Over the years many people attend in-company training courses because there is something new on the list, or because there is generally “something useful” about the programs run. This menu of training provion, whilst helping managers, has become one of the tools that has helped to almpst destroy the tr Training for reward or punishment Too many organizations still use training as some form of reward or punishment for not being “good enough” THIS MUST STOP Using training for either of these … [Read more...] about There is only one reason why outstanding organizations train their people
The best training should always be led by your manager
Being a manager is a journey, from our first days as team leader or supervisor through middle and senior roles to director level. The more senior we become, the more of our time should be spend on developing our people. It is easy when we get promoted to keep doing the things we used to do, but as we can see from the graphic below, we should be spending time on our people not just “doing things”. As a team leader we start to take on people development activities, and as we progress, we do less … [Read more...] about The best training should always be led by your manager
What is Soft Skills Training?
What is Soft Skills Training? In the past, Soft skills training and learning was used to refer to manager, leader, influencing, and other interpersonal skills. In recent years the term soft skills is being increasingly used to refer to EQ or Emotional Quotient based training and development. Can you live on Soft Skills alone? Hard skills, or technical skills are all very well on their own, but it is widely recognised that to use hard skills effectively, an individual needs finely tuned soft … [Read more...] about What is Soft Skills Training?
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
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?
L&D the land of the walking dead… zombies? #cipdldshow
I have spent the last 2 days at premier conference for the learning and development profession in London. I have been in the profession for over 30 years, and in that time I have seen a lot of changes. In the last two years I have come to an increasing realization that maybe the profession is dead... but most people in the profession have not realized this yet. We are all the walking dead, zombies. We keep doing what we do, and have not realized the we and many of our colleagues have … [Read more...] about L&D the land of the walking dead… zombies? #cipdldshow
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
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
Size matters…..is bigger better, or is smaller more intimate?
Training tip for group sizes and dynamics It is often said that bigger is better, an in many things in life it may well be true, but when it come to training it is often said that small group size is best. That is sort of true, but not universally. Pros of big groups:economies of scale more ideas, thoughts & contributionsCons of big groupspeople can hide we don't know if people are learningPros of small groupsone to one attention meet individual … [Read more...] about Size matters…..is bigger better, or is smaller more intimate?
…and I’m expected to attend training?
Business, customers, expectations, time pressures, different employees, change. Wherever we look these days things are changing and more often than not it appears to be out of our control. Then on top of this we are expected to attend training, is it really necessary? Does the training have to be for that long? Can’t I just attend for a day? I have a job to do you know. Some great questions If your employer is providing more than just a couple of hours of training, then they consider it … [Read more...] about …and I’m expected to attend training?
Get physical for best practice training #trainingtip
Whilst the human being is supposed to be a smart, intelligent animal, the reality that we cannot escape from is that we are also physical beings. Sitting still or remaining stationary for long periods of time might be aspirational for some, but from a learning point of view, we learn best when we move. There is conflicting research about the exact nature of what physical activity is best for learning, however there are some general principles that Neuroscientists agree on:People need to … [Read more...] about Get physical for best practice training #trainingtip
Less is not more when it comes to training #tna
Our employees are not machines, they are emotional beings, we need to look beyond systematic approaches to training needs analysis How do we know what training to give? Traditionally in the world of training there has been a movement to do what is called "gap analysis" or training needs analysis to help identify the needs that training must deliver. From a systematic point of view, it was thought that the "best practice" would be to do as little training as necessary to plug the gap. Good for … [Read more...] about Less is not more when it comes to training #tna
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques1. Conceptual clarity: It is seen more often than not the term Accelerated or Brain Friendly Learning Technique is used in a loose manner to mean 'any learning activity' that expedites the learning process. While it encompasses within itself an activity of learning, yet it does not convey the true import of the concept whose objective is to teach the whole person in order to impart the core elements to the learners (students) which … [Read more...] about A General Introduction to Accelerated Learning Techniques
The four steps to learning
Four step learning ladder - a model for learning to learnThe Learning Ladder describes the steps we go through when learning a new skill.Four levels or steps of learningUnconscious incompetence - We don't know what we don't knowConscious incompetence - We know what we don't knowConscious competence - We know what we knowUnconscious competence - We don't know what we knowIt can be applied to virtually all learning scenarios but the example we will use here is … [Read more...] about The four steps to learning
Learning Styles – Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory
Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory Overview: The theory of multiple intelligence's suggests that there are a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each individual possesses in varying degrees. Gardner proposes seven primary forms: linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, body-kinesthetic, intra personal (e.g., insight, meta cognition) and interpersonal (e.g., social skills).According to Howard Gardner, the implication of the theory is that … [Read more...] about Learning Styles – Gardner Multiple Intelligence theory
Eight ways to learn from your mistakes
In the book "Ending the Blame Culture" Michael Pearn, Chris Mulrooney and Tom Payne, the authors say there are eight ways to learn from mistakes.These are:Explore what happened don't judge it Remain calm instead of getting emotional Find out what actually happened instead of reacting to what you think happened Focus on faulty processes not faulty people Provide support instead of finding fault Concentrate on causes instead of effects Assume an attitude of learning … [Read more...] about Eight ways to learn from your mistakes
Nine Step Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Plan #hrblog
Nine Step Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Plan Conducting a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) can be a daunting task, TNAs get easier with experience, however it can be a straightforward process.An effective Training Needs Analysis needs to be a good fit with your existing (and future desired) business and culture.Nine steps to producing a TNA:Identify the business need (gap in performance/ capability) for the training Strategically align the training need with your objectives … [Read more...] about Nine Step Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Plan #hrblog
Train the trainer course – what to look for?
17 things to looks for in a Train the Trainer course... Search the web for a train the trainer course and you are provided with a long list of websites which all appear to meet your needs - but do they? What is a train the trainer course? are they all the same and will they meet your needs?What is Train the Trainer?Lets first look at what a trainer is. Today in 2010 a trainer is a little different from those 10-20 years ago, indeed even the language has changed.There are in essence 4 types … [Read more...] about Train the trainer course – what to look for?
