Cultural differences at work - SceneChange hosts a forum theatre event at the Norwegian British Chamber of Commerce to highlight cultural differences between Norway and the UK  

This tailor-made event for the NBCC was a lively and light-hearted introduction to the forum theatre format using gender equality in the workplace as a theme.  

“It was a great interactive experience where we were able to participate and vocalise our thoughts”  

This month, Norway set a new global record. It now has, at 40%, the highest proportion of female non-executive directors in the world, an achievement engineered by the introduction of a compulsory quota. Before the law became compulsory 7% of board members in Norway were female. In Britain, women fill only 14.5% of non-executive board positions and 25% of the FTSE 100 boards still has no women at all.  

Find out more about forum theatre and how it can be used here.

NEW: Do you know where your career is heading? Set your own agenda and join our new programme; Coaching Squared – The power of two.

Coaching Squared is a pioneering public and private-sector partnership programme designed to boost the confidence and career prospects of women managers through a self-help programme. The pilot scheme was launched by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ministry of Justice (former DCA) in 2006 and SceneChange is proud to develop and expand this exciting new concept.

The nine month programme is designed for candidates of the same level to meet and select a coaching partner within another organisation, public or private, to offer guidance and support for the advancement of their careers. It is an opportunity to exchange views in a safe environment without the fear of exposing personal issues within their own company. It is about encouragement, unleashing talent and fulfilling future potential.

Learn more about Coaching Squared and read the recent Daily Telegraph interview with Mary Shaw from MoJ and Tina Hallett from PwC who developed the programme.

England Team blighted by injury - How do you tackle poor performance and sick absence in your company?

England boss, Steve McClaren is bogged down by player injury and qualification to the European Cup is now in jeopardy. He has seen Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham amongst other senior players walk to the wings. How do you handle key staff absence and how do you manage them upon return to work?

Employee absence is a significant cost to 90 per cent of businesses according to recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The Disability Employers Act of 1995 states that employers must make "reasonable adjustments" for employees returning to work after long term sick absence.

Are you and your staff aware of how issues surrounding sick absence affect the morale and performance of your team and the individual alike? Scene Change uses Forum Theatre to highlight these issues and will generate awareness and discussion around this topic. To find out more go to case study on MS sufferer.

140 Million in CITB-ConstructionSkills Grants help firms train their work-force. Are you investing enough to develop your business?

The grants exist to ensure the long-term growth and development of the industry, by means of a dedicated scheme to pay for the costs of training and development. Grants are available for:

• Conferences and seminars
• Courses designed for, or attended by, more than 30 people
• Courses designed and provided for safety representatives

On the job there’s only one chance to get it right, creative training allows your staff to make their mistakes and learn from them. Your staff and managers should be confident to handle any crisis, safely and productively.

Our bespoke role-play and forum theatre events will help your staff explore different ways to manage authentic on-site situations within a safe and controlled environment.

Big Brother contestant apologises for racially offensive word - Is inappropriate behaviour happening in your company?

In scenes broadcast showing the Bristol drama student being told to leave the Channel 4 show, she said she had not meant the word in an offensive way. The 19 year old, said the word was "a friendly term" where she came from.

A Channel 4 boss defended the decision to show her using the word, saying it was "very important that people don't just hear about it". He continued, "This was an important issue that was raised, we were showing the complete unacceptability of the word used,"

Scene Change forum theatre events highlight behaviour issues, generate discussion and stimulate change. Learn more