How to set goals and meet them

First set the goal, then create and plan for achieving it and then execute the action points. Robert Kelsey has a strategy for all of this. Read on… Not so fast. Each area requires proper thought if it’s to provide effective support for the others. This is even the case for the objectives. For instance, […]
Top ten tips to motivate yourself

Stephen Walker sympathises with the providers in the training sector struggling with the challenging business conditions. Here he gives his top ten tips for keeping focused, optimistic and motivated. There is no doubt that business conditions in the training sector are tough today. Business is there to be won but it is […]
How L&D professionals and social search technology can work together

Simeon Stewart discusses a new social technology, social search, and looks at how L&D professionals can harness it in order to further differentiate their offering and provide greater benefits to their clients. In the first article of this series we looked at how search and L&D face the common problems of information overload and an […]
Social Search: A technology match for L&D?

Simeon Stewart discusses a new social technology, social search, and looks at why it might be an appropriate tool for learning and development. Several commentators point to the challenges information overload and the increasing rate of change present to formal training, something that was referred to just recently when we interviewed Charles Jennings, ex CLO […]
20% of staff receive no training evaluation

Although nearly three quarters of staff consider learning and development opportunities to be as important as salary when choosing their next job, more than half are currently receiving no training from their employer. According to a survey of 700 learning and development managers and staff within both commercial and IT departments undertaken by training provider […]
Reed Learning partners with ASTD to deliver training certification

Reed Learning has launched its UK partnership with the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD). Although the official announcement will not come until next month, a breakfast briefing held in London on 17 February confirmed the move, which has been interpreted by some as a challenge to the CIPD for their members who work […]
How mobile learning can boost performance

Performance support is a term that’s been around for decades. You’ve almost certainly experienced it first hand at work and in everyday life, but still you may not be quite sure what it is. Andrew Jackson explains. This article helps answer several questions: What is performance support, exactly? How does it fit in with existing […]
The seven facets of leadership pt 6: Motivation

In part 6 of a series, Spencer Holmes describes a new approach to the development of project managers to meet the current challenges of organisations in all sectors. This week: Motivation. This week we look at the topic of motivation as it relates to project leadership. Maybe it’s the difference, ultimately, between project management and […]
Reward/Recognition Schemes for Trainers

Granted a ‘Well Done’ works well for majority of people, especially in the tiring and often hectic world of training. I am looking for ideas on a reward/recognition scheme for a team of trainers. Historically recognition has come in the form of appraisals resulting in a potential bonus payment. This is based upon a number […]
Searching for the perfect boss

Millions of Brits are on the hunt for the ideal boss and are prepared to change jobs and even switch careers in their drive to find perfection. New research from First Direct reveals almost seven million (28%) workers have moved jobs in an attempt to find a better boss and improved working environment. So elusive is […]
The evolution of L&D

Taking into account the many technological and demographical changes of the last decade, Francis Marshall looks at what the future holds for L&D. The last decade has heralded many changes in technology and in the learning function with the rise of the internet and Web 2.0. This, coupled with what some economists consider to […]
Onto the podium

Drawing from his experiences of working with Olympic athletes, Jonathan Males explains even a tiny change in the right area has the potential to make a big difference. For Olympic athletes, reaching the podium is a tangible outcome for their many years of hard work. For the serious athletes, fourth place may as well be […]
A new world for business: Part 2

The business world is changing and UK management needs to adapt to lead organisations out of recession, all of which has huge implications and challenges for L&D. Ruth Spellman OBE concludes her opinion piece. A radical approach Of course times are tough but now, more than ever, the economic, social and political challenges we […]
A new world for business: Part 1

The business world is changing and UK management needs to adapt to lead organisations out of recession, all of which has huge implications and challenges for L&D. Ruth Spellman OBE suggests a way forward. Since the coalition government came into power, individuals and employers alike have been waiting for news about the Comprehensive Spending Review. […]
Employees more interested in training than benefits

Employers’ failure to understand what motivates staff to stay with them means that almost a quarter of personnel would be willing to move elsewhere if a more interesting opportunity came up. While employers believe that the key factors behind employee retention relate to the company’s brand, culture and benefits package, in fact, workers are more […]
L&D managers confident despite budget cuts

Learning and development managers may be over-optimistic about their ability to cope with expected budget and staff cuts over the next six months, a new report has warned. The study entitled the ‘UK Learning Trends Index’, the first in a regular six-month survey to be undertaken by online learning content provider GoodPractice and industry training […]
Preview: The World of Learning 2010

Now in its 18th year, the World of Learning Conference & Exhibition 2010 will once again attract thousands of L&D professionals to the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 September 2010. In the last week of September, TrainingZone will make the quick trip up the M5 from its Bristol offices to Birmingham […]
Losing your grip on staff engagement?

Stephen Walker reviews 10 key ways to identify which of your staff feel less engaged and therefore less willing to work for your success. Every organisation has a mix of people ranging from a few star performers to fewer (hopefully!) marginally useful people with the majority of us in the middle. Equally the general environment […]
DHL opens learning centre

The DHL supply chain has opened a learning centre in Leicestershire to provide its 200 staff with training ranging from basic skills to NVQs. The centre located at Magna Park in Lutterworth was developed in conjunction with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and training provider EQV. Chris Sharp, […]
Learning and development at the crossroads pt1

How has Learning and Development changed since its inception ? Donald Taylor believes its not just a focus shift from simple knowledge delivery, and the whole industry has to evolve just to keep up. As I wrote in Training needs to change or risk irrelevance, I believe this is a crucial time for Learning and […]