Balanced Approach to Leadership
Leadership consultant Simon Batty of Maple Associates explains how values, effectiveness and influence are the three dimensions of successful management. There are three dimensions to effective leadership – values, effectiveness and influence. Effective leadership is about developing ability in each of the three dimensions and then applying these skills and abilities in a balanced, three-dimensional […]
Learning Technologies: Trainers Must Talk “Human Capital”
Training professionals must talk in terms of human capital not human resources Professor Andrew Mayo told delegates at the Learning Technologies Conference.Prof Mayo said: “HR departments use terms like human resources and headcount, it is up to us as professionals to fight this idea that people are costs walking around.”He said that terms such as […]
Management Training Must Think Global
In a business environment that is increasingly global, David Head, Professor of International Business Communication at the University of Plymouth Business School, argues that management training in the UK must look beyond the shores of this small island. Just over a decade after completion of the European Single Market and with the business context firmly […]
Bitesize No. 2 – Putting a £ Value on Training
It is amazing how much training takes place and how much money is spent without any effort being made to put a real value on what such training is worth. This is a pity because training can make a significant difference and generate very considerable pound signs. Also, if managers do not really consider the […]
Bitesize Business Partners: Introduction
Business partners, with training expertise, are a new but rapidly growing breed of professional. They are in great demand and can command a premium when it comes to salary package because they can demonstrate the value they add. But what distinguishes a trainer working as a business partner from traditional trainers or management development specialists? […]
Managers Need to Understand Finance
In the business world post Enron, finance trainer John Kind of John Kind Learning argues that managers need to get to grips with the accounting basics. Accounting and finance remain the ‘ugly ducklings’ of management subjects because they have a reputation for dullness and complexity, which many accountants fail to dispel in discussions and meetings […]
Leaders – Born or Bred?
Terry Russell, partner of Intouch Management Consulting LLP argues that with enough will, training and practice anyone can become a leader. So much has been written about leadership in businesses. Some theories suggest that a leader stands alone like a superman or superwoman and creates their own heroic visions. Other theories believe in distributive leadership, […]
Staff resolve to change jobs
Around 13% of workers are planning to change jobs in the New Year, citing the fact that they feel trapped in their current position.The People in Work Monitor survey by Pitman Training showed that nearly half of respondents – 47% – said they felt trapped in their current role. Pitman said this showed a need […]
Accelerated learning – the next big thing for 2004?
Accelerated learning is not new, but Robert Chapman of The Training Camp argues that its time has come. Accelerated learning is anti-method, and anti-technique and therefore challenges the ‘one size fits all’ approach of conventional learning. The modern notion of accelerated learning has been formed by a number of 20th century influences, notably Bulgarian psychiatrist […]
Sporting heroes as business role models
John Macarfrae, director of training provider Maverick, believes the team training methods that create heroes on the sportsfield can translate into the field of work. If you are involved in training and development you will be well versed in the concepts of team-working and the need for a balance of people with the need to […]
Feature: E-learning trends for 2004
As part of our focus on training trends for 2004, Tony Probert of Dotworld Communications predicts the five key drivers for e-learning in the coming year. Feedback from the training industry indicates that business unit (BU)managers are increasingly not only the sponsors but the decision makers in today’s e-learning projects. E-learning must deliver measurable benefits […]
Organisations use training to stem staff turnover
Training and development’s value in reducing staff turnover has been recognised in a study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The survey of 577 organisations found that increasing training and development is the most common method used to lower staff turnover. And it seemed organisations were right to focus on training and development, […]
Training spend increase in US
The United States has spent more on employee training and provided more hours of training than ever before.The results come from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) 2003 State of the Industry Report. Over 270 organisations responded to the survey, the results showed: – Training expenditure as a percentage of pay roll increased […]
Giuliani tells Brits how to be a leader
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has shared his leadership philosophy at a seminar for members of the Institute of Leadership and Management.Mr Giuliani, who came to personify the resilient character of New York after the attack on the World Trade Centre, appeared at the event via a satellite link up.Mr Giuliani told delegates that […]
Taking the path to IT security best practice
Taking the path to IT security best practice Barbara Greenway, managing director of Parity Training, makes the case for getting to grips with both technical and ‘soft’ skills. Keeping IT secureRecent high-profile viruses like Sobig-C and BugBear have made improving security a priority for all users throughout an organisation, not just the IT team. Investing […]
Employers training more effective than colleges, finds ALI
The Adult Learning Inspectorate’s report into Engineering, manufacturing and technology in adult learning reveals that specialist work-based learning providers carried out by employers or employers’ organisations is more effective than that carried out by colleges.The survey of current practice in engineering, manufacturing and technology looked at a wide range of publicly-funded provision including education and […]
Members news: First aid training
Jackie Southworth of SOVRIN First Aid Training writes:Thought this may be of use to first aid trainers: The HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE has issued a discussion document on the subject of possible changes in the provision of First Aid at Work training as this may ultimately affect all first aid trainers it is recommended that […]
Independent body to tackle red tape in post-16 learning
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have set up an independent body which will be tasked with getting rid of red tape in post-compulsory education.The new seven-member Group, composed of representatives from the civil service and learning sectors, has been set up in direct response to the […]
Government regulations ‘denying’ millions of workers training in colleges
The leader of the association which represents Britain’s Further Education Colleges is calling on the Government to introduce radical changes in policy when it launches its Skills Strategy in June.David Gibson, CEO of the Association of Colleges, believes that millions of people across the country are missing out on training because of over-regulation of the […]
Featured interview: Revolutionising skills development in the retail sector
The new national sector skills network is being pioneered by five Trailblazer Sector Skills Councils. Among these is Skillsmart, the sector skills council for the retail sector. TrainingZONE talked to Peter McLaren-Kennedy, Head of Communications at Skillsmart, about the state of skills development in retail, and what a sector skills council can do to improve […]
