Tags |
|
|
Links |
|
|
Actual for You - Train Me a Habit - How Organizations Are Using Training to Gain a Competitive Edge
After you fall in love with a logo design and before you invest hundreds of dollars putting it on stationary, t-shirts, trucks, signage, pens and coffee mugs, make sure the logo will look good in those applications.A simple logo with only one or two colors will look good in nearly all applications, but logos with complex illustrations and four or more colors will probably look like an unrecognizable blob when they are shrunk down and put on pens and embroidered on Polo shirts. They will most likely need major revisions to work in small applications.To avoid having to make revisions after you have chosen a final logo design, make sure it will work for all your applications before making a final decision. If you're not sure, the logo designers or experts you're working with will probably be able to tell you what will and will not work.Logoworks is now offering design tips, news and suggestions for the convience of designers and our vistors. These tips will be available for syndication as a RSS feed for those that would like to post these tips on their site.LogoWorks is the largest corporate identity design firm in the world with over 10,000 customers in over 65 countries and 200 logo designers. We wanted to take some of the extensive knowledge of our designers and make it available to designers throughout the world.We will be posting 2 or 3 tips a week from different designers. We hope you enjoy this service.
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing t
INTRODUCTION To get any business started successfully takes many ingredients. All requirements fall into one of the following four key categories: 1. Desire, 2. Knowledge, 3. Time, and 4. Available funds. This report deals only with the financial requirements of starting a mail order business. Hopefully it will help the reader to evaluate whether he is financially able to embark upon a business venture that will bring about success. It is generally true that it takes substantially less money to get started in many mail order businesses than in a variety of other businesses. Many a promoter will want you to belive that it is possible to get started successfully for $50, $100, or even $200. However, it is totally false. It does take more than that. How much more depends on many factors which I will try to define as much as is possible here. Since the mail order business covers a vast number of services and products I would like to define the contents of this report to deal with the selling of information products. This is where my expertise lies. While the same or similar conditions may apply to any number of other mail order businesses, there may however be some differences to selling information products such as books, etc. The following makes a number of assumptions. The most important ones are: 1. The operator ( or operators) of the new mail order business is employed or has other means of income.. He will not need to derive any profit from his new business for a period of time.. How long will depend on many factors. 2. This is a home based business which has no employees. 3. The business, at the start - until volume reaches $3,000 to $5,000 per month - will utilize the drop shipping services of a wholesale company. 4. Basic office equipment such as desk, file cabinet, computer, etc... are on hand. A WORD OF CAUTION AT THE START AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU This is an exciting business and it c
How does a speaker compete with cell phones going off in the same room as the presentation? What about other executives walking in on a training class to yank a key employee out of the room? It might be even more challenging to implement a training program when the team being trained is expected to be performing their regular jobs too. According to the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), US Corporations spend $109.25 Billion on employee learning and development annually with one quarter of this amount going to outside training sources. This translates into $1,616 per employee in 2005 over an approximate 43-hour period.
How can an organization make sure their investment in training is being properly realized? And how can training be used to gain a competitive edge? For starters, organizations need to change their definition of training. They also need to realize training will improve their performance and the best place to gain a competitive edge in training is through the use of technology.
Change the Learning Mindset
The key to an effective training program is more than requesting cell phones to be placed in the off position and holding a training class off-site to minimize distractions. The key to creating a learning organization is changing the training mindset. In Learning Organizations: Developing Cultures for Tomorrow's Workplace , by Fred Kofman and Peter Senge, the authors state, "Why do we derive our self-esteem from knowing as opposed to learning? Why do we persist in fragmentation and piecemeal analysis as the world becomes more and more interconnected? We are discovering that moving forward is an exercise in personal commitment and community building." True organizational transformation first takes place with personal transformation and the commitment to a lifetime learning process. In other words, the role of the motivated individual who wants to learn more and grow will always be pivotal to the training process.
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing tr
The start of the summer can be a singularly stressful time of the year. Just as soon as the exams end you have to find a job, at the same time as everybody else! So what can you do to tip the balance back in your favour?Firstly, make sure that your CV is well-written and up-to-date. There are thousands of books and websites overflowing with CV writing advice. The major jobsites such as Monster are a prime example and if you find the CV writing process too daunting you can even employ a professional CV writer to do it for you.To be taken seriously you should always introduce yourself with a covering letter addressed directly to the hiring manager. If the job ad doesn't give a contact name then it's always worthwhile phoning the company to find out for yourself.(Some companies are remarkably reticent about revealing the names of their staff; reassuring them that you simply wish to know who to address your email to can sometimes do the trick.)As most people use the same CV for each job application, the covering letter is particularly important because it is your opportunity to show that you understand the employer's needs.A tried and tested approach for a covering is to explain in brief that you meet all the essential criteria mentioned in the advert, backing this up by alluding to the experience detailed in your CV.Compliments won't go amiss, as long as you sound sincere, and conveying your enthusiasm is essential, especially if you are light on experience.When applying for your first job, focus on your energy, commitment and willingness to learn. If all else fails, consider working for peanuts until a better opportunity arises. Other employees may give you hints about jobs elsewhere.And make sure you get a reference or testimonial. It is handy to have a record of who you worked for and when. What they say in your favour helps you fill in those forms, which ask you to describe your good and bad points.Voluntary placements tell employers t
How does a speaker compete with cell phones going off in the same room as the presentation? What about other executives walking in on a training class to yank a key employee out of the room? It might be even more challenging to implement a training program when the team being trained is expected to be performing their regular jobs too. According to the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), US Corporations spend $109.25 Billion on employee learning and development annually with one quarter of this amount going to outside training sources. This translates into $1,616 per employee in 2005 over an approximate 43-hour period.
How can an organization make sure their investment in training is being properly realized? And how can training be used to gain a competitive edge? For starters, organizations need to change their definition of training. They also need to realize training will improve their performance and the best place to gain a competitive edge in training is through the use of technology.
Change the Learning Mindset
The key to an effective training program is more than requesting cell phones to be placed in the off position and holding a training class off-site to minimize distractions. The key to creating a learning organization is changing the training mindset. In Learning Organizations: Developing Cultures for Tomorrow's Workplace , by Fred Kofman and Peter Senge, the authors state, "Why do we derive our self-esteem from knowing as opposed to learning? Why do we persist in fragmentation and piecemeal analysis as the world becomes more and more interconnected? We are discovering that moving forward is an exercise in personal commitment and community building." True organizational transformation first takes place with personal transformation and the commitment to a lifetime learning process. In other words, the role of the motivated individual who wants to learn more and grow will always be pivotal to the training process.
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing t
This is the 3rd and final article in this series on naming. The fist article dealt with how to select a naming firm, the second article addressed the components that go into creating a great corporate name and this piece will deal with other venues within the naming field.A lot of focus and attention is brought to bear on the topic of corporate naming as this is the most visible high impact area of naming. However naming applies to products, services, projects, reports, books and publications, newsletters, microsites, blogs, intellectual property, business practices and a long list of other areas that often receive less attention.Unlike corporate naming which receives everyone’s attention, the smaller naming genres are often left to individual brand managers or staff members operating with a singular focus or agenda outside of best practices and a global perspective. This focus at the granular level can sometimes have the opposite effect of what is being sought after. I have seen many a product or service name actually dilute brand value as opposed to increase it.Every company should have a naming strategy and process that is consistent with corporate vision as a subcomponent of the overall brand strategy. Naming should have an integrated process across the enterprise to insure that an individual naming effort doesn’t detract from the overall brand strategy and dilute brand equity.Brand guidelines need to specifically address naming conventions and protocols such that cross product and business compatibility, color pallets, phraseology, font style and sizes and other criteria are considered in the process. The keys to insuring a proper outcome across business units and product lines is having continuity, clarity and consistency in your naming conventions. Each new name created and implemented should add value to the overall brand by enhancing and strengthening the preexisting names.Rather than pass naming down to the lowest common denominator I would suggest that most firms would be bett
How can an organization make sure their investment in training is being properly realized? And how can training be used to gain a competitive edge? For starters, organizations need to change their definition of training. They also need to realize training will improve their performance and the best place to gain a competitive edge in training is through the use of technology.
Change the Learning Mindset
The key to an effective training program is more than requesting cell phones to be placed in the off position and holding a training class off-site to minimize distractions. The key to creating a learning organization is changing the training mindset. In Learning Organizations: Developing Cultures for Tomorrow's Workplace , by Fred Kofman and Peter Senge, the authors state, "Why do we derive our self-esteem from knowing as opposed to learning? Why do we persist in fragmentation and piecemeal analysis as the world becomes more and more interconnected? We are discovering that moving forward is an exercise in personal commitment and community building." True organizational transformation first takes place with personal transformation and the commitment to a lifetime learning process. In other words, the role of the motivated individual who wants to learn more and grow will always be pivotal to the training process.
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing t
The word ‘sorites’ derives from the Greek soros (meaning ‘heap’) and originally referred to a puzzle known as “The Heap” which is based on the following:Would you describe a single grain of wheat as a heap? No. Would you describe two grains of wheat as a heap? No. … You must admit the presence of a heap sooner or later, so where do you draw the line?Similarly:Would you describe a man with one hair on his head as bald? Yes. Would you describe a man with two hairs on his head as bald? Yes. … You must refrain from describing a man with ten thousand hairs on his head as bald, so where do you draw the line?“Where do you draw the line?” is a real question for most of us. When it comes to our principles, happiness, willingness to tolerate uncomfortable people or circumstances, when is enough, enough? Somehow, we know when we are approaching our limit. I guess it is like we know a heap and a hairless skull when we see it. It is more difficult, however, to always know where to draw the line between right and wrong. That line is where you stand when you need to make a choice. It is the place where questions live and wait for each of us to provide our own answers.Where do you draw the line between “beating the system” and cheating? Where do you draw the line between “working the angles” and being dishonest? Where do you draw the line between “everybody does it” and disobeying the law? Where do you draw the line between “bending the rules” and break them? Where do you draw the line between “knowing” and ignoring what is happening around you?Go ahead -- draw the line…no one is watching
Change the Learning Mindset
The key to an effective training program is more than requesting cell phones to be placed in the off position and holding a training class off-site to minimize distractions. The key to creating a learning organization is changing the training mindset. In Learning Organizations: Developing Cultures for Tomorrow's Workplace , by Fred Kofman and Peter Senge, the authors state, "Why do we derive our self-esteem from knowing as opposed to learning? Why do we persist in fragmentation and piecemeal analysis as the world becomes more and more interconnected? We are discovering that moving forward is an exercise in personal commitment and community building." True organizational transformation first takes place with personal transformation and the commitment to a lifetime learning process. In other words, the role of the motivated individual who wants to learn more and grow will always be pivotal to the training process.
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing t
The recent increase in media interest in personal identity theft has provided a reminder that company identity theft at Companies House is still a major problem for UK limited companies. These companies are being encouraged to proactively take action to deal with company filing fraud at Companies House. There are over two million company records held by Companies House which currently reports that of the five hundred thousand documents filed at Companies House each month, including company accounts, approximately fifty are identified as false.Company hijacking at Companies House can involve:The company directors are changed - Fraudsters file change in company director forms 288 to notify Companies House of a change to the company's officers. These will either be stolen identities of real people or completely fictitious individuals pretending to be a company director. They will also notify Companies House that the company's true officers have all resigned.The companies registered office is changed - Fraudsters file a form 287, signed by a bogus company director, to change the company's registered office to an address of their choice at Companies House. Once this is done, any communications from Companies House will be sent to the company at the new registered office, ensuring that the company itself doesn't receive notifications from Companies House of any future changes.Supporting documentation may be obtained - The fraudsters notify Companies House and effectively have the company under their control as far as third parties are concerned, as they appear to be the legitimate company directors. In order to give credibility in their subsequent dealings with third-parties, the fraudsters may request, for example, a Certificate of Good Standing from Companies House. This official document then confirms the status of the fraudsters as being the company directors.As far as third parties are concerned, the fraudsters appear to have gained control of a company and appear to be the genuine compan
At Hickok Cole Architects (HCA), an award-winning regional architectural firm, their main motivation for providing training to 21 of their key designers (architects) was to improve their presentation ability in front of potential clients. The reasoning went as follows. If their designers were able to spend more time honing their presentation in the Quality Quadrant, they would be able to increase the ability to connect with their client audience. This connection would happen over a few simple, yet powerful messages. These powerful messages could make the difference in getting a project approved or obtaining the sale. However, as the program progressed and they began to see improvements in terms of employee excitement and presentation results, the topic of conversation shifted from one of mere training to creating an environment of 'presentation excellence.' They felt the time invested in presentation content and delivery would 'raise the bar' for the entire firm a little bit at a time.
HCA also integrated their current client workload with their desire to make an investment in their employees. This meant they started their training program a few hours before the start of a normal business day. I have often heard this thinking referred to as 'taking one step backwards in order to get two (or more) steps ahead.' Real self-improvement of any kind is really an investment in oneself and something that taken collectively within an organization will definitely provide 'an order of magnitude' benefit. Even though the major training program has been completed at HCA, they have shifted their mindset to spend as much time as possible in the Quality Quadrant. It is no secret that this commitment to training came from the top.
Training as Strategic Value
C-Level Perceptions of the Strategic Value of Learning , a joint research paper by ASTD and IBM, written in January 2006, echoes this change in mindset. The paper highlights research conducted with 53 C-Level (CEO, CFO, CTO, COO, etc.) Executives and stated, "Learning provides strategic value to the enterprise, business unit and individual capability level of an organization." The paper went on to further state, "Perceptions of stakeholders are a key indicator of learning's value." Clearly HCA successfully shifted the perceptions of their designers through creating a culture of presentation excellence and one thing that was done successfully was
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.actual4u.com/article/39271/actual4u-Train-Me-a-Habit--How-Organizations-Are-Using-Training-to-Gain-a-Competitive-Edge.html">Train Me a Habit - How Organizations Are Using Training to Gain a Competitive Edge</a>
BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.actual4u.com/article/39271/actual4u-Train-Me-a-Habit--How-Organizations-Are-Using-Training-to-Gain-a-Competitive-Edge.html]Train Me a Habit - How Organizations Are Using Training to Gain a Competitive Edge[/url]
Related Articles:
Five Ways to Turn Small Projects into Professional Success
Use Your Invoice to Increase Your Value!
5 Steps To Help Fail-Proof Your Growing Service Business
Bookmark it:
|