Training Practice

Future Focus: A New Approach to Self Assessment for the Owners of SME’s
   by David Milstein M.AITD; M.IMC

Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SME’s) are reluctant to invest in training, even though in this “new economy” skills are increasingly the differentiator between success and failure. David Milstein outlines a new approach to conducting training needs analyses that assists getting these businesses to invest in training.

Action-Based Leadership Development: Design Tips for a Successful Program
   by Andy Beaulieu

Action learning is now widely recognized as a highly effective vehicle for developing leadership competencies. In this article, Andy Beaulieu provides some very valuable lessons on how to make the most of your organization’s leadership development action learning program.

Management Training – Myth, Magic or Mayhem?  by Bob Selden

What’s the most successful way to learn about being a good manager? Bob Selden suggests some tips for all aspiring managers and a few pitfalls to avoid in their quest to become better managers.

How to Use PowerPoint to Win Over Your Audience  by Leslie Allan AIMM MAITD

In this article, Leslie Allan draws on the lessons learned from witnessing many presentations. Whether you are a trainer, facilitator or manager or are simply reporting on your latest project, these ten tips will ensure that your next presentation is a winner.

Boring, Boring Webinars  by Karen Moloney

Businesses small and large are finding web conferences (webinars) a cost-effective, efficient and convenient way to deliver training to a large number of users across multiple locations. However, it’s quite disappointing how many organizations are converting their training – and trainers – to this forum without really considering how to engage their learners in the experience.

How to Give Great Presentations at Work  by Tony Jacowski

What is a great presentation? In this article, Tony Jacowski highlights the essentials for delivering an engaging presentation, talk or speech in the workplace.

Employee Development: Motivate Employee Participation in Professional Development Opportunities and Improve Performance  by Gayle Lantz

When companies think of employee development, they often search for training programs, educational seminars, coaching or the latest book that might offer ideas on what employees can do to sharpen skills or strengthen expertise. However, none of these programs will be effective if the organization lacks one critical success factor: individual motivation. An individual has to want to develop himself before any employee training and development program can be successful.

Training the Right Way: Tips for Novice Trainers  by Leslie Allan AIMM MAITD

Starting out as a trainer can be a very daunting experience. Training effectively and making an impact boils down to five key ingredients. Leslie Allan concisely captures the most important factors you need to get right to be a winning trainer.

An Exercise to Introduce Extroversion, Introversion and Stereotyping
   by Chris Burton

Chris Burton describes a quick workshop activity that helps to address value laden and/or negative stereotyping, introduces the notion of psychic energy and opens a discussion on differences in communication styles.

Rapid Culture Change Is Possible  by Brace E. Barber

Brace Barber demonstrates how transformational change in an organization is made possible using immersion leadership training.

Two Views of Training  by Leslie Allan AIMM MAITD

You are responsible for the upskilling of employees in your organization. Yet you find that your training programs are not hitting the mark. It may be because you need to change your view of how training works to bring about improved performance. In this article, Leslie Allan contrasts two views of training; one useful and progressive, the other a roadblock to success. To which view do you subscribe?

Musical Learning  by Dick McCann and Jan Stewart

Music can be one of the most effective devices you can use to make your workshops memorable. Find out how to select the right type of music for the mood you want to create and practical suggestions on how you can add music to your training for maximum impact.

Extending the Training Room into the Workplace with Job Aids
   by Leslie Allan AIMM MAITD

Effective trainers use a variety of training aids to help trainees learn. However, the benefits of these training aids do not need to end when the training program finishes. Transforming such training aids into job aids is a powerful way of extending the training room into the workplace. Leslie Allan illustrates how ten common types of training aid can be transported for effective use back on the job.

Running IT Training Off-Site  by Karen Moloney

Conducting your IT training externally can have distinct advantages. However, running your course off-site can also hold potential traps for the unwary. Here are ten considerations you need to keep in mind when you are planning your off-site computer course.

Getting Past Major Learning Barriers  by Kevin Eikenberry

There are some common barriers that get in our way of being the most productive learners in training: we are forced to be there, we don’t see the learning as relevant or valuable, and we feel like we already know the material. While these barriers are real, there are things we can do to jump over or break through these barriers – to make the time invested in these situations more valuable and useful to us.

The Basic Theory of Learning with Stories  by Jan Stewart

In this article, Jan Stewart draws upon the latest brain research in explaining how stories are such a powerful learning tool.

Corporate Values Provide Strong Foundations for Organisational Effectiveness
   by Bob Selden

The values an organisation holds and shares with its people can be instilled and reinforced through its management education and development efforts. Does this have an impact on organisational alignment and in particular, managerial decision-making? What’s the CEO’s role?