Information Centre

Training specialist, Illumine, has found that its speed reading courses are not only helping to improve delegates’ reading speeds but also helping them overcome the stress of ‘information overwhelm’.
Although most of the literature on reading speed suggests that an average reading speed is between 240 and 250 words per minute (wpm), individuals attending Illumine’s first [...]

Information overwhelm is a growing problem. People are struggling to cope with all the information that’s overloading them today, making mistakes, forgetting things and losing sight of what’s important.
Information overwhelm is when the quantity of information we receive exceeds our capacity to deal effectively with it. This situation arises most obviously when people are trying [...]

Firstly get control of the ‘task’ – a rapid browse of the whole paper to see what is in it helps enormously. The browse should be no more than 2 seconds per page – looking for stories of interest, understanding how much space is devoted to main stories. You are simply trying to understand what [...]

We all know how to think and learn, right? Not according to Clive Lewis, Director of Illumine, the training company that specialises in thinking, learning and creativity.
Being able to think, learn and work effectively used to be regarded as ‘nice to haves’. This perspective was often combined with the view that our ability to learn, [...]

Why is engagement so important at work? Because it inspires others to follow your lead. But you can’t engage other people unless you are engaged yourself. Here Anthony Landale looks at how you can bring your best to your business in 2009.
What state of mind do your colleagues typically bring to work? Are they full [...]

Arguably the No.1 management skill is to be able to engage, motivate and inspire people at work. Achieve that small matter and both great performance and outstanding results are inevitable; fail in this area and you will notice how quickly talent and knowledge leave the organisation. So how can managers develop this essential skill?

Don’t be defensive minded; use smart thinking to underpin your career success. In this article we highlight five essential skills which can help you to stay on the front foot.

There is a temptation when people are under pressure to come to the conclusion that if only they were clear about their priorities, if only they learned to distinguish the urgent from the important and if only they practised saying ‘No’ more assertively, all their struggles would be over.
But for many of us time management isn’t [...]

A new book by Clive Lewis promises to help you become an Extraordinary Reader and eliminate information overload, for good. Here Anthony Landale reports on a new reading strategy that will get you the knowledge you need, fast. 
 
“We have met the enemy and he is us” is the evocative title of a new report into [...]

… if you spend 40% of your day reading (reports, email, journals, books for qualifications etc) and you double your reading speed – you save a day a week… just think if you trebled your reading speed!

Most of us start learning to read when we are very young. We also stop learning to read when we are very young! Which is fine if your lessons taught you how to read quickly and assimilate information efficiently. It is fine if your lessons got you into the habit of setting out your objectives [...]

It may never be the new rock and roll but for many people professional study is probably more important.
Of course many of us are required to study – and to keep on studying. CPD, for example, is here to stay and is mandatory in most professional membership bodies. Furthermore, if you are working in a [...]

Accelerated learning (AL) provides executives with a range of rapid response tools. Here Clive Lewis outlines what these are and why they are so important.
So you are familiar with accelerated learning (AL). Good for you. But take note; if you are a trainer or a training manager the issue isn’t about how AL can help [...]

There is a lot of discussion about the need for all organisations to equip managers and staff at all levels to be able to continue to learn and develop throughout their careers and lives. Here Clive Lewis, Director of the training and consultancy company, Illumine Limited, which specialises in learning, thinking and creativity, explains why [...]

Why do we need to speed read? Aren’t we under enough pressure at work already?
If this is your premise then think again. Speed reading is not about forcing you to work harder. On the contrary, by enabling you to triple your reading speed, it is much more about helping you to handle your time [...]

Speed reading is an area of corporate training which Tony Buzan has just handed over to Illumine Training. Here Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine, highlights why it is such a valuable skill for business executives to learn.
Why do we need to speed read? Aren’t we under enough pressure at work already? 
If this is your premise [...]

In this article Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine, highlights why speed reading is so valuable in business.
Why do we need to speed read? Aren’t we under enough pressure at work already? 
If this is your premise then think again. Speed reading is not about forcing you to work harder. On the contrary, by enabling you to triple your [...]

Is the pressure of information overload getting to you? Join the club. Here Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine Training, argues that mental agility is your best hope for survival. 
It’s like a tidal wave coming right at you. It’s coming via text, email, reports, messages, policies and guidelines. It’s coming at speed from every direction and [...]

The RAF has been using accelerated learning (AL) as part of its strategy to help aircrew and technical staff review, digest and retain critical information. Anthony Landale reports on a pragmatic approach to learning.
Some people are still suspicious of accelerated learning (AL). But why? At the RAF they have been using AL for over [...]

The page-a-second course for those who need to read at speed.
By John Crace
Tuesday May 27, 2003
The Guardian 
Let’s assume that you’re going to bother to get to the end of this article. How long will it take? If you’re an average reader, plodding along at about 220 words per minute, you’ll still be with me in [...]