Financial Times

4 total works

Talent Magnet

by Mike Johnson

Published 19 November 2001

Employers and managers must create a climate that maintains their reputation as an employer of choice, otherwise they will find it virtually impossible to hire and hold the talent they require. Much of getting the reputation right, and becoming a magnet for talent, is down to work/life balance issues and positioning what you can offer to each different generation of workers.

Understanding this message is essential for managers at all levels of an organisation. Business unit heads, line managers and team leaders can do a lot within the confines of their company to ensure that they attract the best internal as well as external talent.
 The big idea is that corporations MUST become talent magnets or they won't have enough people to survive in the future. Every group has needs and expectations that have to be satisfied in different ways. By reading this book, and following the advice of expert professionals, readers will be able to build their own systems for recruiting and retaining the people they need, through becoming an employer of choice.

Winning the People Wars

by Mike Johnson

Published 15 December 1999

Do you remember the old days? When companies could sack half their workforce, relocate the rest, cut their benefits, freeze their salaries and expect good people to stay and be thankful? Those days are long gone - the talent/capital power balance has flipped over.The figures are astounding: in Germany, they already face a shortfall of 200,000 engineers by 2003. Two-thirds of all the executives in Western companies (US and Europe) are expected to change their jobs in the next 36 months. All of this at time when the New Economy means that you simply have to have creative, educated, intelligent people working for you or you'll get left behind. Just throwing money at them won't work either - people want a challenge, flexibility, personalised benefits - and you'll have to provide these things. This 2nd edition has been revamped and made even more personal, with all new material on how to take advantage of the people wars for you own career.

Smarter Consulting Supplement Download Site

by Mike Johnson

Published 13 February 2008

Starting up on your own

by Mike Johnson

Published 25 October 2007

“I wish this book had been available when I began my independent career. There’s only one word for it – PRICELESS!!!”

 -Shay McConnon, psychologist, trainer, coach, magician and mentor

  

 

“Grounded in common-sense and humour and very clear about what can send you off track.

-    Norman Walker, former global head of Human Resources for Novartis, now an independent senior executive coach and consultant on leadership

 

 

"AMUST read, for anyone thinking about life outside the organisation”

 

- Goran Hultin former Deputy Director General at the ILO (International Labour Office), now a successful independent consultant

 

 

HOW TO WORK FOR YOURSELF AND MAKE IT WORK

Are you thinking of starting up on your own and working for yourself? Do you need to know the nuts and bolts of setting up; marketing yourself and prospecting for new business; keeping things running on a day-to-day basis? Have you already made the leap and want to get more work, new clients, higher fees? This practical, no-nonsense book pulls no punches and gives you all the guidance you need to set yourself up and get work in the first place, plus all the know-how you need to survive, prosper and expand once you’re up and running.

See the book’s website at www.pearson-books.com/startinguponyourownfor up-to-the minute financial and tax information for small businesses and the self-employed.

This book was previously known as Smarter Consulting.

IF YOU NEVER WANT TO WORK FOR SOMEBODY ELSE AGAIN, YOU NEED STARTING UP ON YOUR OWN!

Chances are that if you're looking at this book you are at least thinking about taking the big step of going it alone. Or you're already in business as an independent and you want to get better at it. Well, you've come to the right place. Starting Up On Your Own covers everything you need to get ready to work for yourself and, once you've taken the plunge, how to develop your business and stay the course.

If you’re not already in business, the first step is to decide if this is the right path for you. To help you with this critical decision, this book takes you through the reality of what's involved and has a unique self-assessment quiz to help you check out your suitability for the independent working lifestyle.

You’re probably an expert in your chosen field. That’s great: you’ll be selling your expertise. But when you're working for yourself you have to be good at a whole lot of other things too. Starting Up On Your Own covers everything you need to do to make money and survive as an independent.

* Where do I start?

* How should I market myself?

* How can I get repeat business from my clients?

* How do I win new clients?

* What should I charge and what do I need to do to make sure I get paid on time?

* When can I put up my fees? (And when shouldn’t I?)

* Can I work from home?

* How much will I need to invest?

* Should I hire someone else to work for me?

* How shall I organise my time?

 

The answers to all these questions and more are right here. What are you waiting for?

 

 

Mike Johnsonbegan life as an independent, freelance consultant in 1982, before founding a corporate communications firm in Brussels and London, following a career in journalism and corporate communication for multinational corporations. In 1999 he started again as an independent consultant and freelance. This book is about what he has learned on his freelance journey. His focus today centres around the world of work, talent management and corporate communication for both private and public o