Take back control of your time: take a pause
Often, when we see or hear something, our natural inclination is to react immediately. When under pressure, the temptation to react is far greater, be that through verbal reply or an action to a task. In a business environment, I can juggle many plates at any one time, but I’ll be the first to…
Often, when we see or hear something, our natural inclination is to react immediately. When under pressure, the temptation to react is far greater, be that through verbal reply or an action to a task. In a business environment, I can juggle many plates at any one time, but I’ll be the first to…
How to beat the ‘procrastination monster’
So you have known about the deadline to get X/Y/Z done for months/weeks/days…and suddenly you realise you only have weeks/days/hours to finish the job and you haven’t even started! You feel sick to your stomach and are annoyed and disappointed with yourself. “How did I let this happen? How could I…
So you have known about the deadline to get X/Y/Z done for months/weeks/days…and suddenly you realise you only have weeks/days/hours to finish the job and you haven’t even started! You feel sick to your stomach and are annoyed and disappointed with yourself. “How did I let this happen? How could I…
Personal impact: Increasing your visibility at work
A friend of mine recently asked his boss why he was overlooked for promotion. Despite exceeding his objectives, he was told he was not on the senior management team radar - he was in-fact invisible! In order to progress, they suggested he needs to make himself known to key players in the company. So…
A friend of mine recently asked his boss why he was overlooked for promotion. Despite exceeding his objectives, he was told he was not on the senior management team radar - he was in-fact invisible! In order to progress, they suggested he needs to make himself known to key players in the company. So…
New season, new job
The summer season is nearly over and many of us are returning to work after our annual summer break. Some may even have taken the time away to reflect on work and ponder the opportunity for a fresh career. New research from Monster.co.uk reveals that four fifths (80 per cent) of workers…
The summer season is nearly over and many of us are returning to work after our annual summer break. Some may even have taken the time away to reflect on work and ponder the opportunity for a fresh career. New research from Monster.co.uk reveals that four fifths (80 per cent) of workers…
Our tips for flexible working
We know that flexible working can work, and some organisations have been doing it successfully for a long time already. Richard Branson wrote in his 2013 blog “we like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform…
We know that flexible working can work, and some organisations have been doing it successfully for a long time already. Richard Branson wrote in his 2013 blog “we like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform…
The Great British Bake Off: Could you handle the heat?
More than 10 million tuned in to watch the season premiere of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) on Wednesday night. It didn’t disappoint! Tears, dropped cakes and five bakers restarting the show-stopper challenge - Bake Off was back with a bang and the nation began making early predictions as to…
More than 10 million tuned in to watch the season premiere of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) on Wednesday night. It didn’t disappoint! Tears, dropped cakes and five bakers restarting the show-stopper challenge - Bake Off was back with a bang and the nation began making early predictions as to…
What's going to work? Team work!
The Juniper team has been gripped by the Rio Olympics. Most mornings during our team meetings, we catch up on the previous day’s events, and of course the great success of Team GB so far! Yesterday, our focus was on the Team GB’s Men’s Rowing 8’s responses in a BBC interview with Hazel Irvine on…
The Juniper team has been gripped by the Rio Olympics. Most mornings during our team meetings, we catch up on the previous day’s events, and of course the great success of Team GB so far! Yesterday, our focus was on the Team GB’s Men’s Rowing 8’s responses in a BBC interview with Hazel Irvine on…
Does your body language give you away?
After staying away from my university literature for over two years, I’ve recently rediscovered my love for all things language and linguistics. I picked up my well-thumbed copy of J.P Davidson’s Planet Word and sat in the sunshine. One hour later, it was like I’d never been away.The first section…
After staying away from my university literature for over two years, I’ve recently rediscovered my love for all things language and linguistics. I picked up my well-thumbed copy of J.P Davidson’s Planet Word and sat in the sunshine. One hour later, it was like I’d never been away.The first section…
Negotiating for a win-win
“In business you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate” Source: Chester L KarassWe all negotiate to some degree every day - it’s something we do all the time at work as well as in our personal lives. All negotiations, be they agreeing on…
“In business you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate” Source: Chester L KarassWe all negotiate to some degree every day - it’s something we do all the time at work as well as in our personal lives. All negotiations, be they agreeing on…
Networking with purpose
Networking is not just about business and selling, it’s about getting to know new people and building new connections. The summer social season is upon us so what better time to brush up our networking skills to make the most of these events?Many of us are unsure how to strike up a conversation with…
Networking is not just about business and selling, it’s about getting to know new people and building new connections. The summer social season is upon us so what better time to brush up our networking skills to make the most of these events?Many of us are unsure how to strike up a conversation with…
Have you ever listened to a raisin?
I have read and heard so much about mindfulness over the last couple of years that I decided to look into it. I found a taster session in my area and went along to investigate... The evening kicked off with the group sitting in silence for two minutes. The instructor asked us to feed back to her…
I have read and heard so much about mindfulness over the last couple of years that I decided to look into it. I found a taster session in my area and went along to investigate... The evening kicked off with the group sitting in silence for two minutes. The instructor asked us to feed back to her…
Our Juniper birds conquer Race for Life’s Pretty Muddy 5km
Hell hath no fury like a woman in pink! And that was certainly the case last weekend…On Saturday 25th June, Marta and I tackled Race for Life’s muddy obstacle course in Stoke Park, Guildford, alongside 3,000 other women of the Pink Army. We climbed over, crawled under and ran through the obstacles…
Hell hath no fury like a woman in pink! And that was certainly the case last weekend…On Saturday 25th June, Marta and I tackled Race for Life’s muddy obstacle course in Stoke Park, Guildford, alongside 3,000 other women of the Pink Army. We climbed over, crawled under and ran through the obstacles…
Are you having a leadership mare?
I have learnt a great deal about leadership, and indeed the leadership within our team, in the past week. My teachers? Two horses named Disney and Perry.The day before our own leadership event in Somerset House, Nicki and I spent an afternoon in a stable with the Riding for the Disabled Association…
I have learnt a great deal about leadership, and indeed the leadership within our team, in the past week. My teachers? Two horses named Disney and Perry.The day before our own leadership event in Somerset House, Nicki and I spent an afternoon in a stable with the Riding for the Disabled Association…
Boss versus Leader: Gallery
Missed our event at Somerset House last week? Here are some images of the evening:The 'Juniper birds' are on their way! We began with a drink (or two!).. ...Then begun the panel discussion on the topic of boss versus leader: There was a particular emphasis on personality styles: Have you…
Missed our event at Somerset House last week? Here are some images of the evening:The 'Juniper birds' are on their way! We began with a drink (or two!).. ...Then begun the panel discussion on the topic of boss versus leader: There was a particular emphasis on personality styles: Have you…
Boss versus leader - our event last night
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy AdamsLast night we held our annual networking event on “Boss versus leader – does it have to be one or the other? The topic roused thought provoking debate as we explored the…
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy AdamsLast night we held our annual networking event on “Boss versus leader – does it have to be one or the other? The topic roused thought provoking debate as we explored the…
Boss versus leader. Does it have to be one or the other?
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” Theodore Roosevelt Although your position as a manager gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks or objectives, this power does not make you a leader…it simply makes you the boss. There…
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” Theodore Roosevelt Although your position as a manager gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks or objectives, this power does not make you a leader…it simply makes you the boss. There…
Developing your personal brand
We developed a series of tips on personal brand for young insurance brokers - have you reflected on your personal brand recently?5 top tips to develop your personal brand Build your personal brand platform – ensure your social media accounts give a consistent representation of your brand. Get…
We developed a series of tips on personal brand for young insurance brokers - have you reflected on your personal brand recently?5 top tips to develop your personal brand Build your personal brand platform – ensure your social media accounts give a consistent representation of your brand. Get…
Mixing with negative people
“You are only as successful as those you frequently associate with” According to Thomas C. Corley, author of “Change your habits, change your life”, wealthy people avoid one type of person at all costs: pessimists. Corley goes on to write that "long-term success is only possible when you have a…
“You are only as successful as those you frequently associate with” According to Thomas C. Corley, author of “Change your habits, change your life”, wealthy people avoid one type of person at all costs: pessimists. Corley goes on to write that "long-term success is only possible when you have a…
The professional shoe dilemma
My name is Jemma and I’m a shoeaholic. It’s not a secret, it’s pretty common knowledge amongst our team. When I buy a new pair of shoes, the whole office knows – I’ve even enlightened them to my favourite outlet site!I appreciate a good quality shoe and it disappoints me when women apply the “no…
My name is Jemma and I’m a shoeaholic. It’s not a secret, it’s pretty common knowledge amongst our team. When I buy a new pair of shoes, the whole office knows – I’ve even enlightened them to my favourite outlet site!I appreciate a good quality shoe and it disappoints me when women apply the “no…
Should you take more breaks?
It is not unusual to hear loud laughter or lively debates emanating from The Juniper Company offices. For anyone walking past, it may sound like we’re not working very hard, but in reality we’re a hard working group who just appreciate the value of a good break. Two weeks ago we decided to hold our…
It is not unusual to hear loud laughter or lively debates emanating from The Juniper Company offices. For anyone walking past, it may sound like we’re not working very hard, but in reality we’re a hard working group who just appreciate the value of a good break. Two weeks ago we decided to hold our…
Aligning your team for success
97% of employees and executives believe lack of alignment within a team impacts the outcome of a task or project. Source: Clear Company Many organisations invest a great deal of time carefully crafting a mission statement and corporate objectives in the belief that this will provide direction and…
97% of employees and executives believe lack of alignment within a team impacts the outcome of a task or project. Source: Clear Company Many organisations invest a great deal of time carefully crafting a mission statement and corporate objectives in the belief that this will provide direction and…
Sticking to objectives
We recently held a webinar on sticking to objectives, the first Juniper Berries webinar of 2016. We shared our top tips and explored tools and techniques to make setting objectives a more rewarding and motivating experience. Objectives or goal setting can feel forced upon us - expected of us by our…
We recently held a webinar on sticking to objectives, the first Juniper Berries webinar of 2016. We shared our top tips and explored tools and techniques to make setting objectives a more rewarding and motivating experience. Objectives or goal setting can feel forced upon us - expected of us by our…
A day with Ginny Howe Eventing: An Equestrian Education.
The Juniper Co. is a proud sponsor of Ginny Howe Eventing and last week, Nicki and I popped by to see Ginny at Tweseldown Racecourse as she schooled four of her horses.Although originally from the country, I do not have an equestrian background. This became clear at a call of “Look at her boots!”…
The Juniper Co. is a proud sponsor of Ginny Howe Eventing and last week, Nicki and I popped by to see Ginny at Tweseldown Racecourse as she schooled four of her horses.Although originally from the country, I do not have an equestrian background. This became clear at a call of “Look at her boots!”…
Working from home
“Today I will be working from home” a declaration that once was considered in the office as a cop out, a day to sit in your pyjamas with your laptop on the sofa watching day time T.V.But…is there more to working from home than the perception of wearing fluffy slippers and drinking milky coffee?It is…
“Today I will be working from home” a declaration that once was considered in the office as a cop out, a day to sit in your pyjamas with your laptop on the sofa watching day time T.V.But…is there more to working from home than the perception of wearing fluffy slippers and drinking milky coffee?It is…
Exciting things to come in 2016!
We hope you enjoyed your Christmas break and are now back into the swing of things once more. We are very excited about a number of projects on the cards for 2016, particularly the re-development of our website and Learning Centre system. Both will be completely overhauled to become more…
We hope you enjoyed your Christmas break and are now back into the swing of things once more. We are very excited about a number of projects on the cards for 2016, particularly the re-development of our website and Learning Centre system. Both will be completely overhauled to become more…