There is an old joke where two hikers are stuck up a tree, having been chased up there by a bear. One starts to put on his running shoes from his rucksack, only to be laughed at by his friend who tells him there is no way he can outrun a bear. “I don’t need to outrun a bear,” he replies. “I just need to outrun you.” This is the mindset of FGP, we don’t profess to be able to change the market conditions but we do know we can help young adults put themselves at a greater percentage chance of success against their competition. Three key barriers are likely to deny a young graduate sucess in landing that preferred role, three bears that they need to outrun.
Soft skills knowledge
The Open University recently reported that, when asked, 54% of leaders felt there had been a decline in soft skills in new workers. The skills referred to, around communication, teamwork, time management, responsiveness, trust and robust activity completion, are commented on by teams and managers as the areas where they feel gaps exist.
Generational misunderstandings
The Open University recently reported that, when asked, 54% of leaders felt there had been a decline in soft skills in new workers. The skills referred to, around communication, teamwork, time management, responsiveness, trust and robust activity completion, are commented on by teams and managers as the areas where they feel gaps exist.
Disruptive market conditions
Data reported from the US, by the Burning Glass Institute, suggests over a half of college graduates are unemployed a year after leaving. The Higher Education Statistics Agency, here in the UK, also reported that a third of graduates have failed to land a graduate role half a year after completing their course. Alongside this the echoes of the pandemic continue to be felt, both inside company culture but also across the macro-economy as a whole. And AI, whether a false dawn or the next major revolution, continues to muddy the waters as it is considered again and again ready to replace the activities traditionally completed by entry level graduates.
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We empower rather than instruct.
We listen rather than lecture.
We guide rather than tether.
Doom and gloom? Give up, buy a tractor and go and live off the land in the Scottish Highlands? Fun though it might be, we don’t think that’s the way forward. Without doubt, and without any attempt to sugar the pill, it’s tough for all. But tough is a game of percentages and the more someone empowers themselves then the more they increase their percentage chance of success, the more they get to outrun the bear. The secret lies in marginal gains, the incremental human capabilities needed to enhance your own ability in key areas and in doing so elevate your position with relation to the competition. Focus Grow Progress delivers this in way that draws upon the way in which Gen-Z learn best. Ours is not a wall of powerpoint presentations, videos and online reading. Nor is it endless tirades from old people telling young people what they need to do to make old people happy in the workplace. It is, instead, a multi-platform, structured learning programme that gives young adults the opportunity to learn, to discuss and to work alongside their peers and also to use time with mentors – young and old – to be guided to a place of understanding.
Delivered over twelve weeks, each week in the first section draws on a single theme and within that three different windows open for learning and consideration. After this, the programme evolves from one of instruction and guidance to interaction and practise as we ensure key elements are sticky and practised within a safe environment where feedback can be shared constructively. This iterative learning stye is based upon methodologies used across leading business schools MBA programmes. Beyond that, each participant is welcomed for three years into our community which then offers regular Growth Booster webinars, access to our bank of mentors, a community of current and past participants and online learnings. Call it hand holding, call it instructed guidance but our ways work.
Week
01
The Ever Evolving Workplace
How we got to where we are today
02
The Bank of Trust
And what to do to keep it in credit
03
Building Your Personal Brand – Part One
The foundations
04
Putting first things first
The power of focus and prioritization
05
The Personalities of Life
Using difference to your advantage
06
Building Your Personal Brand – Part Two
Using what you are to be what you want to be
07
Working Across the Generations
How we all see the same thing slightly differently
08
Social media and networking
Making sure the world sees the right you
09
Putting plans into action
Networking and getting momentum in your plan
10
Tips & Tricks One
Resume writing, active listening and questioning
11
Tips & Tricks Two
Dealing with rejection, handling offers, making choices
12
Dealing with rejection, handling offers, making choices
Presenting the plan and setting the timelines