Conflict Resolution Archives

Conflict Resolution · Equally Yours · Team building

Stop Racism in Sport: Why Intentional Cultural Shifts are the only way

Gratitude – a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you.

When we’re children, we’re taught to say thank you relentlessly, all of the time. As adults and in business, we probably don’t say it as much as we should. However, for 10 weeks last year, in a blue wave of gratitude, the nation came together every Thursday evening to show our appreciation of the NHS and all frontline workers. This is the latest of AKD Solutions claps for some of the fantastic organisations we work with.

Everywhere you go, there’s a Holiday Inn. It is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group and is one of the world’s largest hotel chains, so it clearly knows something about keeping guests happy.

Make our guests smile! That was a challenge Holiday Inn gave AKD Solutions as part of a European wide project. We were tasked with developing a learning programme themed around re-imagining hotels, how the space is used, the customer experience, etc. We were responsible for designing materials, which needed to resonate with millions of diverse guests from across Europe.

But let’s rewind first. We were actually latecomers to the project. When we were exhibiting at World of Learning at the NEC in Birmingham, Holiday Inn’s process of identifying a supplier was already underway. Fortuitously we met Liam Burditt and built up a great rapport. Subsequently, we were invited to join the bidding process for the project, and readers, we won!

It was an amazing opportunity. We were given free rein to be creative and try out new ideas, including designing a bespoke learning map and an app.

We would love to say that everything went smoothly. But as an organisation, we believe in transparency and in truth, there were some parts of the project we didn’t get right. And it is here that Holiday Inn stayed with us. Rather than walking away, they trusted us to turn things around. They maintained their faith in us, which enabled us to deliver.

That belief was really important and part of a vital learning experience for us as a company in terms of some of our systems, which are now far more robust. The fact that the client was gracious enough to work with us to turn it around was key. We thank you, Holiday Inn. 🙏🏽

We are always adding to our free leadership and management courses and demos, to spark brilliance by designing and delivering stimulating, challenging and fun learning experiences and training programs. Our ACE free online Leadership Workshops can be found here. Contact Us for a FREE demo on 0345 034 1105 or email info@akdsolutions.com

Conflict Resolution · Equally Yours · Organisation Development · Team building

Akin’s Marathon journey

We’ve been working with London Marathon Events (LME) for around 18 months, and it’s one of the most engaging and rewarding partnerships.

At AKD Solutions, we believe in developing deep relationships with our clients to understand what they do. So, our CEO, Akin Thomas, cheekily asked if he could come along on the day of the iconic race and get a sense of how things worked in the engine room. LME responded with a “yes,” but with a twist. “If you want to really understand, we’ll give you the unenviable role of being Hugh Brasher’s runner”.

This didn’t mean that Akin would be running the marathon; he would be there to support Race Director Hugh, throughout the process. Akin was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement when he heard the news, whilst colleagues were praying for him.

The day started in the pitch dark, at 5:30 AM, as Akin headed to the start line in Lewisham. Normally, the race is in April, so the ambience of those first hours was different from the usual experience.

Akin worked with Hugh throughout the day, sometimes struggling to keep up as Hugh can walk quickly! Akin tried hard not to lose him, though once or twice Hugh managed to give him the slip! But it was an incredibly moving day, feeling the anticipation of thousands and thousands of runners and seeing the support of hundreds of thousands of people along the route.

The complexity of the day cannot be overstated. What London Marathon Events do is truly incredible. The level of detail, the innumerable moving costs, the never-ending risks that are being managed. Enabling over 36,000 runners to take part in a COVID safe, mass participation event is truly mind blowing.

The THREE things Akin took away from this are:

1) The fact that a small core team can undertake such an iconic event is truly amazing. Very few organisations could successfully achieve what these guys do.

2) The London Marathon unifies people in a very special way. Millions of people have a personal connection with the marathon, whether you ran, you donated, you supported or you benefited from the efforts of a partcipant.

3) Akin stood just behind the finish and watched people crawling, falling and limping across that line. What struck him was the pain that people are willing to endure for something they believe in. He said, “That will never leave me”.

To the team at London Marathon Events, we salute and thank you for the privilege of enabling AKD Solutions to be part of the day. We know the plan is to make the marathon more diverse and a true reflection of London, and we look forward to partnering with you on this journey.

Photo by Akin Thomas

Conflict Resolution · Diversity and Inclusion · Team building

Stop Complaining!

Gratitude – a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you.

We all hope we have significant relationships, and one of AKD Solutions is with Leeds City Council. Today we are giving a shout out to the organisation as a whole but to one person in particular. So, stand up Judith Kasolo.

We have worked with Judith for around 13 years. During this time, we have designed and delivered complaints training for the City Council, Adult Social Care, and the independent sector.

We have a fantastic partnership with Leeds City Council, which, in our opinion, have one of the best approaches to complaints in their sector. Their approach to complaints is extraordinary because they have been real pioneers. They have worked with their partners in the NHS, creating joint information and a “one door” approach that makes it easier for people to complain.

The fact that they extend the training to their suppliers from the independent sector is also unique. Leeds City Council invests in training in a way we have not seen in any other organisation. But above all they have the most amazing mindset, which is infectious.

We have been doing a whole series of complaints based training, working with senior management and frontline staff. It is a great, long term, ongoing relationship. Leeds City Council’s commitment to the work and our partnership has been brilliant.

Alongside Judith, Sarah, Tina, and Dominic have been highly and consistently supportive. AKD Solutions relishes working with such a great bunch of people.

Conflict Resolution · Diversity and Inclusion · Organisation Development

The Story continues! by Ladi Ajayi

I recently travelled down to Wales to extend the #TellYourStory research work we’ve been doing into the impact of race and racism in sport. Last Autumn, UK Sport and the four home countries commissioned our team at AKD Solutions to deliver a lived experience report, which was published in June.

What’s interesting is that after we delivered our initial findings, Sport Wales didn’t just grasp the baton; they fully seized it! They immediately asked us to do some more extensive, in-depth work within Wales, looking at the networks and the individuals from diverse communities that make up the sporting landscape. Sport Wales wanted to listen and learn more from their sometimes harrowing experiences and dive deeper into understanding and addressing the issues at every level.

It’s been heartening that Sport Wales have leaned into this and truly want to make a difference. What is also very encouraging is the willingness of different individuals and organisations in Wales to trust in the process and embrace the opportunity to work with the national governing body to begin to make things better within their country.

I had a great time meeting different organisations and individuals, such as Newport based Asa Waite. He is a man who wears several different hats; as a community organiser, activist and someone who, most crucially, delivers. Asa is working diligently in this space to build equity and inclusion into Welsh sport. He runs a basketball club, which is dedicated to engaging with a whole host of different people, regardless of the level of basketball they bring to the court.

Asa also introduced me to some other people involved in activities that are making a powerful difference. The Sanctuary project in Newport, run by The Gap Wales, works exclusively with refugees. Project leader Mark Seymour, is doing exceptional work with this vulnerable group of people, many of whom have nothing and feel they have no place within the locations in which they are living. The project utilises sport as a vehicle to engage with and start conversations with refugees who have already suffered significant losses. The project has palpably transformed the lives of some of the participants. It has given them friendships, a community, confidence and enabled their talents to shine through.

As we advance, I hope that such individuals and groups, who are making great strides and positive differences across communities in Wales, receive the support and help they need to do even more. But more importantly, I want Sport Wales to look at those examples and utilise them to help create and bring the change necessary for sport in Wales to be equitable for people from diverse communities.

AKD Solutions has developed the ACE model that focuses on Allyship, Challenge, and Experimentation, to bring about significant organisational change. Here, I have to mention Richard Dando and Owen Burgess of Sport Wales. From the beginning of #TellYourStory, they have disrupted and challenged themselves.

Owen and Richard have been exemplars of the ACE model and have been willing to try things and experiment with us. They have been brave and encouraging in terms of their approaches, and this has been extraordinarily refreshing and led to a great working partnership.

‍Ladi Ajayi is Head of Sport at AKD Solutions

Main photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash‍

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Conflict Resolution · Diversity and Inclusion · Equally Yours

When Enough is Enough

“Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning the racist abuse aimed at Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy.

Despite manager Gareth Southgate immediately accepting responsibility for England’s loss, these three young players, who missed penalties, have been targeted on social media. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police is investigating the abuse and said, “it will not be tolerated.”

Will the abusers feel ashamed of themselves? Sadly, without actions to crack down on these racist keyboard warriors, nothing will change.

Just last month the UK’s five Sports Councils published #TellYourStory. Our report looking at the impact of race and racism on the sporting landscape. The Councils’ have acknowledged the deeply entrenched inequities at all levels of sport – from grassroots to elite – and have committed to a roadmap for change.

There is undoubtedly much work to be done, but we hope the future will be different.

Read and download the report here.

‍Main photo by jason charters on Unsplash

Conflict Resolution

Stop Racism in Sport: Why Intentional Cultural Shifts are the only way

Akin’s Marathon journey

Stop Complaining!

The Story continues! by Ladi Ajayi

When Enough is Enough

What we do