Do you know of a free too to...? When was the last time you asked the question "Do you know of a free tool ...?" Was this your first attempt at solving the problem or last resort? Are free tools really free or is the cost hidden? Do we really understand all the costs involved?Many of our readers know that we are active in some of the HR and learning & Development online communities. Sometimes questions asked spark ideas and thoughts to share. This piece is one of them.The article … [Read more...] about Chase to the bottom – or do you know of a free tool to…? #hrblog
Mental Health, HR and Training #HRBlog
Mental health issues impact on 1 in 4 adults. If you are not personally affected, then the chances are people around you are. Some years ago I had an interesting experience on a training course. I have mentioned this to a few people in the past but never written publicly before. Talking therapies in the workplace are on the rise. They certainly have their place, but are people aware of the dangers as well as the opportunities.Some of my readers know that I have been a long term … [Read more...] about Mental Health, HR and Training #HRBlog
Have your team leaders lost their grip? Time to train managers #hrblog
Have your team leaders lost their grip?It's a straight forward question: Have your team leaders lost their grip?Managers, most of us have one. They are not always called managers of course. Sometimes they are called supervisors, team leaders, deputy manager, leader, VP, Boss. Whatever we call them or their official job title, they are our “line manager”.We rely on them for guidance in our jobs. For support when things are not going well. For praise when things go well. For many … [Read more...] about Have your team leaders lost their grip? Time to train managers #hrblog
LinkedIn it’s not just for job search #HRBlog
LinkedIn is more than just a job search and CV hosting tool. Being or getting active on linkedin raises your profile. The problem that many users create for themselves is only being active when looking for work or a new role. LI gives us tools to raise our profile too.Effective use of LinkedIn requires ongoing balance. When in a stable (employed) role, we often use LinkedIn for connecting, learning and sharing. When needing or seeking new opportunities we can use it to raise our profile even … [Read more...] about LinkedIn it’s not just for job search #HRBlog
Disruptive innovators – Can your organization cope?
Wanting change is one thing but can your organization cope with disruptive innovators? We often hear that businesses and organizations of all sizes crave to be more innovative. They certainly do not want to be 'out of date', and want to keep providing customers with the products and services they need. But do we really understand innovation and the costs? Do we really want innovative companies? Are we prepared to disruptive our whole industry, and put some of our cash cows to bed?There … [Read more...] about Disruptive innovators – Can your organization cope?
Corporate values and behaviours – Dangers of not walking the talk #hrblog #linkedin
Corporate values or core values as some call them, have been in management texts for many years. As more and more business leaders complete education and training, so more and more firms have written value statements. But are these statements just marketing puff or is it really a tool to run a business by? Hit the self-destruct button! In this piece we look at one business that has hit the self destruct button by saying one value is important, but employees clearly have not got the … [Read more...] about Corporate values and behaviours – Dangers of not walking the talk #hrblog #linkedin
Goodbye Change Management Hello Navigating Flux
Can we really say Goodbye Change Management Hello Navigating Flux? In this piece we will look at the The 3 new competencies of success in modern business and society.In the last 10 years there has been a lot written and spoken about change and change management. The fact that change is here and here to stay is understood. What is less recognised and accepted is that “change” implies a process. A change from state a to state b. From one stable state to another. It is time to say goodbye … [Read more...] about Goodbye Change Management Hello Navigating Flux
Purpose of LinkedIn – Ninja tips to raise your profile increasing prospects #hrblog
What is the purpose of LinkedIn? Many will say that LinkedIn doesn't work. They do not get jobs through it. As a consultant they do not get work through it. They also say that LinkedIn cannot be used for raising your profile to increase job or consulting prospects. Why do they say that? Simple, they have a profile and expect work to come to them. Worse, they have a basic headline only profile that gives NO INFORMATION. Having the profile is much like having a product. Getting it on the shelf in … [Read more...] about Purpose of LinkedIn – Ninja tips to raise your profile increasing prospects #hrblog
All interview questions fall under one of three types
All interview questions fall under one of three types. Knowing what they are, and trying to do is just a matter of understanding the process. In essence, the employer needs to replace a person or fill a new role. They need to be as productive as fast as possible. Cost as little as possible and fit in with 'The way we do things here'.We need to understand what it is that the interviewer is trying to do. The Killer question You know what it is like. You go for the interview, then at some … [Read more...] about All interview questions fall under one of three types
Follow the leader – How to raise your LinkedIn Profile #hrblog
Some time ago I published a discussion in a group for people looking for work helping them by showing how to raise your LinkedIn Profile. This has been repeatedly removed by moderators on LI. Why? Because it works!After the initial discussions were deleted, I published a post on the LinkedIn publishing platform Pulse. You can see one of the original posts: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/two-secrets-help-you-linkedin-no-one-tells-li-dont-morrison-fcipd - if you get a post not found message, … [Read more...] about Follow the leader – How to raise your LinkedIn Profile #hrblog
So Much Training, So Little to Show for It
So much training, so little to show for it in our organizations. Why is this often the case?Back in 2012 the Wall Street Journal published a piece looking at this. They concluded that businesses needed to do:Better training needs analysis (TNA) - not just what but who Design - what where how follow up - testing to see if people have learnt. Are they applying the new ways?Research from the The American Society for Training and Development claimed that only 10% of learning goes … [Read more...] about So Much Training, So Little to Show for It
Toolism – 5 management tools that are past their sell by date
Toolism - 5 management tools we rely on that are past their sell by date Unlike the food we buy in the shops which come with Sell by, Use by and Best before dates, the management tools we use come with no such context or advice. We believe the hype with which they are sold to us.What do Human Resources, Change Management, Learning & Development and Consulting have in common? All professionals in this arena rely on tools or processes. Many of these tools and processes have been around … [Read more...] about Toolism – 5 management tools that are past their sell by date
Strategic or operational business functions, is there an option?
For a long time professions such as Human Resources and Marketing have aimed to be strategic players. Often some functions are sub contracted, with the “strategic stuff” retained in house.Is this sustainable?What might be operational one day is strategic the next! IT is a great example of this.Can everything be outsourced? How do we know what can and cannot be outsourced effectively? Strategic or Operational What do Businesses need? Well they need both, operational and strategy. … [Read more...] about Strategic or operational business functions, is there an option?
Hidden Strengths by Thuy Sindell & Milo Sindell
Hidden Strengths: Unleashing the Crucial Leadership Skills You Already Have is a book by authors Thuy Sindell and Milo Sindell.The book starts with the premise that to survive in the modern world we need to be agile and adaptive. This book and the associated website set out to provide tools to help readers become more agile. Structured in three parts, the book sets the reader out on a journey of discovery of our existing strengths and the opportunity we have for personal growth. Part 1 - … [Read more...] about Hidden Strengths by Thuy Sindell & Milo Sindell
Just because…. it’s May 4th – or Star Wars day #StarWarsDay
Date line May 4th...year... well every year :) Sometimes, just some times we like to do things people are not expecting. Sometimes its obvious. If you don't know that today is special, well it is an inter galactic holiday - Galactic Star Wars dayWell today is one of those days, and just for a little distraction: As the UK heads towards it elections for government, it is strange to think that the origins of "Start Wars Day" actually started with the UK parliament: History … [Read more...] about Just because…. it’s May 4th – or Star Wars day #StarWarsDay
Why training fails – time for a new approach?
Time for a new approach to learning in business?Over the years I have looked at a number of books, blogs and articles and in various LinkedIn groups to do with training and developing people. Many of these are about management, leadership and developing people for the future.There seems to be a common theme.... new ways of doing things. A reinforcement of the message that the old ways did not get what you wanted. Here is a new, improved and better way. A new and shiny approach if you … [Read more...] about Why training fails – time for a new approach?
Business Value Realization – BVR
What is business value realization? Several sources define value realization as: “The value extracted from a process or project shown over time” A demand of businesses is the ability for organizations to generate more ‘value add’ from existing products, processes and customers. Different disciplines have in the past used different language to mean value realisation in one flavour or another. This can be seen to include the term “evaluation” in Learning and Development, ROI in capital terms. … [Read more...] about Business Value Realization – BVR
Recruiting and engaging volunteers what is your strategy
Recruiting and engaging volunteers is one thing, but how do you retain them once they are through the door and completed basic training? Having a wide diversity of volunteers brings a community and richness that adds value beyond words.For organisations that rely on volunteers, recruiting and engaging those volunteers becomes a key performance indicator for that 'business'. I say business because any organisation set up to provide services must be solvent, and that means making a profit or … [Read more...] about Recruiting and engaging volunteers what is your strategy
Why change initiatives fail to deliver
Why do change initiatives fail to deliver the expected results?It does not matter how many books you have read or how many change management projects you have been involved in. Some are successful. Some change initiatives fail. The real question is, can we identify failure early before any damage is done? And what can we do to reduce our change initiative from failing? What does research say about change initiatives failing? The HBR claims that 70% of change initiatives fail, Gallup claim … [Read more...] about Why change initiatives fail to deliver
Do you cover all your social media with all of your content?
Do you cover all your social media with all of your content?Many of us write blogs and articles on LinkedIn, on our own blogs or as a guest blogger on other peoples sites.The perceived wisdom of the SEO and marketing gurus is to push your piece everywhere. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn status, all of your LinkedIn groups, StumbleUpon etc. In fact everywhere you can. But is this "push everywhere" a help or a hindrance? Certainly the wider you promote the content, the more people will see … [Read more...] about Do you cover all your social media with all of your content?
