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August 2009 Newsletter

[firstname,fallback=Good Morning],

Though the economy seems to be picking up a bit, many companies are still closely monitoring their financial situations.  Based on that premise, some people would say that they are unable to recognize and motivate their employees - it's not in the budget.  However, don't forget that one of the best ways to recognize and motivate employees is by providing sincere, timely, positive feedback.  Communicating effective feedback is the key - which can be written or oral.  If you need a reminder on how to give (and receive) effective feedback, take advantage of our Giving and Receiving Feedback eWorkbook, which is on sale through the end of August.  Uplift your coworkers today - provide some positive feedback!

Remer's Toot - On Subject Matter Experts

As a designer of training, your job is to figure out the most important information about the topic and invent an engaging way to deliver it. Subject matter experts are an important resource but don't let them dictate the content or you are likely to end up with a slew of statistics on a stack of slides with no time left in your training for reflection, practice, and action planning.  Use your outsider's perspective to sift through the facts, find the essential gems, and package them for your participants.

This Toot was submitted by Brian Remer from The Firefly Group. Thanks, Brian. Notice another palindrome!

Otto's Toot - On Measurement

If a needs analysis shows that a class is necessary, you should be uncovering ways that you can measure the class to determine its effectiveness.  The objectives that you create for your class should mirror or reflect those measurements.  In fact, your class should be created around successfully dealing with the measurements that reflect the objectives, whether they are to increase, decrease, enhance, etc. - bridging the gap

For our Customer Service Scenario example mentioned last month, the class's success might be indicated by:

• Customer satisfaction survey results that are positive.
• The customer service personnel, using the concepts and skills practiced in the training.

What other ways might you measure customer service training success?  Send your thoughts and ideas to me in an email.

(For more information on designing, developing, and documenting training, check out our Designing Training for Fun and Results eWorkbook.)

Remember, submit your tips or ideas on designing, developing, and/or documenting training to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. Toot your own horn!

Site Additions

Susan's Picks are now featuring:

1. Affiliate Marketing Partner: Kat Koppett with Koppett + Company (KopCo), who specializes in the use of improvisation and storytelling techniques to enhance organizational performance. Kopco's areas of specialization include train-the-trainer, leadership development, sales training, and communication and creativity skills.
2. Recommended Resources: Harriet Meyerson, the founder of The Confidence Center, who raises employee morale even if you don't have a big budget. Check out her three free gifts that will help you raise Employee Morale and build Employee Confidence.
3. Book Review: No! How One Simple Word Can Transform Your Life by Jana Kemp.
   Note: We have a module based on Jana's book.
4. Miscellaneous Providers: Izzy's, which is a restaurant known for its "World's Greatest Reuben" and "The Otto Zone!" Check out why our names are featured on two sandwiches we helped to create - The Uncle Ron and The Suzzy.

We've added a few more articles to our website.

1. Does your Communication Style Make or Break You? by Stacey Hanke
2. How to Increase Your Selling Effectiveness to Generation Y by Drew Stevens
3. Easy Ways to Keep Participants Engaged by Deb Thomas

Continual Thanks

Per my 2008 Thank You, our August adopted animals are the:

Gorilla for the Endangered Species Adoption and Pygmy Elephant for the Most Popular Species Adoption.

Noteworthy

We just got back from Palo Alto, California. My husband, Ron, competed in his first National Senior Games. Having put a plan together almost two years ago and qualifying in Ashland, Kentucky last September (winning 1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal) in his first swim meet in 32 years, he went on to show these amazing results: 

• 100 yard freestyle - 6th place
• 50 yard freestyle - 6th place
• 100 IM - 9th place (2 100th of a second from 8th)
• 50 butterfly - 4th place
• 50 backstroke - 4th place

Congratulations, Ron!

Recognizing others for a job well done,

Susan@Training-Modules.com
Training-Modules.com
(859) 292-0095

Creating fun, customized training for organizations!