Guest Writer: Bronagh

Celebrations!!!! Have you heard Legal-Island's recent success story? Last Thursday Barry, Jayne and Ainsley attended the EFQM Awards at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast and were delighted to take home the Mark of Excellence in the Private Sector Award. The trophy now stands very proudly with our other achievements in the reception area of the building - for all to see! Read more.

Last week was an extremely busy time for staff in Legal-Island with the first of the seminars kicking off 2011 at the Holiday Inn, Tuesday 25th January with Mediation Breakfast. Booked out, everything went extremely well, we have already received some excellent feedback this week. We also had our first event in Cork - Dealing with Teacher Underperformance. This too went very well.

Winning Tenders in NI is coming up shortly and creating a bit of a stir at the moment. Due to extensive interest planned for Thursday 10th February, we are now moving venue to the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick.

See below overview of everyone's movements and a busy start for February. Where did January go?

Barry is just back from a James Caan (EBA) seminar in London and his head is still buzzing with ideas. Today he’s meeting Melanie Donnelly for lunch from Full Circle and tomorrow Joe Dolan from the DFP. On Wednesday he’s taking part in the EFQM feedback session delivered by Tony Wilson which should be interesting. On Thursday he’s out to break all networking records by having 8 meetings in 8 hours including Nicola Shaw from BDO, Tom Place from the ANIC, Noel Brady from NB1, Katie Doran from Carson McDowell Catherine Vint from the ICO Hilary from Quell training Laura Colter and then finally dinner with Penna. On Friday he has a day in the office with nothing in his diary – at least for the moment.

Jayne is busy today with the usual internal Monday meeting and then on Wednesday she has the EFQM feedback meeting. Same day, evening time, Jayne has the Young Directors Forum.

Scott will be chairing the Antrim/Ballymena HR Network on 1st February. The guest speaker is Pauline Huth of NI Financial Consultancy Services, who will be discussing pension changes. One 3rd February Scott will be meeting Anne Dargan, Organisational Development Consultant and Certified Leadership Coach, Director, Rapid Change Consultancy.

Ainsley, in Marketing, is attending tomorrow's Speed Networking event in the Holiday Inn, Belfast which commences shortly after work. On Wednesday he is doing some volunteer football coaching at Ballycraigy Primary School. As you know, the staff of Legal-Island volunteer on various projects of their choosing and seem to throw themselves into each and every project. Ainsley is also busy the same day in the afternoon at the Young IoD Forum in Belfast. Thursday brings plans as Forth Data are coming to see us to present the Oriel email broadcast tool and in the afternoon, BEN Networking event at UTV. So, an exciting week for Ainsley!

Heather is attending the Speed Networking meeting with Ross Licence from Events Studio this Friday.

Julie is attending Speed Networking tomorrow with some of the others. This is Julie's first time and is looking forward to the experience.