Guest Writer - Julie

It's the end of what was a very busy year at Legal Island and quietness descends on the Island this week.  Our events finished on a high note and the majority of staff are currently off on a well deserved break.  This coming Friday we will all get together and meet in Belfast for our end of year Christmas lunch in 'Cabaret Supper Club '. Yipee - Party Time!!

However, not all of us are finished just yet - see staff movements below for this coming week:

Scott:

Scott is meeting Joe Blair of MDS and Adam Brett of Pinsent Masons on Tuesday.  He hopes to work the rest of the week from home and then meet up with the rest of us in Belfast this Friday and be the life and soul of the party (lets hope not!!)

Barry:

Our CEO Barry has a quiet enough week (well by his standards anyway).  He has internal meetings this morning.  On WEdnesday he's meeting Maureen Totten and James Carey for lunch.
On Thursday he's attending prize giving at Antrim Grammar School (hey "Antrim Grammar Style") and on Friday he will be in attendance at the Legal Island Staff doo ("Legal Island Style")!!

For some home reading over the christmas break, attached is a preview of our Spring/Summer 2013 events taking place across Ireland next year:

NI - Spring /Summer 2013 Events

ROI - Spring / Summer 2013 Events

From all at Legal Island and the hens too we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.


Happy Holidays

Guest Writer - Scott

Others may be gearing down for the Chistmas period but some still have lots on. Scott (that's me above in one of the rather fetching shirts Barry brought back from Malawi - perhaps not my best look or barry's best idea) is off to Dublin tonight to chair a meeting of HR Symposium speakers tomorrow, followed by meetings with Ger Deering from the DJEI, Elaine Cassidy from the Equality Tribunal and Marian Jennings, lecturer and chair of our Dublin annual reviews of employment.
 

Our CEO, Barry Phillips, has a busy week ahead. He has internal meetings all day today. Tomorrow he’s meeting Gillian Leetch Armnstrong and BHSF in the afternoon. On Wednesday he has a coaching session with Richard O’Rawe. On Thursday he’s meeting Peter McBride from Niamh. On Friday he’s meeting Philip Bain from ShredBank.
 

Kerry and Peter G are both playing Elves this week in Santa settings for charity, as part of Legal-Island's volunteering policy. Not too much make-up required there for Peter, who will doubtless give Will Ferrell a run for his money. No-one said you have to make a fool of yourself when volunteering but, as you can see from the above photo, I do it anyway, whether volunteering or not. Kerry is also meeting David Gaston from the Law Society to discuss the First Thursday Mediation Club. I don't think either will be dressed as Santa's little helper but you never know.
Jayne will also be at the HR Network at Arthur Cox. She will also be meeting with ShredBank and has an Institute of Directors' Meeting on Friday.

We are all saddened to see that Ainsley is to join Allen and Overy in the New Year. He's made a great contribution to marketing and sales since he's been here and he'll be sadly missed by everyone at Legal-Island. He'll be brilliant wherever he goes, so well done to Allen and Overy for appointing him.

One door closes and another one opens - we have another addition to our marketing family: Peter F has become a father to little Holly, who weighed 6lb 13oz at birth. We wish Peter, mum Alex and baby Holly all the very best and hope that little Jamie is pleased with the arrival of his little sister. Just keep him away from Andrew Gold records.

Guest Writer: Debbie

Sir, Yes Sir...................


Welcome to Legal Island’s Training Week 2012, an intensive (but highly enjoyable) five day programme designed to develop our existing skills and teach us some new ones.

At the end of this training we are sure to feel more confident, prepared and motivated to take 2013 by storm. Our week will include training sessions on Dynamic and Effective Networking, Fine Tuning Communication Skills and Maximising Creativity and Initiative.

All staff with be busy in the office taking part in training week.

At ease, Soldier!

Guest Writer: Peter Gilpin

This past week has seen records broken within Legal-Island and further afield. South Korean pop superstar, Psy, has officially broken the record for the most viewed video on YouTube with his music video, Gangnam Style. The video has over 8O8 million views since it was posted in July, eclipsing the likes of ‘The Sneezing Panda’ and ‘Charlie bit my finger’ (which I never thought would be possible!), to take the top spot! For those of you who haven’t seen it yet - approach with caution as it can be very infectious!

Meanwhile back at Legal-Island, last week saw our final NI Annual Review of the year at the Ramada, Shaw’s Bridge, where the scores have been of an incredibly high standard. Our team of hosters, led by Conference Manager Kerry Murphy, brought back an average score of 4.9 out of 5! A great day all round, with lots of happy delegates.

This week see’s the final ROI Annual Review of the year at the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin. Conference Manager, Heather Stewart helped by a team of Ainsley, Debbie, Arnold, John and I hope to continue the run of amazing all-round scores. Places are still available to book for tomorrow’s ‘Stillorgan Spectacle’ on our website for those of you who have yet to book.

This is what the Legal-Island team are up to this week:

Barry, our CEO, has a week of mainly networking ahead. He has internal meetings all day today. Tomorrow he's conducting a mock legal interview for an Oxbridge candidate at the local grammar school. On Wednesday he's meeting the company nutritionist Jane McClenaghan for lunch. On Thursday he has more internal meetings before attending a CBI seminar on Friday.

Jayne is meeting Employers for Childcare with Ainsley on Wednesday afternoon, and on Thursday morning she is meeting John Andrews from Gilpin Executive at their offices, before taking a half day on Friday.

Scott will be leaving our Antrim headquarters today to drive to Dublin. He is chairing the final Annual Review of Employment Law at the Stillorgan Park Hotel on Tuesday. Scott will be working from home on Wednesday. He has a planning meeting on Thursday in relation to the NI HR conference 2013. On Friday Scott will be addressing the CBI HR Leadership Conference, as part of a panel, in Belfast.

Have a great week!

Guest Writer - James

Another busy November week - all hands to the hosting pump! 3 very successful Annual Review Conferences complete and just 2 more to go.  You better be quick if you want to catch one of the last remaining places.

NI – Our final Annual Review of Employment Law conference of 2012 takes place at the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge on 21st November – http://bit.ly/O3z9k7


ROI - Our final Annual Review of Employment Law conference of 2012 takes place at the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin on 27th November – http://bit.ly/Z6nfXL

Here's a selection of quotes from delegates at our completed Annual Reviews:   ‘I like everything about the venue, delivery of information, calibre of speakers and quality notes made it a most exceptionable experience. I would recommend the Annual Review of Employment Law Conference to all business persons for whom any responsibility of staff falls within the boundaries of their remit.’

As always, Legal Island deliver a first class event. Lots of up to date (and literally 'hot off the press') relevant information and in-depth supporting documentation which will be referred to regularly!

The Legal Island Review of Employment Law is my 'go to' event every year to ensure I am updated on the legal highlights of year past and more prepared for those in the coming year. It's a great networking opportunity too.

It's just as well we are all fit and healthy to get through this busy season.  I competed in my first Parkrun at the weekend and can definitely recommend it.  We love a bit of competitive spirit here at Legal Island and I hear a certain conference manager has already completed a number of these events.  A challenge could be on the cards?     In other news:
Our CEO is busy enough this week. He has meetings all day today and tomorrow. On Wednesday he's doing work on the Balanced Score Card and company strategy. On Thursday he's part of a seminar set up to kick about a new service offering. Later that day he's presenting a Legal-Island award at Dublin Convention Centre. Friday and he's back in Dublin sitting down with education experts to devise next year's annual conference.

A number of staff are hosting at the Annual Review on Wednesday with some travelling to get set up on Tuesday evening so everything goes smoothly. Apart from that, a meeting is scheduled with Team Solutionz on Thursday with a number of managers; Ainsley is meeting Kathy Faulkner from Pinnacle Business Services tomorrow before heading off to the Ramada; Kerry will be going to Riddel Hall on Thursday which is a new venue for our 2013 season of events; Scott is meeting with a government department about possible in-house training on discipline and underperformance at work on Tuesday. He also has meetings with Paul Fieldhouse of Business & Leadership Consultants, Barnett & Fieldhouse and Stewart Miller of Global HR services providers, Nothgate Arinso. Scott is also chairing the Annual Review at the Ramada and getting his picture taken along with Barry and Jayne for BITC on Thursday.
Allison will be at the Annual Review with our Sponsor Simply Health on Wednesday. Simply Health drive the feel good factor into your workforce with a £1 a week health plan that offers cash back for your staff. As financial limitations restrict opportunities to reward, this plan is a fantastic opportunity to show everyone that you care for both their well being and pockets!

Have another great week everyone!
James

Guest writer: Arnold Majcher

Great news this week as our CEO Barry Phillips got engaged so we all want to wish them both good luck and a wonderful future together.

This is a middle of our busy season. We have still three of our flagship events ahead. This week we are hosting Annual Review of Employment Law inDublin Radisson Airport Hotel on Wednesday. There are two more Annual Reviews taking place this season Ramada Shawsbridge, Belfast on the 21^st November and Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin on the 27^th November. If you haven’t booked your place yet hurry because there are only a few places left!

Our Training Centre will be used by Chest Heart and Stroke on Friday

Networking:

Our CEO has a very busy week ahead. He has internal meeting more or less all day today. Tomorrow he's attending an engagement seminar organized by BITC. On Wednesday it's one of his volunteer days. He's helping the local school conduct interview training. He's also meeting David Braziel from Training Solutionz later that day. On Friday he's attending the MII Mediation Conference in Dublin. On Saturday he's speaking at the conference with his partner in crime, Scott.

Scott is chairing the HR Network meeting at Gallaher JTI on Tuesday. He will be helping out at the Annual review of employment lawat the Radisson Blu at Dublin airport on Wednesday and hopes to work from home on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, Scott will be making a presentation at the Mediators' Institute of Ireland conference in Killiney, Co Dublin. The subject of the presentation is how to best get buy-in for mediation from HR professionals. CEO Barry Phillips, who announced today he will be getting married in January, will also be making a presentation at the conference.

Jayne is  in office all week, attending HR Network meeting on Tuesday afternoon with Scott.

Heather, Kerry, Ainsley, Jacqui and Arnold will be hosting at the Radisson on Wednesday.

Onwards!!!

Guest writer: Jacqui McCaughan

"As always Legal Island Annual Employment Law review is an essential event for all HR practitioners and it never fails to deliver. Top class speakers, excellent papers with relevant reference points, pertinent topics and excellent organisation are the hallmarks of this excellent conference. Well done to all."
Declan Naughton, HR Consultant.

I thought I would start this week's blog with a quote from one of the delegates who attended last week's Annual Review of Employment Law event in the Red Cow. We always strive to give our best to our clients and it provides us with greater motivation, when our hard work is recognised.

The Annual Review of Employment is a full day event and really is a must for all those involved in HR issues. Don’t miss out!!There are 2 further opportunities still available in Dublin: 14th Nov at the Radisson Blu Airport and the 27th Nov at the Stillorgan Park Hotel. For those in N. Ireland there is the first event taking place tomorrow at the La Mon Hotel and again at the Ramada, Shawsbridge on 21st

There are still some places left, so come along and be inspired.

 

Other business taking place this week on the Island:

The training centre has been booked by Schrader on Tuesday and Wednesday, then on Thursday there is Social Services Training and on Friday the Chest Heart and Stroke are using the facilities.

Scott Alexander will be in attendance as Chair at the first of our NI Annual Reviews of Employment Law tomorrow. On Thursday he will be in the office to attend some internal meetings and later, will be at First Thursday Mediation Club, where Eimear Hayden will be focussing on collaboration between mediators. Scott hopes to work from home on Wednesday and Friday of this week.

Jayne Finlay is in the office on Monday and Tuesday, when she will carry out some internal meetings. Wednesday sees her out in Belfast in the morning for a meeting, and on Thursday Jayne will attend a BITC event at lunchtime. Friday has her back in the office.

Allison Sutherland will be experiencing the Annual Review of Employment Law tomorrow from the other side of the fence – as a Delegate.

 

Kerry Murphy will be managing the Annual Review tomorrow with the support of Heather Stewart, Peter Fitzpatrick, James Dyer, Kerri McOscar & Arnold Majcher.

On Thursday evening Kerry will be chairing the First Thursday Mediation club here in the training centre. 

 

 

I would like to wish my colleagues and you the best of luck for the week ahead and every success...

 

 

 

Guest Writer - Jayne Finlay

It’s a big week this week – in fact it’s one of the most important weeks of the year at Legal-Island... no not the competition for best L-I pumpkin but something scarier... the start of the Annual Reviews! The teams are thoroughly prepped and I have every confidence we will do our customers proud once more by putting on the first of the 5 Annual Reviews in both style and excellence!


Leading the team, Heather will be donning her Conference Manager suit and ensuring the team at the Red Cow Moran Hotel on 1st November put on an event to remember. The Annual Review of Employment really is a must for all HR Directors and anyone needing a really great update in employment law with fantastic speakers, content and case studies. Don’t miss out! If you’re not attending the Red Cow (which sold out!) there are 2 other dates still available – 14th Nov at the Radisson Blu Airport and the 27th Nov at the Stillorgan Park Hotel. For those in the North, don’t miss out on our equivalent event – Annual Review of Employment Law at the La Mon Hotel on 6th Nov and again at the Ramada Shawsbridge on 21st Nov.

Joining Heather at the Red Cow will be the “Dream Team” of hosters, consisting of Kerry Murphy, Vanessa Porter and Peter Fitzpatrick.

In other business, the Training Centre will be hosting Chest Heart and Stroke on Friday, Allison will be busy on the phones and Barry our CEO will be working in meetings and strategy issues before wrapping up bits and pieces to take a few days' leave..

I will be manning the fort while the team is away, in and out of internal and external meetings all week.

Ainsley too will be in and out of meetings all week, he is on Annual Leave tomorrow afternoon and Friday afternoon.

Have a fangtastic week everyone!!!!

Guest Writer - Heather Stewart

Happy Halloween! 

It won't be long until the ghostly children are knocking on our doors looking for some Halloween treats.

Its a bit of a frightening week here in Legal-Island as our Annual Review of Employment Law begins next week with a sold out event in the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin, but never fear we have more ghoulish dates available, just check out our website for Belfast or Dublin.

Let's see what the zombies in the office are up to this week.....

Barry our CEO had an easy week by his standards. He has a meeting with Philip Bain of Shred Bank tomorrow. Thursday and he's on day 3 of the company coaching course. Apparently he's done all the reading for it too! Friday he's meeting representatives from Northgate Arinso.

Scott has several meetings this week:

Tuesday: Tanya Kennedy from BITC 

Wed: Dublin, Equality Authority Conference – Mainstreaming and the Positive Duty in Public Sector

Thurs: 1. Joe Blair & Nicola Cherry, Belfast

            2. Future of Workplace Relations, John Taylor, Acas, Spires Conference Centre, Belfast

            3. Emer Hinphey, Thinkpeople, Belfast

            4. David Graham, Finance Matters (NI) Ltd & Sheila Davidson (PR)

Friday: Northgate Arinzo, Antrim

Jayne is also busy every day this week with meetings:
Monday – Employers for Childcare meeting at their premises in afternoon

Tuesday – internal meetings

Wednesday – WIB NI Awards Finalists event at Galgorm

Thursday – Coaching final day

Friday – meetings in office

Kerry & I will be holding our hosters meeting in preparation for our big month of events, Kerry also will be attending the coaching course on Thursday along with Donna and Ainsley.

We also have plenty going on in our training centre with Schrader, SS Coaching and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke coming in throughout the week to use the facilities.

I hope you have a hair raising week!

Guest Writer- Donna Kirkpatrick

When you got up this morning did you wonder what would would be happening across the world today? It is just as well you are reading this blog because I can educate you, this is Global Hand-washing Day and last year it was celebrated through song, drama, poems and events, who would ever have thought of a day dedicated to hand-washing?

At Legal-Island this week, we won't be celebrating this one but we are celebrating the fact that the Annual Review of Employment Law in the Red Cow has no seats left - isn't that brilliant, it has SOLD OUT. Don't worry if you have not booked yet because we have other dates in other venues both in NI and ROI. 

Who is doing what this week?

Our CEO, Barry Phillips has a quiet enough week by his standards. He has lots of internal meetings throughout the week. On Thursday he is giving a motivational talk at Wellington College about becoming an entrepreneur

Ainsley, our marketing and sales manager has Gary Grattan from MGM media coming in to see him on Tuesday. He will be out at the BITC Corporate Responsibility Conference on Wednesday and then Pamela, one of our employees who is off on maternity leave will be meeting him for lunch on Thursday.

Scott has a quiet week ahead with internal meetings only.

In the training centre this week we will be welcoming Schrader, Anne Dargan, the Public Health Agency and Social Services Training.

There you go I'm sure you're glad you read this because you now know who is doing what in Legal-Island this week and you  know it is Global Handwashing week - win win!

Guest writer Vanessa Porter

It happens every year as the trees start to turn, the nights draw in and X Factor fixing allegations start swirling round Louis Walsh like Autumn leaves – you know you’re in the run up to the Legal-Island Annual Review of Employment Law! It’s another busy week here on the Island.

 

Our CEO, Barry Phillips, has a busy week ahead. Today he has internal meetings and a speech to deliver this evening at the Belfast Speakers' Circle. Tomorrow he has external meetings before traveling to Dublin to Chair the Data Protection Conference on Wednesday. On Thursday he's Chairing the Annual Review Conference in London. Friday and he's leading the ST meeting before wrapping up for the weekend.

 

Scott is meeting Mike Jones of Penna today to discuss next year’s HR conferences. On Tuesday, Scott will be undertaking in-house training at FOLD Housing. He’ll be working from home on Wednesday and Thursday, until he leaves for Belfast to chair the first of the Belfast HR Network meetings to be held at the offices of Arthur Cox. On Friday Scott will be attending the Strategy Team meeting.

 

Jayne has a busy week, her normal internal meetings today, lunch with Barry and Pauline Thompson tomorrow and then travelling to London on Wednesday prior to hosting our Annual Review of Employment Law 2012 at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury on Thursday.

 

Heather will be travelling to Dublin on Tuesday as she has the 2012 Data Protection and Compliance Update Conference taking place at the Radisson Blu Dublin Airport (there are stills some places available for this event), she will be ably assisted on the day by Peter – the Debbie McGee to her Paul Daniels!

 

There is a Strategy Team Meeting on Friday that most of the senior staff will be attending.

 

Our Training Centre will be in use this Tuesday and Wednesday when we have Schrader with us.

 

Guest Writer: Peter Fitzpatrick

Macmillan Coffee Morning at Legal-Island raised £110.01

Last week was an exciting week, quite spectacularly rounded off with our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday morning. With Heather’s pricing strategy of 50p per bun or all you can eat for only a fiver, we made a lot more money than expected - £110.01 to be exact. Well done to everyone on raising money for such a great charity.

It’s October already and we’re edging ever closer to our flagship events in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland – the Annual Review of Employment Law conferences.

With the first Irish Annual Review of Employment Law conference taking place at the Red Cow, Dublin on 1^st November, you’d better book now to secure your place! Book and pay for your place online here or book your place and pay by invoice here.

Our first Northern Ireland Annual Review of Employment Law conference takes place at the La Mon Hotel & Country Club, Belfast on Tuesday 6^th November – with speakers of the calibre of Mark McAllister (LRA), Stephen Mearns (John Ross & Sons) and Maxine Orr (Worthingtons), it really is an event not to be missed! Book and pay for your place online here or book your place and pay by invoice here.

The staff movements this week:

Our CEO, Barry Phillips, has a busy week. He's meeting the company coach, Richard O'Rawe, for lunch today with the MD and has one-to-one meetings either side. Then he, along with Peter G and Ainsley, is meeting Leo Murphy of South West College  regarding a piece of eLearning Software. Tomorrow he's meeting Legal-Island trainer Linzi Conway and attending a seminar entitled ‘Driving Business Performance and Growth through HR’ at the Titanic Quarter on Wednesday. On Thursday he is in Manchester chairing the first of the Annual Review conference this year. On Friday he’ll be back on the ‘Island to attend our monthly marketing meeting.

Jayne has her usual meetings today including a meeting with Richard O’Rawe and Barry at lunchtime. On Wednesday she travels to GB for Thursday’s Annual Review of Employment Law conference taking place in Manchester on Thursday. On Friday she is meeting Joanne McAuley (Clarendon Executive) and Nial Borthistle (HMC Global) in Belfast.

Scott, along with Peter F and Ainsley, will be Richard Stark from Croner on Wednesday regarding the Annual Review of Employment Law conferences in Northern Ireland. On Thursday he’ll be chairing the Equality Law in NI Update at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. He hopes to work from home this Friday. 

Ainsley is meeting Stuart McClean from ChooBoo tomorrow lunchtime followed by a Training Solutionz meeting with Barry and James in the afternoon.

Guest Writer - Ainsley

The leaves are changing colour, the weather warnings are more frequent and the heating's back on. Yes, it's officially Autumn! We sowed our seeds in Spring, meticulously planning and preparing some fantastic events and now its time to harvest the fruits of our labour.

In Northern Ireland this week we have 106 delegates attending our Mediation event: Resolution Revolution at the La Mon Hotel on Wednesday. Our NI Conference Manager Kerry will be hosting the event, ably assisted by Jayne and Peter G.

In the Republic of Ireland this week we have two events; Equality Law in Ireland Update and Comparative Employment Laws: UK and Ireland. Our ROI Conference Manager Heather will be running these two with a bit of help from Scott, who's chairing the Equality Update.

The other half of Scott (having split himself in 2 this week) will be attending the Equality Commission event: Strengthening Protection for all Ages on Tuesday, as well as meeting with Joe Blair and Nicola Cherry, who will be delivering a role play on dismissing older workers with dignity at this year's Annual Reviews of Employment Law. On Wednesday, Scott will be a speaker at the Resolution Revolution event and on Friday he will be woring from home writing the weekly review of developments email for the NI Email Update Service. He then joins himself back together, packs his hankie and flies to Paris at lunchtime to stay with his sister and her family. Saturday should be a trip to Versailles, followed by Le Louvre on Sunday. Let's hope he returns on Monday more cultured than he will be when he leaves!

Scott's not the only busy one this week. Our CEO, Barry Phillips, also has a busy week this week. He has meetings pretty much all day today and tomorrow. Tomorrow evening he's meeting Becky Hess for dinner. Becky is one of the many speakers we have lined up for the Resolution Revolution including Barry who is opening the event. On Thursday and Friday he is on an ILM coaching course along with Jayne, Kerry, James, Donna and myself.

Jayne is also out and about this week. As well as doing the coaching course and hosting at the Resolution Revolution, Jayne is also attending the Employers for Childcare: Childcare Works Awards at Belfast City Hall with Kerri.

We would also like to welcome the Public Health Agency, who are using the Training Centre tomorrow.

Have a great week.

Guest Writer - Kerry Murphy

The summer has flown in and its hard to believe we're hosting the first events of season two this week. The Legal-Island team have a busy few months ahead in the run up to our Annual Review of Employment Law events in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Staff movements this week:

Our CEO, Barry Phillips, has a busy time of things before taking his long weekend this week. He has internal meetings pretty much all day today. Tomorrow he's meeting Pauline Thompson before heading off for an evening seminar at Queen's University. On Wednesday he's meeting the MD to review the Investors in People report.

Jayne Finlay, MD, has her usual internal meetings then on Friday afternoon is meeting Raymond Bell at our offices to discuss IIP.

James Dyer and Ainsley Hirst will be meeting with Alex Park from Invest NI on Thursday.

I will be hosting our Essentials of Employment Law and  Comparative Law update on Wednesday in the Hilton Hotel Belfast.  On Thursday I will be back at our premises here in Antrim to host our Discipline & Underperformance worshop.

We have the BAAF in the Training Centre on Tuesday, Community Dental on Wednesday and the Northern Trust on Friday.

Here's to a crazy but fun season!

Guest Writer Allison

So, that’s it, the summer of all things Olympian is finally over.  

However, if you set foot on ‘The Island’ you would think it was still in full throes.  We’re jumping through hoops and running the gauntlet as we step up to the Annual Review of Employment Law Conferences mark.

Our CEO Barry is under starter’s orders as he faces a busy week ahead. He has internal meetings pretty much all day today. Tomorrow he's attending a staff engagement seminar at BITC.  Then Wednesday see’s him doing some software training. On Thursday he's brainstorming some rather wonderful new product lines. At the moment his schedule is looking free all Friday but that will no doubt change very quickly.

On Wednesday, our wonderful admin team will be making a presentation to one of Legal-Island’s chosen charities for 2012 –Tiny Life!  You may recall our Family Fun Day that took place in July raised a whopping £1,056.00 for the premature and vulnerable baby charity.  This is the week where we have the pleasure of handing over the money that was raised in their name.

James is busy, busy as he takes a break from his abacus to meet with Jane Barr from Invest NI on Thursday morning.

Our Marketing Maestro, Ainsley will be performing some spectacular mind moves as several staff take an active part in some serious brain storming with John Mckee on Thursday.

I am on Annual Leave this Wednesday, however, I will pop in with BHSF who are holding a Belfast Breakfast Seminar in W5 before enjoying the rest of my day.

Don't forget the Resolution Revolution conference taking place on Wednesday 26th September at La Mon Hotel and Country Club.  If you're only venturing out of the office once this month, this is where you should be going ... places are really scarce so, you'd better be quick!  

Guest Writer Barry Phillips CEO

It's the first week in September - officially the beginning of the “Silly Season”! This is the season in which we go full out here at Legal-Island with one big event after another for the best part of 12 weeks. It's a heads down, third lane (tonne up), take no prisoners kind of thing. Get my drift?

I'm delighted to report that Peter Gilpin has now joined us permanently in the Marketing and Sales department bringing the M&S team up to 5 when Pamela returns. Well done Peter. Great to have you on the Island permanently!

Conference Manager ROI Heather is attending a Volunteer Now lunch on Friday which is on the theme of Time Banking apparently while her northern counterpart Kerry will be attending a Purposeful Leadership course with Toward Consulting on Thursday & Friday.  She will also be chairing the First Thursday Mediation Club on Thursday evening at the Legal-Island Training Centre.

Scott is attending the ST Meeting on Thursday, followed by the Mediation First Thursday Club. On Friday, he, along with Michele Groves of Charis Consultancy Services is delivering training on investigation and discipline/grievance handling to a group of managers at FOLD Housing in Holywood.

I've a busy week of networking ahead. I'm meeting Stuart McClean from Chooboo.com tomorrow. On Wednesday I'm meeting with the guys from Team Solutions. On Thursday I'm attending a meeting of the First Thursday Mediation Club before heading off to an art exhibition at the Waterfront. On Friday I've a day off walking in the Mournes with a friend. Can't wait.

Busy week! Let’s do it!

Guest Writer - Julie McCloskey

After a nice long extended weekend off due to the bank holiday it's back to a busy working week ahead on the Island for most of us as a few staff and still on their summer annual leave!

Movements for staff this week are as follows:

Barry
There's no rest for our CEO this week. He has meeting's all day today including one with old friend of Legal-Island Stanley Wallace of the CIM.. Tomorrow he's taking a team to Ineqe in Belfast for a meeting. He's meeting Paul Fieldhouse on Thursday and Trainingsolutions on Friday

Scott
Scott hopes to work from home on Wednesday and Friday. One Thursday he has a breakfast meeting with David Graham of Finance Matters (NI) Ltd and his PR consultant, Sheila Davidson. This meeting will be followed by another with Rosemary Lundy of Arthur Cox. He’ll then return to the office.


Ainsley
Ainsley is going to meet Ineque tomorrow morning with Barry and then I’m off on Thursday and I’m doing the final session of my Export Management and Leadership programme on Friday


Donna
Donna is meeting with Stanley Wallace of CMI today with Barry.

Kerry
Kerry is in the office until Thursday. She has an Annual Review upstae meeting on Wednesday and on Friday morning she has a meeting with CIPFA regarding next years Payroll Update event. On Friday afternoon she will be volunteering at Stormont for the Marie Curie Walk Ten event taking place on Friday evening.



Have a good week!

Guest Writer- Kerri McOscar

"You'll never walk alone!" Liverpool FC.

The Premier League has kicked off this weekend for all you football fans. Which team will lift the trophy this year? I'm backing Liverpool, much to Scott's dismay :) I am hoping Liverpool beat Hearts this Thursday night!

Now for the movements of our team here at Legal-Island...

Barry: Our CEO, Barry Phillips, is back at work today after a lovely break in Italy and no doubt he'll spend a good part of the week catching up wading through countless emails. On Wednesday he's meeting Michele Groves about the "Resolution Revolution" Conference which is really taking off. On Friday he's working with a consultant on process mapping.

Jayne: Our Managing Director is working hard in the office all week.

Scott: On Wednesday Scott is getting a medical, courtesy of Action Cancer; on Thursday he is facilitating discussions with the SMT at FOLD Housing, along with Michele Groves of Charis Consultancy Services; and on Friday Scott is process mapping with others in Legal-Island. Scott hopes to work from home on Tuesday if he can rearrange a meeting or two.

Kerry: Kerry is meeting with the Conference Sales Manager of the Hastings group on Thursday afternoon to discuss opportunities in 2013.

Ainsley: Ainsley is out of the office quite abit this week. He is meeting Paula Milligan from PM Sales Solutions for lunch on Wednesday, then meeting Jim O’Callaghan from the Housing Rights Service on Thursday and on Friday he is in Belfast completing the final week of the Export Leadership Management Programme.

Donna: Donna is over seeing our de-clunk day tomorrow.

    Blood Donation:

             On Thursday; Donna, Peter F, Debbie, Jacqui and Jayne will all be going to give blood in Antrim. Unfortunately not all of us could make it this time around but will hopefully get next time.

Two quick quotes to get you all thinking...

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~Winston Churchill

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

~William Shakespeare

Have a great week!
Kerri McOscar

Guest Writer Scott

Today's blog has been written by the now 50 year old Scott Alexander, Head of Training and Development.

Elton reckons Madonna's career is finished. If he's right she can always apply to write our blog or clean out the chickens. But we won't be holding our breath, unlike when we clean out the chichens.

Barry is still away this week, having attended the Olympics last week. The consensus in the office is that the closing ceremony wasn't a patch on the opening one. Not that we're blaming Barry for that but someone should be held responsible for giving Victoria Beckham a bigger profile at the Games than David. At least we were spared any close-up of her 'singing'.

Scott will be in the office on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday he will be in Dublin to meet Marian Jennings, chair of this year’s Irish Annual Reviews of Employment Law; Niall Saul of Symbio HR and Patricia Slevin of Sanders Sidney O’Shea. On Thursday, Scott will be working from home in the morning and will be making a presentation on Mediation to Lawyers in the afternoon at the offices of O'Reilly Stewart. Scott will be working from home on Friday.

Jayne is in the office all week, except Friday, when she's on annual leave.

Heather will also be in Dublin this Wednesday to meet Niall Saul. In addition, she will be checking out possible event venues for 2013: Chartered Accountants' House; The Morgan Hotel; The Gibson Hotel

Ainsley is attending an Export Management Leadership Programme on Friday.

Everyone else is either in the office or off on holiday.

Guest Writer: Debbie

What a super weekend!!!


In the word of Spandau Ballet.............. Gold,

Always believe in your soul,

You've got the power to know,

You're indestructible……………………………..


Well done Team GB!!! Now for the movements of Team LI:

Heather will be in the office all week attending internal meetings, she has a brainstorming meeting this afternoon and tomorrow she will be meeting with Kerry to discuss this year’s Annual Review events.


Jayne will be in the office everyday this week except Wednesday as she has a Networking meeting in Belfast.


Ainsley will be in his usual internal meetings today, on Wednesday he will be meeting with John McKee from Linkubator and on Friday he will be attending day 2 of the Management and Leadership course.

Guest Writer – Peter G

“James Bond, the Queen and Mr Bean,” were just some of the names being mentioned around the office this morning, after what was an unforgettable opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. Danny Boyle’s production certainly set a high standard for the next couple of weeks; with Team GB gaining their first medals in cycling and swimming, we are hoping for some gold’s to roll in now.

Meanwhile, back on the ‘The Island’ we have our own celebration with Scott’s birthday. Unfortunately he is not here to celebrate with us, but we will keep him some cake.

In 2011 Legal-Island carried out an environmental and a biodiversity audit in partnership with Business in the Community. The audits revealed a number of areas where Legal-Island could make savings in relation to waste reduction inside and outside the organisation. Please see the news item on our website for further details.

Season 2 is moving along nicely in both NI and ROI, with lots of work going into this year’s Annual Reviews. This week’s movements are as follows:

Barry
Our CEO has an easy week ahead by his standards. Today, he has internal meetings pretty much all day. Tomorrow he's out of the office networking. On Wednesday he has a Senior Team meeting whilst on Thursday and Friday he's busy in our R&D department. Sunday and he's off to the Olympics again. Lucky him!

Jayne

Performance Reviews will take up most of Jayne’s week. She has a ST meeting on Wednesday and her final Common Purpose day is on Thursday at the City Hall.

Ainsley
Ainsley is starting the Management and Leadership Development Programme on Friday with John McKee from Linkubator, which will run for the next four Fridays. Apart from that he’s here all week.