Gamification in Leading and DevelopmentGamification, the framing of an activity like a game to make it more motivating is not a new concept. The concept of gaming has been around for years – credit card companies and airline reward programs for example. (1)Gamification is not literally a game, but using game mechanics and thinking to create a game-like experience. (4) The most basic characteristics of gamification in action are: (9)Simple, recognizable cues for the next … [Read more...] about Gamification in leadership and development
Free money to expand your small business? Tax refunds
Small businesses often find it difficult to get the cash they need to grow their business. But is there a secret source?Banks are making it more and more difficult. Governments and local authorities seem set on increasing red tape. Year on year this seems to get harder. All we want to do is earn a living, make some money and often to add value to our communities. Free money? Ok, maybe not free, but often unexpected. All too often we as businesses get tax rebates. We get these tax refunds … [Read more...] about Free money to expand your small business? Tax refunds
COBS or CORBS Feedback Model for Performance Management
Performance Management Feedback Models In performance management providing feedback is critical for improving performance.Feedback models help new managers and team leaders to develop their feedback skills. There are several different frameworks which can help guide managers and leaders. COBS feedback model – or CORBS to be precise. Principles of CORBS feedback model: Clear statement – give clear and concise information. Owned by the person speaking - your own perception, not … [Read more...] about COBS or CORBS Feedback Model for Performance Management
Business Instant Message tools – increased or decreased productivity?
Many of us remember when Microsoft introduced MSN Messenger, I certainly remember some 12 years ago catching my daughter using it with school colleagues at the age of 11 swapping homework tips!Of course since it was first introduced in 1999 it changed several times, adding functionality on a regular basis, and along the way changing its name through “windows Live” until its integration with what is now known as Skype.It was the success of this simple instant messaging tools, that spurned … [Read more...] about Business Instant Message tools – increased or decreased productivity?
Social media in HR Infographic
The CIPD have recently published an infographic on the use of social media at work. The graphic is based on some research they have completed looking at our usage (or not) of these powerful collaboration tools.What is interesting to me is that 61% of employers that responded to the survey do not use any form of collaborative or social platform within the business.From experience I know that even the firms that have them are struggling to make them work, but when they are used, they … [Read more...] about Social media in HR Infographic
Why not to trust an "independent" business adviser or mentor
Is a universal or multi tool as good at performing as individual specialist tools? Convenient yes, a long term solution... no It is true that no man is an island. When starting out in business as well as running and growing your business, quite simply you cannot do it on your own. You need trusted business advisers. But there is a problem. No one is truly "independent" no matter what their beliefs of education. Once a banker... always a banker Some years ago when I was working as a specialist … [Read more...] about Why not to trust an "independent" business adviser or mentor
But it’s only 40 slides – a common training mistake
In business it is not only training team members that develop training materials, but local experts and specialists.Often I hear a subject specialist say things like "we need to educate users to do things differently, it wont take long, it is only 40 slides"On its own 40 slides as a framework is not significant, but we need to look at things from the learners perspective.When using a slide deck it is not unreasonable to expect each slide to take 1 to 2 minutes to explain. So a 40 … [Read more...] about But it’s only 40 slides – a common training mistake
Name and Shame – a new leadership trend
One of the risks of promoting people into team leader and management roles without appropriate education, training and support is that they will do their own research and take the headlines from article and approaches and they risk miss-applying the approach or method.Name and shame is one such approach.Often used in projects and close knit team environments, “name and shame” is best used in association with “fame awards” as a part of long term engagement and team building. The concept … [Read more...] about Name and Shame – a new leadership trend
Using keyboards reduces learning shows new study – death of the Ipad
Do you believe that taking notes using a laptop or keyboard in learning events helps you learn better? Well research published in Psychological Science suggests not. The authors Mueller and Oppenheimer conducted memory research after a self realisation that taking notes in different ways had a very different impact on recall. Long hand vs typed In the research the authors looks at how people took notes and compared those that used a laptop and types notes, and those that wrote their notes in … [Read more...] about Using keyboards reduces learning shows new study – death of the Ipad
Macro, Micro and Global approaches to learning using the 70-20-10 model – have we got it wrong?
In the move from training activity being classroom centric to a more balanced approach, much has been written about the 70-20-10 approach to learning and development, but have we thrown out the baby with the bath water?Let’s get some common understanding: 70-20-10 70 percent of learning should happen on the job – macro – step by step, words in a sentence if you like20 percent of learning should be from coaching – micro – the role, paragraphs if you like10 percent of learning should … [Read more...] about Macro, Micro and Global approaches to learning using the 70-20-10 model – have we got it wrong?
Who owns training in your organization?
This is a perennial question, and from time to time the ownership and drive moves from one area to another. As a Training Manager I have operated within HR and Operations. And without doubt the best impact comes when Operations owns and indeed demands training.This does not mean to say that HR or a Training function should not be involved in the process, and could help to develop standards and help operations look to the long term, not just a "quick fix". Why in operations? When operations … [Read more...] about Who owns training in your organization?
Good Weather For Ducks – losing the art of communications due to social media
Watching a piece on the news this morning, was a piece that claimed social media was in fact anti social. This is true, many of us would prefer to look at our mobiles than strike up a conversation.In years gone past we would have used phrases about the weather as an icebreaker to talk to strangers. Simple phrases like "good weather for ducks" or "it's wet again" or "wow its hot.. do you think it will last?". These are simple ice breakers that people have used for years, they are simple … [Read more...] about Good Weather For Ducks – losing the art of communications due to social media
Experience is not the same as on-the-job learning (or training) #HRBlog
Work experience is not the same as learning. We often hear of Human Resource Managers using “on-the-job training” as a preferred training approach. But what does it really mean? Is it just experience of doing a job or task?Learning on-the-job definition On-the-job training (OJT) is a form of training taking place in a normal working situation Source Experience is not the same as learning We do learn from experiences, but is the “learning” that the individual gets and interprets what the … [Read more...] about Experience is not the same as on-the-job learning (or training) #HRBlog
What we know about learning, and the process of learning new things
Much of what we know about effective learning was originally taken from the world of academia and higher education; these points can also be translated into occupational and business learning and training spaces. This piece is no different.Taken from preparation for an annual conference for “American Academics and Higher Education” in 1997, this piece summarises the presentation of Peter T. Ewell from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) Where is this … [Read more...] about What we know about learning, and the process of learning new things
How to write a blog – getting motivated to write
How to write a blog is continued from a recent post “How to write a blog – length and regularity”, this piece looks at how to write. Using this approach it will be easier to write well and regularly!The author Rachel Aaron (The Spirit Thief) on her blog introduced a concept for professional writers to increase their writing rate. Whilst this is not important for “business” bloggers (internal or external), the tool she introduces is helpful to resistant writers. This tools is called “The … [Read more...] about How to write a blog – getting motivated to write
Blogging for business – How to write a blog – length and regularity
No matter where you are in a business, internal communication tools are increasing, and we are expected to write a blog. Many of us either hate the thought of writing or just cannot be motivated to do it.Whilst researching something I came across a great tip for blog writers. This blog shares some of that. How long should a blog be? Some research was done into some of the most popular blogs on the internet suggests that successful blogs are between 250 and 600 words. This is a lot less … [Read more...] about Blogging for business – How to write a blog – length and regularity
Motivating difficult trainees during training
It is said there is no such thing as a “difficult trainee”, just the unknown and our reactions to that. Not everyone is like a spring lamb or an inquisitive 3 year old! We have all been there, seen it and done it before, indeed many have the T-Shirt. Often, when things are new and we believe passionately about it, on occasions we can seem a “little” too over enthusiastic. J This can happen in your training too. As trainers we can appear to be “too full on” or almost as a disciple for the … [Read more...] about Motivating difficult trainees during training
70:20:10 – has the model had its day?
The 70:20:10 model was developed by Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger whilst at the Center for Creative Leadership in 2000. Jay Cross says that “The 70-20-10 model is more prescriptive. It builds upon how people internalize and apply what they learn based on how they acquire the knowledge.” The 70:20:10 in context Based upon research that took place in the 1980s and 1990s, the 70:20:10 was the summary of activities in the process of developing leadership (then management) skills. In the … [Read more...] about 70:20:10 – has the model had its day?
What is the difference between community managers and sports referees? #cmgr
What is the difference between community managers and sports referees?.....About $200,000....Some of the readers of my blog know that I also moderate and manage a small number of communities. This week has culminated in me reluctantly removing some members from one group. This action, along with the run-up of events has caused me to reflect on the role, and how group members perceive it. What makes a "community"? There are several definitions, including: the condition of sharing or having … [Read more...] about What is the difference between community managers and sports referees? #cmgr
HR needs to split operations & strategic activities – needing to live the company values
For years HR has been fighting to have a seat at the top table. It wants to be seen as more relevant and important to the business.The simple reality is that HR is neither operational or strategic to many organisations, and the reason is simple….. a lack of customer care. Many of us have dropped the ball. We have been playing the wrong game, on the wrong court, with the wrong ball! If we want to be strategic we need to talk $$$, that is a topic for another blog (watch this space), on another … [Read more...] about HR needs to split operations & strategic activities – needing to live the company values
