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Motivational and International Keynote Speaker Jay Allen

x2 Global Award Winner

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4 Step Business improvement process

7th December 2015 By Jay Allen

The demand to improve your business continues to increase as expectations change, new technologies emerge and competition grows. An effective way to establish continual improvement within your organisation is to conduct regular Business process improvements (BPI)

Business processes can be informal or formal and touch a variety of company functions: information technology, employee development and training, customer service satisfaction, etc. Regardless of the process you are trying to enhance, the improvement procedure follows a similar path. Today we will cover the four steps in the business process improvement cycle.

1) Identify the Need for Change: The first step in the BPI process is to identify the need for change. A useful way to discover improvement opportunities is by conducting a process audit. The audit will identify current issues or potential risks for your company. From the audit report you will be able to prioritize your areas for business improvement. At this stage, you should also review how each process impacts your organization, resources and stakeholders (employees, customers, students, partners, suppliers, etc.).

2) Analyze Current Process: Once you have decided which process you are going to improve you need analyze the current procedure. This way you can fully understand the process from A-Z and set realistic improvement objectives. Regardless of the tool you choose for analysis (process mapping, operational surveys, cause/effect analysis, etc.)  you should consider the following questions:

  • What in the process is broken?
  • Which steps in the process create roadblocks?
  • Which step requires the most time to complete?
  • Which step causes the most delays?
  • Are there any steps that cause costs/resources to go up?
  • Are there any steps that cause quality to go down?

3) Obtain Commitment and Support: The third step in the process is to solicit senior management commitment. This is possibly the single-most important element in the process as the success of the project hinges on managerial support. At this stage you need to clearly present the necessity for change and how it impacts the organization. It is crucial that management understands the need for change to ensure they will support recommendations. As process improvement can be time and resource intensive upper-management support is a must.

4) Create Improvement Strategy: With the process analysis phase completed you need to develop your strategy. It is recommended that you include what steps in the process are broken, why and how they should be improved and any financial and resource implications. Answering how the process can be improved is a springboard to create your improvement objectives. It is recommended that you set realistic and measurable objectives that align with your overall strategic goals.

So how robust is your current system? You need to have the assurance that if ANYONE or EVERYONE didn’t show up tomorrow, a brand-new team could follow a series of instructions and the wheels of commerce would keep on turning!

We use an online based system named Touchstone to facilitate all our systems and processes, you can visit them to see more by clicking here: Touchstone

The Secret Art of Hiring Super Heroes!

30th November 2015 By Jay Allen

Did a valuable employee just leave and you need to replace them quickly? Or perhaps you just signed a large client and need to increase resources or add a new skill set quickly? Most hiring decisions aren’t part of a master plan, they are often immediate, unplanned hiring scenarios where new employees are added because of short term pains rather than long-term stability.

Yet, the catch is that, when growing a creative team, a long-term vision to staffing is paramount. Through evaluating different successful creative cultures, as well as the not-so-successful ones, there are several important attributes (or superpowers) that seem to make a great team even greater. These attributes can exist regardless of role or seniority. Combined together, they make for a powerful, well-balanced, and effective culture that is:

  • drama free and enjoyable
  • easily able to avoid or mitigate speed bumps
  • free of unhealthy attitudes that often position the client and other departments as the enemy rather than partner and advocate

Miss any one of the following attributes and you’ll see the difference between a team that simply does their job and one that is passionate about their job:

1. The Cheerleader

Is your team a cohesive unit, one that is energetic and an enjoyable place to work? If not, then you need the cheerleader.

The cheerleader is the driving energy in the room, engaging the team, keeping everyone creative and excited about their jobs while simultaneously increasing morale. As a social butterfly, the cheerleader has the innate ability to bring a team together in conversation and collaboration. They provoke a level of interaction that other personality types might feel awkward or uncomfortable initiating.

The challenge, however, is in hiring the right cheerleader, as many can be too perky or too much of a “class clown” type. The ideal cheerleader is someone with an authentic passion and love for both life and their work; they are also often the extroverted talker within your team.

2. The Industry Activist

Does your team work in isolation with little knowledge of what is going on culturally and in the creative industry overall? If so, then you need the industry activist.

The industry activist enjoys staying up-to-date with all the latest industry news through social media and subscriptions to industry publications. It is their priority to keep track and inform their team of industry events, popular creative trends, and up-and-coming creatives and creative firms. The industry activist understands the importance of ensuring that their team’s work is relevant in the ever-changing environment of the industry.

Without the industry activist, a team sacrifices a significant source of inspiration and their work can appear dated. The ideal industry activist is someone that is well-read, and curious.

3. The Emotional Quarterback

Do the personalities of specific individuals on your team or the latest internal drama easily influence your team’s culture? If so, then you need an emotional quarterback.

The emotional quarterback diffuses and manages the drama often associated with managing creative personalities. They help to minimize internal politics and conflicts within a team by serving as mediators and therapists for right-brained creatives whose actions are sometimes driven heavily by passion for their vision.

Without the emotional quarterback, internal dramas can overwhelm and deeply hurt a team’s overall ability to function cohesively. Often, diffusing this drama is the responsibility of the team leader who may be without the necessary patience and skill set to manage the drama appropriately. The emotional quarterback is the staff member that is truly genuine, patient, approachable, rational, and empathetic and is comfortable with providing emotional support and feedback.

4. The Enforcer

Is your team full of people-pleasers who often take on more than they can chew or allow clients to take advantage of them? Then you need an enforcer.

The enforcer serves as the backbone of a team and keeps everyone in check. They are comfortable making tough decisions and enforcing policies and processes to the benefit of the entire team, even if it’s a challenging conversation, the end result is more painless and honest relationships. They play the role of the “bad guy” without being divisive or abrasive. The enforcer is critical to both upholding standard operating procedures and maintaining successful employee and client relationships.

Without someone that is comfortable being an enforcer, clients and other departments or staff may take advantage of others on the team. Depending on the size of a creative team, the enforcer may be a dedicated role (typically in the producer, studio, or project management role) or simply a superpower that is required of those that interface with clients or manage staff members.

5. The Political Navigator

Do you work within a highly political, hierarchical, or siloed environment?  Do you have trouble avoiding decisions by committee? If so, then you need a political navigator.

The political navigator bridges the gap between corporate or clients and creative. The political navigator understands, is accepting of, and can handle company or client politics and hierarchy. They possess the unique ability to balance the goals of the team with those of the client. They build strong internal advocacy for their team at the highest level because they are not intimidated by interacting with more complex organizational structures and love the challenge it poses.

Teams without a political navigator often blame the client for all their challenges. But, adding someone onto your team that has a political navigator superpower will enable your team to better manage and mitigate corporate/client politics in a way that is much healthier and far less adversarial.

Isn’t it time we spoke about the Super Hero’s within YOUR company, and how to recruit, retain, and reward them!

Jay@JayAllen.uk 

The Importance of Clear Business Objectives

23rd November 2015 By Jay Allen

Setting effective objectives to guide your team and organisation is very important for a leader to get right. Badly formulated objectives will steer an organisation in the wrong direction.

  1. Sort out the difference between objectives and aims, goals and/or targets before you start. Aims and goals relate to your aspirations, objectives are your battle-plan. Set as many objectives as you need for success.
  2. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.
  3. Don’t try to use that order M-A/R-S-T is often the best way to write objectives.
  4. Measurable is the most important consideration. You will know that you’ve achieved your objective, because here is the evidence. I will know too! Make sure you state how you will record your success.
  5. Achievable is linked to measurable. Usually, there’s no point in starting a job you know you can’t finish, or one where you can’t tell if or when you’ve finished it. How can I decide if it’s achievable?
    • You know it is measurable.
    • Others have done it successfully (before you, or somewhere else.)
    • It’s theoretically possible (i.e. clearly not ‘not achievable’.)
    • You have the necessary resources, or at least a realistic chance of getting them.
    • You’ve assessed the limitations.
  6. If it’s achievable, it may not be realistic. If it isn’t realistic, it’s not achievable. You need to know:
    • Who’s going to do it?
    • Do they have (or can they get) the skills to do a good job?
    • Where’s the money coming from?
    • Who carries the can?

    Realistic is about human resources, time, money, opportunity.

  7. The main reason it’s achievable, but not realistic is that it’s not a high priority. Often something else needs to be done first, before you’ll succeed. If so, set up two (or more) objectives in priority order.
  8. The devil is in the specific detail. You will know your objective is specific enough if:
    • Everyone who’s involved knows that it includes them specifically.
    • Everyone involved can understand it.
    • Your objective is free from jargon.
    • You’ve defined all your terms.
    • You’ve used only appropriate language.
  9. Timely means setting deadlines. You must include one, otherwise your objective isn’t measurable. But your deadlines must be realistic, or the task isn’t achievable. T must be M, and R, and S without these your objective can’t be top-priority.
  10. It is worth this effort! You’ll know you’ve done your job well, and so will others

Isn’t it time we reviewed your Business Objectives, you’ll be amazed what we can find! – Jay@JayAllen.uk

Influence 2015

4th August 2015 By Jay Allen

I’m really excited to be invited as Keynote Speaker at Influence 2015, The only influential marketing event available to switched-on owner-managed business owners and marketing managers in the UK.

Influence 2015, will expose you to some of the best marketing minds in the country. What’s more, you’ll be able to tap into their catalogue of expertise and walk away with a clear and confident plan of action.

Designed for Owner-Managed Businesses and Marketing Managers, seeking to shape up their marketing for 2015 and beyond.  Staying competitive and seen!

Influence 2015 will cover a wide range of topics from:

  • Data Collection and what to do with it,
  • Niching your business,
  • Clarity of your Message and much more.

You’ll leave the conference with key strategies you can apply immediately to your business.

You’ll receive your own workbook designed to help you work through each session. Enabling you to pinpoint the crucial elements that you can apply to your own 2015 marketing strategy. Making a great source of reference and perfect to keep as part of your ongoing marketing toolkit.  This structure will ensure you can start implementing what you’ve learnt immediately.

Only 120 delegates can take part in the most inspirational, yet highly exclusive marketing conference of the year!

Included in your ticket price:

  • Lunch and Refreshments throughout the day – network opportunities with other delegates.
  • Access to the business exhibition stands – ask the experts!
  • Workbook – with exercises from each speaker, keeping your notes in one place!
  • Goodie Bag – with valuable vouchers and giveaways to support you during 2015 and beyond!
  • Business Related Raffle Prizes – all money received will be donated to charity
  • FREE All day Parking
  • FREE Wi-Fi

Why not join me and the other speakers for a day of significant Influence.

Do Awards Really Matter?

3rd August 2015 By Jay Allen

In 2012, I was nominated by a client for a Global Entrepreneurs Awards. I was extremely flattered, but did little about it. Some weeks later, I was informed the nomination had been successful and I’d won a ‘Big Impact to Business’ award.

Over the coming weeks and months enquiries were up, social media interaction was up, sales were up, everything became much easier with a third party endorsement. I immediately went on the offensive and proactively MARKETED the award winner EVERYWHERE!

This proven so successful at marketing my winning status, I was contacted by the Global organisers of the awards to share with others my own experiences on the impact this award had had for me and my business! (I went on to win a further ‘Big Impact to Business’ for this speech in 2013!)

Having visited many business premises recently, I’ve noticed the growing amount of Awards on display, especially ‘Growing Business’ and ‘National Business’ Awards.

There are many ways in which being nominated, shortlisted and winning can have a positive impact on you and the future of your business

Here are but a few:

  • Differentiation. As each business strives to achieve stand out in an increasingly difficult and changing market, awards set a company apart from competitors and differentiates the quality of its achievements from others.
  • Visibility. Awards can make you and your products/services more visible. They can attract new customers and potential investors by giving an organisation an edge over its competitors.
  • Validate. Awards speak volumes about a business and services and provide third party endorsement of your achievements. Being nominated or shortlisted can be helpful because it places you at the forefront of your genre and industry.
  • Testimonials. Being shortlisted or wining an award serves as testament to a company’s work ethic, dedication and unique specialty. The award attracts further custom from area’s you may not have initially considered who will be more likely to consider a company for work over another if it has won an award. It also serves to reinforcing the loyalty of existing customers.
  • There are also the undisputed facts: 63% increase in operating income and 39% growth in sales when compared to non-winners.

Consider the benefits and the positive impact awards can have on employees, existing customers, prospects and the company itself, it can be hugely important to make submission for awards a critical part of your current and future marketing strategy.

A recent study compared the financial performance of 120 award winning companies across Europe of a similar size and operating in the same industries.  The financial performance was tracked over 11 years.  The study found that the award winning companies showed improvements in financial performance just one year after winning the award.

Three years after receiving an award, the 120 winning companies outperformed the comparison companies by an average of 17% for sales and 36% share value.  During the final year, the performance was tracked, the award winning companies experienced even greater increases with sales growing by an average of 77% more and operating income by 18% more.

[Source: University of Leicester for the British Quality Foundation and the European Foundation for Quality Management]

Ironically since first writing this article, ‘Battlefield2Boardroom’ has also won a National Publishers ‘Innovations’ Award! so I guess it’s all about revisiting the PR team again and practicing what I preach!

As an International keynote speaker, having won 2 Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business’ Awards as such, I am available to provide Keynote speeches, masterclasses, workshops, presentations. Simply email Jay@JayAllen.uk or call +44 1094 599067 to chat about how we can deleiver an AWARD WINNING presentation to your audience, and help you towards an industry award!

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Our Most Popular FAQ's

About Speaking (2)

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What is a Keynote Speech?

According to Wikipedia, a keynote in public speaking is a talk that establishes the main underlying theme.

In corporate or commercial settings, greater importance is attached to the delivery of a keynote speech or keynote address because the keynote establishes the framework for the training that follows.

Duration

Most keynote addresses are 45 minutes to 90 minutes long (although there is no rule limiting it to a certain duration). In a relatively short period of time, the keynote speaker has to establish rapport, educate, entertain the audience, and leave them wanting more.

A keynote is also meant to inspire the attendees to want to be at the event and stay there from start to finish. It should also give them a “Call to Action” to want to learn, interact, and bring home tools from the event that can improve sales, overcome negativity, or help them do their everyday duties better.

Depth

The keynote speaker must know their subject inside and out, and be able to offer insights or possible actions that are easy to understand and hard to forget. This is often accomplished with humour, personal stories, or unusual accomplishments.

Most attendees are looking for a “black belt” in a subject from the keynote speaker, someone that’s been there and done it, rather than simply read up and recited it!  They should be able to incorporate your event theme, terminology and have a working knowledge of the work they perform and the challenges and obstacles they face.

Jay Allen – Opening Keynote

As your opening keynote, I take the time to research the audience.  That I am relevant, fun, and energising. That energy is then carried on by the other participants throughout the rest of the conference.

From the moment I enter stage, I get the audience engaged, they are ready to hear my message and any message to follow. I emotionally charge the audience on the premise: “They will not remember what you did or said, they remember how you make them feel.”

You can count on me to set the stage for the rest of your event, and start your event with laughter, much to think about, and make this event, one of the most memorable this audience have ever attended.

Jay Allen – Closing Speaker

As a closing keynote speaker, I work to incorporate the event theme.  Reference significant points  during the event and much more into this captivating close.

One of the main goals in a closing keynote, is to provide the audience with a revitalised “Call To Action” they take back with them and implement straight away.  Invite me to keynote if you want your event to end on a high, with everyone energised and driven to achieve YOUR objectives.

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I’ve just been tasked with finding a speaker, I’ve never done this before, what should I do?

OK, first—relax.

First determine your event audience, budget, date, and location. Only then will it be time to start researching speakers, either directly or through a speaker bureau, but either way, they will guide you through the process.

As a professional keynote speaker, our mission is to ensure your conference leaves the RIGHT lasting impression, and you the hero, by providing world-class resources and exceptional service (with some fun thrown in along the way).

Have you yet downloaded my Guide to planning a Successful Event?  It’s free, there’s no hidden agenda, simply a desire to ensure you’ve got everything covered.

You might also wish to book a call?

Again, NO hidden agenda, on more occasions than not, I’ll recommend at least 3-4 other speakers to every enquiry, based on my extensive knowledge of the speaker industry and the many speakers within it.

During the call I’ll help you to identify your exact needs. Only then can I help you find not only the right speaker on any given subject…but the best speaker for the event for your audience.

Selecting a speaker is a daunting process and choosing the right person from the thousands who claim to be amazing can seem impossible. Clearly knowledge and understanding of who’s who is key.

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About Jay (2)

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What are your credentials?

A little snippet of some of my achievements:

I originally qualified as a social worker before joining the British Army.

I served my country as a Rapid Deployment Advanced Trauma Medic, serving in military combat all over the world whilst supporting specialist front line deployment regiments.

Since leaving the service (Medical discharge) I have worked at boardroom / advisor level with 2 of the UK’s largest high street chains.  I have also worked at both Regional and National level with a Public Sector and Third Sector organisation

Moving from Employee to Employer, I have either bought, acquired or set up 4 of my own successful businesses, as well as co-founder 2 others.

I became a professionally published author in 2015, and again in 2017

I currently sit as Executive Strategy Lead for a CIC, Non Exec Board for a management Consortium, Chair of Trustee’s for a UK registered charity and Ambassador for another.

Becoming a professional speaker in 2011, and an international speaker (winning my first global speaking award) in 2013.

and finally, I am most humbled to have been added to the UK ‘Clear Business Thinking’ Power 100 in 2017.

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Who have you worked with?

Whilst my client list is extensive, there are some with whom I have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, and so not possible to list.

However, here is a flavour of some clients with whom I have previously worked:

  • National Health Service
  • Ministry of Defence
  • National Housing Federation
  • Care Quality Commission
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
  • Chartered Management Institute
  • Chartered Institute of Marketing
  • Institute of Directors
  • British Chamber of Commerce
  • Federation of Small Businesses
  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Smith & Williamson
  • Triform Group
  • Know IT
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About Jay - On stage (2)

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How many people does Jay speak to at events?

From 1 people to 10,001 in a single audience, as long as they can see and hear that’s fine.

I have spoken at local, regional, national and international events globally. Presented for groups of over 10,000 people and spoken for small retreats working with small groups and one-on-one coaching.

I am equally comfortable at being both opening or closing keynote, a general session or break out session speaker, and spoken at corporate away days, training events, client reward conferences, awards ceremonies and after dinner engagements across the UK and extensively oversea’s.

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Can I audio or video record the presentation?

Some speakers do allow recording at no additional charge. Some do not wish to be recorded at all, and others agree to for an extra fee.

It is important to make your requests known in advance, prior to booking the speaker. Photography, filming or marketing should be discussed and agreed with the Speaker, so that all requests are included and agreed within the contract.

To remain transparent, my policy is that video/photography is accepted for internal non-commercial use, on the proviso I also get a copy of all footage prior to any editing. I very much support the use of video/photography for the promotion of the event, and happily provide a bespoke promotional video for clients shortly after booking has been confirmed.

However, having worked extremely hard to create content specifically for each audience, I take great pride in my work, as like yourselves have a business brand to protect.  Therefore, I have an ongoing commercial relationship with a specialist Intellectual Property Law firm, with whom provides a legal framework around the content I deliver. I therefore, do not agreed to any unauthorised recording of my presentation or the commercial use of such footage however gained without prior consent.

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About BOOKING Jay (2)

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Do you charge travel expenses?

For UK engagements quoted in British Pounds Sterling (UK engagements) expenses are included with the investment quoted.

For Non UK engagements quoted in ANY other currency, expenses are NOT included with the speaker investment but clearly shown separately within every quote. These will include Air/Ground transportation and are charged at cost only.

View my RATE CARD for my current requested investment to attend and present at your next event.

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Can we film you?

I would be delighted if you want to film the event, and strongly encourage this, if we both agree to the following conditions.

  1. You can make (and publish internally) videos of most of my presentations.
  2. However, this should NOT to be shared either outside the company (publicly) or commercially (for a fee).

This is to maintain a sense of exclusivity for other paying customers. I also respectfully request that ANY filming is shared with me, in its RAW uncut, unedited version.

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Testimonials

Kenneth Leach said…

I loved the definition of what an entrepreneur is, and made me consider if I’m an Entrepreneur or a Business Owner!  There was SO much great stuff Jay shared, I’m going to mull on that and not be as concerned about how people perceive me. I thoroughly recommend Jay to anyone looking to SCALE their business.

Managing Director

Liam Fitzmorris said…

I’ve heard some speakers in my time, and Jay was up there with the best

In all my years attending workshops, webinars, conferences and the likes, I can count on one hand the amount of speakers I’ve hard that have captivated an entire audience from start to finish. That takes some doing, and Jay did it seamlessly.

Events Director

Martyn Weller said…

Jay’s unique presentations draw on his military experience and relate them back to the business situations we all face daily with exceptional clarity and a strong motivational call to action.

Area Manager, Cultural Brands Ltd

MOD said…

Allen is as motivating on stage and he was motivated to succeed within my Regiment. He has intrinsically linked the success we shared in Bosnia & Kosovo, with the success he is now demonstrating within his own business. Having recently presented his ‘Battlefield2Boardroom’ speech to both Junior Officers & Senior Non-Commissioned Officers as part of a resettlement conference, his understanding and humorous interpretation of transferable and non-transferable skills was the highlight of the entire event – Well done

Assistant Chief of Staff (Health)

George Anderson said…

Jay is a gifted speaker and presenter whom I have had the pleasure to hear on several occasions, and I can recommend him with confidence.

Chairman, WPA Healthcare
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