Using Technology based platforms to support learning - does it work? Increasingly the use of technology to support or in some cases to deliver learning is on the increase.While reading a post on one of the forums this morning I came across a debate about the willingness for "trainers" to adopt technology to support or deliver learning.The author of the piece (Martin Addison from VideoArts) cited the following: Trainers don’t have the stomach for more preparation Here, the allegation is that … [Read more...] about Technology based learning – does it work (e-learning)?
Blogs do they work for you
Web 2.0 and all that it means… blogs, twitter, interaction etc but what does it mean?Humans are social animals, we need to be part of a social group, a hierarchy. With the demise of the extended family, the nuclear family and more and more isolation perhaps it was inevitable that we will need to find a ‘new social group’.It is curious that over the past 15 years membership of voluntary organisations has changed. We no longer go to the ‘clubs’ that we once did to feel part of some … [Read more...] about Blogs do they work for you
Innovation – Individual or team effort – “Collective Leadership”
Today I read an interesting blog article on Innovation which starts with:"To generate creative business ideas, breakthrough innovators must be fiercely tested and wisely deployed (…) Truly innovative people are rare. Perhaps, 5% or 10% of the high potential managers within a company at any given time have the skills and attributes to become innovators.”Read Jeffrey Cohn, Jon Katzenbach, and Gus Vlack’s paper, “Finding and Grooming Breakthrough Innovators,” on HBR." The author … [Read more...] about Innovation – Individual or team effort – “Collective Leadership”
Executive Innovation the key to success
Is Executive Innovation the key to success?The world economy is changing… are we reacting fast enough? For many executives innovation is just not happening fast enough according to recent articles and research from Boston Consulting Group’s annual study on innovation. Many organisations know that first in order to survive and then to grow they need to innovate. In recent years the focus of innovation has been on creativity and the innovative process, but the lack of results show that this … [Read more...] about Executive Innovation the key to success
Not What Why
When situations are difficult it is easy to remain task focused (what), but does this help us maintain a future resistant approach?Schein in “Organizational Culture and Leadership” says “what happens in organizations is fairly easy to observe, but in the effort to understand why such things happen, culture as a concept comes into its own”If leadership is the key to the future success of our organisation then culture is the lock. In a world where we are very short term-ist (just look … [Read more...] about Not What Why
SWOT analysis
SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis is an effective planning tool used to understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business. It usually involves specifying the objective of the business or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are supportive or unfavourable to achieving that objective. A SWOT analysis is often used as part of a strategic planning process. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis
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?
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
Free discussion group for those involved in training
One of the best kept secrets in the training world is the daily digest from Training Journal.Known as the TJ Daily Digest (once the UKHRD started by Fenman)this daily round-up of questions and answers of all things training is free again sign up here to receive it http://www.trainingjournal.com/Great for in-house training specialists to seek the opinion of like-minded colleagues, and for freelance trainers to 'show they can' - but beware this is not an advertising medium - so great for … [Read more...] about Free discussion group for those involved in training
5000 days down what of the next 5000?
The Web is now just over 5000 days old – yes that is all.. imagine what the next 5000 days will bring.Kevin Kelly in this TED presentation highlights some interesting thoughts, Including the fact that the net is the largest and most reliable machine we have ever made.The future will require more transparency, trust and openness.Watch this intriguing videoOpportunity of threat? what do you think? … [Read more...] about 5000 days down what of the next 5000?
Don’t do as I say, do as I do
Did you see Channel fours "The fun Police" ?In this programme we saw behind the scenes of a Health & Safety Consultant, an HSE inspector and a local authority safety officer.The Health & Safety Consultant was looking around a glazing manufacturer, looking at the operations and running a short session on Manual Handling skills for the workforce. He was talking about correct assessment and posture - all good stuff BUT he was bending and twisting badly. Not exactly leading by … [Read more...] about Don’t do as I say, do as I do
Dont do as I say do as I do
Did you see Channel fours “The fun Police” ?In this programme we saw behind the scenes of a Health & Safety Consultant, an HSE inspector and a local authority safety officer.The Health & Safety Consultant was looking around a glazing manufacturer, looking at the operations and running a short session on Manual Handling skills for the workforce. He was talking about correct assessment and posture – all good stuff BUT he was bending and twisting badly. Not exactly leading by … [Read more...] about Dont do as I say do as I do
UK training sector crash
With budgets being squeezed it is not surprising that training is taking a hit like many other business services. Traditionally external spend on training has been cut early on but internal training resources allowed to continue to develop.Today I received an advert from Gower – a well respected provider of books and paper based resources on management, HR and training. Usually the sort of spent that is so small – £20-£100 per item, that this is barely impacted, but what I saw today shocked … [Read more...] about UK training sector crash
what is web 20 how is it different
While doing some research I came across this excellent video which neatly shows the transition from text to web 2.0 You will need to keep your wits about you, not only is this about web 2.0 it has been written for the MTV generation… its fast!Explanation of the web 2.0 concept by Michael Wesch … [Read more...] about what is web 20 how is it different
Training commodity or professional service
We are all used to the web based comparison sites for consumer goods, and for the pitch/ tender sites for software and other professional services, but when a site starts a comparison site for training (potentially a strategic advantage for a company) is this right?Today personnel today launched a comparison site for training, post your needs and it will be posted to suppliers to quote. Nothing wrong with this per say – BUT it sort of misses the point that training is not a commodity, it can … [Read more...] about Training commodity or professional service
Pecha Kucha an effective use for powerpoint
Have you come across a powerful presentation planning technique based on Pecha Kucha presentation technique?This is not a new technique, but one which is gaining in popularity. In essence it is a structure where the presenter has just 20 PowerPoint slides each times to change every 20 seconds. The entire presentation taking less than six minutes and fortyseconds. Originally used for public showings of creative ideas from architects and other creatives, it is increasingly being used as a … [Read more...] about Pecha Kucha an effective use for powerpoint
