Purple Patch Blog / Communication

The Restaurant

Helen Flint, Learning and Development Director takes a look into the BBC's 'The Restaurant'.

Continue reading Comments (3) 8 December 2009

The age of digital communication

Helen Flint discusses the impact of today's technology on our interpersonal skills.

Continue reading Comments (3) 13 October 2009

Sales through service

Helen Flint - Business Development Director

Over the past few years we've noticed an increased demand for the bespoke customer service programmes that we offer our clients. It seems that people who previously felt they didn't need to bother to make much of an effort with their clients are now either having to start making a serious effort or lose business - literally.

Every time we open a paper or switch on the news, the media are continually painting a very dim and gloomy picture out there. Therefore people are looking for experiences that are going to lighten not weigh down their load. If you're a customer facing business or individual, this is your opportunity to shine and ultimately generate business. There's plenty of research and evidence that highlights how a positive outlook is more likely to result in positive outcomes.

Continue reading Comments (5) 14 July 2009

'It's not what you know it's who you know'

Consummate networker Jane Sunley on The Gentle Art of Networking

The benefits of networking are many, and never more so than in challenging times. You might be looking for some help, development or a sounding board, a professional mentor. Or maybe you're recruiting and want to meet potential candidates. Maybe the boot is on the other foot and you're looking to meet potential employers. You might be sharing 'war stories' and find your organisation has great synergy with another. Maybe you're looking to build a brand - for your organisation of for 'brand you', promoting what you do increasing awareness; public relations.

Continue reading Comments (5) 27 May 2009

All Spit and not a lot of Polish

Helen Flint - Business Development Director

The Apprentice always makes for compelling viewing, great entertainment value and an insight into the vagaries of human (or not so human) behaviour. Having worked in hospitality for a number of years, I was very much looking forward to the episode about catering services. I was more than intrigued to see how the new apprentices would deal with the challenge set; which, on the face of it, turned out to be rather badly!

Hopefully the challenge demonstrated that throwing an event and producing a few sandwiches or canapes, isn't quite as easy you might think. Both teams certainly made a meal of it (no pun intended).

Continue reading Comments (1) 20 April 2009