Articles and News

Sensory memory and short-term memory work in cooperation in order to help the brain store information for later recall. When information is first received by means of one of the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell), it is retained for a very brief period of time in the sensory registers. The amount of [...]

Is mind mapping a serious business tool? Anthony Landale reports on a technique that is easy to use across a range of business requirements, challenges and tasks.

Being interested in a subject is a key to learning it quickly.  This is because the human brain takes in vast amounts of information but chooses to retain only select parts of it.  We tell our brains what parts to retain by paying much closer attention to those types of information.  Simply having a true [...]

Most people know the frustration that comes from being unable to recall information seen or heard in the recent past. This familiar experience is a result of the human brain’s ability to store some kinds of data effectively, making it available for recall later, and discard other kinds of data. It may seem inconvenient that [...]

We learn new things every day – at home and at work. Have you ever wondered if you are maximising the way you think and learn?
Most of us think that our ability to learn, read quickly, be creative, and solve problems is fixed. We learned these skills years ago but realise that the qualifications, strengths and skills with which we entered employment [...]

You know that information is more freely available than ever before. But all this information from all these sources can confuse and overload… Clive Lewis, author of ‘The Extraordinary Reader’ and Director of Illumine, gives us some tips on how to read faster and remember more.
 Did you know that a staggering 80% of executives occasionally or often suffer [...]

Impressed by those people who always remember everything? Those that can recall conversations, statistics, detailed information or events at just the ‘drop of a hat’? Isn’t it amazing when they can accurately recite a quote or who, when asked, remember precise facts and figures.

You can also become a master of memory!
Think of the business and studying benefits and the time [...]

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 [...]

A brilliant memory can transform your impact at work and further your career. Here Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine Training explains how.
Most people are hugely impressed by those who have the ability to recall events, statistics or detailed information at just the right moment. People who can accurately recite a quote or who, when asked, [...]

Parallel Process - Is mind mapping a serious business tool? Anthony Landale reports on a technique that is easy to use across a range of business requirements, challenges and tasks.

If you are one of those people who still takes notes in meetings, or you use notes as an aide memoir for training, for course revision or [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine Training, explains how to become a master of memory.
Most people are hugely impressed by those who have the ability to recall events, statistics or detailed information at just the right moment. People who can accurately recite a quote or who, when asked, remember precise facts and figures.
But how do you [...]

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 [...]

Don’t panic. Map out a new strategy to free up your memory in eight steps. Louise Etheridge reports
If you were thinking of calling NHS Direct to make an appointment for a brain extension to cope with the avalanche of information you need to remember for your finals, put down that phone. There is another way. [...]

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 [...]

Too much focus in accelerated learning (AL) has been on how it enhances the training experience. Here Clive Lewis argues that the pressing need is for business users to start applying AL techniques to the everyday challenges they face.
So you are familiar with accelerated learning (AL), or at least some key elements of it.  [...]

Mental agility is the new watchword for staff at the Common Services Agency. Here Anthony Landale reports on a new training initiative that is helping staff to deal with the practical problems of information overload.
Mental agility training at CSA helps staff to navigate rapid change
Ratcheting up the pressure on staff never works for long. But [...]

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 [...]