Lockdown business book launched by leadership experts

A group of 10 local CIPD leadership consultants and one lawyer have come together over lockdown to write and publish ‘Good Work Good Business’ to help companies thrive in a rapidly-evolving post-COVID world.

The book, available now on Amazon with all proceeds going to The Trussell Trust, draws upon decades of experience in business transformation and change and is the sequel to the authors’ book ‘the Future of Work.’

The authors, many of whom are yet to meet in person, include Michelle Bailey, people and employment expert and Chair of Thames Valley Branch CIPD, and Julie Taylor, Partner at Gardner Leader law firm, which has offices across Berkshire and London.

The 11 writers saw Covid as a catalyst to re-evaluate new ways of working in a Covid world. All over video link, they researched and wrote ‘Good Work Good Business’ together, from the content right down to the cover design.

The book is packed with practical advice and tips, new ideas, and well-researched best practice to enhance business performance and ‘build back better’ in a post-Covid world. Authors span a range of topics, from employee engagement and wellbeing to flexible working and employee contracts. Every aspect of great leadership is examined from building trust, handling conflict and managing difficult conversations.

Julie Taylor, Partner at Gardner Leader law firm said: “The project has been hugely exciting, and it’s been great to work with such an experienced and knowledgeable group of business leaders.”

“Producing this book was an invaluable distraction and source of support through the pandemic,” added Michelle Bailey at the Thames Valley CIPD branch: “It shows that people can use new, innovative ways of working to foster team spirit and collaboration and achieve great things, despite the challenges of not being able to meet and remote working.”

“The real challenge was the motivation to keep going. We all hit a pain point at some point and needed the help and support of others in the group to keep going, write the chapter, edit it, finish it and then publish it: ”commented one of the authors, Heather Mills from DuckSoup HR.

Dr. Wilson Wong, Head of Insight & Futures at CIPD said: “I applaud the spirit of the CIPD Thames Valley consultant community in responding so creatively and productively in a time of crisis. The chapters reflect a wealth of life experience and professional practice and a generosity of heart. I look forward to reading all the chapters to learn, and to share that learning in turn.”

‘Good Work Good Business’ is now available Amazon as an ebook and paperback. All proceeds from booksales will go to The Trussell Trust https://www.trusselltrust.org/, which supports a nationwide network of food banks, provides emergency food and support to people locked in poverty and campaigns for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.