Strategy and tools in business - To SWOT or SOAR? Over the years a lot of good and bad things have been said by many HR and consulting practitioners about the SWOT analysis. Certainly it is not the most robust of tools in its basic form. But when used in the way it was originally developed, it is a powerful methodology and framework. Some people have argued that it is time to move on from the SWOT analysis to other tools and techniques. In this piece we explore SOAR an Appreciative Inquiry … [Read more...]
Do Training Programmes actually work? Interview
A few weeks ago I was interviewed by PDH Academy. I was asked some interesting questions. Questions that on reflection I should have been able to answer easily. But actually in a wide context were more difficult than I expected. Having thought about these, I would urge all readers of this to apply the same questions internally. What do we need to do to ensure that we deliver what the business NEEDS and not what it WANTS. This can be harder than it sounds. They also wanted to focus on … [Read more...]
Before Training Needs Analysis (TNA) – Task analysis
Small steps to training needs analysis A "job task analysis" is widely recognised as the foundation of successful training. Before managers can train their employees, they must decide what the individuals need to be able to do.A task analysis breaks down a complex task into its components—that is, its "knowledge that", "knowledge what" and its "knowledge how". Before conducting any training needs analysis we need to understand the task we are asking the individual(s) to do. Often if we … [Read more...]
10 steps to building relationships for effective change management
In this article, I will share my 10 steps to building relationships for effective change management. 10 Tips for building lasting business relationships and making change management more effective. Go back 10 years and change management was more about conformance, tracking technical changes and processes. Thank goodness that has changed. Today Change Management is more about preparing the people in the organisation for the change. Working with the psychology of change and … [Read more...]
What is persona mapping in change management?
What is persona mapping in change management? We can use Persona mapping to help understand the needs and wants of a target audience or market. Persona maps can ensure we meet the needs of our stakeholders. A Persona map is a fictional character. At the same time, it needs to be a realistic profile of our target customer. They reflect characteristics like job or role title, personal attributes, goals, motivations, attitudes etc. For any given product or service there … [Read more...]
Top Leadership Traits – Positive and negative
Because I What are the Top Leadership Traits we look for in our leaders? While looking for some material for a forthcoming leadership development programme, I discovered an interesting article and results on top leadership traits. In 2006 in Minneapolis Police Department undertook some research looking at Leadership Traits in their officers. The analysis of the data shows frequency of mention by other officers. The top 15 positive and negative traits mentioned are listed below. While not … [Read more...]
Dangers of online Ishihara Colour Tests – Are you colour blind? Can you trust the online tests?
Using any test for recruitment has its problems. There are dangers of online Ishihara Colour Tests too. In a professional HR community I belong to there have been recent discussions about identifying if people are colour blind or not. This is historically because in some industries this is an important safety concern. In the past employers would use Occupational Health providers to do these tests. there are industry standards for this. The name of this test is the Ishihara Color Test. Sites … [Read more...]
The new training (learning and development) manager on the block
The New Training or Learning & Development Manager You know the scene, you have been asked by your line manager to take on the role of company trainer. You accept. But what does this mean? You know that trainers teach people things they have not done before. So being a trainer is about sharing your experiences and skills... isn't it? Who needs to be trained? Well actually... employees may need help improving in their current role, preparing for promotion, or developing their leadership … [Read more...]
Top Trend Survey – Top tools for learning in HR
As we get more and more connected, the tools we use for learning and finding learning are increasingly online and on mobile. I have recently completed an online CPD session focused on trends in learning. As well as hearing the views of top people in the industry, participants were invited to list their own top learning tools. Background to the Top Trend Survey module The session featured a video interview with Jane Hart from the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies. Since … [Read more...]
New situational based leadership 3.0 for 2010 and beyond
New situational based leadership 3.0 Until recently the old models around leadership were based on one-2-one relationships, when communication were focused on face-to-face discussion and in the main technology was limited to the telephone. Much of management and leadership was done in 'real time' and face to face, however here in the 'naughties' times, needs and expectations have moved on, but unfortunately management and leadership engagement approaches have not. With an increasingly … [Read more...]
Innovation, the first step – dare, change, take a risk
Innovation is about the first step Innovation is the buzzword of the late naughties, but what does it mean? "Innovation is the act of introducing something new" Often we focus on the act of creating, indeed many training and development programmes look to developing creativity in order to create innovative cultures. Is this right? Innovation can mean two very different things, I suspect that often we confuse the two. many organizations take innovation to be something to do with product … [Read more...]
Action Learning Sets
Action Learning & Action Learning Sets - Reg Revans Introduction to Action learning So what is Action Learning? A definition of Action Learning What are Action Learning Sets? Who is in one? A 'Set' Meeting Action Learning Projects Participating in an Action Learning Set Structuring your time Introduction to Action Learning and Action Learning Sets What are action learning sets? When devising a management development programme (or leadership programme), it is important to … [Read more...]
Our business is helping your business to grow (or survive) – tag lines gone mad!
Our business is helping your business How many times have we heard this from suppliers? Are they really there to help us and our problem - or are they there to sell a product? Or is this just a fad tag line in the business world? This is much like the training and learning debate occurring in training - the 'training provider' having a product and the learner having a need - but do they really match? The identification of needs is really important to identify the gap (gap analysis). In … [Read more...]
Is the fast food approach to learning and development working? #hrblog #cipdLDShow
Is the fast food approach to learning and development working? Last week I was at the annual CIPD conference for Learning and Development professionals. Whilst much of the content of the paid for conference sessions was about ensuring training and learning activities were effective, the mood on the exhibition floor was different. Off the shelf or bespoke? Every provider that offered off-the-shelf learning solutions also offered bespoke solutions. But the emphasis for may was the off-the-shelf, … [Read more...]
Pecha Kucha or the 20×20 presentation technique
Pecha Kucha or how to get your point across in less than seven minutes? Do you want your audience to be hooked from the off? Then this is a presentation technique to explore Pecha Kucha (pronounced peh-cha ku-cha) is a presentation technique especially for those that love PowerPoint, and this method ensures it is fun, fast and interesting. The approach limits the presentation to 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide - a maximum of 6 minutes 20 seconds. A unique structure for a presentation. … [Read more...]
Trade show tips for exhibitors #cipdLDshow 2 Badges – one person – How to get a very different experience at Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Trade shows and exhibitions are a mainstay in the armoury of sales and marketing teams. They cost a lot of money to rent the booths. To design the stand. To have resources and people for the duration of the event. But are they making the most of the opportunity? Presentation Skills at Trade Shows many exhibition organisers offer training and guidance on standing, greeting and engaging people as they walk around the event. many are still not heeding this advice. At this years event for example … [Read more...]
A skinny video review of the #cipdLDshow 2017 with Martin Couzins & Mike Morrison
The 2017 CIPD Learning and Development show (CIPDLDSHOW) at Olympia started much like many others. Only this time there were significant queues waiting to get in at the start time. Everyone was greeted by probably the happiest being in the building: Yes full blown bag searches and a "meet and greet" by a sniffer dog". Not sure why HR people would be at a risk. No metal detectors - so anyone wanting to .... well lets just leave that there! Over the years more and more people blog and … [Read more...]
How to select the appropriate business improvement diagnostic
How to select the appropriate business improvement diagnostic The RapidBI team have developed a range of diagnostic tools suitable for identifying business planning strategies and management culture improvements for many organizations - but how do you select the one that is right for you? The BIR is a strategic diagnostic tool which looks at all parts of an organization, with a view to identifying areas for improvement. The BIR can also be used to measure the effectiveness of organizational … [Read more...]
5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
The PEST or PESTLE analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in marketing and business planning. Its six basic perspectives provide a framework for understanding external factors which may impact the organization, which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood. PESTLE - Political, Economic, Sociological, Ecological, Legal, Environmental. PESTLE provides the external perspective to a SWOT analysis... where: PESTLE + PRIMO-F = SWOT Six simple rules for … [Read more...]
Modern Marketing – You don’t know what you don’t know
The world of business, sales, marketing and communications is changing, the question is are you 'up' with the new strategies or will you be scampering around for the scraps after the main pack have eaten? Use of social media as a part of an organizations marketing and sales strategy should not be overlooked. 10 key questions to ask your senior managers (or yourself) Do you have enough information to decide whether to ignore or engage new technologies? Do you know what your … [Read more...]
