Managers see Sir Richard Branson as a great business coach - but don't rate Lord Alan Sugar

Lord Alan Sugar has been crowned the UK's nightmare career coach in a poll by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), released to mark the launch of its 'Perform at Your Peak' professional...

Zizzi launches customer experience management system to train staff on diners' needs

Zizzi, an Italian restaurant chain with 115 locations in the UK, is focusing on getting closer to its customers with the introduction of a customer experience management (CEM) programme from...

Asda to train 25,000 apprentices by 2012

Supermarket chain Asda is to offer 6,000 apprenticeships by the end of this year and up to 25,000 by the end of 2012, giving thousands of young people the chance to gain an accredited qualification.

Sky launches training academy for software developers

Sky has announced the launch of a new training academy for 50 UK software developers in order to best serve its customers with the newest innovations when it comes to its increasingly popular apps and...

Employers dissatisfied with the levels of training of graduates and school leavers

Employers are concerned with the basic skills levels of school and college leavers, the CBI / EDI annual Education & Skills Survey 2011 revealed today.

Public sector forced to defend its training and staff development methods

HR directors in the public sector have come under new scrutiny – and have been forced to defend their training methods – following research showing employers in small businesses are reluctant to hire...

Employers remain committed to learning and development investment

Most business will continue to invest in learning and development into 2011, according to a survey from leadership training provider Ken Blanchard Companies.

FT launches non-exec certification

The Financial Times has launched the first professional qualification for non-executive directors (NEDs).

Chinese restaurant chain embarks on customer experience management initiative

Ping Pong, a chain of dim sum restaurants, is focusing on delivering an exceptional customer experience and developing staff morale by employing a customer experience management (CEM) programme.

Who is to blame for dwindling learning and development budgets?

The CIPD has found in a recent survey that 43% of organisations have decreased funding for learning & development with a further 42% anticipating further reductions and only 10% looking to increase...

HR must foster retention by learning and development initiatives, says report

Business growth is driving a need for in-house recruiters and senior HR professionals to steer learning and development, according to recruitment firm Badenoch & Clark's Talent Spotlight report,...

Skills development: vital for a happier, healthier and more engaged workforce

While skills development has not traditionally been regarded as part of the health and wellness agenda, the relationship between learning and development and employee physical and mental health is...