The Casual Observer

18/07/2025

The Casual Observer is launching Fortitude Academy, our After School Coding Club.

No screens, no pressure — just hands-on, brains-on activities that make coding fun, creative, and completely accessible for 8–10 year olds. From secret codes to Rubik’s Cubes, process design to Python, we’re building skills and confidence one puzzle at a time.

Check out our website for more information and to make a booking. https://www.thecasualobserver.info/42-academy/

05/05/2025

Just finished a digital skills course with a brilliant group of learners — all of them factory shopfloor workers, most of them absolute beginners when it came to computers.
We covered the usual suspects: MS Word, Excel, a little PowerPoint, creating folders, saving files (and then finding them again, which is the real trick), and generally getting comfortable with a keyboard that wasn't attached to a forklift.
But here's the thing I was reminded of — again. No two groups are the same. No two learners are the same. Learning is gloriously, frustratingly, inspiringly individual.
And yet, in training and education, we love a good one-size-fits-all solution. A scheme of work here, a glossy coursebook there. It's tidy. Predictable. Just like learning isn't.
This course nudged me back to a truth I’ve always suspected and often practiced (sometimes to the quiet, but mostly to the quite loud concern of department heads): the best prep is being ready to abandon the plan when the people in front of you need something else. The plan is fine — it’s a sturdy map. But you still need to be the one driving - and for most people learning is not a long stretch of straight road but a winding Alpine serpentine or the tangled street network of a big city - without a SatNav.
Maybe that's why I've always been seen as the “rogue one” — never quite on script, never quite in sync with the Schemes of Work. But perhaps that’s what makes it work. I pack and deliver like UPS trucks. The boxes aren’t always square, but the contents hit home.
Anyway, this post isn’t about rebellion. It's about people. And how learning — real, human learning — never fits neatly in a box. Unlike, say, a printer, but even a printer in a box needs a protective packaging insert.

16/01/2025

A new course coming soon. Want to guess what it is about? 😉

04/01/2025

Are you looking for your first job? Or do you want to change your career?
Apply now for a fully funded course with Nottingham Trent University and Ashfield District Council through the Enterprising Ashfield project.

Immerse yourself in your training scenario: you are working in the office of a prestige Italian car manufacturer's UK dealership. Learn how to be an effective administrator, pick up new skills, and develop excellent organisation skills.

And if that wasn't enough, you can take part in a virtual driving experience too!

From Monday 3 Feb to Wednesday 5 Feb 2025 Summit Centre, Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Click the link to apply:
https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/short-courses/enterprising-ashfield/administration-skills-for-new-professionals

03/10/2024

New date for the Administration Skills for New Professionals course have been announced: Monday 3- Wednesday 5 February 2025.
Learn about CRM, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, using AI in the workplace and more.
If you live or work in or you may be eligible for a free course!
Click here for more info:

Unleash your administrative potential with our comprehensive 3-day course. Dive into real-world scenarios set in the bustling office of an Italian prestige car manufacturer's UK dealership. From mastering written communication to harnessing the power of data management and visualization, this course...

21/08/2024

I wish all my morning commutes were like this: sun's out, roof down and traffic like what you can see in car commercials (i.e. not much).

It was a blast to deliver my Destination: Success team building workshop ( https://www.thecasualobserver.info/our-training-menu?pgid=krxlavji-753ab4b5-f870-42a1-ab2e-042792d5dbf7 ) for the leadership team at Carbon Black Ltd in my home town of Nyiregyháza, Hungary.
It was great to work together with so many experienced and practical minds, challenge them, push them and see the sparks in their eyes while they were working towards a solution.

Round of applause for the Carbon Black team!

And a massive thank you to Joe S. Muller for lending me his prized vintage convertible automobile.

27/05/2024

Unleash Unparalleled Team Potential: Reimagine Training with The Casual Observer!

Are your teams ready to break through limitations and achieve greatness? It's time to reimagine training with our innovative approach.

We create unparalleled training experiences that:
- Leave the communication skills of a Babel fish standing
- Spark lightning-fast adaptation in your employers that will leave a chameleon green with envy
- Fuel problem-solving brilliance in your teams that surpasses any large language model (ChatGPT for you, Luddites, we have a training course for you on generative AI at a reasonable price, wink-wink)
- Forge leadership skills that would have inspired Julius Caesar

P.S. Forget it, just check our website, www.thecasualobserver.info for all the good stuff we can do for you.

19/04/2024

We have just finished teaching "Administration Skills for New Professionals" with the Enterprising Ashfield project! Loved seeing newbe professionals develop their skills - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams, and our intro to "AI in the office" was a big hit! The future of office administration is smart!

19/03/2024

Upskilling Your Team: Let’s eff, the ineffable!
Face it, traditional training can be about as exciting as watching paint dry. You know that moment in the afternoon, nearing the time of the afternoon tea break, when you’re struggling to keep your eyes open. And you have boring biscuits to dunk into your tea, too.

Here at The Casual Observer, we believe your team deserves better. We're the curious (and casual) observers in the corner, taking a look at how to develop your team’s communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and leadership skills – all delivered with a healthy dose of wit (and none of the dreaded PowerPoint snooze-fest). Think of us as your training Sherpas, but with a penchant for witty repartee and a touch of the unexpected.

We're not your average Joe (or Jane) when it comes to training. Here's what sets us apart:

Immersive, Scenario-Based Training: Ditch the monotonous lectures and dive into engaging scenarios. We worked with the best, helping the British Armed Forces to prepare for deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. We use a similar approach, only less Improvised Explosive Device, and more Impactful, Engaging and Dramatic learning.

AI for the Astute: We're not just about buzzwords and hype. We stay at the forefront of AI developments, specifically for startups, SMEs, and the education sector. We help you understand how AI can be a powerful teammate, not a sci-fi overlord from a dystopian future.

Custom-Designed Courses for the Discerning Mind: From software and process training to anything life throws your company’s way, we can create a course to your specific needs. We are the Saville Row of the training world, ensuring a perfect fit for your team's challenges.

So, if you're looking to ditch the dull training routines, then look no further! Contact The Casual Observer today and let's embark on a training adventure that's both effective and, dare we say, enjoyable.

We cover the whole of the UK and most of continental Europe. We're also committed to minimizing our environmental impact and aim to travel green whenever possible. When that's not feasible, we'll offset the carbon footprint of our travel. At our own cost!!! Because we care.

We are not going to put a link to our website here. You know how to find us!

16/03/2024

Calling All Bold Leaders: Blast Off to Success with "News Just In!"

Ready to propel your communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills to light speed?

"News Just In" is a training program unlike any other. It throws you headfirst into a simulated crisis – but not just any crisis! This one unfolds on an alian planet, where your company's operations are on the fritz.
This interstellar adventure will transform you into a leader ready to conquer any challenge. Buckle up and prepare to:
Sharpen your communication skills. Bridge communication gaps, deliver crystal-clear instructions, and foster active listening – even under immense pressure.
Master the art of problem-solving. Develop creative solutions to overcome unexpected obstacles and adapt to situations that change faster than a meteor shower.
Strengthen your leadership skills. Hone your decision-making abilities, inspire and motivate your team, and navigate conflict like a seasoned diplomat.

"News Just In" is more than training, it's an immersive experience. It pushes you to the edge and equips you with the skills to lead your team to success, no matter what galaxy you find yourself in.

Ready to embark on this exciting mission?

Learn more and register today! https://www.thecasualobserver.info/our-training-menu?pgid=krxlavji-a1b48fe6-c947-46cd-b055-ff0db126f615

Imagine finding yourself on an alien planet where your company's operations aren't going as planned. "News just in" improves communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, emphasising the importance of teamwork, problem solving and leadership skills. Through a simulated crisis on a foreign p...

15/03/2024

Unleash Your Leadership Potential: A Transformational Journey

Calling all ambitious leaders! Are you ready to elevate your leadership and unlock the full potential within yourself and your team?

The Casual Observer's leadership training program, "And one last thing..." (a nod to Steve Jobs) is designed to transform ambitious leaders. This isn't your average course – it's a journey of self-discovery, goal mastery, and team optimization.
Embark on a path of self-awareness: Gain deep insights into your leadership strengths and identify areas for through facilitated reflection exercises.
Master the art of : Define clear, measurable that drive both individual and .
Learn to your team: Unlock their by fostering and .
Ready to embark on this exciting adventure?
Learn more and register today!

Taking leadership to new heights, this training encourages self-reflection, goal-setting, and bringing out the best in teams. Geared towards higher middle management and top management. Embark on a transformational journey: - Self-discovery: Gain deeper insights into your leadership strengths and ar...