Loading ...Running training like a business
It’s a while since we read this book, and we have never blogged about it. The book is a few years old but still holds some very valid points. We will post a review but several things have struck us as we were reading along.
The title is pretty self explanatory but the subtitle “Delivering unmistakable value” is the giveaway.
The authors include HR/training function in the same category as IT before the mass take up of desktop operating systems. Slightly odd people, keeping themselves busy albeit divorced from the main operation of the business. Almost as if they are carrying out their own private hobby at the expense of the business.
In the next few days, we will outline key elements from the book.
- Link training & development to business strategy
This sounds pretty obvious but it isn’t always the case. The book cites the example of the Ford Motor Company. At the time of writing, each employee could chose from over 400 training courses to sign up to.
This is obviously an extreme case but makes a point. Ford is a big company but 400 training courses per employee….They can’t ALL be linked to business strategy.
- Focus on business issues rather than training content.
Probably just a case of remembering who is the tail and who is the dog..
Most training courses we have been on include some intense theory sessions, and there is no doubt that this has a place in training. BUT not at the expense of the day job.
- Let the (internal) customer shape the training & development offered.
“Here are my principles, if you don’t like them, I have others” said Groucho Marx
The deciding the content of the training should be the end user.
“We need training on this” because its part of our job.
Rather than the Training Department say “we have training on this and this, does this help ?”
Next time – In search of efficiency in training design & delivery
[tags] running training like a business, efficiency , training [/tags]
Developing and measuring training the six sigma way
Developing and measuring training the six sigma way - Kaliym Islam - Pfeiffer 078985333
Stumbling on a post in the flashforlearning.com blog, we decided to give this book a try. We have looked at some lean techniques in the past and thought it might be interesting.
For the uninitiated, six sigma is a tool box of management and problem solving techniques and methodologies. Original developed by Motorola engineers for product development, it is now used by most large corporations worldwide (Ford, Toyota et al) with the goal of zero defects. Some of the higher concepts involve complex spreadsheets and mathematical calculations but this book makes use of the problem solving and group techniques.
There are two critical concepts in six sigma VOB “ The voice of the business” What is good for the business overall, and VOC “ The voice of the customer. In six sigma, everything begins and ends with the customer.
So how on earth you say, does this relate to training when most lean text books are about car plants or factories? Pretty early on, the author points out that when we design training, we are designing a product for other to consume so why shouldn’t production techniques apply.
Once you have this straight in your mind the book is an exceptional and enlightening read.
The author makes pretty short work of demolishing Kirkpatrick, traditional ISD & ADDIE methodologies for one simple reason - None of them address either the VOB or the VOC. Nowhere in Kirkpatrick’s work does it make mention of what is good for the business.
The author holds our hand through the development of a sample project and each chapter with what we will discuss the appropriate six sigma tools and what the required outcome will be.
It should be added that this sort of methodology will mean A LOT of work and is perhaps only suitable for large projects as the discipline required to keep to the schedule and requirements (as the author admits) is onerous.
However, having done all this work, of course, the outcome is that the training will meet the requirements, no questions at all “ zero defects”
The book concludes with a case study of six sigma design in a learning setting.
Happy to discuss more on or off line
[tags] training evaluation, ADDIE, kirkpatrick, six sigma, book review [/tags]
Filed under Book reviews, Management, Training | Comment (1)Book review Training International Managers - Melkman & Trotman
The notion that the world is getting smaller - always using fast web connections, different technologies being flung together and today s novelty being tomorrow s standard - is the background to this useful book by obvious heavyweight consultants, Melkman and Trotman.
The book starts with a quick tour through models of cultural diversity and the familiar Honey and Mumford learning styles, and continues with chapters concerning a different aspect of training - the client perspective, conducting the training needs analysis and preparing and evaluating training.
All are pretty standard, but importantly flavoured with an international aspect including sections which are specific to the international market such as the use of English as a second language and the economics of international training.
One helpful feature was the consistent use of just suppose boxes at the start of each chapter, where the authors invite you to put yourself in the shoes of someone facing a particular problem or difficulty.
Although the layout is consistently good with each section having a challenge , the meat , a summary and action points, some sections are a little short and on a couple of occasions I found myself checking to see if I had turned two pages by accident.
Useful weblinks, tables and templates to extract are peppered throughout, and the bite sized nature of the book makes it easy to dip into . This makes it a useful addition to anyone s bookshelf.
Review ratings:
Overall 4
Helpfulness 4
Layout 4
Value for money 3
Suitability for professional level Directors, Managers, Consultants
Would you recommend it? Yes “ I have no aspirations to conduct international training but I would suspect that I will find myself leafing through it in the future.
[Tags] Book review, consultant, international managers [/tags]
Filed under Book reviews, Training | Comment (0)Book review - Secrets of the people whisperer - Perry Wood
Subtitled use the art of communication to enhance your own life and the lives of others I initially feared that this would be one of those books where all you have to do is simply read it and not only would your own life change but also anyone you happened to meet would also live forever. Unfortunately, life is not like that because as a wise man once said if it s easy, then it’s easy for everyone.
The book itself is divided into 12 shortish chapters which are reasonable easy to read - no touchy feely stuff but sometime some profound observations on life (P.61 it is important to arrange our words before they come out of our mouth, rather than throw a load or words out which we then try to arrange into something sensible).
Perry does advise us, as with a lot of books of this genre, to read each chapter individually and contemplate rather than rushing through to the finish. However, in order to have some lasting effect on the behaviour we exhibit, Perry laces each chapter with a series of “Things to do” . These are behaviours we should watch out for, be aware of or just tasks to do. This is where the real hard work is “ to actually take some action. A particularly nasty one I suspect for many people is to record your own voice and listen to it until you are entirely comfortable with it. One particular favourite of mine was chapter 8 “ create healthy boundaries where he talks about “stuff” When I went to school and college, difficult people were called difficult people, now they have “issues”.
Perry gives us a useful guide to dealing with people with issues and 21 suggestions for dealing with conflict. A further practical suggestion is to imagine you are a fly on the wall watching yourself and the other party arguing. On the downside, and a really minor point, the annoying habit of insisting on including a number of comments in brackets (all with a ! mark after them !). The points are well enough made without needing to over emphasis them (!). A further suggestion would be to include a list of further reading or websites to consult. On the whole, a good read and with all the Things to do probably a good 6 months to a years work. Some very innovative suggestions at dealing with familiar problems and I’ll probably read it again and make the author very happy by actually trying to do some of the things to do.
[tags] book review, perry wood, secrets [/tags]
Filed under Book reviews | Comment (0)Book review - HR Guide to workplace fraud
This is an intimidating and meaty looking volume with a rather austere looking grey and brown cover. However, appearances can be deceptive.
It provides a useful guide for the busy manager to combat workplace fraud and deception. Covering such diverse areas as the functioning of the human brain to the handling of CV s, forms and the like (70% of CVs are deceptive by the way).
To say that it is a pick up and dip into book is an understatement.
It is made up almost entirely of charts, tables and bullet point summaries. Initially, this made me feel almost seasick as I tried to navigate my way through it. At least one summary table for instance consists of nothing but references to other pages rendering its presence virtually meaningless. The mixture of italics, headings and embolded text also could prove annoying and off putting.
Thankfully, these are intersperse with readable summaries and whats more ones which are relevant to modern life. Amongst the stars of the case studies are OJ Simpson, Bill Clinton, Neil & Christine Hamilton, as well as numerous other anonymous anecdotal stories. These are on the whole readable and as with most people working in this area, told in an ironic manner and with occasional acidic humour.
The sections on the use of tenses used by fraudsters when they speak would be particularly useful for example to the general manager going through an interview transcript for example but more specialist staff and investigators will have had proper training.
Perhaps the authors recognise the influence of the internet over reading styles as this is a useful volume which can easily be skimmed although for a book of this nature, a more comprehensive index than the 10 pages would have made this book more essential than useful. There is a list of mind maps and flowcharts at the front however.
Overall a useful addition to the office library and one which I would use (and I bet it is good for setting interview questions )
[tags] workplace fraud, hr , book review [/tags]
Filed under Book reviews | Comment (0)