Sorry for the hiatus! Changing roles equaled some things slipping

Hi all, yes, we are still here, alive and well at Training Time! Sorry for the silence for the past week or so...we've had some priorities that shifted and our beloved blog fell through the cracks for a bit.

But fear not! We are here, and ready to continue bringing you the best in training information, advice, tools, and yes, the much needed giggles now and then.

One thing I would like to add to our blog is more of a dialog. What would you like to know about training? Send me the burning issues impacting your company's training program, or the hot button topics you see in the HR and training world, so I can include them in our blog. Credit will be given, unless you'd rather keep your name out of the limelight (in which case, Mum's the word -- we can just attribute the idea to "a reader" or if you wish, make up a fun name for you to cleverly disguise your identity.)

Have a happy HR day!

Saying goodbye to summer...

Tomorrow, September 22, is the first day of fall. Goodbye summer, goodbye beaches, vacations and steamy temperatures. Hello football, prime-time TV and sweater weather.

In celebration of the new season, we’re taking a look back at the great summer we had here at Thoughts from Training Time.

And taking a look back at the posts readers enjoyed most during the past few months:

1. 10 low-cost employee incentive ideas


2. Employee incentive ideas on a budget


3. 5 tips to build employee morale in a down economy


4. Friday office humor: Olympics at work


5. Employee recognition ideas on the cheap, it’s easier than you think


6. Great ice breaker ideas start with three words


7. New icebreaker activities for meetings


8. Creative Icebreaker Games: Guess Who?


9. Taking steps to improve employee morale


10. How to have fun at work: Work like a dog

Keeping employees on their toes, a field study

Continuing with the Training Trends theme from last week, I’d like to demonstrate how you, too, can easily keep your employees on their toes. Depending on your line of work, it could be as simple as putting on a blue polo and a pair of khakis.

Back in 2006, the self-proclaimed “urban pranksters” from Improv Everywhere recruited a group of about 80 people to play an interesting joke on a local Best Buy store. After arriving to a secret location dressed in the company’s signature blue polo and khaki pants the group was given these instructions:

“We’re heading up to the Best Buy on 23rd Street. We’ll enter the store one by one. Once inside, spread out and stand near the end of an aisle, facing away from the merchandise. Don’t shop, but don’t work either. If a customer comes up to you and asks you a question, be polite and help them if you know the answer. If anyone asks you if you work there, say no. If an employee asks you what you’re doing, respond ‘I’m waiting for my girlfriend/boyfriend who is shopping elsewhere in the store.’ If they question you about your clothing, just explain that it’s what you put on when you woke up this morning and you don’t know any of the other people dressed like you.”

And, they caught it all on video:



Get creative, keep your employees on their toes and have some fun.

Training Trends: Keep your team on their toes

Team coaching and employee recognition are two hot issues, especially in a down economy. It’s important that your team stays on their toes and feels appreciated for doing so. Check out our suggestions for designing training programs that will keep your employees going strong.

And then, check out FEMA’s tips and our supplementary training ideas to set up your fire safety plan. Keep your employees up-to-date with tools and information that can save lives and even your entire business.

Here’s a glimpse at the September issue of Training Trends:

Ready, set, hike… uh, I mean work!

Success in the world of professional football is measured in yards, touchdowns and winning games. In the world of business, however, the road to success is not always well paved.

No, there aren’t any play calls to memorize or grueling physical workouts, but the players on your team are still in need of a coach – someone to motivate and encourage them to do their best.

You want your team to grow, to be productive and win that big game (e.g. sales numbers, peak productivity), and coaching can help you get there.

Here’s the game plan: ... (more)


Putting the Arrrrrrrr in Recognition
Ways to recognize and motivate employees in a down economy

Ahoy, matey! It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th and the perfect time to get out yer gold coins and stuffed parrot to honor the shipmates who so diligently scrubbed the ship deck and managed to avoid walking the plank.

All pirate-speak aside, employee recognition is an essential part of sparking motivation and creating company loyalty on the inside. Building employees’ self-worth and appreciating them for all they’ve accomplished will keep them going strong, especially in a down economy.

Here are a few tips that will make your employees feel recognized: ... (more)


Are you up to FEMA’s standards?
Fire safety training to prevent a disaster

September is National Preparedness Month and a necessary time to make sure your employees are trained and ready in case of a fire. Fire causes thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in damage each year, making it the most common disaster amongst businesses. Here are some ways the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends you stay prepared:

• Have your office, plant or facility inspected for fire safety; ensure compliance with fire codes and regulations.
• Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in appropriate locations.
• Consider an automatic sprinkler system, fire hoses and fire-resistant doors and walls ... (more)

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime.com share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry in our Training Trends newsletter. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Can training = fun?

The latest issue of our Training Trends newsletter hit inboxes yesterday. This month you’ll discover new ways to make training more enjoyable and even fun, how to unlock employee creativity and why it’s time to refresh your project management skills.

Here are some snippets from the August issue of Training Trends from TrainingTime.com:

Can Training = Fun?
Ways to make your training more enjoyable

Have you ever facilitated a training session and found that one or more attendees caught up on sleep the entire time you spoke? Let’s face it, training has the potential to be boring, for both trainer and employee. The last thing you want are employees trudging all the way to the training room feeling doomed to a session of uncomfortable introductions, awkward silences and yawn-worthy material.

As a trainer, there are ways to engage your employees with fun, worthwhile training that will relay useful and important information in a way that will stick. Take the initiative and use these suggestions to give your training an extra boost of enjoyment. (more)


Six strategies for unlocking employee creativity
Embrace creativity, create a competitive advantage

A few lucky companies are beginning to rebound from the recession, but most of us are still feeling the pressure. Employees and executives are stressed; budgets are tight and businesses are hunkered down. Though every business goes through natural ups and downs, stagnancy is something no business can afford right now.

Studies have shown that companies that emphasize employee engagement and encourage creativity will attract high-performing job candidates and retain loyal employees, giving the company a competitive advantage. Try these six strategies and unlock employee creativity in your organization today: (more)


Project management refresher
Skills to help manage your projects more efficiently

It’s Monday morning and, unlike your fellow employees, you’ve got your feet up in a lounge chair on the deck of a cruise ship. The sun is shining; a gentle breeze is blowing through your hair, and an ice cold beverage sits in the cup holder next to you. Then, exactly one week later, you find yourself dragging your sunburned heels across the company parking lot toward the entrance in a pre-coffee daze, still dreaming you’re on that cruise ship…

With all the distractions that come from the summer vacations, it’s a good time to brush up on your project management skills so you don’t fall behind schedule. If you have a team working with you on projects, it wouldn’t hurt to give them a refresher as well. Here are some basic things to keep in mind when managing your next project... (more)

Take a minute to sign up for the Training Trends newsletter and you’ll be all set to receive the best training information right in your inbox each month.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Sexual harassment, diversity and inner-geekiness

Sexual harassment and diversity are tow hot-button training issues in today’s workplace and two of the hottest topics to be featured in the latest issue of our Training Trends newsletter.

In this issue you’ll find out how to diversify your diversity training, how to engage employees in sexual harassment training, and find the right software training to nurture your inner-geek.

Here’s a quick look at the July issue of Training Trends:

Diversify Your Diversity Training

Improving productivity through sensitivity and understanding

In a world of 6.7 billion differences and counting, it’s often times difficult to understand and conceive why people are the way they are. From a philosophical standpoint, problems, arguments and even wars can occur from simply misunderstanding one another. What’s the obvious answer? Love and peace… and diversity training.

Like the term “harassment,” it’s important to know exactly what diversity is as well. (more)


Software Training for Your Inner-Geek

The importance of software training in the workplace

Let’s face it; we’ve been overtaken by computers… and it’s never been so cool to be a geek. Immerse yourself in the nerdifying glory that is software training. Dig out your favorite Star Trek episode, duct tape those horn-rimmed glasses and grab a pen out of your pocket protector. Let’s take some notes on why now is the time to be well-trained in the use of computer software… Engage!

It’s never been a better time for businesses, big and small, to train employees with the proper skills in tackling software-loaded devices. New programs and computer systems are meant to make your workload easier, allowing you to accomplish more in one sitting. Not only will training improve efficiency throughout your business, it will give it the potential to grow and compete. (more)


Side-Stepping Sexual Harassment Risks

Find ways to engage your employees in sexual harassment training

Sexual harassment. Employers cringe at the mention of these very words. Upset employees, court battles, and heavy fines are just a few of the nightmares that can stem from an inappropriate interaction at the office. One offensive comment or gesture can bring a world of legal and financial trouble from the EEOC or an aggressive plaintiff’s lawyer…

OK, enough pondering the horrors of harassment. What’s the best way to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace? With the proper training, of course!

First of all, it’s important to know exactly what sexual harassment is. And the reality is, it can be many things, (more)

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime.com share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry in our Training Trends newsletter. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Training for a healthy bottom line

Got training?

See if it’s time for a training check-up in your business in the latest issue of our Training Trends newsletter. In it, you’ll also find expert answers to these key training questions:

What are the three kinds of training a company needs to keep its bottom line healthy?

Are your employees up to the challenge of doing business across language lines?

Providing your employees with the right training is important, but how do you know they’re using what they learn?

Here’s a quick look at the June issue of Training Trends:

Got training?

It’s dairy month, and that means lots of photo ops for celebrities sporting milk mustaches. Ads will tout how healthy milk is, and why everyone who is anyone just can’t wait to down their next ice cold, creamy glassful. A few years ago, the slogan was “Milk. It does a body good.”™ Catchy.

We’d like to say the same thing about training. Okay, so it’s not creamy and probably shouldn’t be served ice cold, but otherwise it’s pretty much on target.

The right training is healthy for your company. A well-trained employee is less likely to make mistakes, generate errors, get hurt at work or waste materials. Teams with the right training perform more efficiently, require less supervision and are more likely to stay with your company. That means a healthier bottom line for your company. (more)


Going global with language training

It’s a fact. The world has gotten noticeably smaller in the past 50 years or so. Okay, maybe the geographers wouldn’t agree with that, but marketers, sales people and just about anyone who uses the Internet knows exactly what I mean.

We have gotten used to doing business with people in different countries, chatting with friends across the globe and seeing images of places thousands of miles away in real time.

The one skill that has not kept up with this nearly borderless worldview is language. Most Americans speak only one language fluently. That’s not the case in the rest of the world, where learning effective communication skills in two, three or even four languages is considered a basic part of childhood education. (more)


Down the road: Is your safety training staying on track?

You’ve done it all. Harassment training, forklift training, hazardous materials training and first aid training. Your employees are ready for anything. But before you pat yourself on the back and sit back to enjoy that wonderful sense of being up-to-date on everything, we have two questions for you.

First, where are your training records? If there was an accident at work and OSHA came knocking on your door, could you show them proof that your employees had received the right training at the right time? If you were served with a lawsuit for sexual harassment, could you show proof of your company’s efforts to train employees in what is and is not acceptable behavior at work?

And second, are you following through? Even if you have training records, are you following up to make sure the lessons learned in the training seminar or interactive CD-ROM are being applied at work? Are you posting signs and reminders to keep safety practices or acceptable behavior standards in front of employees every day? (more)

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime.com share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry in our Training Trends newsletter. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends - Are you speaking your employees’ language?

April showers bring May flowers ... along with a garden of fresh, new training advice sprouting up at TrainingTime.com.

In the latest issue of our Training Trends newsletter you’ll learn the must-ask questions for finding the right person for every job, how to provide safety and other essential training in a language your employees understand, and how to reduce stress with a plan to balance personal and work responsibilities.

Here’s a quick look at the May issue of Training Trends:

The 5 questions they absolutely must answer!

We all know about questions an interviewer should never ask. Falling afoul of EEOC guidelines about religion, ethnic origin, family plans or genetic issues can result in lawsuits and fines, and the numbers can be staggering. Late last month, B & H Photo was fined an astronomical $4.3 million dollars for pervasive discrimination based on national origin.

But did you also know that hiring the wrong person – or letting the best choice go because of illegal criteria -- could end up costing your company real dollars because of poor performance and higher turnover. Add in the possibility of tarnishing your company’s reputation or alienating customers, and you could be looking at thousands or even millions in lost revenue. Consider this interview: (more)


Danger! I mean peligro! No, gefahr!

Why louder and slower won’t help if you’re using the wrong language for safety training

You’ve seen it on countless sitcoms. The main character meets someone who doesn’t speak English, and resorts to talking louder, speaking slowly and acting things out with elaborate gestures. On a TV show, it’s funny…but when you’re delivering employee training, the results can be tragic.

Injuries and fatalities among non-U.S.-born workers and non-English-speaking employees have been sharply increasing. Here’s what you can do to boost training effectiveness: (more)


Who comes first? When work and family needs clash

You have a big presentation due at work tomorrow. It’s almost midnight and you’re still finishing up your PowerPoint presentation in between doing loads of laundry, while mentally planning tomorrow’s lunches. And just when you think you might grab a few hours’ sleep before the alarm goes off, your four-year old wakes up with an earache and a fever. Now what?

No matter what your life includes, the challenges of blending work and family demands seem to be growing each day. Longer work hours and busy family schedules keep everyone trying to juggle three, four or more tasks at any one time.

We know we have to do it. The question is, how can we do it better? You need a Plan B. (more)

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime.com share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry in our Training Trends newsletter. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Legal changes, stress at work and employee attitude problems

It may be April Fool’s Day, but this month’s issue of Training Trends isn’t joking around. The April issue of TrainingTime’s monthly workplace training newsletter is dedicated to informing you of the latest labor law changes to start preparing for, simple stress-reduction training and how to deal with an employee with a serious attitude problem.

Here’s what you can find in this issue of Training Trends:

Heads Up On Radical New Labor Law Changes

In compliance with major changes in federal and state administrations, several significant modifications and additions have been made to labor laws throughout the country.

We’ve put together a summary of the upcoming changes to allow you to prepare your HR departments and develop relevant training before the deadlines. We’ll continue to post additional details as we receive more information on the new regulations. (more)


I’m Not Stressed -- That Pencil Had It Coming!

I’ve gone through at least a dozen pencils and I have no idea how many paper clips this week, and it’s only Thursday. If I’m not unbending the paper clips, I’m snapping pencils in two…I know the stress in this place is killing me, but I don’t know what to do about it!

Does this sound familiar? Is it you? Or are you seeing it among the employees at your company? Maybe it’s not paper clips and pencils. Maybe it’s eating too much or being short tempered with coworkers or families.

Recent studies have proven that stress takes a serious toll on our health. Heart attacks, cancer and diabetes have all been linked directly to stress. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to reduce stress at work and its potentially dangerous effects. (more)


I [Heart] My Attitude Problem

We’ve all been there. You have an employee who looks perfect on paper - never late, flawless work, goes above and beyond - but they’re a nightmare to work with. This “perfect” performer is bossy, troublesome, swears like a sailor and is never wrong.

You’ve got a serious attitude problem on your hands, and your troubled employee is the only one who doesn’t know about it.

So what’s a manager to do? Here are some things to consider before reaching for a pink slip … (more)

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up for Training Trends to receive the most important training news each month.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Kick training out of the office

Kick your trainers and your trainees out of the office? You sure about that?

Yep, throw ‘em out. Right out into the great outdoors.

As winter starts to melt away and turn into spring, it’s the perfect time to move your employee training sessions out of your stuffy office building and into some invigorating, fresh outdoor air.

It’s the latest advice out of this month’s issue of Training Trends, Training Time’s monthly newsletter covering workplace training news, tips and best practices.

Along with exciting outdoor team-building ideas, the latest issue of Training Trends includes valuable sales training tips from a renowned sales guru along with critical safety training advice.

Here’s a quick look at the March issue of Training Trends:

Take Training Out of Your Office

All winter long, training has been an indoor activity for most of the country. With spring approaching, and summer on its heels, why not move your team building activities and other training out of the office and into the great outdoors? ... (full article)


Getting from the Call to the Deal

Zig Ziglar’s book titled The Secrets of Closing the Sale was the first book on sales techniques to ever make the New York Times Best Sellers List. That was in 1985. Now over 20 years later, the book remains one of the most powerful and trusted guides to getting to the sale ... (full article)


Name Your Poison

Unless your business involves only office work or remote computer-linked employees, odds are there is at least one Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) required for your company. But many managers aren’t even aware of the MSDS requirements, much less how to use them ... (full article)

Take a minute to sign up for the Training Trends newsletter and you’ll be all set to receive the best training information right in your inbox each month.

If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: Employees need love, too

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the February issue of Training Trends is full of valuable training news and tips on how to show your employees how much you appreciate them for all their hard work.

This month’s issue hitting inboxes today, covers topics including tips for employee recognition and advice on how to handle romantic relationships among coworkers and more.

Each month, the experts at TrainingTime.com share all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from across the training industry. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a few seconds and sign up for Training Trends.

Here’s a quick look at the February issue:

Your Cubicle or Mine?

Relationships that got their start in the break room, board room or business trip are happening more often and having successful outcomes. Unlike the 10% success rate found with online dating, workplace relationships result in a long-term commitment or marriage 50% of the time. But when the relationship is unsuccessful, it can cause serious problems for employers ... (full article)


5 No-Cost and High-ROI Strategies to Recognize Your Employees

Your employees are your greatest asset. Heighten their sense of worth and make them feel that they are an important part of your organization with frequent and meaningful recognition. It doesn’t have to be expensive or lavish. The following actions can go a long way in recognizing employees and provide a positive ROI ... (full article)


Why Nothing That Matters is Getting Done

Do you go through the day feeling like what you planned to do never got done? The answer to getting more done isn’t adding another planner or system of checkmarks, it’s because you’re doing and planning to do the wrong stuff. Use these tips to make sure that what you’re doing is in line with what you value and where you want your life to go ... (full article)

Take a minute to sign up for Training Trends and you’ll be all set to receive the best training information each month. If you’re a training expert or HR professional and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for instructions on how to contribute.

Training Trends: PTO, the Grinch at work and religious diversity

The December issue of Training Trends was released today, with information every workplace can use during the holidays. This month’s topics include how to handle confusing PTO policies, “Grinch” behavior around the office and managing religious diversity.

Each month, TrainingTime.com shares all of the latest and greatest tips, trends and buzz from the across the training industry. If you’re not on our mailing list, please take a minute to sign up for Training Trends to have the latest training news delivered to your inbox each month.

Here’s a quick look at the December edition:

Top 10 Things Not to Do with Your PTO

Switching to a Paid Time Off (PTO) system gives employees more freedom to schedule their time, but there are some drawbacks. From “last-minute use” policies and harsh requirements, putting a new PTO system in place can be confusing. Here’s a more lighthearted look at the top 10 things you shouldn’t do with your PTO ... (full article)


Don’t be a Grinch at Work This Holiday Season

Employees who have fun at work have proven to be more loyal, productive and more willing to go the extra mile when crunch time comes. The holidays offer a great opportunity to bring more happiness and fun into the workplace. Here are some simple and affordable ideas to fill the need for fun at work this holiday season ... (full article)


Making Religious Diversity Work at Work

The month of December shines a spotlight on the religious differences among employees each year. What’s the best way to handle religious diversity at work? Embrace it. Embracing religious differences within the office is good for business and good for employees. Here’s why ... (full article)

It only takes a minute to sign up for Training Trends and you will be all set to receive the best training information each month. If you’re a HR or training expert and are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s learning library, visit our “Write for Us” page for information on how to contribute.

Training trends: Building trust, cutting clutter and cessation solutions

The November edition of Training Trends has landed in inboxes across the globe, sharing the latest tips, trend and buzz from the training industry. If you don't receive TrainingTime.com’s monthly newsletter yet, please take a minute to sign up.

Here’s a quick look at the November Training Trends newsletter:

Do Your Customers Trust You? Five Keys to Building Trust

As the economy continues to struggle, so do the profits and margins of many businesses in the U.S. and across the globe. Customers’ buying behavior has changed and businesses must use trust to develop customer relationships.


Give Your Reader a Break - Cut the Clutter

Work keeps us busy - for most of us, busier than we’d like. We need information, and we need it quickly. Most of us tend to get annoyed when it takes hard work to read a long, wordy business document. Use these tips to give your reader a break and cut the clutter.


The Worst Ideas in Stop Smoking Programs for Employees

employee smoking habits can cost your company big time. Smoking breaks and higher health care costs burn away at your bottom line. What are the best and worst ways to help employees kick the habit for good?

Please take a minute to sign up for Training Trends for the latest training information delivered to your inbox each month. For any HR and training experts our there, if you are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com’s Learning Library, visit our “Write for Us” for information on how to contribute.

Don't forget about our newsletter

Hopefully you all have taken some time to sign up for Training Trends - TrainingTime.com's informative monthly newsletter. If you haven't done so yet, it only takes a second and you will be all set to receive all the tantalizing tidbits of training information available in July's edition of Training Trends.

For those of you who haven't subscribed to Training Trends yet, here is a snippet from June's edition - Effective Training Solutions for National Safety Month.

The 5 keys to improving safety in your office

More than 4 million workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in 2006, and nearly a third of them involved days away from work. Not only is this a drain on employee morale and productivity, but it also hits your company’s pocketbook through increased workers’ comp claims and insurance rates.

Every employee has a right to a safe and healthy workplace. For this to happen, managers and supervisors need to identify and eliminate risks, properly train employees on safe work habits and reinforce these habits on a daily basis.

Since June is Safety Month, now is the ideal time to get your health and safety program on firm footing. Start with these steps:

1) Conduct thorough safety inspections

Walk through your business and check all chemical container labels, fuse boxes, fire extinguishers and obstructed views, as well as taking note of noise and air quality levels. Make sure that desk chairs and computer workstations are ergonomically compliant. And check that tornado, fire, flood and earthquake procedures and evacuation routes or shelters are clearly posted.

Read More

For all you HR and training experts out there, if you are interested in writing content for Training Trends or TrainingTime.com's Learning Library, check out this page for information on how to write for us.