Introduction Have you noticed that over the past few years the use of the word ‘coaching’ has been increasing within the business environment? What started this trend? Was it that coaching really works or was it that companies started to outsource their training departments and as a consequence it was more cost effective to ‘train’ one on one? What ever the reason the reality is that coaching is here and it is here to stay.So what makes a good (or great) coach – well that is the easy one … [Read more...] about Reality Coaching – Real Coaching – A Case Study
Who are your Thought Leaders?
Who are your "Thought Leaders"? .. but before any of us can answer that we need to know What or who is a thought leader?According to the great research "god" Wikipedia:The term was coined in 1994 by Joel Kurtzman, editor-in-chief of the Booz Allen Hamilton magazine, Strategy & Business. "Thought leader" was used to designate interview subjects for that magazine who had business ideas that merited attention The definition I prefer comes from Forbes: "It's a truism that … [Read more...] about Who are your Thought Leaders?
How to write an internal communications plan and strategy
Internal Communications Plans Just how do we start to write an internal communications plan and communications strategy?Increasingly Human Resources (HR) or Organizational Development (OD) teams are being asked to drive and deliver internal communications, but what is an internal communications plan and how do you go about writing and applying one?Why have an internal communications plan? First we need to understand why it is important to have an internal communications plan. … [Read more...] about How to write an internal communications plan and strategy
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques1. Conceptual clarity: It is seen more often than not the term Accelerated or Brain Friendly Learning Technique is used in a loose manner to mean 'any learning activity' that expedites the learning process. While it encompasses within itself an activity of learning, yet it does not convey the true import of the concept whose objective is to teach the whole person in order to impart the core elements to the learners (students) which … [Read more...] about A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
Social media marketing - tips for success in 2010 Read my 9 top tips for social media marketing below.As entrepreneurs and smaller businesses marketing is a vital yet difficult concept for many of us. Many of us hate it and want to find the "quick fix".What prompted me to write this article was receipt this morning of a 'newsletter' I get that goes straight to my junk mail. It is from Kenneth Yu "the Puppet Master" (take care with his sites as they take a lot of processing power and clever … [Read more...] about You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
The four steps to learning
Four step learning ladder - a model for learning to learnThe Learning Ladder describes the steps we go through when learning a new skill.Four levels or steps of learningUnconscious incompetence - We don't know what we don't knowConscious incompetence - We know what we don't knowConscious competence - We know what we knowUnconscious competence - We don't know what we knowIt can be applied to virtually all learning scenarios but the example we will use here is … [Read more...] about The four steps to learning
Eight elements to the Business Excellence Model
1. Leadership 2. Delight the customer 3. Customer focus 4. Management by fact 5. Process performance 6. People-based performance 7. Continuous improvementKanji … [Read more...] about Eight elements to the Business Excellence Model
Don’t let SEO burst your budget
This is a historical page, and remains for historical reference only - Jan 2020 SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a specialist activity, expensive and you need to know what you are doing... don't you? Right?... wrong!The current commercial and financial climate that we are operating in is causing most of us to tighten our belts and think twice about spending. This especially true for Training, HR and other small consultancies and entrepreneurs. SEO has always been seen as a "technical" … [Read more...] about Don’t let SEO burst your budget
The STRETCH model of coaching
S et the context T ransfer issues to the learner - ensure ownership R evisit what outstanding performance looks like E stablish what's in it for the learner T ake time to agree what specifically must change C atch them doing something right - praise and reward H ave time set aside to celebrate successSource: John Burdett … [Read more...] about The STRETCH model of coaching
Green Recruitment Environment or Business Sense
As fuel prices climb ever faster and people begin to struggle paying mortgages etc what policies have organisations put in place to play their part in protecting the environment?How many organisations are putting max distances from home as a legitimate recruitment filter?Some years ago I had access to some population data in one London borough, it transpired that every morning almost 150 thousand people left the borough for work – and another 155 thousand travelled in!In London why … [Read more...] about Green Recruitment Environment or Business Sense
Green Recruitment – environment or business sense?
As fuel prices climb ever faster and people begin to struggle paying mortgages etc what policies have organisations put in place to play their part in protecting the environment?How many organisations are putting max distances from home as a legitimate recruitment filter?Some years ago I had access to some population data in one London borough, it transpired that every morning almost 150 thousand people left the borough for work - and another 155 thousand travelled in!In London why … [Read more...] about Green Recruitment – environment or business sense?
Social networking in L&D is it effective?
Most learning professionals agree that interaction is key to learning and development.Increasingly groups and communities are being developed both within our organizations and using third party sites like LinkedIn , Facebook etc for networking. But is it working? there is a considerable amount of anecdotal evidence (and some research) to show that there is a ratio for success - 90:9:1where one person created or initiated the environment nine people edit, moderate or drive the … [Read more...] about Social networking in L&D is it effective?
nine box grid model
Nine Box Grid - organizational development models - 3x3 grids 9 box management modelsNine box grid models are used to help plot or show performance based on two factors. The grid or nine boxes are used to define behavior or performance. there are many variants, what is important is not to find the "perfect" model - but the best fit for your goals and current/ desired culture.Scroll down for nine box grids used in talent management.Ansoff marketingAn example of a nine box … [Read more...] about nine box grid model
7 tops ways of promoting your website
7 key ways to promote your business & website It is all very well having a website - but how do people know its there - and more importantly do the great modern gods (Google, Bing, Yahoo etc) know you exist? do they think your site is important?Relevant - Does your website CLEARLY say what you do & don't do? - its all very well people finding your site - but you need them to contact you. Ensure your offer is obvious - ask for friends & family what they make of your site. … [Read more...] about 7 tops ways of promoting your website
Eight Orientations of #Innovation
What Is Your Creativity And Risk-Taking Orientation? Measuring the creative sense and risk-taking orientation of individuals in organisations helps to explain why one organisation (or team) stagnates and dies, another takes excessive risks and lands in bankruptcy, and yet others are moderately to extremely successful. Understanding the eight orientations of innovation can help improve performance and change.As the Creatrix model suggests, your creativity and risk-taking orientation can be … [Read more...] about Eight Orientations of #Innovation
Learning Styles – Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory
Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory Overview: The theory of multiple intelligence's suggests that there are a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each individual possesses in varying degrees. Gardner proposes seven primary forms: linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, body-kinesthetic, intra personal (e.g., insight, meta cognition) and interpersonal (e.g., social skills).According to Howard Gardner, the implication of the theory is that … [Read more...] about Learning Styles – Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory
Eight key issues for leaders
1. Identify core values 2. Build alliances 3. Have a vision 4. Communicate 5. Build trust 6. Bring in the right people 7. Allow those hired to do their jobs 8. Get resultsSteven Sample … [Read more...] about Eight key issues for leaders
10 Employee Engagement Survey Mistakes
Why Employee Engagement Surveys often fail Employee engagement is one of those "holy grails" that many HR, OD and management professionals seek to achieve for their organizations. Today I was reading an interesting blog by US firm Performancepoint LLC.In the article they list 10 comon mistakes:1. Conducting an in-house survey 2. Putting the onus on managers 3. Questions that spread discontent 4. Findings that aren't actionable 5. Using the goals of others 6. No follow-up on … [Read more...] about 10 Employee Engagement Survey Mistakes
business diagnostic instrument
Business Diagnostic Instruments As the business environment becomes increasingly complex, business owners need to have a method for staying ahead of issues affecting their business and for measuring and monitoring performance. The Business Diagnostic Instruments have been designed around a well-tested formula for business success. They require you to make conscious and explicit decisions on the nature and scope of your business, on how uncertainties are to be addressed, how to identify and … [Read more...] about business diagnostic instrument
Having just been at the World of Learning Conference and blogged on behalf of TrainingZone's Watercooler I discovered that they were experimenting with Twitter as a 'soundbite' tool - so I have set up a Twitter account to see how this can add value to the worlds of training, OD and learning.So lets see what happens - please dont expect my Twitter to describe all my activities - they will all be around learning, development, change and management... also don't expect a post every day! … [Read more...] about Twitter
