Pictured: Naturally Concerned's Rob Ball with Tammy Williams at the US book launch

A leadership book written by the founder of a Birmingham human resources consultancy which ploughs all of its profits into charities to conserve wildlife in Africa has been launched in the United States. The book is aimed at helping managers and leaders get the most out of their people.

Rob Ball of Rednal-based Naturally Concerned launched "Potency of People - A Little Book of Leadership Hints" in the UK earlier this year. The book gives advice based on the principle that a business or organisation can only succeed with the efforts of the people who work for it.

Now managers and leaders in North America can buy the book, following a launch in Oklahoma.

Rob Ball has co-written the book with American life and business coach Tammy Williams, with contributions from his daughter and fellow director Natalie Ball.

Naturally Concerned was set up in 2008 by personnel and management expert Rob, who previously held HR director positions at GKN and before that at MG Rover. He established the company in memory of his wife Alison who died from a brain tumour.

All profits from Naturally Concerned go to Alison's favourite wildlife charities. She was passionate about animal conservation in Africa and travelled there often.

Rob Ball said the book - deliberately designed to fit into a pocket - offered HR and management advice on a wide range of issues including leadership, employee development, training, recruitment, handling difficult situations, listening skills and motivation. 

He said, "The issues tackled by the book over-ride national boundaries. The problems that arise from poor leadership are as much in evidence in the States as anywhere else. Since the book has an American co-author, launching over there was a natural next step."

He added, "At Naturally Concerned we operate with a more ethical edge than many consultancies and the book reflects that. Our starting point is the firm belief that businesses should treat their employees and partners in a principled and moral way, and that those values should hold firm, even when a company is under economic and financial pressures.

"If managers and leaders do those things, then they will get the best out of their people. Work becomes an enjoyable experience and the business benefits from the contribution of its workforce. People can deliver pretty much everything a business wants, but if leaders and managers behave badly, they can equally deliver nothing." 

"Potency of People - A Little Book of Leadership Hints" is available from Amazon, or from Naturally Concerned at www.naturallyconcerned.com.

Rob Ball is a former director and head of HR development at MG Rover. He was made redundant when the company collapsed in 2005 and soon after was appointed HR director with GKN Autostructures. He left there to set up Naturally Concerned following his wife's death in 2008.

Tammy Williams is a Master of Liberal Studies and Bachelor of Business Administration and has spent the last 10 years working for the State of Oklahoma as a specialist in change leadership.

Natalie Ball - a professional actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic - is a co-director in Naturally Concerned and creates training programmes based on role play.