RICHARD Cox, manager at the Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge, has introduced a new training course at the hotel, based on his own experience as a single dad with two children.

The course, entitled Time for Business -Time for Self, is a self-help course based on proven time management methods used by Richard in everyday life.

The idea was born when Richard was asked how he managed to divide his time between running a busy hotel, raising two children, working with a colleague on another business, playing and coaching cricket, teaching youngsters music and singing in the choir at Ripon Cathedral.

He said: "You must have priorities, and in my case the priority is my two lovely children. But arrangements for their well-being in place, and time for them planned and followed through, help to set the tone for other things.

"The other important factor is an understanding boss, who is willing to take a flexible approach to hours worked. This is clearly the case at the Crown, and it is partly thanks to owner Richard Stables' support that my personal time management can be seen in this way."

The course will provide an opportunity to share ideas with other busy people, as the hotel takes steps to offer Richard's expertise to corporate guests. Available as a 'one-to-one' coaching session, or as a seminar to groups of delegates, the idea brings a fresh and practical start to management.

Richard said: "If the service is a success, and the hotel is busier as a result, time involved will be good investment."