May’s theme on TrainingZONE: The training cycle
In May, TrainingZONE will be looking at the training cycle. We want to follow the whole process as it really happens, from the identification of a skills need through analysis, selection and delivery of training, putting it into action, application of skills learned and evaluation through to the renewed process. Among the issues we’ll be […]
Is the concept of the training cycle a help or a hindrance?
In this feature article, Nigel Wood, Business Psychologist at PMSL searches for the origins of what we call the training cycle, and looks at the advantages and disadvantages of using it as a formal process to plan workplace development. Getting rollingWhat is the training cycle? I couldn’t remember who first coined the term and so, […]
How to motivate managers and staff in times of great adversity
A quick straw poll of most organisations would indicate that they experience ‘times of great adversity’ most of the time, or certainly believe they do.Kim Coe, CEO of the The How2 Group, looks at how to deal with organisational ‘states’ that go beyond the normal experience of struggle, hardship, fear and frustration, which sad to […]
The trouble with risk
New policy initiatives in public and private sectors mean that staff at all levels are increasingly expected to be involved in risk management – yet the training community currently offers few, if any, ways of engaging their wholehearted support for what is normally seen as a chore. Roger Miles of Repute Ltd offers an fresh […]
The training cycle: Sourcing training
In the second part of our series looking at the training cycle, we examine the process of sourcing and matching training to needs. Once a development need has been established, training needs to be sourced to meet that need. There are three main sources: Internally, with the learner working alongside or receiving tuition or advice […]
The training gap – getting appraisal back on track
In this feature article, Dr Clive Fletcher looks at why the appraisal process can appear so difficult, and explains why training those involved is so vital to the success of a scheme. Why is it that appraisal is so tough to get right? All the surveys come back time and time again saying that many […]
Behind the Leadership and Management Model
In this special feature for TrainingZONE, Richard Gray, Director of Consulting at Esensys Ltd talks about some of the key issues they examined when creating the recently-launched Leadership and Management Model on behalf of Investors in People UK. Leadership, off the shelf, or bespoke to your needs?If you peruse most of the current popular titles […]
Training is too concentrated on the higher skilled, finds research
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has produced a new report, HR Trends and Prospects 2003, which suggests that organisations are devoting the majority of their resources towards the higher skilled, to the detriment of the UK’s ability to improve productivity. According to the report, low-income workers receive less training, feature less in […]
The Training cycle: Assessing and defining needs
During the month of May, TrainingZONE will be looking at the processes involved in the training cycle. Each week, we’ll be publishing an article written by our editorial team, offering an introduction to each aspect of the cycle. In this first piece, we look at the first stage in the cycle – identifying training needs. […]
Employees look for training and job security over other benefits, finds survey
Training and job security are the biggest motivators for attracting and retaining staff, according to new research by Parity Training.Companies put job security as the third highest motivator (46%), after obvious factors like career prospects (69%) and salary (65%), while 29% of companies saw the value of offering training as an incentive to attract the […]
The philosopher’s stone of training
Continuing our month of features on adding value in training, Nigel Wood, Business Psychologist at PMSL contemplates change, our constant search for improving ourselves and whether there ever can be a one-fits-all solution to anything. Spring is here. The clocks have changed and so too, it seems, has the weather. Everything’s changing. And that’s what […]
Should organisations have a Chief Learning Officer?
Over the past few years there has been a continual stream of acronyms – CEO, CTO, CFO – and each, in turn, has been identified as a key position required for the development of a successful company. So is there room for another – the CLO (Chief Learning Officer)? Would this role offer any real […]
Pay attention to corporate culture, or face an uncertain future – HRD Preview
The pressures of the modern economy are destroying a sense of community in many UK organisations according to Rob Goffee, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, speaking at the CIPD’s annual training conference, HRD 2003. Goffee claims that increased competition through globalisation has left a negative mark on organisations as they attempt to […]
Implementing performance management – HRD preview
Matthew Joint, Group Management Development Director at Centrica, is presenting a case study at HRD entitled “Performance Management: what a performance!”. Here he shares his experience of introducing performance management in a large organisation.TrainingZONE What do you think most often goes wrong with performance management?The most common problem is that it isn’t taken seriously, its […]
Best practice in training management
Roy Davis, Head of Communications at SHL, responds to our theme Adding Value in Training with some observations on best practice in training management.What would you add to these? Post your comments below or email us. The key to successful performance at work is to get people with appropriate skills working in a relevant job, […]
What makes for a successful team?
Jan Bailey, Marketing Manager of the Leadership Trust examines the qualities that make a team successful. What makes for a successful team? How many organisations throughout the UK and across the world have pondered this question? And it is not only business organisations. In the world of sport, for example, teamwork is frequently crucial – […]
Surviving change
In the current climate of global and economic uncertainty, the stresses and anxieties of individuals within the workplace are often overlooked with dire consequences for business. Julie Heavens, director of Sages and Wise Women explains how to minimise the damage to employees and to the employee relationship. Companies which are downsizing and restructuring may find […]
Thinking the same… differently
Globalisation and changing demographics in the UK mean that most organisations have staff who need to be able to work cross culturally. In addition, there is growing competition for talented people – businesses need to recruit from every possible pool to increase their chances of recruiting the best. It is clear that organisations need to […]
Workplaces provide a sustaining community to employees – research
New research by Penna Sanders and Sidney explores the social and commercial advantages of workplace friendships. The context for the study was the breakdown of the traditional networks that support individuals – family, neighbours, the church and so on – and hence the importance of the workplace as a source of social community and friendship. […]
More development for leaders, except at the top – research
Despite public concern at failing leadership at the top of the corporate world, UK business is focusing more attention on the leadership skills of its junior managers than its CEOs, according to research by The Work Foundation.The survey – Developing Leaders – shows that company directors are the management group least likely to receive leadership […]
