The daily reality
Every week feels full but the most important things are still unfinished.
The people who work in county cricket are genuinely committed. They care about the players, the community, the programmes and the club. That's not in question.
But the working environment is relentless. Coaching sessions, schools programmes, match days, community events, funding deadlines and last-minute changes all compete for the same limited time. And because the work matters so much, the easiest answer is to work longer.
“I know how to make things happen on the ground. I just need a better way to stay on top of everything.”
This isn't a commitment problem. It's the absence of a clear system for deciding what matters, protecting the time to do it and building a team that can share the load effectively.
Without that system, even the most dedicated people spend their days firefighting rather than progressing. The most important work gets pushed into evenings, weekends and the gaps that never quite appear.
Why cricket is different
Generic time management courses weren't built for a cricket calendar.
Seasonal peaks
Match days, holiday programmes and school terms create predictable pressure points. Without proactive planning, every peak becomes a crisis.
Complex team structures
Managing full-time staff, part-time coaches and volunteers simultaneously. Without clear delegation, everything defaults back to the same people.
Fast progression without training
People are promoted because they deliver well on the pitch or in the community, not because anyone taught them to prioritise, plan and lead others effectively.
Passion used as a substitute for systems
Commitment to cricket makes it easy to accept unsustainable working habits as simply part of the job. The best people burn out quietly and leave.
The programme
The LMI Effective Personal Productivity programme runs over seven 90-minute fortnightly workshops, flexible enough to work around the cricket calendar.
Step 1
What is productivity?
Understanding what productive work actually looks like, and why being constantly busy isn't the same as progressing the things that matter most.
Step 2
Managing time
Building personal goals and a weekly planning system that creates genuine control rather than constant catch-up.
Step 3
Controlling priorities
How to set and protect priorities, handle interruptions, manage competing demands and say no without damaging working relationships.
Step 4
Communicating better
Clearer communication within teams and with coaches, volunteers, partners and stakeholders. Less time lost to miscommunication and unclear expectations.
Step 5
Team empowerment
Overcoming the reluctance to delegate and developing the skills to build a team that takes genuine ownership rather than depending on one person.
Step 6
Team productivity
Creating a working environment where good habits compound and performance improves consistently, within and beyond the season.
In their own words
"Before, I was firefighting. Now, I'm planning — and progressing. This programme didn't just change how I work. It made me happier, personally and professionally."
"I'm still coaching, still training, still playing cricket, and I'm hitting my work targets too."
"Before the programme, I was exhausted after just six hours — not because I was overloaded, but because I wasn't organised."
"Learning to plan ahead and get everything out of my head has been game-changing. I feel more in control, more productive, and less stressed."
“Kudos to Middlesex in the Community for their ongoing commitment to, and investment in, their people.” — Ash Taylor
The investment
What's included and what it costs.
Your facilitator
Ash Taylor
Leadership coach · LMI Licensed Director · Founder, The Business Clubhouse
Ash has spent over 30 years coaching people through performance, pressure and change, first through sport, now through leadership and business. He understands the specific demands of working in a cricket environment: the seasonal pressures, the mix of staff and volunteers, the pace of change and the expectation that committed people will simply absorb whatever comes at them.
His approach is practical, honest and grounded in what actually changes behaviour over time. Not a generic training programme adapted for sport, but a facilitator who works specifically with people in cricket and understands what their working life actually looks like.
Ash is an LMI Licensed Director, working with county clubs, foundations and cricket organisations to help their people perform more consistently, lead more confidently and build working habits that last beyond the season.
For the organisation
What this means for your team.
Your people are committed, knowledgeable and passionate about cricket. But passion alone doesn't teach someone how to prioritise, plan, delegate or lead. When the structure's missing, committed people compensate with longer hours, and eventually burn out or leave.
Consistent delivery through the season
Staff who plan ahead deliver more consistently through seasonal peaks, without the firefighting that currently accompanies every fixture run or holiday programme.
Reduced burnout and better retention
Better systems and realistic planning protect the wellbeing of people who otherwise compensate with personal sacrifice. The people who care most are also the most at risk.
Stronger team leadership
People who learn to delegate properly stop being the bottleneck and start developing those around them, which multiplies the impact of your strongest staff.
Measurable return on investment
At Middlesex, one participant reported a financial return of £8,240 by the programme's halfway point. Development that creates measurable change is development worth investing in.
Common questions
Answered honestly.
Ready to get started?
Give your people the tools they need to perform at their best.
A short conversation with Ash is all it takes to find out whether this programme is the right fit for your team.
