ItsDevelopmental - content + technology + people

Training qualifications explained

Useful list of different types of training qualifications. Check out the CIPD prices!

Greg Dyke's view of change management

Just back from a travel agent conference in Spain. One of the keynote speakers was former BBC director general Greg Dyke who took us through some of the change management challenges he faced at the BBC.

He wasn't the most polished of speakers but what he had to say was excellent. A key element of being an effective leader, he said, was to ensure that people in your organisation are saying good things about you - if they are not then you are in trouble.

He referenced John Cotter's book Harvard Business Review's Book on change and then went on to share some other nuggets.

A great place to find online tips and tricks

Lifehacker is worth a mention for the fact it has so many useful tips and tricks for working online.

It was a great help for planning my emails tips and tricks session. Well worth a look if you want to get some tips on saving time online.

Jobsite creates interview resource

Jobsite has developed an interview site called Bemyinterviewer. The site provides interview tips from a range of business people and also features an interview surgery where you can ask others for tips on questions.

Like the use of video. The resource is limited as there are only a certain number of experts providing a certain number of tips BUT video format is good. Short and sharp and easy to use.

Funny redundancy letter

This is doing the rounds but made me laugh.

Dear employee
 
As a result of the reduction of money budgeted for all department areas, we are forced to cut down on our number of personnel. Under this plan, older employees will be asked to take early retirement, thus permitting the retention of younger people who represent our future.

Therefore, a program to phase out older personnel by the end of the next  fiscal year, via retirement, will be placed into effect immediately.
 
 This program will be known as S.L.A.P. (Severance of Late-Aged Personnel). 
 
 

Blogging on training and skills in the travel sector

I've started a blog over on Travel Weekly which is focussed on skills and training. Early days, but am hoping the blog will become a focus for those in training, employers and policy makers in the sector.

The blog grew out of the training page we have developed.

It's an industry going through a lot of change right now . . .

Restorative approaches

Had a leaflet through the door yesterday which was detailing some local free training in restorative approaches and facilitating restorative meetings.

The training is part of the Restorative Neighbourhood Project - a local initiative to help bring - and I quote - ' people in their neighbourhoos closer together'.

I have sent off a note to see if I can get on to the training  . . . looks very interesting. It appears to be training based on restorative justice concepts.

Qualifications or experience - what's the best option

Good discussion on TrainingZone about the merits of qualifications versus experience.

Highly relevant for me. My view: as with anything you do, it is all about what you deliver. That is what we are all measured on. That said, so many organisations are looking for CIPD paperwork.

I would go for CIPD but it is so expensive.

Employees want right to ask for training

Poll by TUC and Unionlearn says workers want the right to ask for paid time off for training.

A sporting lesson business won't borrow

Kevin Keegan has left his post of manager at Newcastle United Footbal Club because he was not given responsibility for recruitment to the team and therefore felt he could not manage the team properly.

Sounds very reasonable. Managers are there to build teams and get them working effectively. How one is supposed to do that when someone else is calling the shots on who is being brought into the team is beyond me. And it was beyond Keegan.

Business takes a lot from sporting practice but this is one area I think can be left alone.

Recruitment is key to building effective teams and the team manager must be the one to do it.