Little Crowds is a little company based in Cambridge, England. It's run by Tracy Wilkinson who decided her years of experience in events management could be put to better use than simply organising gatherings. Read more...
When we reach for a jar of jam or packet of fish fingers we have absolutely no idea of the complex food distribution machine that has got those products onto the shelf. But if only we knew, we could learn a lot about managing our businesses in a smarter way.
ASDA’s distribution centre at Bedford is one component of one of the most sophisticated such machines in the world. And we’re inviting you to experience how things work, first hand, behind the scenes of a temperature controlled warehouse the size of several football pitches.
Within seconds, you will be amazed at the degree to which every single part of the process is created and monitored with scientific accuracy. You will see, first hand, how ASDA makes it as easy as possible for everyone to work at the top of their game. You will observe how respect for colleagues and recognition of success is inherent in the ASDA culture. And you will witness a restless intention to make things continually better - even when something is working perfectly.
Clive Bowen, ASDA’s professional facilitator will take you on a forty five minute tour, including a visit to a vast -18 degree centigrade fridge, directing your observation and answering your questions.
Following this, our creative director Philip Morley will work informally with you and your fellow visitors to review the learning experience and equip you with a series of actions to take back to your workplace.
We expect this Knowledge Matchmaking session to be very popular so we urge you to book immediately.
Who should attend?
Anyone who is interested in running a business more efficiently, using finite resources in a smarter way, measuring progress against targets, improving productivity and motivating a committed workforce. You don’t have to be a big business - these lessons will have an application regardless of the size of the organisation.
Come and see for yourself on Wednesday 5th June at 2pm.
For more details about the afternoon, what to wear, directions, timings, the programme and to book your place please visit: here.
Do you want to peep into the world of a successful golf professional to learn about their approach - that works for them - and apply it to your work?
Here is your chance.
This is a business learning opportunity with an unusual expert in an unlikely place and all you need it an open mind.
And because it’s in an odd place and you are observing this sportsman talk about and demonstrate his expertise, you’re likely to recall the learning more easily, for a longer time.
We are gathering on Friday 10th May at The Golf Academy, Cambridge Golf and Conference Centre, near Huntingdon from 2 - 5 pm.
This is what people had to say last time we ran this session:
“The principle of energy flow and focusing on the target are all great business lessons.”
“One golf shot - what is it for me?”
“Ian has so much credibility. He is prepared to try and fail and then analyse in tiny detail to learn.”
“Visualisation works.”
To find out more or book your place: http://knowledgematchmaking.eventbrite.co.uk/
If you didn’t make it to the Knowledge Matchmaking pilot, here’s the key learning in one page for you to download.
“I loved it. It is completely up my street.”
This is what Caroline Robinson of Sandler Training Cambridge thought of our Knowledge Matchmaking session at the end of March. She was amongst a Little Crowd that gathered to learn commercial lessons from Ian, the PGA Professional at The Golf Academy, Hemingford Abbots.
The learning outcomes were plentiful and include the value of intense analysis of your business so that goals can be clarified. With clear goals, success can be visualised and truly focused on.
A summary is available here about this session but there is nothing quite like the magic of attending one in person. For more details about this and forthcoming events, please visit our Facebook page or join our group on Linked In called Little Crowds.
Little Crowds has been appointed by Milton Keynes based Think Industries to co-ordinate its 90 Minute Clinics. 90 Minute Clinics have been adopted by Network Rail, Volac International, The Met Office, Pizza Hut Delivery, Maersk and many other well-known brands as a way of using creative techniques to crack problems and innovate in a fraction of the time it would normally take.
Coming soon - on video. Tracy from Little Crowds reveals the big idea behind Knowledge Matchmaking and how she sees the idea developing over time.
Knowledge Matchmaking Pilot. On Thursday 21st March, golf pro and business mentor Ian Cochrane kicked off our Knowledge Matchmaking sessions by showing a Little Crowd what can be learned from the way a good golfer takes a shot. Business strategy and planning. Prioritising efforts. Taking effective action. All were covered. Sadly, this Pilot was by invitation only and numbers were limited. But you’ll be able to download a PDF of the knowledge outcomes from this site soon - and you can book for the next Knowledge Matchmaking Little Crowd.
Learning about what people actually want in a product from…spaghetti sauce. Wonderful video featuring Malcolm Gladwell on TED.
Lessons learned in the NHS from the car production line. By observing the re-stocking procedures on a car production line, one UK hospital revolutionised its linen cupboard. Now, nurses spend approximately one hour per day extra looking after patients, rather than picking their way through confusing baskets and shelves of overflowing sheets, towels and pillowcases. PDF download of this story coming soon.
A great example of Knowledge Matchmaking, without us having to take you to Stansted, Gatwick or Heathrow.
Coming soon: learn about efficiency and productivity by examining how food is prepared in a busy sandwich shop.
