Latest news, stories and developments
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Winter 2008/9 Edited by Barrie Watson In this issue... Belbin on horseback Looking forward to 2009 New Belbin e-interplace and GetSet online facility Just for fun
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Okay, it's maybe time to admit that my retirement and that of my business partner, and wife, Ann is on hold. In fact we seem to be busier than ever with visits to India, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, The Netherlands, Croatia, Romania, Ireland and Germany since the last News Update. What keeps us so enthusiastic about what we are doing is the way that such a diverse mix of cultures enthusiastically embraces the Belbin methodology. The same seems to be true for Meredith (Belbin) as he shows no sign of letting up. True, he did find time to get married to Sheila in October but he tells me he has been too busy to fit in a honeymoon yet. Congratulations anyway Meredith and continue to show the world that life doesn't end at 80.
Belbin on horseback No, we haven't managed to apply the Belbin Team Role methodology to horses yet but one of our Belbin accredited consultants, Inga Wolframm, a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, The Netherlands, has been doing a bit of interesting pioneering work over the last few months. She is spearheading applied research investigating the behavioural match between university students and potential future employment positions using the Belbin Team Role and Belbin GetSet profiling facility. To date, Inga and a group of her students have analysed the profiles of 83 students studying for a bachelor degree in "Equine, Leisure and Sport" and developed an "average" Belbin profile for equine students. In addition, a number of potential employers in the equine industry were asked to complete the Belbin Job Observation and Job Requirement forms. Resultant profiles of jobs within the equine industry are now being matched to student cohorts to help determine job suitability. Results will also be used to assist students in developing relevant qualities necessary to succeed in their preferred field of employment. If you would like to know more about Inga's research project please contact her at inga.wolframm@wur.nl Looking forward to 2009 2009 already looks set to be a busy year with a new Belbin book in the pipeline. This will follow the same format as the well received Succeeding at Work which is a down to earth practical guide for people to do literally what it says on the cover. The new book will be called Succeeding as a Manager and I have already agreed the issues to be addressed with Meredith and he is now up and running with the first chapter. In addition to the new book I am working with my colleagues at Belbin Associates on a new version of the e-interplace Belbin profiling system. What we have so far agreed will make version 7.0 of the software to be the most comprehensive and radical development so far undertaken. It is likely to be towards the end of 2009 before it is launched but the wait will be well worthwhile and as well as providing a valuable resource for managers it will keep Belbin behavioural profiling in pre-eminent position. In conjunction
with CERT's collaborative partners around the world we are also finalising
dates for the Belbin Accreditation
open courses I shall be conducting in 2009. So far these plans include:
May I also remind you that, if you have 6 to 8 people who are interested in attending a course we can arrange a highly cost-effective in-company course for you anywhere in the world. For more information please contact me at barrie.watson@cert-uk.info. New Belbin e-interplace and GetSet online facility Here is some exciting news for everyone who uses the Belbin methodology but hasn't felt able to make the 3000 GBP investment in buying the e-interplace system. We are now able to offer you your own virtual e-interplace online on a pay as you use basis. It offers virtually all of the benefits of owning the e-interplace system including:
The same facility is also available for GetSet the young persons' version of the system. And here is the really good news, the cost is exactly the same as our pay as you use Belbin profiling service. For more information pleased contact me at: barrie.watson@cert-uk.info Just for Fun I never thought that a Belbin accreditation test paper would provide me with such a laugh but here was a comment that appeared on one for a course I conducted outside the UK. "As the questions are very difficult and I am not so good person in English some of my answers are many words and I have had to write on my backside so please look at this before deciding my marks." My colleague who marked the paper is considering suing the person for personal injury caused by him falling off his chair laughing. Barrie Watson |
