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...