase if
the economy enters a recession according to research released by
international leadership development organisation Common Purpose.
Over half of all working adults surveyed already consider themselves
to be risk-takers and 43% think it will be important to take more
risks to help their organisation survive through a recession.
It also found that only 13% of people avoid risk at all costs in
their jobs. Common Purpose added that taking calculated risks is
very different to acting rashly, that risk is an inseparable part of
entrepreneurship and innovation. Through their programmes, Common
Purpose has found that senior managers from the private, public and
voluntary sectors can effectively come together to use the diversity
of their backgrounds and experiences to fertilise each other’s
ideas, to avoid pitfalls and to inform their understanding of risk.
In today’s complex and rapidly shifting context, it seems that being
paralysed by fear into inaction is the biggest risk.
As Julia Middleton, Chief Executive of Common Purpose says:-
“An economic downturn is not the time to shy away from risks. Leaders need to be brave and bold, and to look in new places to
capture the opportunities for growth and innovation. Looking into
other people’s worlds is a good place to start.”
Top tips for taking risks during a recession:-
· Be brave. Take a step into the unknown, within or beyond your
existing role, takes courage - courage to start and courage to
continue.
· Taking risks is not
as simple as jumping over a hedge without looking first. It
involves building an understanding of the issues, challenges, risks
and the other stakeholders involved.
· Don’t focus on your
area of specialism to the exclusion of all else. Losing sight of the
broader context leaves you open to being blind-sided.
· Build a diverse
network of people and use them to help you formulate your plans -
their different views and experiences may enable you to see things
in a new light.
· Keep an eye on the
medium and long-term as well as short term fixes: Don’t destroy
tomorrow’s value today. MEP
CALLS FOR END OF ‘SHOCK TACTICS’ TO KILL CHICKENS
A local
Euro-MP is calling for a pain free approach to be used in the
slaughter of chickens. Electrocution after shackling is the
most common method used by the slaughter industry to stun poultry
before they are killed. The birds are suspended upside down on an
automated line, flapping frantically in a bid to free themselves,
before passing through an electrical water bath where they are
stunned.
But the process can prove extremely painful for the birds. Alternative methods, such as gassing, do not involve stressing the
animals. Already some 75% of turkeys are stunned using gas
mixtures in the UK, and Chris Davies is calling for the introduction
of painless stunning procedures to be included in a Europe-wide
review of slaughter methods.
The Liberal Democrat Euro-MP says that the widespread introduction
of a more humane approach would involve extra costs, but believes
that a target date needs to be set. He said:- “The
earlier the better many would argue, but the sooner a date is set
the longer the period that abattoirs could be given for making
changes and the lower the cost. Too often we treat living
creatures as though they were mechanical parts on a factory
production line. Many people believe that we have a responsibility
to keep to a minimum the suffering of animals we use for food.”
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15,000 people go under and over the Mersey
AROUND 15,000
people took part in Merseytravel’s historic “Under and Over the
Mersey” event on Sunday (Father’s Day).
Young and old
joined together in the unique day of celebration, which gave people
a rare chance to walk through a closed Mersey tunnel and travel back
across the water on the Mersey Ferry.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “It was
great to see so many smiling faces from all parts of Merseyside. Despite the rain at the start people came along in their thousands
so we are delighted with that.”
Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel,
added:- “From talking to people through the tunnel the
feedback was excellent and, for many, it was a special occasion.
Everyone seemed in great spirits, despite some wet weather.
We
wanted this to be one of the great events taking place throughout
2008 and we hope we achieved that for those taking part.
We
wouldn’t like to devalue the experience of these walkthroughs, which
are only very rare, by holding them every year, but we may consider
doing something similar for the Queensway Tunnel’s 75 anniversary
next year.”
Under and Over the Mersey was only the 4th closure in the tunnels’
history for a walkthrough.
International gospel artists from across the world performed at the
event, which was launched by the Culture Company’s Phil Redmond (who
walked the length of the tunnel flying a joint Merseytravel and
Culture Company flag) and Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of
Merseytravel.
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Street performers
from Liverpool Lighthouse provided the colour and carnival
atmosphere; and there were special performances by the Liverpool
Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and a vintage car rally.
Everyone taking part received a specially cast commemorative medal,
a certificate and a DVD. |
