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Olivia Sharp, Partner in HR Practice at Eton Bridge Partners, has produced the Chief People Officer Pathway Report, a comprehensive set of findings based on research into the CPO role. She joined me on the podcast to discuss the outcomes and how we apply that to the world of HR and the future of work.
We discuss terminology and how HR titles can be a controversial subject.
We explore differences in internal/ external appointments, gender and geography.
We consider squiggly careers and routes into the CPO role.
Olivia shares her observations about career breaks becoming an opportunity for curiosity rather than judgement.
And we talk about the importance of sector experience and diversity of thought.
As usual, joining the dots came up and Olivia made the connection with ESG, mental health, wellbeing and performance.
Match-making and husbands also come up!
The over-arching message that I took from this conversation was the fact that there are no 'rules'. Individual people and organisations have to be clear about the specifics that are important to them, whether that's about gaps, energy, interests or strengths.
Data is vital. As a psychologist, I want to know what works, what doesn't, and most importantly, why. But organisations are becoming more interested in data too. Being able to hypothesise, analyse and test approaches in your unique context is essential. That's why I'm a fan of Leadership Labs - find out more here: Leadership and Manager Labs
More about Olivia:Olivia specialises in executive search for EtonBridge Partners’ HR Practice, with a primary focus on Chief People Officers and their teams. Her practitioner background in HR, gained in senior positions in a FTSE100 environment, combined with extensive general management experience, is a unique combination for clients and candidates alike. Eton Bridge Partners is a market leading executive search, interim management and consulting business operating all over the world, from our offices in London and Windsor. A Chartered Member of the CIPD, Olivia has a particular interest in diversity in the workplace, particularly mental health, social mobility and neurodiversity, and uses her first hand experience of delivering business turnarounds and wide scale people change, including complex industrial relations environments to support clients of all shapes and sizes, globally. Closer to home, she was delighted to support Eton Bridge itself shift to a 9 day working fortnight 10 months ago. Outside of work, Olivia is ‘Mummy’ to three young children and is proud to ‘parent loudly’ at work, and tries to squeeze in a bit of running, cycling and ballroom dancing in between everything else!
Links to contact Olivia:LinkedIn:
Olivia Sharp
Eton Bridge Partners Ltd
Website: etonbridgepartners.com
Resources & ReferencesLeadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Watch this episode on YouTube
ESG: Be the change – there’s no PLANet B – with Nicola Weir, Deloitte (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
The evolving role of a chief people officer | The Independent
Link to the full report: Chief People Officer Pathways Report 2023 - Eton Bridge Partners
Chief Financial Officer Pathways Report 2023 - Eton Bridge Partners
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
Do you have a 'JOB'?
According to Mike's dad, job stands for 'Just Over Broke'. Not very inspiring, energising or engaging if you want to live a meaningful, fulfilled life.
As an entrepreneur, Michael Brennan is anything but that.
In this honest and self-aware conversation, Mike shares his challenges, what he has learnt, and in his view, what leading a business is all about.
We get to grips with:
⁉️ Do you know how to protect YOURSELF in your position of leading others?
And are you doing that, for your own performance and wellbeing?
⁉️ Do you feel confident asking THE questions that really reveal what's going on beneath the surface of your company?
Do you know what those questions are?
⁉️ Do you feel able to fulfil the role that is required of you by your team?
Do you REALLY know what that is (no assumptions allowed!)?
I have 20 years experience as a psychologist. Supporting people to be their best selves and to create the right spaces for others to feel good and perform well is what I do.
To understand more about leading with success from someone who has been there, done it and who has heaps of great advice, Mike is your man.
Check out Stribe and Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter for more resources to help you on your journey.
More about Mike:'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again'
Michael Brennan loves turning ideas and visions into global businesses.
An experienced CEO, he has raised over +£2m in Angel and VC investment to date and scaled businesses to £500k ARR. His passion is starting businesses and empowering teams to lead these businesses to success.
People > Product > Profit. In that order.
Mike's life objectives are the 3 B's:
1. Be happy
2. Be healthy
3. Build a billion £ company
His awards include Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur of the Year, GP Bullhound Northern Star Winner, Tech Nations Rising Star Winner, North West’s most exciting company 2020, Nominet Trust 100 global social tech for good winner, and shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur Rising Star.
Mike's experience includes: 10 years' experience as SaaS Co-Founder and CEO, developing 2x software products; raising £2 million to date across Angel & VC networks; growing Tootoot Ltd to £450k ARR; recruiting and managing teams; chairing boards; creating and managing 2x advisory boards; appointing high-profile Chairperson's including Terry Flanagan and Tim Raffle; generating £2 million in sales; average enterprise annual contract value of £42,000; securing UK and International sales across 11 countries; and securing Government contracts and independent evaluation.
Links to contact Mike:LinkedIn: Mike Brennan
Resources & ReferencesLeadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Watch this episode on YouTube
Trading Places: RESILIENCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS – Lisa is interviewed by Get Radio - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Transcending Leadership - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Is Fear blocking your leadership? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
13 Skills to Build Resilience - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Consider yourself a good leader? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Am I a Good Leader? A Changing and Diverse Role – Gail Cohen, GCVA - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Are leaders all they’re cracked up to be? – with Stuart Neilson - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Pulse Surveys - Stribe - Flexible surveys for dispersed employees (stribehq.com)
The Charter | GM Good Employment Charter
Tech Nation's Rising Stars 2020 - winning pitch - Michael Brennan (YouTube.com)
tootoot - Sky News - Michael Brennan (YouTube.com)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
Avoidable employee harm.
What springs to mind when you hear that term?
I think it sums up brilliantly the damage that processes can have on organisations and individuals when they fail to focus enough on humans at the heart of them.
And let's be honest, many processes have been shaped historically, or exist simply because that's what was put in place without much consideration of the big picture.
But is there a better way... One that cares for employees, the organisation as a whole, and their customers ⁉️
Those are some of the points that Andrew Cooper, Head of the ‘Avoidable Employee Harm’ Programme, and Dr Adrian Neal, Head of the Employee Wellbeing Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, NHS Wales address in this episode of the podcast.
Hear about the case of Alex, and how responses to his mistake impacted on what happened for him and his organisation.
It's a question of formal routes vs a compassionate approach.
Which do you revert to❓ And why❓
And does embarrassment about not getting it right YET hinder progress? We need to acknowledge that things could be better in order for us to invest in making the right connections and having the conversations that put the 'human' back into business.
If you're keen to challenge the status quo but feeling overwhelmed about where to start, listen, be inspired and start asking the questions about your practice.
And if you would like someone to walk with you on that journey, reach out.
More about Andrew & Adrian:Andrew Cooper is head of programmes for the ‘avoidable employee harm’ work within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and is currently undertaking research exploring the implementation of disciplinary investigations in the NHS and their impact on both individuals and organisations. With a background in healthcare improvement and innovation, he has held senior communications roles across the private, public and voluntary sectors, including director of communications for Public Health Wales and Life Sciences Hub Wales.
Dr Adrian Neal qualified as a clinical psychologist in 2003 and for the first ten years worked within NHS England's Adult Community and Acute Adult Mental Health Services. Moving to Wales in 2014 to take up the role of Head of Wellbeing within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, he has been involved in a number of collaborative projects with the Welsh Ambulance Service, Welsh NHS Finance Academy, Gwent Police, Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, London Air Ambulance, Health Education and Innovation Wales, Powys University Health Board, National Academy of Head Teachers (Wales) and Welsh Government.
Links to contact Andrew & Adrian:LinkedIn:
ajcooper40
adrian-neal
aneurin-bevan-university-health-board
X (Twitter):
@cooperaj
@dradrianneal
Website: Improving Employee Investigations (NHS Wales Leadership Portal)
Resources & ReferencesLeadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
The Emotional Needs Audit - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Where do we turn (and why) when apples ‘go bad’? | Harm & Evidence Research Collaborative (open.ac.uk)
Michael West: Compassionate and inclusive leadership - Bing video
Just Culture - Summary - Bing video (Sidney Dekker)
Self-Determination Theory: How It Explains Motivation (simplypsychology.org)
Research: 'The impact of poorly applied human resources policies on individuals and organisations' (www.magonlinelibrary.com)
Improving employee investigations Resource Hub (NHS Wales Leadership Portal)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
Kathy Heath of the Healthy Minds Club, a personalised health and wellbeing platform that connects users with experts, products and services to achieve better wellbeing and lifestyle goals, joins me today.
As one of the 'experts' at the club, I was excited to be talking with Kathy about proactive approaches to wellbeing in this episode of the podcast.
We cover everything from HSE to ESG, and wellbeing strategies that really make a difference.
This episode is very timely as Healthy Minds Club is hosting an event The Roadmap to a Healthy Mind & Healthy Workforce on 26 September, in London. I'll be there talking about careers and workloads, and personality types and imposter syndrome. The agenda demonstrates just how holistic their approach is.
Employers or those serving employers who would want to come as a VIP, with a complimentary ticket, should contact Kathy directly at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!!
And if you're listening to this after the event, don't fret! Reach out to Kathy or myself for more info about best practice.
More about Kathy:Kathy Heath is a Multi Award Winning Entrepreneur with a 20+ year career in senior positions in Financial Services across retail banking, Issuing (Credit, Gift, Prepaid), acquiring & open banking globally and more recently in the Wellbeing space. Kathy speaks 4 languages and lives in the North West with her 10 year old son and her husband.
As a long time leader of people, Kathy is passionate about people & wellbeing and has founded two wellbeing companies. Most recently, the Healthy Minds Club, the UK’s first personalised health & wellbeing gift card & membership platform. We provide proactive & personalized mental, physical & financial wellbeing solutions to prevent issues from occurring in the first place helping people to thrive in their lives.
Healthy Minds Club won the Best B2B Award at the GCVA Awards, Best Health & Wellbeing Provider Supplier at the Incentive Awards in 2022, along with 2 x Expert wins at the Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards 2022. Kathy was also the proud winner of the WiiN Global Award in 2022.
Links to contact Kathy:LinkedIn:
Kathy Heath
Healthy Minds Club
Facebook: Healthy Minds Club
Website: healthymindsclub.com
Resources & ReferencesLeadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Watch this episode on YouTube
Wellbeing by Design - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
B Corp: “More than sparkly hotpants” – Chris Williams, Jennings - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
ESG: Be the change – there’s no PLANet B – with Nicola Weir, Deloitte - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
How Are You Today? – Rob Stephenson, FormScore - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Onboard Men’s Health Week – with John Holland - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Racing Ahead with After Action Reviews – with Rob Smedley - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Rethinking Customer Experience – with Graham Hill (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Healthy Minds Club (www.healthymindsclub.com)
The Roadmap to a Healthy Mind & Healthy Workforce by Healthy Minds Club (www.eventbrite.co.uk)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
PRIME used to conjure up thoughts about the drink that appears to have become a fad (and that my son gets super excited about the prospect of seeing on a supermarket shelf) 🤦🏻♀️.
But then I met Dr Karen Cripps, Senior Lecturer in Leadership at Oxford Brookes University.
Karen informed me about PRiME, an acronym for 'principles for responsible management education' and it's taken on a whole new (and much more helpful!) meaning.
In this episode of the podcast, we uncover:
If you're interested in 'people, planet and profit' (thank you Chris Williams of Jennings who used the term, talking about BCorps on a previous episode of my podcast), you'll get a lot from this conversation.
And I'd recommend Karen as a source of great insight and expertise if you would like to know more about how to manage responsibly by educating a mindset fit for the future of work.
If you want to find out how to...
...get in touch. I'm here to support you to get the people side of business right.
More about Karen:Karen is a Senior Lecturer in Leadership at Oxford Brookes University Business School, and a Subject Coordinator for the Business and Management undergraduate programme. Karen joined Brookes in 2022, following previous lecturing at the University of Winchester, the University of Nottingham, and Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett). She has also led on HE programmes for a partner college of Buckinghamshire New University and University College of Birmingham.
With a long-established scholarship and teaching profile in sustainability leadership and management, Karen is committed to supporting student success and developing links to business networks and practice. She has joined the World Economic 'Global Shapers' initiative as a mentor on the 'Sustainability Leaders' programme and is a Co-Lead for the United Nations 'Principles of Responsible Management Education' (PRME) London and South East network group. Karen is an ambassador the PRME Working Group on the Sustainability Mindset and this is a key concept in her current research practice. One of her current interests is the intersection between supporting students’ career construction for environmental and social sustainability.
Links to contact Karen:LinkedIn: Dr Karen Cripps
Website: www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/karen-cripps
Resources & ReferencesB Corp: “More than sparkly hotpants” – Chris Williams, Jennings - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
ESG: Be the change – there’s no PLANet B – with Nicola Weir, Deloitte - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
The Impact of Mindset on Outcomes - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Values in Action: www.viacharacter.org
For values: Unlocking the Potential of Human Values (commoncausefoundation.org)
Active Hope: www.activehope.info
Leading with Love: Rehumanising the Workplace Paperback, Karen Blakeley, Chris Blakeley (www.amazon.co.uk)
Principles for Responsible Management Education (www.unprme.org)
Sustainability - We Need to Talk, Isabel Rimanoczy (www.amazon.co.uk)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
Are you a popcorn fan?
You might rethink your love of it after hearing about Theran's experience. Role-modelling taking a sick day did not go as planned!
Aside from dealing with his popcorn damage, Theran Knighton-Fitt of mygrow is on a mission.
He is challenging the notion of culture as a means to an end when humans are turned into resources. Instead, Theran is redirecting the conversation to one that is more about being human in place of extracting value.
It will be no surprise then to see some of what we talk about:
This is a philosophical conversation that really gets beneath the surface of how we do things at work. I love the thought-provoking examples and metaphors that Theran uses.
Want to do the right thing for the people around you at work, for the right reasons? Are you clear about what those 'rights' are?
Hear what we discuss on this episode of the podcast and let us know how you're going about having the conversations that matter in your organisation. Message us to let us know how we can help guide the talk and practice that puts human at the heart of culture.
More about Theran:Theran is on a mission to build an emotionally intelligent world.
He thinks, writes, and speaks about all the things that impact us as humans both at home and professionally.
In the world of work this means he takes a keen interest not only in company culture but also in company character. He loves to discuss issues involving capitalism, organisational culture, behaviour, values, emotional intelligence, narrative identity and psychology.
In his role as Chief Humanising Officer at mygrow he is interested in pioneering new ways of achieving collective flourishing and group relational health through the powerful vehicles of companies and organisations.
His personal purpose statement in everything he does professionally is to “Realise Humanity.”
Links to contact Theran:LinkedIn:
Theran Knighton-Fitt
mygrow
Website: www.mygrow.me
Resources & ReferencesWorkplace Culture: 14 Steps - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Culture Matters: The Research Agrees - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Theran's Linktree: linktr.ee/therankf
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
The multi-award-winning, author and very awesome Roy Magara provides a legal perspective on putting the human factor back into business.
It was great being able to pick up the conversation from those that we had during the pandemic when we facilitated a number of webinars together.
Why is it that so many legal cases continue to be brought to Roy's attention? He outlines cases where employers have been called out for not caring enough. And the increasing number of cases associated with mental health and the menopause.
We tackle challenging issues such as employees who claim unfair practice to mask incompetence.
We discuss whether changes in the number of legal cases are due to employee expectations, or changes in the way companies operate.
And we connect use of language, psychological safety, mental wellbeing, financial wellbeing, and our perception of conflict with employee experience and the law.
Bottom line: we need to focus on being human. We must seek to reduce the stress and resources associated with getting employee experience right via legal channels.
How good are you at keeping the fact we're all human, including your managers and leaders, at the forefront of your mind?
More about Roy:We statistically spend most of our time thinking about, talking about and in many cases worrying about our work. As an Employment Solicitor Advocate at Magara Law, Roy works hard to help people through the legalities and complexities of their 'every day' and take the "worry" out of your statistics. People are at the heart of Roy’s practice – whether employer or employee – and Roy’s aim is to ensure that whichever side of the relationship you are, your employment rights and obligations are in check.
Links to contact Roy:LinkedIn:
Roy Magara
Magara Law
Website: magaralaw.co.uk
Resources & ReferencesEmployment Tribunal Decisions - Mrs Dumigan v The Mount School Ltd (www.gov.uk)
Quantum: Magara, Roy (Amazon.co.uk)
Law & Wellbeing Webinar by Roy and Lisa: Facing the Real Issues - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Psychological Safety Webinars by Roy and Lisa: WEBINAR: Psychological Safety - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk) / Leading Psychological Safety - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Mental Health: Missing the Point - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
On Demand Webinars (magaralaw.co.uk)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
Being ready for the future of work requires action. Now.
Research clearly identifies that Individual performance has a causal relationship with wellbeing. So it doesn't take a psychologist to tell you that companies need to invest in getting wellbeing right.
But just what makes the biggest difference?
And where do we begin?
Start simple is my approach. Human connection is the building block of good relationships, mental wellbeing, psychologically safe environments, engagement, and performance. So let's start there.
Rob Stephenson of FormScore very eloquently outlines the case for being more human, and approaches that we can easily adopt to achieve that.
Listen to Rob talk about wellbeing, effectiveness and commitment, and their impact on readiness to perform.
This episode of the podcast will help you on your journey.
It might just help you leave the foothills and start the ascent of Mount Everest (this analogy will make sense when you listen!).
More about Rob:Rob is a TEDx Speaker, Mental Health Campaigner, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator, CEO of FormScore, and founder of the InsideOut LeaderBoard.
Rob has a strong and personal interest in mental wellbeing and is part of the movement to smash the stigma of mental ill-health in the workplace. He has lived and worked whilst managing bipolar disorder for as long as he can remember. He conducts speaking engagements on his personal experiences and ideas as to how we can facilitate change.
FormScore is a movement and technology solution that helps us be more intentional about our wellbeing by answering the question "How are you today?" with a score out of ten, and connecting with friends, family and trusted colleagues.
The InsideOut LeaderBoard is a social enterprise with a mission of ending the stigma of mental ill-health in the workplace.
Links to contact Rob:LinkedIn:
Rob Stephenson
FormScore
Website: www.formscore.today
Resources & ReferencesChecking in with your team: Anxiety Conversation Framework Tackling Anxiety Collectively - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Emotional Needs Audit: The Emotional Needs Audit - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Mental Health Onboarding - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Mental Health: Missing the Point - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Mental Health: From Boardrooms to Toolkits – Placi Espejo - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
The Future of Workplace Wellbeing (www.formscore.today)
Harmonizing the Mind: (vimeo.com)
Inside Out Leaderboard (inside-out.org)
Inside Out Awards (www.insideoutawards.xyz)
The workforce well-being imperative - Paving the way for human sustainability in workplace culture: (www2.deloitte.com)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
This is one of the most frank, honest podcast conversations I've had and I'm so grateful to Gail Cohen of the GCVA for being so open with me about her leadership style.
We explore if she is a good leader (her words!). Gail's honesty and vulnerability is powerful as we unpick:
The conversation is thought provoking. I wonder what you will take away from it?
More about Gail:Gail is the Director General of the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA), a role she has held since 2015. During this time, the organisation has grown exponentially; adapting to represent all players, and the industry, in the continually changing gift card environment. It has over 90 members including major retailers and key service providers.
Gail leads and manages the association, develops strategy, and sets direction with the executive group, hosting the largest annual industry global conference.
Gail is an experienced brand builder and marketing professional with an impressive portfolio working across the private, public, and charitable sectors. Previous clients include Cartier, British Film Institute & Pearson. She is passionate about human rights and loves her family, gardening, cooking and meditating in the middle of a field.
Links to contact Gail:LinkedIn:
Gail Cohen
GCVA
Website: gcva.co.uk
Twitter: @GCVA_
Resources & ReferencesTranscending Leadership - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Is Fear blocking your leadership? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
Leadership by Virtue; are people following? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
RETHINK Being Human at Work – with Gemma Ellison, Macmillan Cancer Support - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness - Professor Steve Peters (Amazon.co.uk)
4000 Weeks: a life-changing novel - Robert Bosman (Amazon.co.uk)
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho (Amazon.co.uk)
Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology
Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk
Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub
Email: [email protected]
From the publisher's feed