The Difference between Training and Comms

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I’ve recently taken over a Training Team and found that slot of what they do I would class as Comms rather than Training. By this I mean that they are doing things that only require awareness and don’t require any change in action or behaviour. Does anyone have any credible definitions I could use to […]

PAVA: The four ways to approach diversity training

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The right kind of equality and diversity training can reap dividends for your organisation. Snéha Khilay, offers some key top tips on how to approach and manage this effectively. As a practicing trainer, I am constantly challenged to find ways of dealing with scenarios involving cultural diversity in the workplace. I often have to deal […]

Cardboard cop-out

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Another great episode last night – and finally we got to see a bit more of the other candidates. What’s more, it was one of my favourite design tasks (remember the bum exerciser and the doomed ‘gym in a box’?) This week the youngsters are confronted by several pairs of wellies in the hallway before […]

Body language demystified: Profiling your delegates

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This month our body language expert, Peter Clayton looks at the complex subject of profiling and how it can help you better understand your delegates. Following my last article, Dr. Suzanne Hard commented that some of the scientists that she works with have trouble with understanding why they should smile and make eye contact when […]

20 reasons to invest in sales training

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Often we as sales trainers are asked to justify why a business should pay for our services. In this article I will provide 20 compelling reasons why sales training is not simply a cost that your company should carry but rather an investment that all ambitious companies and organisations should seriously consider to help them […]

Soft Skills: Hard results

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‘Transferring development into action doesn’t have to be a challenge,’ says Garry Platt. Any soft skills development programme must result in workplace changes which contribute to the business. Often because of the nature of these types of events the content and the material used might be engaging and interesting but does not necessarily impact on […]

Teambuilding: Should you use internal faciliators?

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With companies training budgets being squeezed, should the top team use internal facilitators to run their teambuilding events and key meetings? Heather Townsend advises. Most companies when team building with the top team, automatically pay out for an external facilitator. If many highly respected learning and development consultancies are to be believed teambuilding with the […]

Coaching Conundrums: What to do with a moaning client

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This month’s coaching conundrum is about how to deal with a client who likes to spend their entire session moaning. Paul Z Jackson and Janine Waldman advise. Clients often arrive for coaching aware that it’s an opportunity for them to share their issues. Some clients take this as an invitation to complain bitterly and at […]

Mehrabian Nights: An informative tale about (mis)communication

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Martin Shovel’s expose of the Mehrabian Myth has proved so popular that he has created a short animated film to illustrate his points. We’ve added it to his popular article, to illustrate this tall tale about communication, in which common sense is stretched to breaking point.   Here’s an urban myth about communication that’s harder to […]

Are they really listening?

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Dawn Smith says ‘lend me your ears’ as she examines what can be done in the training room to encourage delegates to listen more effectively.  Universities such as Reading and Glasgow Caledonian are dishing out advice to students on how to improve their listening skills. The ability to listen effectively is a skill that can […]

Great ice-breakers and energisers

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You may also find the following articles of interest: Icebreakers for money laundering training Icebreaker for Telephone Training Icebreaker for corporate induction 300 person icebreaker Pointless icebreakers Every now and then, there is a query on Any Answers about icebreakers and energisers. Here are a few of the best ideas that have been shared by […]

Approaching a customer – activity needed

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Hi there, I’m looking for an activity to use as part of a customer service training programme that gets the participants using open questions. Does anyone have any good examples that they would be willing to share? I’d love to hear from you, either as a response to this message or you can email me […]

NEWS: Clean language workshop

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The Association for Coaching is holding a ‘clean language’ workshop next month, on 17 June in Maidenhead at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £20 to members of the Association, £35 for non members. For more details see the Association for Coaching websitehere To read more about ‘clean language’ then read Bob Selden’s feature How clean is your […]

Diary: Learning together

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In this timely diary, and reflecting on a recent unsuccessful tender, Tom Boydell explains his belief that learning together – across professional boundaries – can create greater understanding, working relationships and eventual outcomes. I have just heard that we failed to win the tender with which I closed last month’s diary entry. Quite a disappointment […]

Free thinking: Beyond plain English

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Martin Shovel explores why speaking plainly just isn’t enough when it comes to leadership, and how poetry and the ancient art of rhetoric can help…  How would your colleagues react if you turned up at the office one day in your pyjamas? Chances are, you’d struggle to get them to take you seriously. And if […]

Life after PowerPoint: Alternative software tools for great presentations

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It may seem that Microsoft PowerPoint has the presentation software market covered, but there are other solutions available, both for your desktop machine and via the web. Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox investigates alternative presentation tools and resources.  For many users, Microsoft PowerPoint is the default presentation tool. Long-standing, largely stable, and an integral part of […]

Practical tips for projecting your voice

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As we wind up this month’s focus on presentations Helen Sewell delivers an updated version of the TrainingZone guide to projecting your voice, including tips for voice projection exercises.   The art of voice projection is perhaps nowhere better illustrated than in the Blackadder episode ‘Sense and Senility’ when the actors Keanrick and Mossop attempt […]

Training awards: Why they matter – and how to win!

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There are plenty of awards open to training professionals and these could present you with the opportunity to benchmark against the best whilst boosting employee relations and external business at the same time. Stephanie Sparrow examines the power of training awards – and shares some secrets on how to produce award-winning applications. Training AwardsThe following […]

The compelling presentation

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Kicking off TrainingZone.co.uk’s April focus on presentations, Hilary Fraser examines how to deliver persuasive presentations – in other words, persuade your audience to do what you want! We all need others to do what we want sometimes: give me the job; sign off on the deal; lend me a fiver; do it my way. We […]

Employers lead design of vocational training and education

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By 2010, all vocational qualifications will have to sit within the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). Alix Dees and Lyndy Pullan explain how employers are shaping vocational training and education through Sector Skills Councils.                                   The 25 Sector Skills […]