ItsDevelopmental - content + technology + people

Workshop coverage on RBI intranet

New RBI blog kicks off with workshop coverage

A workshop on editorial career development has provided the content for the launch of a new internal RBI blog.

The workshop, run by Travel Weekly online editor Martin Couzins and RBI training manager John Charlton, looked at how the media is changing. Delegates discussed the skills required to become a digital journalist and quizzed a panel on topics including blogging and RSS feeds.

Adam Tinworth, RBI’s head of blogging, live blogged from the event, publishing posts in RBI’s Digital Journalism blog (it is behind a firewall).

Martin said, “This was the first workshop of its kind, both in terms of content and live blogging, and I think it worked really well. The panel discussion was particularly successful. It was very exciting to have Adam live blogging as this enabled us to get content online so that we can carry on with the conversation around what it is to be a digital journalist – something all RBI journalists need to get their heads round”

John said: "The session told us that although RBI editorial staff - or at least those who attended - have concerns about becoming expert in both web and print journalism, they are keen to master new skills and technologies. One concern that did stand out was that the company must be more proactive in taking a standard approach to procuring AV kit and software."

The Digital Journalism blog is an ongoing project where RBI journalists can follow developments and discussions around digital journalism.  (include hot link)

The ongoing value of training debate

I used to work on Personnel Today and so am interested in looking at what it is publishing. Good to see that the same old discussions are being had about the value of training.

Obviously there are an array of different types of training and some clearly demonstrate their value. Software training for example. Measuring the effectiveness of the workshop I delivered yesterday is harder to do because there might not be an immediate change in behaviour.

BUT, there might be achange in attitude which will lead to a change in behaviour. A change in attitude will also have a positive effect on those who work with that person.

Let's face it - training is ongoing. If it is embedded into the structure/processes of an organisation and becomes a part of the manager/managed relationship then its value  will become apparent.

Scary headlines #1

How about this from the Coaching Leaders e-newsletter.

"Double-Loop Learning, "Espoused Theory" and "Theory In Use""

It's all about neuro-linguistic programming. But still, no need for that kind of language, surely?

Kevin May on building a reputation as a journalist

Kevin May, editor of Travolution, helped me out with the content for today's digital journalism workshop at Reed Business Information. Here he talks about how to build reputation as a journalist and what online tools to use.

Digital journalism workshop

Ran my first digital journalism workshop this morning and it went really well. 11 delegates, good discussion and a good panel debate at the end of the session. Big thanks to RBI's head of content Adam Tinworth for live blogging at the Digital Journalism blog (an internal one at RBI). He has also posted on it at One Man and his blog.

It was very interesting to hear the perspective of the delegates on the way the media is changing. Quite a lot of resistanc. STRANGE. This is such an exciting time to be a journo.

From a training perspective, I really enjoyed the session. Will post the feedback soon. Live blogging from the session is the way to go (if you can). Great content and a good way of spreading and continuing the conversation.

McDonalds degree

There has been a lot of interest in employers acting as examination authorities for their own qualifications.  Indeed, the Hamburger degree offered by Ronald McDonald has caused quite a stir. Away from the inevitable fretting about who should regulate qualifications is the fact that employers are looking to develop high quality training courses (which provide great PR). I'd rather work for an organisation that developed such training rather than one that paid lip service to the whole concept of training.

And if the training is good it will become obvious by looking at the calibre of those who have completed it.   

Editorial career development workshop

Had a good day. I have my first workshop scheduled - which is on editorial career development in business to business publishing - and am finalising the content. I met our blogging supremo Adam Tinworth and head of user generated content Andrew Rogers to discuss the workshop and they came up with some good ideas and people from the business who could be part of a panel discussion.

Adam said he would sit on the panel and live blog from the workshop - YES! I am delighted - now all I have to do is get the content sorted.

Thanks Andrew and Adam for inspiring me - there is a long way to go in changing our organisation from a traditional media company to a digital media company but hopefully this workshop will inspire delegates to take the opportunities that are slap bang in front of them right now.

The hopeful what?

Ok, so my first post wasn't great so here's a bit of clarification. I am an online editor in a big media organisation. I have been a manager for quite a few years and am very interested in management and training. Why? Because I have worked with some very good managers and have really benefitted from their support and guidance. I have also attended some great training courses.

On the flip side, I have worked in teams that don't work very well. My experience is that it doesn't take a lot to get a team working well - the right people, the right goals, the right culture, the right reward. Simple - but oh no. Poor managers are usually at the heart of poor performance and team dynamics.

So, I'm going to be posting on management and training issues.

The hopeful trainer

There's a first for everything and this is a first for me - my first post on my first blog. My aim is to jot down thoughts on management and training and also point out interesting information on development - something I am passionate about.