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In this issue:

1. NEW White Paper: Creating a Competency-Based Training Program
2. Improving Efficiency and Growing Your Business in a Down Economy
3. Course Review: OUCH! That Stereotype Really Hurts



1. NEW White Paper: Creating a Competency-Based Training Program

The challenge of building a new employee training program or improving an existing program can be a daunting task for any training or human resources professional today. All too often we are forced to make our plans without a full understanding of the organization’s overall business goals and objectives, and what we end up with is a “one-size-fits-all” training curriculum or a program that is too limited in scope to impact business results.

We recommend to our clients that they look at their employee training and development programs from a strategic perspective, utilizing a Competency-Based Training approach that focuses first on understanding the goals or business objectives of the organization. Once the overall objectives are understood, we then work to identify the skills and behaviors employees will need to achieve those goals. The “gaps” between the required level of skills and knowledge and employees’ current skill sets form the basis of an organization-wide training initiative that is aligned with the overall business.

Effective organizations also recognize that helping employees manage their own careers and providing professional development opportunities are critical components of retention. When aligned with business objectives, there is a direct relationship between providing learning and development opportunities for employees, and the organization’s prosperity and bottom-line success. This white paper will examine the benefits of mapping competencies to your training and development initiatives as part of an overall retention and talent management strategy.

Access our latest white paper, "Creating a Competency-Based Training Program". Download a free copy today!

There's never been a better time to meet your training needs more effeciently and accurately, given today's down economy. Are you ready to pinpoint your organizational training gaps and challenges using our robust Competency Managment Module? Contact us today!

2. Improving Efficiency and Growing Your Business in a Down Economy

In tough economic times, many organizational programs are reduced – or eliminated – in an effort to conserve resources and ride out the storm. While savvy budgeting is necessary for the health of your company’s bottom-line, studies have shown that abandoning your training programs will reduce efficiencies and allow for competitor gains.

e-Learning and on-demand training allows small and mid-sized organizations opportunities to remain competitive – and grow – in a down economy. Organizations are looking for ways to produce more results with fewer resources. Leveraging cost-effective technology-based training options such as online or on-demand courses, and utilizing in-house talent for mentoring and on-the-job training, are all cost-effective ways to strengthen your employees’ skills, and prepare for changes and new challenges hitting the marketplace.

As technologies have advanced in the past decade, e-learning has become an increasingly affordable solution. Many of the most notable benefits of e-learning make it a natural fit for companies looking to do more with less.

• Eliminated travel. A recent study by ASTD showed that travel and other expenditures often account for as much as 40% of the total cost of training. e-Learning eliminates this expense, and is ideal for geographically dispersed employees.
  
• Access. Your organization will enjoy the convenience of round-the-clock access with e-learning. e-Learning is available anytime … anywhere.
  
• Just-in-time training. e-Learning provides opportunities to immediately fill in the gaps, as soon as you realize there is a skill deficiency that is affecting workplace performance. With a lean workforce, people are often stepping into roles they aren’t prepared for – e-learning will help to get your employees up to speed quickly.
  
• Automation of administration, tracking & reporting. e-Learning eliminates the cost and time associated with manually administrating, tracking & reporting on learning activities. Everything can be automated … freeing up your employees’ time to focus on your organization’s strategic objectives.

Today’s economic climate forces us to look for ways to cut costs and improve efficiencies. See how our affordable e-learning and blended learning solutions for small and mid-sized organizations can improve your organization’s bottom-line, can help you cut your spending in training and development. Most importantly, we’ll help you to come out on the other side of this financial storm ahead of your competition!

Looking for more low cost & no cost training strategies? Join us live on December 22 at 1:00 CST, for our one-hour webinar "Building a World-Class Training Program Without Breaking the Budget!"

Scheduling conflict? Contact one of our training consultants today for more information!

3. Course Review: OUCH! That Stereotype Really Hurts

This month's featured streaming video course, OUCH! That Stereotype Really Hurts, was reviewed by Andy Shadburne & Matthew Dunn. Andy is an Account Manager, and Matthew is the Library Coordinator at Business Training Library.

Course Code
SVL_046005

Media
Streaming Video

Target Audience
All employees

Course Overview
What does OUCH! do? In a unique and powerful way, viewers will experience the impact of stereotypical comments, explore why people don't speak up against stereotypes and other biased behaviors, and learn six techniques for speaking up without blame or guilt.

Expected Duration
30 minutes

Andy & Matthew's Rating

5 Stars (Out of 5)

Andy & Matthew's Review
Diversity training can be a very difficult subject to address. OUCH! That Stereotype Really Hurts is a refreshingly sober look at the subjects of diversity and harassment. While this course allows viewers to hear and understand the impact of stereotypical statements, it takes a step further and also looks at the other side of the issue: Why do people stay silent in the face of stereotyping or harassing statements? The video does a wonderful job of giving a number of techniques on how to counter and resolve discriminating stereotypes without putting guilt or blame on anyone. We would give OUCH! That Stereotype Really Hurts, 5 out of 5 stars because it handles the topic of diversity and stereotyping so well and yet remains entertaining. It provides real life examples and believable techniques for speaking up and speaking out against stereotypical statements that can lead to discrimination and harassment.

Preview this streaming video course today! 

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