الأربعاء، 2 مايو 2012

Organizational Skills for Managers


Organizational skills for managers are about managing men, material and money in a way that leads the organization on the path of success. Read on to know what they are.
Most MBA graduates look at business management as a tool to keep the business running and afloat. However, management goes beyond its superficial definition as it strives to build institutions of an inspirational stature. Organizational skills for managers are extremely important part of any business school curriculum as they aim to imbibe in students the importance of the same. This subject teaches the nitty-gritty of leading an organization on the path of success. Effective managers contribute towards a holistic improvement of an organization as opposed to bringing about a change in just one sector. Let's take a look at organization skills for managers that help in fostering company's growth. 

Basic Organizational Skills for Managers

Perfect Planning
Planning is the first lesson and the first step of effective organization skills. To accomplish any goal, be it a big one or a small one, planning is equally crucial for both. Planning begins from penning down the mission statement, which clarifies the objective of planning. The next step of planning, is making a blueprint of every tiny detail you need to take care of to achieve your mission statement. This includes, time frame, number of people working on the project in question, cost estimation and assessment and evaluation of available resources. 

Timing It
Once you have a plan in place, the next is to work on your time management. Time is an unaffordable luxury in today's times of fast paced competitive lives. As effective managers one must understand the value of time and the need to use it wisely. Making a schedule for oneself and for your team members is extremely important to know how and where is every minute of working hours spent. Sharp managerial acumen will help you anticipate the most productive time of your employees and downtime. You need to make the most of this to get to your goal faster, which will help you save your resources and increase your profit margins. 

Optimizing Resources
Using the available resources to meet the existing demand creates an economic problem. This problem, is the underlying cause for breaking budgets and management failure in most organizations. However, good organizational skills for managers, will teach you how to manage your resources well so that you do not have to stretch your budget at the last minute. Setting up processes and systems that aid smooth work flow, help in understanding how resources are being utilized. These are techniques to execute the established plan and procedures in the most professional way by avoiding ambiguity. Weekly reports, time sheets and registers are some of the ways of recording how much work is being done. Optimum utilization can also mean using your human resource in such a way that your goal is achieved as decided. So, a manager will have to motivate his workforce towards transforming their weaknesses into strengths. 

Assessments
Once you have a plan in place, schedule running on time, and charts to record work, you need to make continuous assessments of them to ensure smooth work flow. Employee reviews, peer reviews, feedback sessions and suggestion boxes are some of the ways to get an assessment from both the ends. As a manager, this will help you understand what you have set out for, what has been achieved so far and what more needs to be done. Such kind of meetings also help employers to motivate their employees, which reflects in a positive way. 

So these were few important organizational skills for managers. A manager is an integral employee of an organization. He is responsible for managing men, material and money to make an organization achieve more than expected. It takes experience and an insightful mind to assume the position of a skilled manager. So, do you think you have it in you?

الثلاثاء، 1 مايو 2012

How “Accelerated Learning” Training Programs Can Help You

Control Hidden Training Costs in Your Company
Organizations typically include only out-of-pocket expenses when they estimate the cost of training their employees. But these expenses are just the tip of the iceberg. The following hidden costs make traditional training programs, which usually involve inefficient and ineffective training practices, much more expensive than what people may think:
  • Low productivity on the job because employees do not learn efficient work procedures
  • Mistakes made on the job because employees do not understand certain problem-solving techniques and work procedures (i.e., employees do not know how to apply what they have learned in training)
  • Elongated training periods (which result in loss of time and lower productivity) because outdated training methods are used
  • Loss of business because employees lack certain job-related skills (e.g., customer relations skills)
What can you do to reduce your training costs and get the most out of your training dollars? The answer lies in embracing accelerated learning techniques and making these techniques an integral part of all of your training programs.
What exactly is “accelerated learning”? Derived from numerous scientific studies across a variety of disciples, this approach to learning is based on what we know about how the brain functions and how information is acquired, stored, and remembered.
Accelerated learning emphasizes multi-sensory input, ways to reduce stress and anxiety during the learning process, stimulating and rewarding environments, and positive reinforcement. Unlike traditional training programs, accelerated learningtraining programs use techniques that engage the “whole brain,” involving the simultaneous stimulation of both the left hemisphere (analytical / logical brain) and the right hemisphere (emotional / artistic brain).
BizTips
BizTip #1 – Acknowledge that traditional training programs tend to be ineffective in meeting organizational needs.
There are big differences between traditional and accelerated learning training programs. Traditional training programs are based on passive learning, while accelerated learning programs emphasize active learning.
“Rote learning,” which has been the mainstay of traditional training programs for the past 60 years, rewards conformity, stifles creativity, and does not work well for most people. Accelerated learning training programs, however, facilitate learning and cater to each individual’s learning style and talents.
Training programs that provide information in a way that is “natural” for the brain make learning easier, help people to understand and remember job-related material, and expedite the integration and application of knowledge.
BizTip #2 – After learning more about accelerated learning principles, start including them in your training programs.
Although accelerated learning principles have been well-documented over the past 25 years, few organizations have incorporated these concepts in their training programs. Many books and online resources encourage organizations to adopt the following accelerated learning principles:
  • Create a stimulating and rewarding learning environment
  • Promote positive emotions and a relaxed state of mind (receptive “internal environment”)
  • Cultivate self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Foster cooperation among learners
  • Regularly communicate expectations and personal responsibility for learning
  • Recognize individual learning styles
BizTip #3 – Help your employees learn faster and remember more.
Incorporate the following accelerated learning techniques in your training programs:
  • Provide a "big picture" framework to improve the retention of information
  • Use activity-based, collaborative learning techniques
  • Pose hands-on problems and encourage questions
  • Make effective use of music to enhance learning
  • Provide regular feedback to employees regarding progress in training
  • Recognize and reward successful performance in training
BizTip #4 – Reduce training time while making learning more enjoyable.
Organizations want training to be as efficient as possible. But sometimes efficiency can make training boring. Employees want training to be interesting. But sometimes fun and stimulating techniques take a little more time.
You can merge the best of both worlds and include the following training and development activities that not only reduce the amount of time employees spend in training but also make learning more stimulating:
  • Provide reading materials that are comprehensive, organized, and easy to understand
  • Make presentations that minimize the use of words and involve colorful graphics
  • Watch and discuss videos that highlight important concepts and practices
  • Use workbooks relating to relevant subject matter areas
  • Assign individuals to work with a "learning partner" to reinforce the retention of information
  • Encourage trainees to participate in group learning activities to encourage teamwork
  • Provide demonstrations of the correct way to perform job activities
  • Ask trainees to demonstrate to peers that they understand the proper work techniques
  • Ask trainees to perform job activities under guided supervision
  • Provide daily progress evaluations to assess the comprehension of information

nt-size. � 0 t 2 p� amily:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#4F4F4F'>Begin Using Accelerated Learning Techniques
We are clearly living in a new age of “networked intelligence.” Communication is instantaneous, and information continues to explode at a faster rate month after month. These technological changes mean that jobs are becoming increasingly “brain-sensitive,” that skilled brainpower is replacing muscle power, and that employees require higher level skills for successful job performance.
Business success today essentially boils down to solving problems better and faster. The primary competitive advantage of profitable companies is the ability of employees to learn and to learn faster. Therefore, it is important to start recognizing the significance of using accelerated learning techniques to improve your employee training programs.

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Control Hidden Training Costs in Your Company
Organizations typically include only out-of-pocket expenses when they estimate the cost of training their employees. But these expenses are just the tip of the iceberg. The following hidden costs make traditional training programs, which usually involve inefficient and ineffective training practices, much more expensive than what people may think:
  • Low productivity on the job because employees do not learn efficient work procedures
  • Mistakes made on the job because employees do not understand certain problem-solving techniques and work procedures (i.e., employees do not know how to apply what they have learned in training)
  • Elongated training periods (which result in loss of time and lower productivity) because outdated training methods are used
  • Loss of business because employees lack certain job-related skills (e.g., customer relations skills)
What can you do to reduce your training costs and get the most out of your training dollars? The answer lies in embracing accelerated learning techniques and making these techniques an integral part of all of your training programs.
What exactly is “accelerated learning”? Derived from numerous scientific studies across a variety of disciples, this approach to learning is based on what we know about how the brain functions and how information is acquired, stored, and remembered.
Accelerated learning emphasizes multi-sensory input, ways to reduce stress and anxiety during the learning process, stimulating and rewarding environments, and positive reinforcement. Unlike traditional training programs, accelerated learningtraining programs use techniques that engage the “whole brain,” involving the simultaneous stimulation of both the left hemisphere (analytical / logical brain) and the right hemisphere (emotional / artistic brain).
BizTips
BizTip #1 – Acknowledge that traditional training programs tend to be ineffective in meeting organizational needs.
There are big differences between traditional and accelerated learning training programs. Traditional training programs are based on passive learning, while accelerated learning programs emphasize active learning.
“Rote learning,” which has been the mainstay of traditional training programs for the past 60 years, rewards conformity, stifles creativity, and does not work well for most people. Accelerated learning training programs, however, facilitate learning and cater to each individual’s learning style and talents.
Training programs that provide information in a way that is “natural” for the brain make learning easier, help people to understand and remember job-related material, and expedite the integration and application of knowledge.
BizTip #2 – After learning more about accelerated learning principles, start including them in your training programs.
Although accelerated learning principles have been well-documented over the past 25 years, few organizations have incorporated these concepts in their training programs. Many books and online resources encourage organizations to adopt the following accelerated learning principles:
  • Create a stimulating and rewarding learning environment
  • Promote positive emotions and a relaxed state of mind (receptive “internal environment”)
  • Cultivate self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Foster cooperation among learners
  • Regularly communicate expectations and personal responsibility for learning
  • Recognize individual learning styles
BizTip #3 – Help your employees learn faster and remember more.
Incorporate the following accelerated learning techniques in your training programs:
  • Provide a "big picture" framework to improve the retention of information
  • Use activity-based, collaborative learning techniques
  • Pose hands-on problems and encourage questions
  • Make effective use of music to enhance learning
  • Provide regular feedback to employees regarding progress in training
  • Recognize and reward successful performance in training
BizTip #4 – Reduce training time while making learning more enjoyable.
Organizations want training to be as efficient as possible. But sometimes efficiency can make training boring. Employees want training to be interesting. But sometimes fun and stimulating techniques take a little more time.
You can merge the best of both worlds and include the following training and development activities that not only reduce the amount of time employees spend in training but also make learning more stimulating:
  • Provide reading materials that are comprehensive, organized, and easy to understand
  • Make presentations that minimize the use of words and involve colorful graphics
  • Watch and discuss videos that highlight important concepts and practices
  • Use workbooks relating to relevant subject matter areas
  • Assign individuals to work with a "learning partner" to reinforce the retention of information
  • Encourage trainees to participate in group learning activities to encourage teamwork
  • Provide demonstrations of the correct way to perform job activities
  • Ask trainees to demonstrate to peers that they understand the proper work techniques
  • Ask trainees to perform job activities under guided supervision
  • Provide daily progress evaluations to assess the comprehension of information
Begin Using Accelerated Learning Techniques
We are clearly living in a new age of “networked intelligence.” Communication is instantaneous, and information continues to explode at a faster rate month after month. These technological changes mean that jobs are becoming increasingly “brain-sensitive,” that skilled brainpower is replacing muscle power, and that employees require higher level skills for successful job performance.
Business success today essentially boils down to solving problems better and faster. The primary competitive advantage of profitable companies is the ability of employees to learn and to learn faster. Therefore, it is important to start recognizing the significance of using accelerated learning techniques to improve your employee training programs.