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...] about Top Leadership Traits – Positive and negative
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...] about The new training (learning and development) manager on the block
New situational based leadership 3.0 for 2010 and beyond
New situational based leadership 3.0Until 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...] about New situational based leadership 3.0 for 2010 and beyond
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...] about Innovation, the first step – dare, change, take a risk
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 timeIntroduction 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...] about Action Learning Sets
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...] about Our business is helping your business to grow (or survive) – tag lines gone mad!
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 explorePecha 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...] about Pecha Kucha or the 20×20 presentation technique
2020 leadership – 4 steps to sustainable success for organizations
We cannot ignore the need for 2020 Leadership in our organizations. I have seen many discussions on HR and training forums about the needs of leaders and managers. These talk about leadership development and talent. As a result of my research recently, I have noticed that practitioners often talk about the contents of training. The style of the delivery. And importantly how cheap and quick we do this.Ignoring the fact that you cannot have high quality training that is quick and cheap. (I … [Read more...] about 2020 leadership – 4 steps to sustainable success for organizations
25 easy tips on employee engagement – morale boosters
25 easy and great tips on building employee engagement - morale boostersIn difficult and tough economic times we still need to engage with our employees. While the big budgets may not be available any more there are lots of things that we can do which are effective. Here we explore low cost 25 great tips on employee engagement.The strategy for boosting employee morale - fast, is based on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of five basic human needs. He arranged these needs in the shape of a … [Read more...] about 25 easy tips on employee engagement – morale boosters
The Perfect Resume (CV) to get you through to interview
Writing the perfect resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) At a time when vacancies are hard to come by and there is increasing pressure in us to secure that all important role. But how often do we get the 'dear john' letter and fail to get an interview?The 'perfect CV' is the one that gets you the interview.Never underestimate the power of a good resume or CV. Your resume is part of marketing yourself to the recruiter, so it needs to demonstrate who you are and what you stand for. It needs to … [Read more...] about The Perfect Resume (CV) to get you through to interview
The Project Management Triangle – Time, Quality, Cost – you can have any two
The project management triangle as it is sometimes known as a valuable tool for prioritizing and decision making. It is often used as a throwaway tool in training courses. But it is a powerful tool in the hands of a competent leader or professional.You can pick any two, but you can't have all three! An undervalued management tool Most people that have been on a management or project management course at some time have heard of "The Project Management Triangle”. This is sometimes known … [Read more...] about The Project Management Triangle – Time, Quality, Cost – you can have any two
Twitter as a training and learning tool – some examples
How to use Twitter as a training & learning tool In the last couple of weeks I have written a number of articles on the use of Twitter (micro-blogging platforms) which have proved of interest. Now is the time to take this further.Before we even look at how twitter can be used for learning, training and education, we need to understand the context before the content. While at a conference this week #iitt09 I was amazed at the number of 'trainers' that did not appear to understand the … [Read more...] about Twitter as a training and learning tool – some examples
Twitter as a learning aid – learning beyond university to informal learning
Learning beyond university to informal learning using micro-blogging Twitter can be used as a great aid to learning, but is it a replacement for traditional learning strategies?Following the publication of a recent post Why Twitter is good for learning we have received a significant amount of supportive feedback. However some academic based sites have criticised the piece without understanding some of the fundamentals of learning and what Twitter and other micro-blogging platforms are capable … [Read more...] about Twitter as a learning aid – learning beyond university to informal learning
Why Twitter is good for learning
Twitter the real brain friendly approach to informal learning Can Twitter be used as a training tool?The traditional approach to learning is to identify end to end learning that is required to achieve a new task. While this works for structured learning it is not very effective for informal or personal learning.The human brain does not think in large logical 'articles', instead it thinks of information in small chunks, of which they form the whole picture. the process is not logical. indeed … [Read more...] about Why Twitter is good for learning
Learning Styles Questionnaire – AVK
'Lite' version of an AVK style learning instrument Learning Styles Questionnaire – AVK As human we have preferences for the way we prefer to communicate information. We use language based on our senses in varying ways. When we can understand our preferences and those of others around us we can be more effective communicators. Please tick the white box if the statement is usually true for you. Statements:VLVNALANKTWhen I make things for my studies, I remember what I … [Read more...] about Learning Styles Questionnaire – AVK
Attracting clients in a freelance market space – lessons from MLM
How do we attract and retain clients when we are working as a freelancer? As trainers or consultants we get a meeting booked, we have a successful meeting and we are asked to submit a proposal. Often after submission of a proposal we are disappointed when we are not successful, thinking that it was a 'done deal' when we left the initial meeting. But how do we get the initial meetings? the more meetings, the more proposals, the more proposals the greater opportunity of a contract being … [Read more...] about Attracting clients in a freelance market space – lessons from MLM
Developing entrepreneurial skills into business people
HAVE-DO-BE or DO-BE-HAVE?In business we often hear terms like ‘business person’ or ‘entrepreneur’, but what do they mean and can we train these skills. Let’s look at what these terms mean before we explore any route to development:Business person “a person engaged in commercial or industrial business (especially an owner or executive)”Entrepreneur “An individual who, rather than working as an employee, runs a small business and assumes all the risk and reward of a given business … [Read more...] about Developing entrepreneurial skills into business people
Job search a guide for professionals
A guide to job hunting and why you should never appear desperate for a job When you are under time pressure to secure a role its easy to accept the wrong one and give the wrong message to the 'right' role for you.Ever wondered how a person got a job that you didn't, even though you have more experience and skills?I have seen an increasing number of professionals asking for guidance as to what they should do to gain employment after redundancy. Whether you are looking for a job because of … [Read more...] about Job search a guide for professionals
Becoming an Innovative leader – the eight faces of innovation
Becoming an Innovative Leader When we take innovation away from the technologists and start to look at innovation as a set of behaviours that can drive change and culture, we start to look at innovation as a leadership model.Using the Creatrix from the Richard Byrd Co in MN USA, we can identify the eight faces of innovation. All have there place and strength in today’s organisation, however the balance and focus will need to adapt for each need the organisation faces.What type of … [Read more...] about Becoming an Innovative leader – the eight faces of innovation
Barriers and Profitability in business and organisations
Barriers and Profitability Every organization strives to capture a sound market share with their products or services. If we take into consideration the progress of market in the last decade, we will realize that all the niches now face stiff competition. The buyers are more aware and the sellers are more elaborate in terms of marketing campaigns, quality and reaching out to consumers. Some markets have perfect competition where all the products fall in that same category and there are no entry … [Read more...] about Barriers and Profitability in business and organisations
