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The TrainingZONE LearningWIRE - Issue 69
4 October 1999
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk
The Learning Community
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Copyright (c) 1999 Sift plc. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced in any medium for non-commercial purposes as long as attribution is given.
"I wake up each morning determined to change the World and also to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes that makes planning the day a little difficult."
E.B. White
This Week - on TrainingZone
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Two great online workshops last week - on 'Training Skills' and 'Core Competencies' - thanks to the facilitators involved. This week's WORKSHOP is on 'Evaluating Training and Learning' and is led by Tony Willson. It's scheduled for Tuesday at 12.00 midday.
You can join in (and read the details from the last two workshops) at
http://www.trainignzone.co.uk/chat
These workshops are an easy and engaging way of providing you with practical support, new learning and relevant CPD. There is no charge to participate in each Workshop.
Our POLL asks for your views about people's entitlement to both time and money to engage in training or continuous professional development. Cast your vote at
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/poll
This week we've a special issue featuring the Business Skills '99 conference and exhibition - see below for full details and a summary of some of the more interesting exhibitors. If you're going, do come and visit our stand.
Also this week, several new resources have been added to the free Toolkit. What about publishing some of your training and development resource materials in the Toolkit? It's a great way of demonstrating your abilities For details, see
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit
For further information about any aspect of TrainingZone, contact Tim Pickles, Editor
mailto:[email protected]
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WebWatch
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WebWatch brings you information about useful and relevant resources from other Internet sites around the world.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/webwatch
Self-managing teams
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A review article on the HR Zone website explores the idea of teams which manage to look after themselves and take responsibility for their own work.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6955&d=1
Personal development resources
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The personal-development.com website is a newly discovered and excellent resource for all matters related to its title. In a simple, low-frills, easy to navigate website you'll find downloadable resources, plenty of links to other sites with a high PD content, news, events, discussion areas - a good community for people working in or actively involved in personal development.
http://www.personal-development.com
Adult distance learning
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Report of a recent research study now published online looks at comparative studies of distance learning appraoches for adults. Part of a partnership with the University of Barcelona, University of Helsinki and Lulea Tekniska Universitet (Sweden).
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6926&d=1
Case Studies Club and VirtualCampus
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If you've not visited the IPD website recently, you might have missed some of the upgrades and refinements which are going on. Although quite a lot of the site is still member-only access, two developments are worth looking at. The Case Studies Club is a new subscription service aiming to provide members with examples and case studies of good practice to be used as a discussion and learning tool. In time, the IPD plans to build a substantial bank of good illustrative material; submissions are also welcome. The VirtualCampus are is almost a reorganisation of the site with a new Site Map directing you to all the various resources within the IPD site.
http://www.ipd.co.uk/casestudies
http://www.ipd.co.uk/virtualcampus
National Vocational Qualifications
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All you ever wanted to know about NVQ's can now be found quickly and easily at the new DfEE website devoted to the subject at
http://www.dfee.gov.uk/nvq
And, if you always thought the subject was irrelevant, boring or simply beyond you, then you really should have a look at 'Ten Things you might not Know about NVQs' - it's really quite thought-provoking and should shift the attitudes held by many a conservative training manager. Read all about it at
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6988&d=1
Help on the web for trainers
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Trainers looking for advice and help can draw on two growing banks
of expertise, and share ideas with colleagues around the world, at
The FacilitationFactory and the Training Supersite.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7037&d=1
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New practical resources in the Toolkit
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https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/
Lost in Music.
Experiential team events need to be well thought through and expertly facilitated if they are to draw out valuable learning. Here Anthony Landale considers the risks of experiential training and highlights a novel offering from John Matchett Ltd.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#teamdev
Capstone Publishing is the latest publisher to come on-board and make resource material available to users through the Toolkit. These are all excellent resources which you can view-on-screen and download in Word format.
Smart things to know about Teams
Annemarie Caracciolo describes some of the practical things you can do to develop teams.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#teamdev
Smart things to know about Brands
Introduction to the practical book of this title, written by John L. Mariotti
and Smart things to know about Customers
Ros Jay provides helpful practical insights
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#marketing
Smart things to know about Change
Engaging, practical text written by David Firth
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#managementdev
Smart things to know about Knowledge Management
Thomas Koulopolous reveals practical ideas.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#orgdev
Smart things to know about Strategy
Richard Koch lets you into some practical insights into organisational strategy and strategic planning.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/resources.html#orgdev
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Business Skills '99
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The Business Skills '99 conference and exhibition focuses on the development and retention of IT professionals. It aims to
- bring together the HR training function and senior IT professionals
- improve soft skills training techniques for IT staff
- retain IT staff through training and development
- deliver new business contacts for skills training providers.
It's all happening at the Business Design Centre, London
13-14 October 1999
http://www.training-shows.co.uk
Selected exhibitors at Business Skills '99
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The Interpersonal Technology Group : Soft skills training workshops and skills-based management competency models designed for Information Technology professionals and managers and culture change programs for IT organisations.
http://www.itg-web.com
"TRAINER5" : Rapidly Create: Internet Training, Software Training, Orientations, Sales Training, Product Training, Technical Testing, Safety Training, Multimedia Quizzes, Presentations, Exams, Online Courses, Distance Learning, Service Training, Interactive Programmes, Tutorials and Surveys. The Original fast and easy way to create multimedia and Internet based training without programming!
http://www.digital-trainer.com
Actors In Management : EQ is now recognised as the key intelligence for the successful manager. AIM specialises in facilitating change through drama. We use especially written scenes, psychometrics), Action Arena Techniques, roleplay and one-to-one coaching and feedback to help managers develop their Emotional Intelligence.
Corporate Learning : Leading publisher and integrator of customised IT training materials and support tools, serving Commercial Education Companies and Corporate Training Departments Europe-wide. MeasureUp is a unique web-based, IT certification preparation and assessment service that adds value to technical course offerings.
http://www.corplearn.co.uk
CSN Group : Offers a comprehensive suite of vocational courses for Customer Service professionals with a particular focus on helpdesk and call centre environments blending theory, participation and workshops.
In Business Solutions Ltd : Business and HR consultants working with organisations, teams and individuals to improve processes and practices. Whenever change is afoot, In Business Solutions can help.
http://www.in-solutions.co.uk
Series 8 Group Response Systems : Established as an excellent training tool. Trainers use the keypads to promote group interactivity and to assess individual progress.
http://www.xtol.co.uk
PerfectFit : A career transition and development programme designed to deliver exceptional IT people. For those seeking IT staff, PerfectFit selects, trains and offers permanent placement services. For those wishing to retain and develop existing staff, PerfectFit designs and implements a tailored skills strategy to create long-term success.
mailto:[email protected]
Business by Design : Cathy - coactive coach, facilitator and unlocker of solutions for your business. Helping you find your own solutions to help your business thrive.
http://www.by-dsgn.com
The Industrial Society - an independent, not-for-profit campaigning body with over 10,000 member organisations - driven by a commitment to improve working life: training - public and bespoke, consultancy, surveys and audits, books and videos. Including: personnel and training, communication skills, leadership and management development, administrative development.
http://www.indsoc.co.uk
Impact Development Training Group : Help you to develop high performing teams and inspiring leaders, to achieve world class customer service and to ensure the ‘buy in’ of your people to change. We understand the importance of people to your business and why capturing hearts and minds is so critical. Our clients are some of the world’s leading companies. Stand S26
The Personnel Today HR POrtfolio : The UK's longest established HR News magazine. Training Magazine is written and edited by the same award winning team and provides training professionals with up to the minute news and comment needed to refresh ideas and keep pace with change.
http://www.pdn.co.uk
PC Coaching : Delivers the training room of the future straight to your doorstep, giving your people a unique, innovative learning experience and you less to think about.
http://www.pccoaching.com
See all these companies at BUSINESS SKILLS '99, Business Design Centre, 13-14 October 1999, London
http://www.training-shows.co.uk
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Direct your message to our regular audience of over 3,000
professionals engaged in training, learning and development.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/help/advertise.html
Any Answers?
============
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/anyanswers
This new area of the site is really catching on, with some pertinent questions being asked and plenty of answers from users. Send your questions to the editor and you will automatically be notified of all responses by email. Please offer your answers to each question by clicking on Comment after each question.
New questions include:
What really is Knowledge Management? asks Leslie Rae
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=6969&d=1
How do you demonstrate your self-belief? asks Community Systems
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6970&d=1
Can you recommend a cross-platform online authoring tool? asks Alison MacDonald
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6971&d=1
How do you encourage trainers to adopt a more experience-based approach? asks Roger Greenaway. Plenty of answers and suggestions posted to:
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6860&d=1
Do you know any software for running behaviour style questionnaires? asks Hoda Lacey
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7019&d=1
Anyone got experience of designing CBT systems for in-house training? asks Gareth Jones
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7020&d=1
Do you know of a 'training for trainers' course suitable for shop floor operators? asks Mary Linstead
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7055&d=1
Keep sending new questions to the Editor
mailto:[email protected]
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Why not publish your training and develoment resources,
briefing papers and articles online in the Toolkit? You
gain the credit, copyright and exposure !
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit
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HR News
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https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/hrweb
Please send all relevant HR news postings to Cecilia Bingham
mailto:[email protected]
Virtual community for HR professionals
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We've just come across the hrfree.com site - which does exactly what it says: it provides HR professionals with a free-access online community. It's well organised, easy to navigate, with a host of information and briefings divided into a range of subject categories e.g. remuneration, pensions, procedures, etc. The only warning is that it's a US site and some of the material does not translate directly across to the UK context.
http://www.hrfree.com
Recruiting via the Web
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Recruitment sites on the Web have become both cheaper and easier to use since their early days, opening up world-wide opportunities for job seekers and employers alike.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7047&d=1
New Deal jobs have rised on 135,000
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Education and Employment Minister David Blunkett announced on Thursday a record rise in New Deal placements.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7044&d=1
Growing role for FE colleges in vocational training
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Colleges of FE must market their expertise better to business, and develop strong local links, according to speakers at the FE Development Agency conference on "Skills and Enterprise".
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7042&d=1
Internet access policies
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The vexed question of company policy on Internet access at work could be answered by adapting one of the sample policies available on the Web itself.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7039&d=1
Help on the web for trainers
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Trainers looking for advice and help can draw on two growing banks of expertise, and share ideas with colleagues around the world, at The FacilitationFactory and the Training Supersite.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7037&d=1
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Other News
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https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/news
European Mentoring Conference
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The Association for Management Education and Development (AMED) are co-organisers of a significant European conference on mentoring practice which includes plenty of case studies and practical ideas. The one day event takes place in Cambridge this November (not Edinburgh as stated in last issue)
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6706&d=1
Technology for Participation
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A series of events at the Institute for Cultural Affairs are designed to provide you with practical methods for engaging group members, building teams, achieving consensus, and making things happen.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6960&d=1
fastbooks
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Here's a great idea from Capstone Publishing. Since most of their published books (on management and organisational development) are held in digital format, customers can select sections from different books and have them made up into unique customised books for their own staff or workplace. This way you can 'pick and choose' the right selection of material relevant to your readers. Top and tail it with specially created material for your organisation and you have a genuinely unique and highly-tailored resource of great relevance.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6876&d=1
Boost for local learning partnerships
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At the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, David Blunkett last week announced a boost of 54 million GBP for the establishment and development of local learning partnerships across England and Wales. For details, see
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7021&d=1
ADVERTISMENT
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Want to tell your colleagues and participants about the
LearningWire and TrainingZone? Just email us with the number
of brochures required and we'll post them by return.
mailto:[email protected]
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Product Reviews
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Every week we publish reviews by a team of active professionals of recent publications, resource materials and products. To have your products reviewed, check out
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/reviews
'Work this Way' by Bruce Tulyan, reviewed by Matt Simkin
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6961&d=1
Gower's new 'Organiser' series - the first three books by Mike Tilling in this new series cover Learning, Induction and Appraisal - all reviewed by Leslie Rae.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6990&d=1
'Smart Things to Know about Change' by David Firth is reviewed by Peter Martin.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=7054&d=1
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New postings in the PressZone
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Publish details of all your news in the PressZone. To become a member, see
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/presszone
Echelon launch new CD-rom with library of individual learning activities.
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=6959&d=1
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To read the online version of LearningWire Issue 69, with activated hyperlinks, paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.learningwire.co.uk
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About Sift
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Sift plc is the award-winning UK developer of online communities
bringing you TrainingZone, AccountingWeb, BusinessZone, Travel Mole
and LawZone.
http://www.sift.co.uk
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