--- title: "Article: Marginal gains" description: An article on marginal gains by a training, assessment & development provider serving innovative & growth orientated businesses across the UK image: https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/1%20on%20red%20background%20for%20an%20artic.webp --- [![Penguin Leaning Logo](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp?width=169&height=60&name=Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp "Penguin Leaning Logo")](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/) [![Penguin Leaning Logo](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp?width=169&height=60&name=Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp "Penguin Leaning Logo")](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/) - ABOUT US - [About](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/about) - [How We Work](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/how-we-work) - [See Us In Action](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/see-us-in-action) - SERVICES - [All Services](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/services) - [DISC Training For Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-training-for-teams) - [DISC Training For Managers](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-training-for-managers) - [DISC Model Personality Types](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-model-personality-types) - [Behavioural Assessment](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/behavioural-assessment) - [Management Development](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/development-management) - [Training Consultancy](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/training-consultancy) - OUR SOLUTIONS - [DISC Workshop](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/company-wide-disc-workshop) - [Transition to Management](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/transition-to-management) - [Developing High Performing Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/developing-high-performing-teams) - [Building Effective Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/building-effective-teams-workshop) - [Courses For Customer Service Development](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/courses-for-customer-service-development) - RESOURCES - [Contact](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/contact) - [Blog](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn) More results [![Book A Discovery Meeting](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/26242804/interactive-253615566050.png)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIngLOyHrjTzcNl%2BIWdb1VS44z0rLc5OLgzHzY4KLcZK0KFjEJNmMOLiRRKPMZnteIfJ%2BayP7elCS71qbRZW9sU976EhGIiuOc%2FjYK%2FB1ru1G6Ayb1lXXs0SPDWTu%2BWEU%2BPLHbz3qCQH33SJ51q5tU3d%2F9wxR1VmyYXIg6ySqBZGZl%2F9YnA2rqHIik%2BfpUKETIddIfYRF00oTKCREnu7Bny0BhFylRfsue%2Biw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=253615566050&portalId=26242804) [![Book A Discovery Meeting](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/26242804/interactive-253615566050.png)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIngLOyHrjTzcNl%2BIWdb1VS44z0rLc5OLgzHzY4KLcZK0KFjEJNmMOLiRRKPMZnteIfJ%2BayP7elCS71qbRZW9sU976EhGIiuOc%2FjYK%2FB1ru1G6Ayb1lXXs0SPDWTu%2BWEU%2BPLHbz3qCQH33SJ51q5tU3d%2F9wxR1VmyYXIg6ySqBZGZl%2F9YnA2rqHIik%2BfpUKETIddIfYRF00oTKCREnu7Bny0BhFylRfsue%2Biw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=253615566050&portalId=26242804) [![Book A Discovery Meeting](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/26242804/interactive-253615566050.png)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIngLOyHrjTzcNl%2BIWdb1VS44z0rLc5OLgzHzY4KLcZK0KFjEJNmMOLiRRKPMZnteIfJ%2BayP7elCS71qbRZW9sU976EhGIiuOc%2FjYK%2FB1ru1G6Ayb1lXXs0SPDWTu%2BWEU%2BPLHbz3qCQH33SJ51q5tU3d%2F9wxR1VmyYXIg6ySqBZGZl%2F9YnA2rqHIik%2BfpUKETIddIfYRF00oTKCREnu7Bny0BhFylRfsue%2Biw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=253615566050&portalId=26242804) - ABOUT US - [About](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/about) - [How We Work](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/how-we-work) - [See Us In Action](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/see-us-in-action) - SERVICES - [All Services](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/services) - [DISC Training For Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-training-for-teams) - [DISC Training For Managers](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-training-for-managers) - [DISC Model Personality Types](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disc-model-personality-types) - [Behavioural Assessment](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/behavioural-assessment) - [Management Development](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/development-management) - [Training Consultancy](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/training-consultancy) - OUR SOLUTIONS - [DISC Workshop](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/company-wide-disc-workshop) - [Transition to Management](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/transition-to-management) - [Developing High Performing Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/developing-high-performing-teams) - [Building Effective Teams](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/building-effective-teams-workshop) - [Courses For Customer Service Development](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/courses-for-customer-service-development) - RESOURCES - [Contact](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/contact) - [Blog](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn) [![Book A Discovery Meeting](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/26242804/interactive-253615566050.png)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIngLOyHrjTzcNl%2BIWdb1VS44z0rLc5OLgzHzY4KLcZK0KFjEJNmMOLiRRKPMZnteIfJ%2BayP7elCS71qbRZW9sU976EhGIiuOc%2FjYK%2FB1ru1G6Ayb1lXXs0SPDWTu%2BWEU%2BPLHbz3qCQH33SJ51q5tU3d%2F9wxR1VmyYXIg6ySqBZGZl%2F9YnA2rqHIik%2BfpUKETIddIfYRF00oTKCREnu7Bny0BhFylRfsue%2Biw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=253615566050&portalId=26242804) **CONTACT** [hello@penguinlearning.co.uk](mailto:hello@penguinlearning.co.uk) [+44 7399 578565](tel:+447399578565) # Marginal gains ![marginal-gains](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/1%20on%20red%20background%20for%20an%20artic.webp) *“The Sky is the Limit” “Dream Big”* - many of us set ourselves such high goals to achieve that it can be overwhelming just thinking about the amount of work and time we need to put in in order to achieve those goals. At work, we can be given huge projects or targets that - on the surface - seem unachievable.  One such target could be winning Gold at the Olympics….  Will it make the Boat go Faster?  Ben Hunt-Davis was part of an underachieving Men’s Eight who in 1998 set themselves a Crazy Goal of winning an Olympic Gold Medal in just two years' time. They developed a whole new way of working and began challenging everything they did with the question: “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?” If it did, they would keep doing it, if it didn’t they’d try something different. By focusing on their performance, their results started improving, giving them the belief that their Crazy Goal may not be so crazy after all. On the 25th September 2000, Ben and his crew won Gold at the Sydney Olympics. Now their story acts as a reminder that with the right approach people are capable of amazing things. (Credit: willitmaketheboatgofaster.com) #### By focusing on their performance, their results started improving, giving them the belief that their Crazy Goal may not be so crazy after all. Implementing “Marginal Gains”  Below are some points we have put together on how you can introduce “Marginals Gains” to develop your yourself and your teams:  - **Identify the development areas within your team** - You can’t decide what to improve on without first knowing what needs to be improved. Look at your ‘pain points’ in actions, behaviours, routines, processes etc. and if you find yourself asking “Is there a way we could do this easier/better”...you’re looking in the right place. - **Little but Often** - Some people like to use the 1% Principle, in layman terms, what could you be doing 1% better today than yesterday for gradual improvement. In some businesses, the difference of a few percent can have a huge impact on revenue and it’s the same with yourself and your team. Set an overall goal and then create small gradual steps towards achieving those goals. This is a good way to monitor your progress as well. - **Trial different solutions** - Constantly look for new ways to solve problems and improve efficiency. If you trial something and it doesn’t work, learn from this failure and use it to start crafting your next solution. - **Regular Feedback for continued improvement** - The individuals most aware of the impact of any changes introduced will be the ones who have to deal with the changes first hand and on a daily basis. Listen to feedback from your team as sometimes changes need to be amended during the process to get things on track. --- For more information, please follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/penguin-learning) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/penguinlearning) Topics: [Learning and Development Programmes](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/learning-and-development-programmes) - Recent - Topics - Archive Recent Topics - [Learning and Development Programmes (13)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/learning-and-development-programmes) - [DISC (12)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/disc) - [DISC Behavioural Assessments (10)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/disc-behavioural-assessments) - [Behavioural Assessments (9)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/behavioural-assessments) - [Management Development Training (7)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/management-development-training) - [Case studies (3)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/case-studies) - [Know Yourself Workshops (3)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/know-yourself-workshops) - [Virtual Workshops (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/virtual-workshops) - [High-Performing Teams (1)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/high-performing-teams) - [Investment (1)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/investment) - [Transition To Management (1)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/transition-to-management) See all Archive - [July 2026 (3)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026 (6)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2026/06) - [March 2026 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2026/03) - [February 2026 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2026/02) - [January 2026 (1)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025 (1)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2025/11) - [September 2025 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2025/09) - [August 2025 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2025/08) - [January 2021 (3)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2021/01) - [December 2020 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/12) - [November 2020 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/11) - [October 2020 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/10) - [September 2020 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/09) - [August 2020 (4)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/08) - [July 2020 (5)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/07) - [June 2020 (4)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/06) - [May 2020 (4)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/05) - [April 2020 (2)](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/archive/2020/04) See all ### Subscribe by email Share this [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains&text=Article%3A+Marginal+gains) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains&t=Article%3A+Marginal+gains) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains&t=Article%3A+Marginal+gains) Previous story [← Motivating my team to perform](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/article-motivating-my-team-to-perform) Next story [Managing our mindset →](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/managing-our-mindset) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [5 ways for building resilience](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/5-ways-for-building-resilience) ![5-ways-for-building-resilience](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/Number%20five%20on%20gradient%20backgrou.webp) [Learning and Development Programmes](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/learning-and-development-programmes) ### 5 ways for building resilience 3 min read [Returning to work](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/returning-to-work) ![Returning to work](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/Blog/Smiling+people+icons+with+star+for+an+article+on+returning+to+work+by+a+training+provider+for+UK+innovative+businesses.webp) [Learning and Development Programmes](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/learning-and-development-programmes) ### Returning to work 3 min read [Positive mindsets](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/positive-mindsets) ![Positive mindsets](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/Blog/Plus+sign+in+a+white+circle+for+an+article+on+staying+positive+mentally+by+a+training+provider+for+UK+innovative+businesses.webp) [Learning and Development Programmes](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/tag/learning-and-development-programmes) ### Positive mindsets 3 min read ### Get Email Notifications ### No Comments Yet Let us know what you think #### ![Penguin Learning Logo](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp?width=531&height=188&name=Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp) Unit D5 Bartonfields Centre, Longford Ln, Church Broughton, Derby, DE65 5SG [E: hello@penguinlearning.co.uk](mailto:hello@penguinlearning.co.uk) [M: +44 7399 578565](tel:+447399578565) [Join us on Slack](https://www.linkedin.com/company/penguin-learning/https://www.linkedin.com/company/penguin-learning/) [Browse our GitHub projects](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPKpywnNReUFvv_DhXyO1Q) Other Links - [About Us](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/about) - [How We Work](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/how-we-work) Resources - [Learn](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn) - [Contact](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/contact) Copyright © 2026 Penguin Learning Ltd. Designed & Developed by [JDR Group](http://www.jdrgroup.co.uk) - [Cookies](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/cookies) - [Privacy](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/privacy-policy) - [Disclaimer](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/disclaimer) - [Terms](https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/terms-and-condition) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Phil Nolan", "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/author/phil-nolan" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-11T07:10:07.145Z", "datePublished" : "2020-07-07T11:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Article: Marginal gains", "image" : [ "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/1%20on%20red%20background%20for%20an%20artic.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hubfs/penguin-1.png" }, "name" : "Penguin Learning" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "UK", "addressLocality" : "Burton-on-Trent", "addressRegion" : "Derbyshire", "postalCode" : "DE13 9DZ", "streetAddress" : "109 Knowles Hill Rolleston-on-Dove" }, "alternateName" : "Penguin Learning Ltd", "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "GB", "availableLanguage" : "en", "contactType" : "customer service", "telephone" : "0808 502 0309" }, "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : 52.8604, "longitude" : -1.6869 }, "image" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Make-a-lasting-difference.webp", "logo" : "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60caf574637374677e873aa3/1625215921089-KTNX99670AIZ5LXFE43C/penguin.png", "name" : "Penguin Learning Ltd", "openingHours" : [ "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00", "Sa Closed", "Su Closed" ], "priceRange" : "£", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/penguin-learning/", "https://x.com/penguinlearning", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPKpywnNReUFvv_DhXyO1Q" ], "telephone" : "0808 502 1635", "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "An article on marginal gains by a training, assessment & development provider serving innovative & growth orientated businesses across the UK", "inLanguage" : "en-GB", "name" : "Article: Marginal gains", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Penguin%20Leaning%20Logo.webp" }, "name" : "Penguin Learning Ltd", "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/" }, "url" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.penguinlearning.co.uk/learn/marginal-gains", "name" : "Marginal gains", "position" : 2 } ] } ```