Rethinking workplace training

Organizations need to take a balanced approach to learning and development. So have you really thought how much more effective your employees could be if you put more effort into aligning more of their learning with your company's vision and mission?

Three ways to impress your employees

Some employers act as if they shouldn't worry about impressing their employees unless it has to do with flaunting their wealth. But most know that when they make an effort to impress their staff, the result is increased commitment and productivity.

Three ways to impress your boss

Whether you're working toward a raise, a promotion, or your work ethic just won't let you do otherwise, you probably want to hear the words "good job" from your boss. If that's you, one of the quickest ways to impress your boss is by making his or her life easier.

She's a nightmare – but irreplaceable

One of David's employees generates around 30% of his company's sales. But she is a nightmare to work with, alienating colleagues and poisoning the atmosphere. Dan Bobinski suggests how to deal with the situation.

Are people really your most important asset?

Many companies proclaim that their employees are their greatest asset. Unfortunately, the phrase has become somewhat clichι, similar to saying employees are "empowered." These are valid statements only if companies put actions behind their claims.

Why new managers encounter trouble

Before you promote someone to a supervisory or managerial role, ask yourself these questions. Is the person you're promoting ready for the position? And are you willing to do what it takes to equip that person for the job? If you answer "no", you're asking for trouble.

Dan's recommended reads

It's that time of year again when I offer my annual list of recommended reads, whether you're looking for a good book to give as a gift or you want something for your own reading pleasure.

The value of self-reliance

Advancement - to whatever level one wants - comes through personal effort. We can't rely on others to bring us success. Achieving your dream means determining what you want and then doing what it takes to achieve it.

How much personal business at work is reasonable?

The average worker apparently spends approximately two hours each day taking care of personal matters. So why is so much personal business being done at work? And what - if anything - should we do about it?

Engaging change: six tips for surviving and thriving

With the economy experiencing a major shakeup, every day presents new challenges and opportunities. How managers adapt to the changing horizon can make the difference between surviving or thriving.

Read any good books lately? So what?

Reading a book is one thing. But to incorporate what you've read into your life is quite another. Which explains why managers continue to flounder, in spite of reading all the "recommended" books on management.

Getting 97 percent of what you need to succeed

However you define success, everyone seems to want it. But most people struggle in the effort - and that begs the question, what is needed to get past the obstacles on the road to success?

Positive thinking: does it really get results?

The idea that positive thinking can affect our lives for the better has been gaining momentum over the past 80 years, and even more so recently. So does the concept work? I dare say it does - within reason.

Five simple keys to building solid teams

When I ask teams what they would like from their supervisors, the same simple things keep coming up. You might think they're obvious - but if they are, teams wouldn't continually be mentioning them!

What are you doing to increase trust?

Without trust, there's no passion or desire for excellence. Employees stop contributing, valuable new ideas are never brought the table and bad ideas are never challenged. An organization suffering from these conditions eventually becomes incapable of correcting its own mistakes.

Is your work an obligation or an opportunity?

People tend to see work either as an obligation, overbearing, or an opportunity. And if you want to take the opportunity to rise above the mundane and "make a difference", try thinking like an entrepreneur.

Workplace values must be valued – by all

Criticizing people who adhere to a code of ethical, moral behavior seems to occur in the workplace more often than most of us would like to admit.

Cutting corners can lead to catastrophe

Cutting corners on the fundamentals to save a few dollars in the short-term may end up costing you big time. It's far wiser to budget for known costs rather than risk unknown costs that could wipe you out.

Erratic economy may be a good time to step up

In an unstable economy, taking risks can be seen as foolish. But success occurs only when people chances. And despite what critics you might encounter, now might be a great time to take a risk.

Avenues for employee complaints seem to be closed

A prime reason for employee unhappiness is that companies do not adhere to a set of standards. Some are too forgiving of employee misconduct, while others are managed by people who themselves overstep boundaries and could care less about rules.

New managers need to learn assertiveness

When you're not experienced, being on the receiving end of a heated conversation can be tough. But verbal challenges can be addressed tactfully and professionally as long as we've thought through a process for how to do it.

It's time to rethink the way you think

Recent discoveries in how the brain functions have resulted in some startling new conclusions about implementing change. In other words, it's time to rethink how we think.

Time for a low-carb Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma is all very well, but it doesn't take into account intangibles. And ignoring things they can't be measured - like integrity, team spirit, dedication and loyalty - is downright dangerous.

The missing link in strategic plans

It is widely acknowledged that effective training programs make it much easier for organisations to achieve their strategic goals. But strategically-aligned training is still missing from most companies.

Helping co-workers cope with loss

When people are hit with a tragic loss, don't believe for a moment that they're leaving their personal lives at the door. Debilitating diseases, divorce or the death of a loved-one are among the most stressful events anyone can experience.

Big help available for small businesses

You opened your business with less than $35,000 operating capital. You have less than five employees. Some say you are crazy. I say people like you are the backbone of the country. And the good news is that there is plenty of help out there for you.

How to kill morale and start an exodus

If you want to know how an apparently competent manager can preside over the destruction of team morale and productivity and the exodus of their best staff, this true story provides some salutary lessons.

Turning E-learning into a powerful asset

As someone who strives to create engaging e-learning, I have to admit, I said "no kidding!" when Management-Issues ran a piece entitled "E-learning is a boring distraction". But even though it's often true, it doesn't have to be like this.

Focus your team with stories

What's your story? Study just about any inspiring leader and you will find someone who can tell a story that drives home a point – all the way down to a person's core.

How to hire, train, and retain great employees

Accurate job descriptions are like stealth secret weapons for hiring, training, and retaining great employees. I guarantee whatever effort you put forth will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.

My end of year list of recommended reads

Whether you're looking for a good book to give as a gift or you want something for your own reading pleasure, it's time once again for my annual "must read" list.

Stand your ground with manipulators

Manipulation in the workplace is profoundly damaging to employee commitment. And since nobody likes being manipulated, it pays to become a student of how to stand your ground in the face of manipulators.

What are your workplace pet peeves?

No workplace is perfect. And while we can usually perform well around people who have a wide range of idiosyncrasies, some behaviors just get under our skin.

The do's and don'ts of hiring a consultant

It's all too easy to get it wrong when hiring a consultant and be left with a bad taste in the mouth. So here are some suggestions that may prove helpful the next time you need to hire outside help.

Turn up the quiet

Jet lag. Delays. Bad hotels. Such are the joys of business travel. But believing that if we're not part of the solution we're part of the problem, I'd like to offer up a few stress reducing tips to make travel better for everyone.

It's time to give your training a boost

As with any educational endeavor, workplace training is most effective when it engages learners in ways that appeal to them. So if using old, canned presentations have resulted in stale training, perhaps it's time to try a different brand of instruction.

Are you a builder or a climber?

Over the years, dozens of types of leaders have been identified. But as someone who believes that simpler is usually better, I've boiled down all those styles to just two basic types: Builders and Climbers.

The bottom line is not the bottom line

Corporations have been cutting corners and forsaking moral purpose in the pursuit of bigger profits for years. Yet as we continue to experience unnecessary illness, polution, death, and disease as a result, isn't it time we answered the question, "how much is enough?"

Sometimes you need to apologize

When a customer brings a complaint to our attention we have a choice. We can be arrogant and pigheaded, or we can listen carefully - and, if necessary, apologize and make it right.

Continuous improvement is more than just jargon

If you're part of management or on an executive team, allow me to say this. Stop making the mistake of ignoring your team's production capability. Production by itself can be propped up only so long.
About Dan Bobinski

Dan Bobinski is a training specialist, author, and an accomplished keynote speaker. He's been the president of Leadership Development, Inc., providing workforce and management training to Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller, regional concerns for more than 18 years.

As the CEO and director for the Center for Workplace Excellence, Dan's focus is almost exclusively on The Manager as Trainer and Train the Trainer classes. He's a strong advocate that managers and leaders function much better in their roles when they learn to think like trainers.

The Center itself provides a wide range of services to businesses in the arena of human resource development.

In addition to being a certified behavioral analyst, Dan holds an M.Ed. in Human Resource Training and Development, a B.S. in Workforce Education and Development, and he is currently completing his doctoral work is in Adult and Organizational Learning at the University of Idaho. He's also an adjunct professor at Idaho State University.

Dan is the author of several books, including "Living Toad Free" and "A Strategic View of Screening and Retaining Good Employees". He's also an avid blogger (www.workplace-excellence.com), writing daily on workplace issues.

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