The latest blogs from Catalyst’s experienced team of Trainers and Consultants. Themes include Lean Six Sigma Training and Consulting, Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
It’s estimated that as a nation, the UK will get through 208 million boxes of chocolates this Christmas. And we won’t be the only ones. Aside from giving and receiving chocolates as a gift, other chocolate traditions across the world include drinking a hot chocolate and peanut butter concoction as part of Noche Buena celebrations…
“Moments of Truth” are often a key focus when we review processes – those moments where customers interact with an organisation, through its process, that shape the customer experience and influence perceptions. An example of a Moment of Truth when going on holiday might be a query you have about the seats assigned on the…
The coronation on June 2nd 1953 symbolised the transference of regal power from King George VI to Princess Elizabeth II. As the first coronation to be televised, it was watched by 27 million people in the UK and millions more around the world. As changeovers go, this isn’t exemplary – the Queen had acceded…
It’s over! In this week’s finale we saw Harpreet get hired as Lord Sugar’s business partner, after a head-to-head between her dessert business ‘Oh So Yum’ and Kathryn’s online pyjama shop ‘Pyjamily’. The two finalists were tasked with developing a brand and ‘hero product’ for their businesses, along with a digital billboard and a TV…
In the penultimate episode of the series we saw the final four candidates go head to head with Lord Sugar’s “most trusted advisors” for one-to-one interviews. These featured a deep dive into each of the business plans and CVs, with many an omission, overestimation, white lie and out-and-out lie pointed out. Claude Littner was back,…
Week ten (ten!) saw the candidates tasked with creating a healthy new baby food, with branded packaging and a unique recipe, to pitch to two major retailers. The teams were mixed up, with Aaron heading up team Diverse and Harpreet leading Infinity. Harpreet reprieved her Gordon Ramsay role by knocking up a tasty salmon and…
The challenge set this week required the candidates to produce and host a “selling hour” on a TV shopping channel. Infinity was the winning team, managed by Brittany, who professed that it was her childhood dream to sell on TV. Akshay, who’d previously boasted that the “could sell a lion a cage”, managed team Diverse.…
This week the candidates were tasked with hosting a racing themed corporate away-day. Infinity was led by Harpreet who outlined her credentials at length. Indeed in this episode she outlined a lot of things at length, particularly in the kitchen, where she was likened to “Gordon Ramsey on speed”. Diverse was led by Stephanie who…
A cracking episode. The candidates were tasked with designing a brand of driverless vehicle (aka a Pod), hosting a launch event and pitching their pod to potential clients. Infinity was led by Akeem and Sophie led team Diverse. We saw many more illustrations of Akeem’s indecisiveness, several shots of Aaron’s worried face and further evidence…
In episode six the candidates enjoyed a trip to Wales to set up and run a bespoke guided tour. We learned that Wales has more sheep than people, witnessed some very enthusiastic cheese tasting, and got to see the actual zip wire enjoyed by famous celebrity Shane Richie! Bendigedig! (Welsh for wonderful). The teams were…