In this issue:

1. Reward Training, Companies Get the Real Reward
2. 150+ New Courses Now Available
3. Course Review: Employee Benefit Programs
4. BTL Proudly Welcomes 9 New E-Learning Clients



1. Reward Training, Companies Get the Real Reward
by Shannon Kluczny

Organizations have different philosophies on how to motivate and reward employees. Common motivators can be related to business goals, sales numbers or providing company events and activities. This theory of reward can be tied to training and development to help increase positive results.

A reward is typically defined as something given or received in returned for a desired behavior. Before rewards can be given, the behavior desired should be defined. To gain high impact from a training program, the curriculum should be directly related to a business problem or goal. Once this has been identified with measurements in place, a program can be created with topics, resources, and a time frame.

Communicating a training program to the target audience is key. Explain goals and objectives. Provide numerous opportunities to attend sessions and offer several different types of training methods to accommodate different learning styles. Clear and consistent communication leaves less room for confusion! Examples could include: emails, memos, posters, staff meeting announcements, management meetings, personal invitations to train, etc.

Empower employees to choose how and when they train. This can often be a reward in itself. During group sessions, thank them for attending, ask for feedback, and award a certificate of accomplishment. Individual training should not be treated any different. Recognize employees for training accomplishments in front of peers.

Don’t let your rewards and excitement loose their luster. Try to make programs and themes creative. Creating a unique reward system just for training makes it stand out. Provide rewards and incentives that your employees will be excited about. How well do you know your employees?

A little goes a long way. To share a personal example, I walked into my office early one morning, and there was a balloon tied to my chair with an envelope attached. Inside the envelope was a handwritten message from my manager congratulating me on a training accomplishment. It was something very unique, and something that my peers recognized as well. It made me feel as if my efforts and time spent were not only recognized but also appreciated.

Additional Examples of Rewards and Incentives:

• Gift Certificates
• Movie Tickets
• Lunch, Candy, Soda
• Company Logo Merchandise
• Time off
• Dinner with the Boss
• Reserved Parking Space
• Recognition in Company Newsletter
• Certificates of Achievement
• Achievement Clubs

Rewards and incentive programs are an excellent addition to encourage participation in your training and development plan and ultimately improve your company’s bottom line. You will be amazed at the results!

Shannon Kluczny has been with Business Training Library since August of 2003 helping members get the most out of their memberships. Outside of the office, she enjoys athletics, reading and cooking.

Did You Know?
A new study released by Bersin & Associates, an Oakland, CA-based research firm, found that customers using externally hosted learning management systems are significantly more satisfied than those which use internally managed LMSs.



2. 150+ New Courses Now Available

We're pleased to announce that over 150 new titles have been added to our offerings in the past quarter. Below is just a few of the new titles. Visit our website for a complete listing:

Business and Professional Skills:
Leadership in Six Sigma
Define the Six Sigma Opportunity
Beginning the Change Process
Finding Your Life Balance
Personal Accountability: Working for Your Inner Boss
Whole Numbers, Fractions, and Equations
Planning for Quality
Elements of Project Human Resource Management
Planning Project Procurement and Requesting Seller Responses
Ethics and Professional Knowledge

End User Desktop Computing:
GroupWise 6.5 (4 Courses)
SharePoint 2003 (5 Courses)

Technical General:
DB2 Universal Database (6 Courses)
Linux Red Hat Technician RHCT RH202 (8 Courses)
Solaris 9 System Administrator 310-014/310-015 (7 Courses)

Technical Web Development:
Flash MX 2004 (7 Courses)

Browse our complete course catalog on our website. Please contact your Account Manager if you do not currently have access to these courses. They would be happy to help you customize your curriculum. These courses are also available to you if you are not currently a CompanyCollege member and would like to try our service for free!

Did You Know?
According to a new study released by Bersin & Associates, the LMS market is growing fast and is still fragmented: Although the LMS market encompasses more than 70 vendors, the largest has only a 15 percent market share.



3. Course Review: Employee Benefit Programs

Course Title
Employee Benefit Programs (HRCI/PHR)

Course Group
Business & Professional Skills Catalog

Course Overview
The Human Resource Certification Institute's (HRCI) certification examinations cover a broad range of workforce planning and employment issues, including the theories and applications associated with effective compensation. As a human resources professional, you are responsible for helping to ensure that your company's workforce possesses the skills, knowledge and abilities to meet the current and future needs of the company. This course will help you prepare for the HRCI certification examinations in the area of employee compensation. You will learn methods for effective total compensation. This course will also help you understand the necessary steps for aligning existing compensation methods to a total compensation arrangement.

Target Audience
Human resources professionals that are preparing for the Human Resources Certification Institute's certification examination.

Expected Duration
1.5 hours

Jennifer's Rating


Jennifer's Review
Any Human Resources professional can tell you that keeping up on current regulations governing many facets of our profession is often one of the most trying tests of endurance and commitment we face. The courses in the HRCI/PHR Certificate Program Series are not only a great resource in re-strengthening your skill set and preparing for the PHR exam but they can also serve as a terrific guide for anyone new to the world of HR who is looking to build a knowledge base in the area. The Employee Benefit Program course serves as a wonderful refresher for HR professionals. The course can also be used as a means to introduce a new HR employee to the various aspects of benefit programs, providing an overview of the following government regulated benefit programs:

• Social Security and Medicare
• Unemployment Insurance
• Workers’ Compensation
• COBRA
•  FMLA

The course also provides insight into the following voluntary benefit programs commonly offered by employers today:

• Qualified vs. nonqualified compensation plans
• Health plans
• Disability Benefit plans

The job aids included with the course also serve as helpful references.

Overall, the entire series of HRCI/PHR Certificate Program courses are well written, well researched and well worth taking the time to study. They are presented at such a level that both a newcomer to the field as well as a seasoned HR veteran will be able to benefit from their information.

Jennifer Waldman is the HR/Training Coordinator for Maritrans Inc. Maritrans purchased access to the CompanyCollege LMS and online courses in 2004 to offer web-based training to its Shoreside employees. She has been in the HR field for over 6 years and will be taking her PHR exam this December.



4. BTL Proudly Welcomes 9 New E-Learning Clients

Business Training Library would like to welcome its newest e-learning clients! Your BTL team stands ready to support you throughout this new endeavor.

• CoWorx Staffing, Watchung, NJ
• Hanley Wood, Washington, DC
• Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority, Las Vegas, NV
• New Edge Networks, Vancouver, WA
• Primacy Relocation, Memphis, TN
• Punxsutawney Area Hospital, Punxsutawney, PA
• Raleigh Durham Airport Authority, Raleigh Durham, NC
• Rita Technology Services, Tampa, FL
• Sapphire Technologies LLC, Woburn, MA

Business Training Library
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(888) 432-3077
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www.bizlibrary.com