One year on.....

🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂🕯🎂

I can't quite believe it but it’s been a whole year since I unexpectedly found myself with a lot of extra time and no job title! I’ll be honest, when my last role wrapped up abruptly it was a shock to the system. Confidence? Absolutely knocked. Sense of direction? Let’s just say my satnav was buffering for a while.

But fast-forward 12 months and things look very different. I took a huge leap and started my own business, earned my ICF coaching certification, and, most importantly, reconnected with some brilliant people – and met plenty of new faces along the way.

Turns out, sometimes life’s plot twists are just what you need to land exactly where you’re meant to be.

If you’ve been through a similar “unscheduled detour”, what did you learn from the experience? Would love to hear your stories, tips, or about how you found your footing again. Here’s to more growth, more connections, and being just exactly where we are meant to be.

september 2025

🐾 Why Every Business Needs HR Consultancy Services (and Maybe a Dog!) 🐾

🐾 🐾🐾 🐾🐾 🐾🐾 🐾🐾 🐾🐾 🐾

There’s a growing trend among businesses—large and small—towards partnering with HR consultancies. A recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has revealed that nearly 50% of organisations have increased their use of outsourced HR services in the last two years, citing improved efficiency, compliance, and employee satisfaction as key outcomes This surge is driven by companies seeking to access specialised expertise, adapt to rapidly changing employment regulations, and maintain flexibility in their operations.

It’s easy to see why: expert HR support streamlines processes, reduces risk, and frees up your team to focus on other things that also matter. At LJM People Plus, we help companies navigate everything from compliance and recruitment to employee engagement and change management, ensuring that your people strategies are as agile and effective as your business demands.

But what does this have to do with dogs? Well, I’ll admit, the connection is a bit… tenuous. But just as a loyal canine companion brings joy, reduces stress, and keeps you on track with daily walks, a great HR consultancy brings peace of mind, boosts morale, and keeps your business moving in the right direction. (I did say it was tenuous!)

So, whether you’re looking for HR expertise or just here for the cute (smiling!) dog photo of Isla, remember: investing in your people is always a good idea. And if you need a helping hand—or paw— (sorry) LJM People Plus is here to support you every step of the way.

august
2025

Tell me a bit about yourself....?

.......?

My least favourite interview question is 'tell me a bit about yourself'. What do they really want to know?

Ever tried boiling down your job to just ~40 words? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Go on, give it a whirl—what’s your “truth” in a nutshell?

Me? I’m your HR problem-solver: calming chaos, ensuring compliance, coaching teams, and turning challenges into opportunities—with a dash of wit and plenty of practical wisdom to keep your workplace thriving and staff smiling.

Oh, and dog whisperer to two black labs....

And you?

july
2025

Inflammatory statement?

"Attribution Theory, explores how individuals explain their successes and failures."

Recently, I came across something that reminded me of my time at university, when I was working on my psychology dissertation, which focused on Attribution Theory. It got me thinking about just how much Attribution Theory shapes the way we see gender differences, whether it’s in school or at work.

Even as a child, I had some pretty strong (if not exactly sophisticated) feminist beliefs, and those ideas definitely influenced how I saw these issues. (I had a badge that I wore with the quote below, for example!)

Attribution Theory, for those unfamiliar with the term, explores how individuals explain their successes and failures. Research consistently shows that girls and women are more likely to attribute their achievements to external factors (e.g., luck, help from others), while boys and men more often credit their own ability. This subtle difference shapes self-confidence, ambition, and ultimately, career trajectories.

The research for my dissertation focused on whether positive reinforcement of girls’ competency could reduce this gender gap. The results were clear: when girls received consistent, specific feedback about their abilities, their self-attribution shifted. They began to recognise their own skills and contributions, narrowing the gender difference in self-perception.

This insight has stayed with me throughout my career. In the world of work, attribution patterns continue to influence how women approach promotions, leadership opportunities, and professional risks. Organisations that actively reinforce women’s competence—through recognition, mentorship, and constructive feedback—can foster environments where everyone feels empowered to claim their achievements.

We all have a role to play in challenging outdated attribution patterns and supporting the next generation to own their successes. Let’s celebrate ability, provide meaningful feedback, and ensure that everyone—regardless of gender—feels confident in their competence.

As a Career and Development Coach, I am dedicated to helping people overcome Attribution Theory bias by fostering self-awareness and confidence. Through focused coaching, I empower them to recognise their achievements, challenge limiting beliefs, and pursue advancement opportunities.

If this is something you can relate to, please get in touch.

june
2025

Everyone loves interviews eh?

Probably not.

But I do love hearing a good interview disaster story… sorry, but I do.

Personally, I have on at least one occasion started, and got far into, answering what I thought the interviewer was asking only to realise that they were looking for something completely different.

And there was a time (mainly and thankfully in the past now) when interviewers loved a ‘pop psychology’ question. e.g. “If you were a car, what kind of car would you be and why?”

may
2025

Ignoring Succession Planning Could Be Your Biggest Mistake

If you believe succession planning is just another corporate box to tick, think again

Neglecting it is a gamble that could leave your organisation rudderless when it matters most—risking not only growth, but the very survival of your company. Businesses that avoid succession planning don’t just stand still—they fall behind.

Succession planning isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about safeguarding your organisation’s legacy and ensuring continued growth. At LJM People Plus, we specialise in helping you identify and develop future leaders, so your business thrives no matter what.

Is your team prepared for tomorrow’s challenges? How do you approach succession planning in your workplace?

april
2025

Has your business plan already been derailed?

But it's only March - right?

We're already well into the new year (March already!) and for some businesses, their plans for 2025 are still to kick off. The January planning rush, of things which were to wait until Christmas and New Year were out of the way, is often derailed (and delayed) by more pressing business-as-usual tasks or unexpected curveballs that take priority.

In which case, it can take until now to begin implementing the carefully designed operating plan for 2025. Now is the time to revisit this plan, reshape it if necessary, and get things back on track.

Priorities such as cultural change and improvement, growth, restructuring, and succession planning are likely to have been given much thought during strategic planning, but they are time-consuming, complex, and challenging, and often don't sit in anyone's or any one team's 'day job.'

LJM People and other OD consultancies are at hand to help with these priorities, allowing your staff to focus on their deliverables. In fact, engaging external expertise, who can provide an objective and focused approach to these priorities, has many benefits.

march
2025

Let's get started!

Where do we start?

If, like me, your world of work is changing, then it can be difficult to know what you need to do to progress or restart. But the most important thing is to take the first step. You might not know where the final destination will be, but if you keep moving forward you will get somewhere.

The other thing I have learned is not to be afraid to ask for help.

I am confident in my HR, People and Organisational Development skills, but please don't ask me to advise on financial, marketing nor health and safety matters! I am totally clueless...

But in most cases, I know someone who has these skills and can therefore provide support in these areas, allowing me to focus on what I am good at.

At LJM People Plus, we can help you will all things people and HR related, from strategic planning to HR policy development and compliance - freeing you up to do the day job.

If you would like to discuss how we can help you, or chat over your people or HR challenges, please give us a shout. Now, chatting is something I am quite skilled at...

feb
2025

January temperature test and reset

While the January weather can be unpredictable, what is a little more predictable is that at the start of the year companies and individuals tend to take stock and make plans for the year ahead.

But how confident are you that your company plans are aligned with the plans and aspirations of your employees?

Carrying out a 'temperature check' of your organisation can help you decide where to invest your time, energy and money to ensure that your employees are provided with the tools, rewards, development opportunities and motivation needed to ensure business success.

Starting with a staff survey and followed by a people-process and OD audit, LJM People Plus can help you produce an HR strategy which aligns with your operational strategy.

Learn more