The rising cost of learning… First there was decimalisation, then the Euro, the litre and now the e-book. Isn’t it interesting that to many of us the actual increasing costs of things are not so obvious when there has been a change of culture or context? With the introduction of decimalisation in the early 70s and latterly the Euro across central Europe many products were rounded up in price. Even more recently the move from selling petrol from gallons to litres allowed the price to jump … [Read more...] about The rising cost of learning… The E-Book – con or hero?
How to receive feedback from your manager
How to receive feedback from your manager As my good friend @Quicklearn said on twitter a few days ago:"So much written on how to give feedback. What help is out there for those destined to receive it?"It promoted me to think.. in this light hearted reply (well it is the August silly season) lets look at the feedback methods and what they actually mean for you the recipient:The feedback sandwich:Praise (Bread) 'Feedback' (Meat) Praise (Bread)This approach is not to help … [Read more...] about How to receive feedback from your manager
Innovative Business Culture – a fresh perspective
Building an innovative business culture - a fresh perspective IntroductionWhat is innovation? Ask people to define innovation and you're likely to get a diverse range of responses, new ideas, creativity, pushing the envelope, breaking new ground, developing new markets, the fruits of research and many more. The theme for many is newness, something fresh and of course that is part of the equation but it misses an essential component - risk-taking. Even a casual study of great innovators quickly … [Read more...] about Innovative Business Culture – a fresh perspective
Freelancing in training, coaching & consultancy: How to stand out from the crowd
Freelancing in training, coaching & consultancy Over the summer time (and early in the new year) we often reflect on our position and of our career options. Some of us start looking for new roles, others for different challenges like going freelance. In the current economic climate of course some of us may not have a choice.In this article I collate my experiences and those of other freelance providers. The list is presented in a (near) logical order, however the order presented is … [Read more...] about Freelancing in training, coaching & consultancy: How to stand out from the crowd
Training Needs Analysis Template – TNA sample
Sample Training Needs Analysis Template Often when starting out in training, managers are required to undertake a training needs analysis (TNA) on their people, however one of the hardest things to do in any job is start with a blank sheet. So here is one to get you started.We have other articles on TNAs here at RapidBI however the basic process is: identify the core skills or competencies the organisation or department needs map each individual against those needs - i.e. how well … [Read more...] about Training Needs Analysis Template – TNA sample
How to do a Training Needs Analysis – TNA (Learning Needs Analysis LNA)
Overview - How to do a Training Needs Analysis - TNA - LNA A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) (or Learning Needs Analysis LNA) consists of a series of activities conducted to identify or solve problems and to determine whether training is an appropriate solution.The TNA is often the first step taken to initiate change. This is mainly because a needs analysis specifically defines the gap between the current and the desired individual and organisational performances. Introduction For … [Read more...] about How to do a Training Needs Analysis – TNA (Learning Needs Analysis LNA)
Training Needs Analysis TNA – sample templates
Training Needs Analysis TNA - sample templates The links below will provide access to a sample TNA form and an example how the same data can be used for developing personal development plans.TNA Sample data collection form and Sample Output for PDP useThe original article published in TrainingZone is printed below:TNA: Knowing Where to Start Your JourneyIn this practical guide, Mike Morrison goes through the stages of an IT training needs analysis.Introduction to … [Read more...] about Training Needs Analysis TNA – sample templates
Going freelance in training, HR or as a coach
Going Freelance... So you want to go independent but do you know what it takes to be successful? Starting out in freelance training Overview This document is not meant to be a complete how to guide for those wishing to start a consultancy business. It’s purpose is to ask some of the questions and show some information that many other sources fail to do. Introduction to going Freelance Many trainers, developers, coaches and facilitators occasionally get the urge to jump ship and do their … [Read more...] about Going freelance in training, HR or as a coach
The Capacity to innovate
Jacqueline Byrd looks at our capacity to innovate. Dr. Jacqueline Byrd--the brains behind the CREATRIX Assessment explores Creativity, Risk Taking and Innovation--What do they all have in common? How do you assess them? How does understanding your own creativity and risk taking help you in your every day life? What gets in the way of businesses being creative and taking risks? Why is a simple exercise like introducing yourself in a new way so difficult--what does that … [Read more...] about The Capacity to innovate
Creativity, Risk Taking and Innovation— Innovation doesn’t happen without people!
Innovation starts with your people. Every individual has the capacity to innovate. Every single one of us that the capacity to be more innovative that we are at the moment. We can all increase our innovative capacity.Jacqueline Byrd looks at our capacity to innovate. Dr. Jacqueline Byrd–the brains behind the CREATRIX Assessment explores Creativity, Risk Taking and Innovation–What do they all have in common? How do you assess them? How does understanding your own creativity … [Read more...] about Creativity, Risk Taking and Innovation— Innovation doesn’t happen without people!
Why is introducing yourself in a new way so similar to innovation?
Jacqueline Byrd looks at our capacity to innovate and how a simple introduction demonstrates the basis of innovation and the fear it often facilitates.Byrd describes the rules of innovation Dr. Jacqueline Byrd–the brains behind the CREATRIX Assessment explores Creativity, Risk Taking and Innovation–What do they all have in common? How do you assess them? How does understanding your own creativity and risk taking help you in your every day life? What gets in the way of … [Read more...] about Why is introducing yourself in a new way so similar to innovation?
Going freelance in training or HR – how much to charge
Going freelance in training or HR - how much to charge With organisations laying staff off, HR and training are no exception to potential job losses. This leaves many to think about going freelance. Knowing how much to charge is one challenge. Often people in the consulting and freelance world undervalue their services, and equally, purchasers are increasingly unrealistic about what they expect to pay.Some time ago I was asked to present to a local CIPD group about 'going freelance' and in … [Read more...] about Going freelance in training or HR – how much to charge
Sample Key Performance Indicators – KPIs
Example KPIs The example KPIs on this page are provided for educational purposes. They are not intended to be used 'as is' as the most effective use of a KPI is when it is aligned to the business strategy and the business plan of the organisation.HR - Human Resourses Sample Key Performance IndicatorsRecruitmentNew employee satisfaction rate with recruiting process Percentage of new employee retention after x time Percentage job offer acceptance rate Percentage of vacancies filled … [Read more...] about Sample Key Performance Indicators – KPIs
Writing Key Performance Indicators KPI's
Content on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covered:Introduction to KPI's Benefits of KPI's KPI -v- CSF Critical Success Factors (CSFs) Setting KPIs and CSFs Visual KPIs Example KPIs Example HR KPIs More example KPIs Sample KPI pageKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) - An IntroductionWhat is a Key Performance Indicator? A key performance indicator is a financial and non-financial measure used to help an organization measure progress towards a stated organizational goal or objective. The … [Read more...] about Writing Key Performance Indicators KPI's
Importance of question design in staff & employee surveys
Importance of question design in staff and employee surveys In good and difficult economic times HR and personnel functions develop surveys to 'take the temperature' of what is happening in their organizations. Developing surveys and survey questions are often more difficult that people first think, unfortunately the problem is only identified when the data analysis is attempted - and at this point it is too late. Simple question formation - a case study: Today I have read a poll from a well … [Read more...] about Importance of question design in staff & employee surveys
50 Tips for Using Twitter in Business
50 Tips for Using Twitter as a Marketing ToolTwitter is the communication tool of the moment. In 2008 if you had asked anyone about Twitter they would have thought that you were a bit of a geek - now many people are using it for social, learning and business purposes.Twitter is a powerful way to hear about the 'hear and now' thoughts on a key topic - not just from people you know or follow you - but from anyone interested in the topic - all in 140 character bite sizes pieces.Twitter can … [Read more...] about 50 Tips for Using Twitter in Business
Innovation Index – measuring the unmeasurable or re-inventing the wheel?
Innovation means so many things to so many people, so first we need to have a common understanding of what innovation is.Dr Richard Byrd from the University of Minnesota in the 1960s and 70s undertook some interesting work (see A Personal Guide to Risk Taking Richard E Byrd, AMACOM 1974), which has been further developed by Dr Jacqueline Byrd from a tool that looks at the innovation capacity of individuals to that of teams and organisations (see The Innovation Equation - Byrd & Brown, … [Read more...] about Innovation Index – measuring the unmeasurable or re-inventing the wheel?
Future proof your business – Effective Business Planning
Future proof your business - Effective Business Planning In the current economic climate, the most many of us can do is batten down the hatches and hope that we can weather the storm.Many of us will be looking to cut and minimise expenses and costs (which is the right thing to do) but what costs do we cut? Where should we be investing?In the previous downturns those that kept looking forwards were the ones which recovered quickest and have made more profit. Identifying what we should … [Read more...] about Future proof your business – Effective Business Planning
Model and Theory – Urgent Vs Important matrix
A look at urgent vs important in Time Management PrioritisationMultitasking is the order of the day. Everyday we juggle our work assignments, professional commitments, personal life, family needs and health issues. There is always a huge to-do list to attract out attention and obviously we cannot attend to every need that arises. So the things get done only when they become urgent leading to some things not ever happening and some reaching to the point where you can’t take care of … [Read more...] about Model and Theory – Urgent Vs Important matrix
Coaching model – Skill vs. Will
Introduction:The Skill vs. Will matrix is a management tool (made popular in “The Tao of coaching” by Max Landsberg) used to determine what the best management approach is for a given staff member, based on two metrics: their level of skill and their level of will.The skill vs. will method will help you answer two simple yet important questions:How much can that person rely on his or her skills to complete the task?How much does that person really want to complete the task? The … [Read more...] about Coaching model – Skill vs. Will
