Mark Simpson, BA manager from Plusnet and Lisa Hudson, lead BA at Welcom Digital, both share their knowledge and expertise through their presentations at BABoss. The guest speaker presentations are subject to copyright ©

1. Welcome
#BABoss
@CorecomIT
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk

2. Schedule for this evening
● 6.00pm - Networking
● 6.30pm - Welcome and Introduction: Georgie Lynskey, Corecom Consulting
● 6.40pm – Raj Johal, Business Analysis Manager at Zenith Vehicles: “Building a BA Capability”
● 6.50pm – Mark Simpson, Head Of Business Analysis at Plusnet: “Quick wins for employee
retention”
● 7.00pm – Lisa Hudson, Lead Business Analyst at Welcom Digital: “How to free yourself from the
pressures of BA life”
● 7.10pm - Buffet and Refreshments
● 7.50pm - Group Discussions
● 8.30pm - Event close: Refreshments and networking

4. 44
RETENTION
Five Quick Wins to Retention
09/10/2018
PLUSNET INTERNAL

5. 55
Mark Simpson, Head of Business Analysis
Over ten years experience working in the BA
profession in finance, energy and telecoms.
• Fun
• Funky
• Fresh
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6. 66
To provide the BABOSS community five effective
tactics to help enable team retention based on a
personal work experiences
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7. 77
1. FLEXIBILITY
Where and if possible encourage flexible
working.
It instills trust with your team and helps with their
work life balance
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2. COMMUNICATION
Recognise it’s “Good-to talk” ensure regular meetings
are set up to share the Good, Bad and Fabulous news
of the team
PS - You can’t beat a good huddle
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3. IDENTITY
Where and if possible opportunities on the culture and
strength of your brand.
It creates the sense of belonging and identity.
It encourages team integration.
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4. RECOGNITION
Learn to embrace your leavers as a positive change
within your team but recognise and celebrate the
current greatness using the previous communications
In addition encourage team building and other activities
to encourage team integration
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5. CAKE
No literally - Let them have their cake and eat it.
Seriously though find some type of common reward
(motivator).
PLUSNET INTERNAL

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14. HOW TO FREE YOURSELF FROM THE PRESSURES OF BA LIFE
Lisa Hudson – Lead Business Analyst

15. How did I get
here? Do other
BAs feel the same?
l

16. Collaborative
working
Problem
solving
Using cross
sector
experience
Delving into the
detail
Using BA
Techniques
Writing
Requirements
Creating a
solution /
product
Able to analyse
any area of the
Business
Constantly
Learning
Autonomy &
Delegation
What we like about being BAs…
Intellectual
Challenge
Working with
different
Stakeholders
Getting things
done
Documenting
Processes &
Diagrams
Ability to shape
business direction
Making a difference
The variety of
tasks

17. Takes time to learn new subjects / industry knowledge
What we dislike about being BAs…
Poor
Management
Failing
Compromises
Difficult
Stakeholders
Disengaged
Colleagues
Organisational
Hierarchy
Internal Politics &
Governance
Mounds of Data &
Documentation to
trawl through
Blurred Lines of
Responsibility
Lack of Buy In / Time
for Stakeholder
involvement
Poor Scope & Req
Management from
PMs
Lack of Time for
Preparation
BA Role not valued &
understood
Lack of Technical
Knowledge
Lack of time to learn
new Subjects /
Industry knowledge
Lack of Time for
Quality

18. Tips on COMBATTING these issues..
✓ Prioritise and manage your time well, don’t
procrastinate!
✓ Work with people more effectively
✓ Improve your Technical Knowledge
✓ Look after you first
✓ Establish yourself as a solid BA professional

19. Prioritise and manage
your time well, don’t
procrastinate!

20. Prioritise and manage your time well, don’t procrastinate!

21. Prioritise and manage your time well, don’t procrastinate!

22. Work with people
more effectively

23. Work with people more effectively
Know your Stakeholders…?
What
irritates
them?
What drives
them?
What
pleases
them?
What do
they need &
why?
What to
watch out
for?
When are
they most
comfortable?
What are
their
Strengths?
What are their
Weaknesses?
How best to
communicate
with them?

24. Work with people more effectively

25. Improve your
Technical Knowledge

26. Improve your Technical Knowledge
Want to be more Technical?
Sadly, there is no magic formula!! … Time, effort and support are the
only things standing in your way

27. Improve your Technical Knowledge
Tips for improving your Technical knowledge

28. Look after you first

29. Look after you first
Take time for you, away from work
Being a BA can be a hugely rewarding, yet taxing experience. Look after
yourself first by finding ways to mentally switch off.

30. Look after you first
Use an App to help you relax..
Mindfulness
Anxiety
Meditation
Stress
Sleep
Worries

31. Look after you first
If you enjoy being a BA, a certain level of acceptance is
important..
?

32. Look after you first
If you aren’t enjoying being a BA, it may be time to have a rethink
Business Analyst
Traditional
BA?
Technical
BA?
BA
Manager?
Agile
BA?
PERMANENT? CONTRACT?

33. Consider other related roles..
Other?
Product
Consultant?
Business
Architect?
Software
Developer?
Project
Manager?
Solution
Architect?
Business
Change
Analyst?
Business
Systems
Analyst?
Data /
Interface
Analyst?
Look after you first

34. Establish yourself as a
solid BA professional

35. Establish yourself as a solid BA professional

36. Takes time to learn new subjects / industry knowledge
Survey suggestions for coping with the pressures of BA life…

37. Key Takeaway messages:
✔ When you are feeling despondent and unappreciated -> You’re not alone, update your CV
✔ Remain professional in the face of adversity! -> Keep showing up, keep smiling!
✔ If you like your BA role but you’re not happy… -> Lean into a similar role
✔ Have a career plan -> Ramp up your networking
✔ Take some time back for you -> Leave work early for once!
✔ Make time for fun -> Do one thing for you each day
✔ Love your job, love you more -> Prioritise yourself and your wellbeing
✔ Listen to your body, what is it telling you? -> Address any issues!
✔ Use the many available resources to relax your mind -> Try some relaxation apps ........
✔ Most importantly, nobody ever died wishing they spent
more time in the office!
-> Be kind to yourself ☺

38. Thank you

39. Buffet and Refreshments
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk

40. Group Discussions
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk

41. www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Discussion 1:
“What are the best ways to develop junior BA’s?”

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Discussion 2:
“How does the BA ensure value is delivered in a
budget driven project / programme?”

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Discussion 3:
“With the term Business Analysis now covering a wide
range of skills / role expectations, how do you
approach recruitment?”

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Discussion 4:
“How do you manage the challenge of third parties and
customers, with different needs, working together?”

50. Thank you
#BABoss
@CorecomIT
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk