There is more to training than training… Do we know why training does not work?The other evening while on the way home from some client work, I read the paper on the train. In this was an interesting article that suggested that public transport staff should be given “civility” training by one of the UKs top retailers for customer service – John Lewis.The article cited that London has high levels of “incivility” and blamed it on the time people travel to and from work. The recommendation … [Read more...] about Why training does not work – there is more to training than training
Court gives director of training firm 10 year jail sentence
Commercial Training Provider Fined & sent to Jail - A cautionary tale Reported in the Times last week at the Central Criminal Court in London, the Right Honourable Lord Wilkinson set the sentence between George (Director Ultimate Training Associates Limited (UTA)) vs Regina to 10 years for copyright infringement.Throughout the case, George proclaimed their innocence by saying that “the material was only used for education purposes, and not sold”.Evidence given throughout the case … [Read more...] about Court gives director of training firm 10 year jail sentence
Talent Management – how to shoot yourself in the foot in the future!
Talent Management - Easy today... pain tomorrow Most of us agree that the success of any organization is down to the quality of its people. So why do we fail to realise that talent management is not just about the “top 50” people, but those with the potential to be in the top 50 at some point in the future, as well as talent that will enable our organization to be competitive in a sustainable way. Talent is NOT just about tomorrow’s leaders, it is about next week’s skills and next months … [Read more...] about Talent Management – how to shoot yourself in the foot in the future!
History of Coaching – A True Insight into Coaching
Coaching is everywhere, in this piece we explore the history of coaching through academia, sport, business and beyond. It [Coaching] is the hot topic of management, leadership and people development. This article explores the history of coaching through the ages.There are as many forms of coaching methodologies are there are coaches, so is there a “right” way? Or is the term “coaching” a generic word for one-to-one guidance, help or support? A True Insight into Coaching The origination of … [Read more...] about History of Coaching – A True Insight into Coaching
When is leadership not leadership? – cultural issues
This past week I have been in the UAE facilitating a 5 day leadership and strategic change program for international participants (none from the UAE). The brief was to share international best practice around all areas of leadership and change. For the majority they found the teaching and learning of great value, however there were some that acted as delegates. Not listening or interacting above the absolute minimum. They appeared to think that they were perfect leaders already and could learn … [Read more...] about When is leadership not leadership? – cultural issues
The 5 Traps to Avoid – Increasing Trend for People Going Freelance
How to have a sustainable business model With the economy showing little in the way of recovery, every day there seems to be more and more people looking towards self-employment, in particular in the freelance or contracting markets.This is having a strange impact on the supply and demand in the profession. People are often despirate for work, so set low rates - custonmers like the thought of saving so hire at the lowest cost... but what is the real cost?When contracting or freelancing, … [Read more...] about The 5 Traps to Avoid – Increasing Trend for People Going Freelance
What is the best Training Room Layout #hrblog
There are many layouts for training rooms. Unfortunately, there are no perfect layouts. There are however more and less effective room layouts.We need to consider the purpose of the training. the facilitators' preference. the content of the training, and of course any limitations the location has.In this video, I outline some of the layouts and why you should, or should not use them. I would love to hear your views.Video transcript - Hi Everyone, Mike Morrison … [Read more...] about What is the best Training Room Layout #hrblog
Train the Trainer – Infection Control
Practical Infection control training for: NHS, care-homes, food preparation, hygiene, hand washing Hygiene, infection control and hand-washing - making the difference to peoples livesIt all started as a discussion about volunteer training for a national first-aid organisation. Members of the group were interested in further training, but bored with the routine of what we had been doing. With swine flu on the news at the time, one of the emergency planning volunteers said she would be a … [Read more...] about Train the Trainer – Infection Control
Training Room Layout
Room Layouts suitable for group training So you are having a training session or meeting. Have you considered what layout would be best for you?Have you ever had a meeting in a room that was in a different configuration from your usual format?Was the meeting more or less effective than normal?This guide can be used when you ‘book’ or hire a training or meeting room. Remember to state the layout and the number of participants required. Importance of effective training room … [Read more...] about Training Room Layout
Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
Why should we blog?For some time I have been promoting Twitter as a good thing for people running small businesses to do, but recently I have been asked “why blog” and what is the value to small businesses and freelance consultants and trainers.I guess that because I have been doing this for some time that I overlooked the basics. This article is the first is a short series to show why and how to blog for business.People and business blog for a wide range of reasons including: … [Read more...] about Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Twitter: your CRM & marketing channel. It's about more than just followers...Over the past 12 months in my twitter contributions I have often included tips to help those involved in using twitter for their business (marketing). I often get requests to publish a full set - so here is a list of my current thinking about using twitter as a tool for building relationships for future business. In no particular order (other than alphabetical)...Add value - share interesting or useful … [Read more...] about Twitter as a marketing & CRM tool
Technology based learning – does it work (e-learning)?
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)?
Do Training Programmes actually work? Interview
A few weeks ago I was interviewed by PDH Academy.I was asked some interesting questions. Questions that on reflection I should have been able to answer easily. But actually in a wide context were more difficult than I expected.Having thought about these, I would urge all readers of this to apply the same questions internally. What do we need to do to ensure that we deliver what the business NEEDS and not what it WANTS. This can be harder than it sounds. They also wanted to focus on … [Read more...] about Do Training Programmes actually work? Interview
Before Training Needs Analysis (TNA) – Task analysis
Small steps to training needs analysisA "job task analysis" is widely recognised as the foundation of successful training. Before managers can train their employees, they must decide what the individuals need to be able to do.A task analysis breaks down a complex task into its components—that is, its "knowledge that", "knowledge what" and its "knowledge how".Before conducting any training needs analysis we need to understand the task we are asking the individual(s) to do. Often if we … [Read more...] about Before Training Needs Analysis (TNA) – Task analysis
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
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!
Is the fast food approach to learning and development working? #hrblog #cipdLDShow
Is the fast food approach to learning and development working? Last week I was at the annual CIPD conference for Learning and Development professionals. Whilst much of the content of the paid for conference sessions was about ensuring training and learning activities were effective, the mood on the exhibition floor was different. Off the shelf or bespoke? Every provider that offered off-the-shelf learning solutions also offered bespoke solutions. But the emphasis for may was the off-the-shelf, … [Read more...] about Is the fast food approach to learning and development working? #hrblog #cipdLDShow
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
E-learning – making to transition from classroom to electronic learning
Following my presentation to the BCS special interest learning group last month, I was involved in a discussion about the use of visuals in learning.The question was posed - What techniques are 'in' and which are 'out' ?My immediate reaction was nothing and everything - it's not what you do but the way that you do it - anything works as long as it is congruent with the style, context and learning need.But this got me thinking in the wider sense.In a classroom the 'screen' pr … [Read more...] about E-learning – making to transition from classroom to electronic learning
Training and educational resources
The team at RapidBI are often developing resources, often these are put up as pages on our site, other times they are turned into downloadable products.If you are looking for PowerPoint resources for management or leadership training or coaching then look at our powerpoint set.If you are involved in team development then our card and communication exercise may well hit the mark.Remember you can also download and start using our Employee Engagement Survey or our Business Diagnostic … [Read more...] about Training and educational resources
