I love reading and at times find myself reading more than one book at a time. I am promiscuous with reading!
I was curious about Business Pro, which is a collection under Books24X7 and recently received access. Since my subscription, I have been submerged in it time permitting; as it is such a fantastic resource for on-demand learning and has really assisted me with brainstorming ideas, research, and creative solutions and recommendations. It really does offer instant searchable access to top quality books which cover a range of topics and thousands of titles from leading authors and publishers, such has Harvard Business School Press, McGraw Hill and Oxford University Press!
The thing I really like about the tool is that I create my own personal folder, then search topics and browse titles and save those which interest me to my appropriate folder(s) for accessing when it is convenient for me. In addition Books24X7 on the go allows users to access Business Pro from any compatible PDA or handheld device.
In Business Pro alone, there are currently over 5777 online books and in 2010 12 new books have already been released!! Some of the business topics in Business Pro are: Business skills, Corporate Case Studies & Interviews, Training & Development, Finance & Accounting, HR, International Business, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Project Management, Quality & Manufacturing Management, Sustainability, Team Skills, and Technology in Business.
Ask yourself, might this be a great tool for your individual learning, or for a group in your professional community, or perhaps for individuals working on a special project whereby there is a requirement for quick information to either acquire new skills, enhance or refresh existing knowledge? How might such a tool be helpful for yourself or with the design of training for a team, or as a reference/resource in a project, or simply to fulfill a desire to read on a topic of curiosity.....
Sunday 6 June 2010
Saturday 5 June 2010
A Long Horn Ironman
What motivational forces and factors or theorists come to mind when you think of anyone interested in a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride followed by a 26.2 marathon?
Are there any Ironman triathletes in the University of Texas, or UT alumni who are keen to tap into learning’s from a seasoned triathlete?
Jack Cartwright recently qualified for Kona and will be headed to the big island of Kona in October to compete in the World Championship. Congratulations Jack, on your remarkable personal achievement! If you take a close look at all Jack’s finishing photos, you will spot the well known “Hook 'em" horns hand signal.....yep that’s right, he isn’t too fatigued to “Hook 'em" on the way in.
If you are interested in how he fits in a 50+ work week, 20+ hours of training as well as coaching athletes, and what lessons learned he can share, feel free to drop him a line at: jack.cartwright@gmail.com.
Also, what comes to your mind about various perspectives of teamwork, team-building, communications, planning and preparation, as well as capability and potential when you review the accomplishments of this alumni student? What about his ability to create targets and goals, inspiration and role-models, skills/knowledge/attitude factors? Is there much humour and fun with such serious dedication? Consider his personal project management skills, encouragement and self-coaching as well as what project support required in order for such achievement and recognition. Lastly, what about evaluation and measurement, what does success look like to Jack and how does he measure it?
Are there any Ironman triathletes in the University of Texas, or UT alumni who are keen to tap into learning’s from a seasoned triathlete?Jack Cartwright recently qualified for Kona and will be headed to the big island of Kona in October to compete in the World Championship. Congratulations Jack, on your remarkable personal achievement! If you take a close look at all Jack’s finishing photos, you will spot the well known “Hook 'em" horns hand signal.....yep that’s right, he isn’t too fatigued to “Hook 'em" on the way in.
If you are interested in how he fits in a 50+ work week, 20+ hours of training as well as coaching athletes, and what lessons learned he can share, feel free to drop him a line at: jack.cartwright@gmail.com.
Also, what comes to your mind about various perspectives of teamwork, team-building, communications, planning and preparation, as well as capability and potential when you review the accomplishments of this alumni student? What about his ability to create targets and goals, inspiration and role-models, skills/knowledge/attitude factors? Is there much humour and fun with such serious dedication? Consider his personal project management skills, encouragement and self-coaching as well as what project support required in order for such achievement and recognition. Lastly, what about evaluation and measurement, what does success look like to Jack and how does he measure it?
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Free Questionnaires
Are you interested to have access to various free questionnaires? I found a site by University of Pennsylvania which offers free questionnaires supporting learning about yourself in various topics.
Check out this site:
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/register.aspx
It explains you have to register on the site, and then it offers access to the following questionnaires:
Emotion Questionnaires:
Authentic Happiness Inventory Questionnaire
CES-D Questionnaire
Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire
General Happiness Questionnaire
PANAS Questionnaire
Measures Positive and Negative Affect
Engagement Questionnaires:
Brief Strengths Test
Measures 24 Character Strengths
Gratitude Questionnaire
Measures Appreciation about the Past
Grit Survey
Measures the Character Strength of Perseverance
Optimism Test
Measures Optimism About the Future
Transgression Motivations Questionnaire
Measures Forgiveness
VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire
Measures 24 Character Strengths
VIA Strength Survey for Children
Measures 24 Character Strengths for Children
Work-Life Questionnaire
Measures Work-Life Satisfaction
Meaning Questionnaires:
Close Relationships Questionnaire
Measures Attachment Style
Compassionate Love Scale
Measures your tendency to support, help, and understand other people
Meaning in Life Questionnaire
Measures Meaningfulness
Life Satisfaction Questionnaires:
Approaches to Happiness Questionnaire
Measures Three Routes to Happiness
Satisfaction with Life Scale
Measures Life Satisfaction
Check out this site:
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/register.aspx
It explains you have to register on the site, and then it offers access to the following questionnaires:
Emotion Questionnaires:
Authentic Happiness Inventory Questionnaire
CES-D Questionnaire
Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire
General Happiness Questionnaire
PANAS Questionnaire
Measures Positive and Negative Affect
Engagement Questionnaires:
Brief Strengths Test
Measures 24 Character Strengths
Gratitude Questionnaire
Measures Appreciation about the Past
Grit Survey
Measures the Character Strength of Perseverance
Optimism Test
Measures Optimism About the Future
Transgression Motivations Questionnaire
Measures Forgiveness
VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire
Measures 24 Character Strengths
VIA Strength Survey for Children
Measures 24 Character Strengths for Children
Work-Life Questionnaire
Measures Work-Life Satisfaction
Meaning Questionnaires:
Close Relationships Questionnaire
Measures Attachment Style
Compassionate Love Scale
Measures your tendency to support, help, and understand other people
Meaning in Life Questionnaire
Measures Meaningfulness
Life Satisfaction Questionnaires:
Approaches to Happiness Questionnaire
Measures Three Routes to Happiness
Satisfaction with Life Scale
Measures Life Satisfaction
Saturday 29 May 2010
Appreciative Inquiry
A wise woman mentioned appreciative inquiry to me and I remembered being familiar with AI during some research in my OD course years back. I was curious for a refresher and began to re-familiarize myself.
You can find a definition of AI here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appreciative_inquiry
Essentially, AI is about the search for the best in people, organizations, and the relevant world around us and that all is a part of a living system. There is a belief that every living system had vast untapped capabilities.
If AI involves the art and practice of asking questions that influence the living systems to apprehend anticipate and heighten positive potentials, it therefore has the potential to lead to creativity, innovation, discovery and destiny.
The AI model utilizes a cycle of 4 processes focusing on discovery, dream, design and destiny.
If organizations want to imagine possibilities and potential, coaching needs to be a coherent part of the culture to build a strengths-based organization. I see exploration of strengths, successes, values and hopes as key for organizations to truly transform themselves.
What thoughts surface as you ponder AI and coaching?
You can find a definition of AI here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appreciative_inquiry
Essentially, AI is about the search for the best in people, organizations, and the relevant world around us and that all is a part of a living system. There is a belief that every living system had vast untapped capabilities.
If AI involves the art and practice of asking questions that influence the living systems to apprehend anticipate and heighten positive potentials, it therefore has the potential to lead to creativity, innovation, discovery and destiny.
The AI model utilizes a cycle of 4 processes focusing on discovery, dream, design and destiny.
If organizations want to imagine possibilities and potential, coaching needs to be a coherent part of the culture to build a strengths-based organization. I see exploration of strengths, successes, values and hopes as key for organizations to truly transform themselves.
What thoughts surface as you ponder AI and coaching?
Monday 24 May 2010
Learning & Interviewing
Learning & Interviewing
We have always heard that one of the biggest mistakes is not being prepared for interviews. Interviewing is a skill and with all skills, learning and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can heavily influence your outcome.
Rather you are an Engagement Partner seeking a new candidate or an employee seeking a new position; I hope this tool supports you in the interviewing process.
Angie Cartwright
We have always heard that one of the biggest mistakes is not being prepared for interviews. Interviewing is a skill and with all skills, learning and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can heavily influence your outcome.
Rather you are an Engagement Partner seeking a new candidate or an employee seeking a new position; I hope this tool supports you in the interviewing process.
Angie Cartwright
Thursday 20 May 2010
How to Be a True Business Partner
Nigel Harrison is a chartered Business Psychologist and founder of Performance Consulting - UK Ltd. More recently he has published a book “How to be a true Business Partner” which has had a great reception among the audience.
I have been in contact with him to discuss some of the key learning in the book and he has very kindly accepted to provide a session on the main aspects of “How to be a true Business Partner.” This is a great opportunity to hear the author’s views first hand. At the end of the call we will have a Q&A session for those interested in asking any specific questions. This is a closed session with BT employees, please email me should you wish to register if you haven’t already.
For more information on the book please review it on Amazon.
I have been in contact with him to discuss some of the key learning in the book and he has very kindly accepted to provide a session on the main aspects of “How to be a true Business Partner.” This is a great opportunity to hear the author’s views first hand. At the end of the call we will have a Q&A session for those interested in asking any specific questions. This is a closed session with BT employees, please email me should you wish to register if you haven’t already.
For more information on the book please review it on Amazon.
Monday 10 May 2010
Learning Tools
Sharing learning notes and takeaways from L&D Call- presented by Julie Wedgwood with the The Learning & Skills Group. Hopefully some of you will find some of the links useful and may incorporate in day to day job with presenting, learning, as a subject matter expert, etc.
FREE Polaroid Image Maker-Polaroid Picture sample-can post into word, put up in Website. www.poladroid.net Notes:Makes amateur photos acceptable, L&D, newsletters, other
FREE Instant Screencasts for Twitter, Record your screencast-
http://screenr.com/
Create a Polaroid, page curl image effect in PPT2007: http://screenr.com/pV8
http://mywebface.comhttp://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/
FREE automatic photo collage maker-http://www.shapecollage.com
FREE create your own motivational posters
http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php put in text, load in photograph and it creates- easy to create posters
or http://bighugelabs.com/colors.php
FREE stock photo site: http://www.sxc.hu/
Pixie is a utility made especially for webmasters and designers. It is a color picker with few extra goodies: http://www.nattyware.com/pixie.php
FREE image manipulation programme, can be used for photo retouching, image authoring, image composition, etc: http://www.gimp.org/
FREE screen effects for presentations and more:http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidazzle/
FREE accessibility tools
Rapid set- good and free helpful for dyslexia- allows individuals to change color, etc.
Spr-Ort
Orato
Sonar
Big and chunky mouse pointers
mouseketeer
http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidazzle/ - MAC mouse
FREE color schemer generator online
here’s one that matches a palette to a single colour that you enter http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
Graphics manipulation tool for windows (similar to gimp) ‘IrfanView’ - www.irfanview.com
FREE virtual magnifying glass, open source screen magnifier: http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
Do you use music when instructing and presenting, for setting moods, introducing topics, etc. (copyright issues so be aware) Copyright for music: http://www.televisiontunes.com- can download must read legal statement on how you can use.
May need a broadcast license- prs-
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
PRS for music site: http://www.prsformusic.com
FREE test to movie maker! Make movies FREE! Can use for role play too, script writing and playing, sharing, use for blogs, etc.
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Animated sequences and working with case studies, etc. drag and position! Props for learning and case studies, etc. http://www.iwantoneofthose.com
FREE Polaroid Image Maker-Polaroid Picture sample-can post into word, put up in Website. www.poladroid.net Notes:Makes amateur photos acceptable, L&D, newsletters, other
FREE Instant Screencasts for Twitter, Record your screencast-
http://screenr.com/
Create a Polaroid, page curl image effect in PPT2007: http://screenr.com/pV8
http://mywebface.comhttp://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/
FREE automatic photo collage maker-http://www.shapecollage.com
FREE create your own motivational posters
http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php put in text, load in photograph and it creates- easy to create posters
or http://bighugelabs.com/colors.php
FREE stock photo site: http://www.sxc.hu/
Pixie is a utility made especially for webmasters and designers. It is a color picker with few extra goodies: http://www.nattyware.com/pixie.php
FREE image manipulation programme, can be used for photo retouching, image authoring, image composition, etc: http://www.gimp.org/
FREE screen effects for presentations and more:http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidazzle/
FREE accessibility tools
Rapid set- good and free helpful for dyslexia- allows individuals to change color, etc.
Spr-Ort
Orato
Sonar
Big and chunky mouse pointers
mouseketeer
http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidazzle/ - MAC mouse
FREE color schemer generator online
here’s one that matches a palette to a single colour that you enter http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
Graphics manipulation tool for windows (similar to gimp) ‘IrfanView’ - www.irfanview.com
FREE virtual magnifying glass, open source screen magnifier: http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
Do you use music when instructing and presenting, for setting moods, introducing topics, etc. (copyright issues so be aware) Copyright for music: http://www.televisiontunes.com- can download must read legal statement on how you can use.
May need a broadcast license- prs-
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
PRS for music site: http://www.prsformusic.com
FREE test to movie maker! Make movies FREE! Can use for role play too, script writing and playing, sharing, use for blogs, etc.
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Animated sequences and working with case studies, etc. drag and position! Props for learning and case studies, etc. http://www.iwantoneofthose.com
Thursday 6 May 2010
Pre & Post Training Engagement
Pre & Post Training Engagement with Line Managers
Ask yourself two very important questions:
1) What is your pre-training partnership conversation like prior to agreeing on supporting a learning intervention with an employee?
2) How about your post-training discussion?
Why are these important you ask?
Alot of people believe the critical point in a learning experience is the training experience itself. Guess what, the training event makes a minor contribution; however the BEFORE and AFTER discussions are key to realizing the total value of a learning opportunity.
What is your role as a line manager you ask?
That means significant attention needs to be given by line managers and employees prior to and after.
The pre-training discussion you have ensures the solution is appropriate while you assess their competencies, gaps and strengths. You form a joint understanding of the development needed, agree on an approach.
The post-training junction discussion allows you to discuss the application of newly acquired skills in the workplace. Also, as line managers, you are coaches, mentors, feedback givers and motivators and you are invaluable in ensuring and enhancing learning outcomes.
What is transfer of learning you ask?
Wikipedia definition
Training Transfer Strategies
What tools can you use to support you in post-discussions?
If you would like a copy of a post learning summary document please email me.
Ask yourself two very important questions:
1) What is your pre-training partnership conversation like prior to agreeing on supporting a learning intervention with an employee?
2) How about your post-training discussion?
Why are these important you ask?
Alot of people believe the critical point in a learning experience is the training experience itself. Guess what, the training event makes a minor contribution; however the BEFORE and AFTER discussions are key to realizing the total value of a learning opportunity.
What is your role as a line manager you ask?
That means significant attention needs to be given by line managers and employees prior to and after.
The pre-training discussion you have ensures the solution is appropriate while you assess their competencies, gaps and strengths. You form a joint understanding of the development needed, agree on an approach.
The post-training junction discussion allows you to discuss the application of newly acquired skills in the workplace. Also, as line managers, you are coaches, mentors, feedback givers and motivators and you are invaluable in ensuring and enhancing learning outcomes.
What is transfer of learning you ask?
Wikipedia definition
Training Transfer Strategies
What tools can you use to support you in post-discussions?
If you would like a copy of a post learning summary document please email me.
Friday 2 April 2010
Shoulds, Musts & Coulds
Shoulds, Musts & Coulds
How many times a day do you hear others use the words “should”, “must” and “could" or "ought”? What about catching yourself using them out loud or internally with the internal noise dialog created within? I wonder about the worries we create ourselves using such words. What if the “shoulds” were replaced with “what if”, the “musts” with “perhaps” and the “coulds” with “maybe”, how would simple replacing change our moods, stress and thinking patterns?
I caught myself this morning, beginning my morning with, “I should go to the gym” and then swiftly change it to, “I could go to the gym”. After all, I am really the only one who cares if I go or not.
Ponder how the shift of words changes outcomes and trigger various types of feelings.
How many times a day do you hear others use the words “should”, “must” and “could" or "ought”? What about catching yourself using them out loud or internally with the internal noise dialog created within? I wonder about the worries we create ourselves using such words. What if the “shoulds” were replaced with “what if”, the “musts” with “perhaps” and the “coulds” with “maybe”, how would simple replacing change our moods, stress and thinking patterns?
I caught myself this morning, beginning my morning with, “I should go to the gym” and then swiftly change it to, “I could go to the gym”. After all, I am really the only one who cares if I go or not.
Ponder how the shift of words changes outcomes and trigger various types of feelings.
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