Pictured above: Ray Taylor, Reach Beyond
The first of a new series of workshops designed to help business
owners or leaders work with less stress is set to take place in
Derby next month.
Ray Taylor, of Ashbourne-based Reach Beyond, who focuses on
helping people to deliver the best results for their business and
themselves, has organised the workshops.
Ray is a business development consultant with 20 years
experience in a range of sectors, mainly retail, leisure and
professional services. His expertise also includes 15 years
studying and working in complementary health, both as a teacher and
practitioner.
He says: "It's important for people working in organisations to
enjoy what they are doing and feel that they adding value to the
business."
He is also aware of how important it is to tackles stress,
whether at home or at work, because of how it can lead to more
serious illness for an individual, and a knock-on effect in the
workplace.
The Health and Safety Executive points out that in 2007-8 an
estimated 442,000 people believed they were experiencing
work-related stress at a level that was making them ill, according
to the Labour Force Survey.
Estimates from the LFS indicate that self-reported work-related
stress, depression or anxiety accounted for an estimated 13.5
million lost working days in Britain in 2007/08.
"There's a fresh impetus now for businesses and their employees
to say goodbye to stress because it's costing them and the economy
big time compared to the cost of dealing with it," said Ray.
"Everybody is feeling the pressure because of the current
situation and that is manifesting itself in stress which is having
an effect on business performance, productivity, and morale."
But Ray says that by taking the strain out of their working day
people can react differently and feel less stressed.
The first workshop will show practical ways about what gets
people stressed, how to reduce stress in the body through good
posture and breathing, and help people feel focussed and confident
to deal with awkward situations.
It has been developed with business health adviser Wendy
Johnson, of Healthy by Design and will take place at
Allestree Golf Club in Allestree Park on Wednesday August 5.
Other workshops will be held across the East Midlands.
Additionally, Ray will also later be giving free talks on dealing
with stress. People interested should e-mail him at ray@reachbeyond.com or call 07971 687832.