School Business Leadership

Tina Button, School Business Manager, joins me to talk about the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders and shares her tips on how to do just that!

We talk about Headteachers, SLT, staff, governors, parents, contractors, local businesses and fellow School Business Leaders!

The episode at a glance:

[1:43] – Tina talks about the importance of less-tangible relationship benefits and shares her experiences.

[2:43] – Tina talks about the most important professional relationship for SBLs – the one they have with their Headteacher

[7:03] – Tina turns her attention to the SLT and the wider staff 

[17:19] – Tina widens the conversation and talks about relationships with school governors 

[22:24] – We widen the lens even further and talk about how to build relationships with parents

[27:15] – Tina talks contractors and shares both her positive and challenging experiences

[39:41] – Tina talks about her connections in the local business community and shares some unusual collaborations as well as her tips on how you can start to broker these relationships.

[43:58] – We talk about the importance of building relationships with other SBLs – not only for professional reasons but also for our mental health and wellbeing

Related content:

- Follow Tina on Twitter

Other resources:

- PODCAST: Raising the Profile of the Profession

- PODCAST: How to Develop the SBL Role and Gain Recognition

- PODCAST: Why SBLS Are Vital To The Success Of A School

- BLOG: How to Earn the Respect you Deserve

- BLOG: It’s Time to Take Action

- BLOG: How To Be Seen As A Team Player

- BLOG: Demonstrate Impact and Gain Recognition

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You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources

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-       Facebook

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Margaret Johnson, Director of Business Operations, joins me to share her advice, tips and wisdom from a SBL career spanning 30 years. 

If you're in need of some perspective, inspiration & wisdom then this episode will give you all those things and more…

 The episode at a glance:

[1:40] – Margaret explains how her dislike of school turned into a passion and talks about her achievements 

[16:12] – I ask Margaret to share what made the biggest difference as she constantly fought the status quo

[32:31] – Margaret talks about her other responsibilities and the CPD that helped her on her journey

[54:03] – Margaret leaves us with some advice that is relevant to every area of our lives

Related content:

- Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn

- Join my Facebook Group

Other resources:

- PODCAST: Raising the Profile of the Profession

- PODCAST: How To Develop The SBL Role And Gain Recognition

- BLOG: The Art Of Saying No

- BLOG: How to Earn the Respect You Deserve

- BLOG: It’s Time To Take Action

- BLOG: Demonstrate Impact And Gain Recognition

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

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Shirley Si Ahmed, School Business Leader, returns to share her advice on how to hit the ground running this September! 

We talk about all the key areas of the SBL role plus what you need to get covered off quickly, the things you might forget (but won’t now!) and some tips to help you feel ready for anything!

The episode at a glance:

[1:55] – Shirley tells us whether she’s ready for September and what her summer has been like  

[4:09] – Shirley talks about what it’s like to forget who she is, where she’s up to and what she should be doing – and how to avoid feeling the same way!

[9:29] – Shirley talks about why now is a good time to take stock, make changes where they are needed, set your priorities for the upcoming year and how to make a plan for your teams too

[16:51] – Shirley talks about the importance of a clean slate, how we can use it to our best advantage and how far ahead we should actually be thinking!

[25:21] – We tackle the big one… finance! What do we need to do now to make sure we’re ready for the new year? Shirley tells us…

[32:17] – Shirley runs through some key compliance areas you might want to check / complete as the new academic year gets underway

[36:47] – We talk about the key HR tasks you should prioritise at this time of year

[43:14] – Shirley talks about what data we need to collect, review, update, share and/or archive

[49:31] – Shirley talks about the key H&S areas you should have a look over at the start of the year

Related content:

- Follow Shirley on Twitter

- PODCAST: Episode 4 - How To Tackle Imposter Syndrome – Shirley’s first episode

Other resources:

- PODCAST: Episode 2 – How To Hit The Ground Running Without A Handover

- PODCAST: Episode 19 – SBL Wellbeing: Top Tips

- PODCAST: Episode 21 – Inbox Zero

- PODCAST: Episode 28 – Website Branding, Marketing & Compliance

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

·       If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources

-       Twitter

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In the final episode of the Summer of CPD series, I’m flying solo and I’m tackling a big topic – difficult conversations.

I talk you through the three questions that you need to ask yourself before you have a difficult conversation with a member of staff and how to deal with a variety of possible scenarios.

The episode at a glance:

[1:00] – I talk about the importance of clarity, expectations and boundaries

[3:28] – I share my tips on how to be sure you’re being reasonable

[6:52] – I talk about how to approach the conversation and in what scenarios you might need to adapt

[8:52] – I share my own experiences with difficult conversations and my advice on how to overcome the dread of having them

Related Content

DOWNLOAD: Line Managing Difficult Staff Guide

BLOG: SBL Surgery: How to Prepare for Difficult Conversations

COACHING: Group Coaching or 1-1 available to help you target specific issues

Want to know more about what I do and the types of CPD that I offer?

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Click here to join my mailing list and you’ll be the first to know about the next round of support sessions and masterclasses as well as get an early heads up on when the doors for my next SBL Group Coaching Program will open again!

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

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Subscribe:

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

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Becky Hall and Jeff Eden from School Business Services join me for the eighth and penultimate episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series!

Becky and Jeff share their knowledge and expertise about all things to do with your school website – how can you make sure your website is attractive, user friendly, engaging and of course, compliant?

We have all the answers for you in this episode…

 The episode at a glance:

[2:45] – Becky talks about the importance of clarity around the vision for your school and what the role of your website is to support that

[8:59] – Becky talks about navigation and ease of use for visitors who aren’t familiar with your site

[13:41] – Becky shares some helpful tips around site safety and visibility

[21:44] – Jeff digs into the detail of website compliance

[27:07] – Jeff talks about areas that aren’t explicitly referenced on the official checklists but are still required and may be checked by Ofsted

Related content:

- DOWNLOAD: Free SBS Website Compliance Checklist

- Contact Becky on LinkedIn

- Contact Jeff on LinkedIn

- Check out the School Business Services website

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-      Website, Blog & Free Resources

-      Twitter

-      Instagram 

-      Facebook

-      LinkedIn

Ally Bigwood, School Business Manager, returns for the seventh episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series! 

Ally joins me to talk about what’s involved in running multiple social media accounts for his school. We talk all things platforms, audience, content and time commitments as well as how to manage your online relationships with stakeholders…

The episode at a glance:

[1:46] – Ally describes his journey and interest in social media from a SBL perspective.

[4:37] – Ally talks about who might be looking at each social media platform and the benefits schools can see from engaging on them

[9:55] – Ally helps us understand what you should be posting and who your school should be following

[14:21] – Ally explains how anyone can get started with social media without being overwhelmed

[21:15] – Ally talks about the importance of engagement and communication on social media

[23:30] – We talk about the importance of safeguarding in relation to sharing content on social media

Related content:

- Follow Ally on Twitter

- Ally’s school Instagram account - BridgeLearningCampus

- Ally’s school Twitter account - @Bristol_BLC

- Ally’s app recommendations

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

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In the sixth episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series, Simon Martin from SBS joins me to talk about why schools should employ an ICT apprentice, what the job might involve and how it could help you in your SBL role.

The episode at a glance:

[1:27] – Simon explains why he is so passionate about ICT in schools

[3:16] – Simon talks about his own experience as an ICT apprentice and how he moved into education

[5:21] – Simon explains why he thinks it is crucial for schools to be involved in ICT apprenticeships

[9:14] – Simon talks about the qualities you should look for in an ICT apprentice 

Related content:

- Contact Simon on LinkedIn

- Check out the School Business Services website

- ESFA: Recruit an Apprentice

- ESFA: Guide for Apprenticeships for the School Workforce

- National Apprenticeship Week

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

·       If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources

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Jonny Coates, Business and Finance Director, returns for the fifth episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series!

Jonny joins me to talk about the how’s, why’s and what on earth’s involved in becoming a paperless school! He shares his tips on where to start, the benefits you’ll see and how to get others on board…

The episode at a glance:

[1:43] – Jonny talks about why he started on his paperless journey, how it improved his productivity, and his step-by-step plan to achieve it.

[9:37] – Jonny explains how he got others on board

[16:51] – Jonny talks about the COVID effect on digital systems and processes and the importance of virtual tools for communication

[21:48] – Jonny expands on the benefits of being a paperless school as part of the sustainability agenda

[26:01] – Jonny explains how you can support people through the process of moving to a paperless workplace

[35:20] – Jonny talks about why he isn’t recommending specific systems, how you can explore moving to a paperless school and where to find support

Related content:

- Follow Jonny on Twitter

- PODCAST: Moving from Primary to Secondary - Jonny’s previous podcast

- BLOG: How to set goals in 2021

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

·       If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources

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Helen Burge, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, returns for the fourth episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series.

Helen joins me to talk about sustainability, why it’s important and what she thinks the SBL role has to do with it! She shares her ideas about what actions we can take and gives us tips on how we can get the conversation going.

The episode at a glance:

[1:36] – Helen describes how the sustainability agenda relates to the school environment and why she feels so passionately about it

[4:51]  – Helen talks about why the sustainability agenda isn’t as far removed from the SBL role than you might think 

[8:58] – We dig into the detail of how schools can support sustainability in a variety of areas

[15:50] – Helen talks about change over time, why a plan is important and how we can involve others and gain support

[26:22] – Helen shares her tips on where to start and encourages SBLs to get in touch!

Related content:

- Follow Helen on Twitter

- Check out Helen’s blog

- PODCAST: 6 Strategic Tools for SBLs - Helen’s previous solo podcast

- PODCAST: SBL Wellbeing: Top Tips - Helen’s group podcast - the ABBLed roundtable

- ISBL Standards

- Eco Schools Website

- Plastic Free Schools

- Salix Funding

- Woodland Trust

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

·       If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources 

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Lorraine Ashover, Director of Minerva Procurement Consultancy Services, returns for the third episode of the Summer of CPD podcast series!

She joins me to share her tips on how to plan your procurement timetable.

How long should it take? How long could it take? How long should each stage of the process last for?

We’ve got the answers for you in today’s episode!

The episode at a glance:

[1:46] – Lorraine emphasises the need for setting up and understanding timetables now before the craziness of the new academic year carries us away! 

[3:01] – Where to start in terms of document preparation

[7:43] – Lorraine digs into the detail of the different stages and timelines 

[14:21] – Lorraine shares the common sticking points with procurement timetables and processes

Related content:

- Follow Lorraine on Twitter

- Check out Lorraine’s website – Minerva Procurement Consultancy

- Read Lorraine’s blog on this topic

Resources:

PODCAST: 5 Things SBLs Need To Know About Procurement - Lorraine’s previous podcast

PODCAST: 7 Tips For Good Estates Management

Want to be a guest on the podcast?

Click here to leave me your details and I'll be in touch soon!

Subscribe:

·      If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 

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Get in touch:

You know I love to hear from you so please pop me an email or get in touch on social media to let me know what you think of the show and what you’d like to see in the future!

You can find Laura here…

-       Website, Blog & Free Resources

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