Can You Keep A Secret?

There are many trade secrets that I’ve picked up in my 6 years as a trainer and if you promise not to tell, I’ll share some with you.

Secret number one is that there is more to training then standing in front of people and speaking!

To maximise peoples learning there are many things that a trainer needs to take into consideration, even down to dress code. One trainer I know told me of a time when she accidentally put odd shoes on, as expected this was quickly picked up by her delegates. Her argument was that they were both black and she was in a rush

This brings me on to secret number two. Preparation and planning. The training process starts long before the delegates walk through the training room door, with everything from the computers being set up, to having workbooks, refreshments and even checking the lighting and temperature in the room. Not to mention the research that will have happened to enable the trainer to run the course in the first place.

The reason I became a trainer was so I could help and support people gain new knowledge, skills and confidence in something that will benefit them, and there’s nothing better than watching the look on people’s faces as things suddenly click into place. No two days are the same even if it is the same course being delivered as the day before, and there is always an air of anticipation on what the day will bring.

Secret number three is that trainers have a ‘tool kit’ of experience, knowledge and ideas to help enhance the learning experience. You have to quickly read peoples body language and establish everyone’s learning styles so that they get the most from the session. Accelerated Learning techniques are also used-this doesn’t mean talking at twice the speed and rushing through things! It’s about how people learn and how the brain processes information. Smells, sweets, group exercises, toys and a variety of learning methods are all used to optimise the learning.

Secret number four is that training is not about teaching but about a fun, informative, supportive learning environment, the focus being on the learners and how they can get the best out of the day.

Truth be told training is pretty fun and in addition to the learning and support material that you get to take away you just may also find out the difference between a koosh ball and a tangle but Ssh that really is a secret.

Is your Business Socially Responsible?

The 7th Annual Responsible Business Summit gets underway today at The Park Plaza Hotel in London, with attendees from companies such as: Cancer Research UK, CIPD, HSBC, IBM, ITV, Levi Strauss, Masterfoods UK, Nokia Corporation, Oxfam, PepsiCo, Save the Children, and Starbucks.

As with previous years, there will many informative speeches made on topics including “Corporate Responsibility as a driver for innovation and opportunities,” and “Engaging your employees in CR: How to make it work,” with the aim to inform and excite executives from medium and large corporations, non-profit and government agencies on the need for Corporate Social Responsibilty.
While these type of conferences are geared mostly towards large corporations due to the cost involved in attending, the ideas and ethics behind it need to be passed down to companies of all sizes.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) may seem like something only large corporate companies such as Microsoft and O2 can build into their company ethos, as they have the resources to do so but it should be an important part of every businesses strategy.

So what is CSR?
CSR is the blend between business and society, where businesses voluntarily take on their ethical responsibility to contribute to community and society at large. This can be anything from quality of life in the workforce and employee rights, environmental issues, work within the community and job creation.

So what do you do?
It seems hard to think of ways that small businesses can support CSR when there is little expendable cash available but here are some ideas that with improve your company and your immediate community, without sacrificing company profits:

1. Give a student a chance by offering work experience through a local Secondary school.
2. Hire someone local to do jobs such as office cleaning, window cleaning, gardening, or deliveries.
3. Recycle – contact your Borough and make sure that you are doing all you can to minimise waste in your area. This includes paper as well. If possible, don’t print it.
4. Turn off lights when possible. No one should be working all night!
5. Work business-to-business with other companies in your local area; this will support growth in the community.
   

It is apparent that most of the companies that are leaders in their fields (whether small, medium, or large) are also leaders in Corporate Social Responsibility. The two go hand-in-hand, just like Business and Society.

Get involved in your community and you’ll be surprised at the impact it will have on other areas of your business. It is up to you to socially aware- it’s what any innovative business would do!

Don’t Want to Learn Anymore? You May as Well Retire.

When I left university 5 years ago I was under the impression, along with the majority of my peers, that my life in education was over for good. The next step in my life was going to be putting everything I had learnt in my 3 years into practice in the real world. Of course, anyone who has spent any time in the real world will know this is a complete fantasy, and anyone in IT will realise that they need to actively study for the rest of their working lives.

Never before has there been an industry that has moved along at such a fantastic pace; on a daily basis I receive newsletters and RSS feeds detailing the advancements in technologies which will be considered commonplace within the next few years. In my short working life I have seen operating systems develop from Windows 98 through to Vista, I have also seen the standard chip speeds quadruple and memory capacity increase tenfold. If you have the money you can now have a tetra byte of memory in a laptop!

Obviously the development of the technologies we use forces us to develop our skills in order to complete our jobs. The type of studying performed will depend on your area within the industry. A variety of up to date accredited courses are available through online vendors and in further education establishments, here are some of the main areas to concentrate on:

Microsoft Certified Networking Courses
These courses are aimed at getting the user up-to-date with Microsoft Windows 2003 platform and Windows Server system, allowing you to manage and develop networks and security.

Cisco Networking
These courses will enable you to configure and operate local and wide area networks, which national and global organisations heavily rely on.

Programming (Java, C#, Visual Basic, etc...)
These courses will give you the know-how to be able to create and design software solutions using the latest in development technologies.

Web Design (Adobe Macromedia, Flash, CIW, etc…)
Studying these courses will enable you to develop and maintain websites, create content and digital media, as well as enter into the lucrative world of e-commerce.

With the speed at which technologies are advancing getting faster by the year, the earlier you fit your personal learning into your everyday work, the less chance you have of getting left behind. It’s a sobering thought that the systems I used within my university degree just five years ago are already obsolete.