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.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
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.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Busselton- WA Ironman
Busselton
Day 1- arrived in Perth and drove to Busselton on Thursday. Checked into Martin Fields bed & breakfast and then went to WA ironman registration. Upon enterting Busselton, the support for the race was amazing; signs and posts everywhere for the race. Homes resemble that of American homes and feel just at home. In the evening, we hit the nearby beach and dinner was downtown at Thai restaurant. Thai dinner wasn’t great.
Day 1- arrived in Perth and drove to Busselton on Thursday. Checked into Martin Fields bed & breakfast and then went to WA ironman registration. Upon enterting Busselton, the support for the race was amazing; signs and posts everywhere for the race. Homes resemble that of American homes and feel just at home. In the evening, we hit the nearby beach and dinner was downtown at Thai restaurant. Thai dinner wasn’t great.
Day 2- Had coffee in town and toured downtown area. Went to movie Australia to relax. The movie was good and made us think about what life was like during WWII in Australia- plot and story a bit predicable, good acting and it was a great way to relax. Dinner on beach at the Goose; Jack had awesome pasta dish that Angie couldn’t stop eyeing and Angie had shrimp curry. Angie enjoyed shrimp as living landlocked never much ate it so good experience. We did spot a dolphin on beach near shore!
Day 3- Casual day of getting ready for race day and Jack staying off feet. Angie went to beach while Jack got bike set up, as Angie doesn’t like to be around during moments that could cause any stress- especially during pre-race. Beach was so beautiful and peaceful! We dropped off bike and checked in for race and had fantastic takeout pizza from Genas.
Day 4- WA Ironman, woke at 4AM early breakfast and to race site. Anxious sleep but slept ok. Morning was very brisk! Angie was cheerleader and Jack competed with time of 9:45! HOT day with multiple applications of sunscreen. Home for rest for Jack after race while Angie blogged and loaded photos and then back to race site to gather gear and for dinner. Dinner once again from Genas as it was so good the night prior.
Day 5- Angie washed clothes and first time hanging them outside on clothes line to dry! We drove to Margaret River to explore a bit. Stopped at cheese factory first then into town for lunch; really enjoyed the peppercorn cheese and the sweet chili cheese. Afterwards, we went to Cape Lavender which had the best lavender fields and view. We both sampled some fantastic wine and became a fan of lavender beer and bought some for post-race party this evening. Then we headed to Knotting Hill vineyard and more wine tasting for Angie as Jack observed due to driving! To WA ironman village for post party.
Off to Perth Tuesday morning and flying to New Zealand!
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Sydney-The Rocks, Darling Harbour, City Centre & the Beaches
We are staying next to Hyde Park in the CBD and overlook the city of Sydney, with the harbour out one window and the Olympic park and football stadium out another window. It is beautiful with lush green grass and little gardens and small restaurants here and there. The red berry trees amongst the giant oak, palm and fig trees make for a wonderful contrast. We alternate having our morning breakfast in one of the restaurants off the park. For a city of 3-4 million, Sydney is quiet and peaceful. No one rams into us on the streets and people smile here! In fact, just today whilst at Starbucks Jack said, “This is my favorite Starbucks ever, because they are so friendly and smile!”
Day One:
Darling Harbor- One of the focal points of Sydney. It contains a mixture of shops, cafes, museums and open spaces with activities.
The Taronga Zoo- We took the ferry to the zoo. The zoo is elevated on land along the waterfront and offers awesome vantage points to the Sydney harbor. Some of the animals we saw were: bears, crocodiles, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, seals, lions, but no koalas.
Sydney Harbor Bridge- People can be seen hiking the Harbor Bridge to the top of the arch. From below the ferry, the people look like miniature birds.
The Opera House- It is easily viewed from just about any place on the harbor. It sits near the City Harbor Bridge. Depending on how the sun hits its roof, it looks either white or aluminum.
Jack got hit by a car whilst jogging. Thank goodness he was only bruised and not badly injured. Lessons learned were to pay particular attention to traffic and be extra alert when jogging in a foreign city after 36+ hours of no sleep!
When the sun goes down the wind picks up and it gets brisk.
Day Two:
The Rocks- This is the old part of Sydney and is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle. It has cobbled stone streets and old buildings with lots of shops and galleries.
Manly Beach- known as one of Sydney’s top beaches, we spent a few hours at the beach. It was nice and relaxing to watch the surfers and swimmers. With no beach towels, we laid down in the sand and let it consume us making a perfect lounge chair that supported our bods. The waves looked to be little waves that were near the beach, but many surfers tackled them and we saw several who were able to get up and ride them in.
Lessons learned: it pays to have help applying sunscreen to avoid the streaking look, from here forth joint effort. Not a good idea to wear flip flops for lots of walking- Angie encountered severe blisters on the bottom of feet!
Favorite snack: Toasted banana bread
Worst food yet: Chinese broccoli- doesn’t resemble broccoli at all!
Day Three:
Leisure Centre- Swimming in a 50 meter pool! What a way to begin the day.
Sydney Botanical Gardens- Very cool and an amazing diversity of trees, shrubs, etc. It sits off the peninsula overlooking the harbor.
Sydney Opera House- An iconic landmark, the photographs can make it look different, the colors of the roof titles change depending on the roof.
Queen Victoria Building- An amazing shopping centre with upscale shopping. It had some fantastic Christmas decorations including a tree that spanned the three floors decorated completely with crystal ornaments. It had this awesome clock inside it. Sydney is getting better by the day...
Day Four:
After a great breakfast, we took the metro to Circular Quay where we took a ferry to Watson’s Bay. We did a 2 hour hike along the ridge overlooking the cliffs and a narrow inlet where there were loads of swimmers and people playing in clear calm water and we watched with a bit of jealousy from a great bridge that spanned it all. Beautiful morning. Nice to see the rock formations and the waves. Viewed the Dunbar anchor from the lost ship that crashed and sank there long ago.
Bondi Beach- Awesome swimming pool on side of beach with fresh water and the waves of the ocean splashing into pool.
Dinner was the best yet (for Angie anyways) with a fantastic risotto with pumpkin and sweet potato.
Off early in the morning to Perth.
Day One:
Darling Harbor- One of the focal points of Sydney. It contains a mixture of shops, cafes, museums and open spaces with activities.
The Taronga Zoo- We took the ferry to the zoo. The zoo is elevated on land along the waterfront and offers awesome vantage points to the Sydney harbor. Some of the animals we saw were: bears, crocodiles, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, seals, lions, but no koalas.
Sydney Harbor Bridge- People can be seen hiking the Harbor Bridge to the top of the arch. From below the ferry, the people look like miniature birds.
The Opera House- It is easily viewed from just about any place on the harbor. It sits near the City Harbor Bridge. Depending on how the sun hits its roof, it looks either white or aluminum.
Jack got hit by a car whilst jogging. Thank goodness he was only bruised and not badly injured. Lessons learned were to pay particular attention to traffic and be extra alert when jogging in a foreign city after 36+ hours of no sleep!
When the sun goes down the wind picks up and it gets brisk.
Day Two:
The Rocks- This is the old part of Sydney and is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle. It has cobbled stone streets and old buildings with lots of shops and galleries.
Manly Beach- known as one of Sydney’s top beaches, we spent a few hours at the beach. It was nice and relaxing to watch the surfers and swimmers. With no beach towels, we laid down in the sand and let it consume us making a perfect lounge chair that supported our bods. The waves looked to be little waves that were near the beach, but many surfers tackled them and we saw several who were able to get up and ride them in.
Lessons learned: it pays to have help applying sunscreen to avoid the streaking look, from here forth joint effort. Not a good idea to wear flip flops for lots of walking- Angie encountered severe blisters on the bottom of feet!
Favorite snack: Toasted banana bread
Worst food yet: Chinese broccoli- doesn’t resemble broccoli at all!
Day Three:
Leisure Centre- Swimming in a 50 meter pool! What a way to begin the day.
Sydney Botanical Gardens- Very cool and an amazing diversity of trees, shrubs, etc. It sits off the peninsula overlooking the harbor.
Sydney Opera House- An iconic landmark, the photographs can make it look different, the colors of the roof titles change depending on the roof.
Queen Victoria Building- An amazing shopping centre with upscale shopping. It had some fantastic Christmas decorations including a tree that spanned the three floors decorated completely with crystal ornaments. It had this awesome clock inside it. Sydney is getting better by the day...
Day Four:
After a great breakfast, we took the metro to Circular Quay where we took a ferry to Watson’s Bay. We did a 2 hour hike along the ridge overlooking the cliffs and a narrow inlet where there were loads of swimmers and people playing in clear calm water and we watched with a bit of jealousy from a great bridge that spanned it all. Beautiful morning. Nice to see the rock formations and the waves. Viewed the Dunbar anchor from the lost ship that crashed and sank there long ago.
Bondi Beach- Awesome swimming pool on side of beach with fresh water and the waves of the ocean splashing into pool.
Dinner was the best yet (for Angie anyways) with a fantastic risotto with pumpkin and sweet potato.
Off early in the morning to Perth.
Monday, 3 November 2008
Down Under Arriving
We will stay in London for Thanksgiving and celebrate with friends at a near by restaurant. We fly to Australia the following morning to Sydney and then to Perth. We will be in Australia for a week before flying to New Zealand for holiday.
I sit here trying to find a British television programme to entertain me, as Jack logs his daily training. Tonight, we went out to a near by pub to have a drink in celebration of him completing 20 hours of training; this is the only alcoholic drink this week he has allowed himself to consume. There will be plenty after the race!
In 4 weeks, Dec. 7th, Jack competes in the Western Australia ironman. Here is a link that can provide details: http://www.ironmanwa.com/ironmanwa/index.htm. The swim is 3.8kms followed by a 180km bike and topped off with a 42.2km marathon- all race pace.
Everything he has been doing for the last several months is to prepare himself for this race. He has been experiencing with compression gear in hopes it makes improvements with muscle performance and enhance blood flow and recovery. Jack is hopeful he is better, faster and stronger than the Switzerland ironman he did a few months back; his first ironman time was 9:46:46.
He has recently been getting some weekly swim coaching in an endless pool. It is great to see him swim in one place for so long, and nice for me to learn by watching his swim techniques via recorded, it shows all angels in and out of water! Too cool!
For months Jack watches his sleep, exercise, eating, and breaks in order to create a healthy balance. Interesting how in the workplace he is often times referred to as “different”. Some I suppose believe he isn’t as committed to his job and work duties due to his love and respect for challenging his body’s energies. Many exclaim their admiration and respect for him. He has certainly established a set of “rituals” that help him achieve a goal and he remains disciplined.
Sad how one can get up from their desk for a smoke break and it is considered normal, but if one goes for a brisk walk, stretch or swim and one is “interesting” or some other label is attached. Mind and body are one, when has it become the norm to not care and test our individual fitness reservoirs?
In two days, the U.S. will have new president! What is the current election’s historical context in the texts and books to come? What an election! Election day will be very interesting.
Days are continuously gray here; no wonder earl gray is a popular tea amongst many here. We are really looking forward to some warm days!
Local news- rumours the American Embassy is moving to our little town of Battersea. Also the Bond movie party was at the Battersea Power Station last week.
Ang & Jack
I sit here trying to find a British television programme to entertain me, as Jack logs his daily training. Tonight, we went out to a near by pub to have a drink in celebration of him completing 20 hours of training; this is the only alcoholic drink this week he has allowed himself to consume. There will be plenty after the race!
In 4 weeks, Dec. 7th, Jack competes in the Western Australia ironman. Here is a link that can provide details: http://www.ironmanwa.com/ironmanwa/index.htm. The swim is 3.8kms followed by a 180km bike and topped off with a 42.2km marathon- all race pace.
Everything he has been doing for the last several months is to prepare himself for this race. He has been experiencing with compression gear in hopes it makes improvements with muscle performance and enhance blood flow and recovery. Jack is hopeful he is better, faster and stronger than the Switzerland ironman he did a few months back; his first ironman time was 9:46:46.
He has recently been getting some weekly swim coaching in an endless pool. It is great to see him swim in one place for so long, and nice for me to learn by watching his swim techniques via recorded, it shows all angels in and out of water! Too cool!
For months Jack watches his sleep, exercise, eating, and breaks in order to create a healthy balance. Interesting how in the workplace he is often times referred to as “different”. Some I suppose believe he isn’t as committed to his job and work duties due to his love and respect for challenging his body’s energies. Many exclaim their admiration and respect for him. He has certainly established a set of “rituals” that help him achieve a goal and he remains disciplined.
Sad how one can get up from their desk for a smoke break and it is considered normal, but if one goes for a brisk walk, stretch or swim and one is “interesting” or some other label is attached. Mind and body are one, when has it become the norm to not care and test our individual fitness reservoirs?
In two days, the U.S. will have new president! What is the current election’s historical context in the texts and books to come? What an election! Election day will be very interesting.
Days are continuously gray here; no wonder earl gray is a popular tea amongst many here. We are really looking forward to some warm days!
Local news- rumours the American Embassy is moving to our little town of Battersea. Also the Bond movie party was at the Battersea Power Station last week.
Ang & Jack
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