Tackling employee smart phone: who is in charge anyway?

Are your employees personal smart phones distracting them from their work?

We all know that smart phones are great but the majority of the time managers will agree that employee’s phones take control on a lot of things.  

Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2012!

A huge congratulations to all of this year's winners at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards, it was a great night!

Please click on the link below to see all of the gossip and photos from the awards ceremony which took place on the 19th October at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.

http://www.facebook.com/hifooddrink?fref=ts

A taste of Success!

Remember we still have Business & Administration VQ places left!

In-House Training

Next time you run in-house training, remember you need to get your audiences buy-in within the first 30 minutes.  What techniques work for you?

Hints & tips:
1.  Some trainers find a relaxed style works for them.  
2.  Make aims, objectives & plans for the day clear.  
3.  Make introductions relevant to what they will be learning:  what do they want to get out of the     day, what are their experiences and concerns?
4.  Keep it interactive.
5.  And don't bombard it with slides!

Dealing with negativity as a manager?

Dealing with negativity as a manager can be challenging.   If you reinforce the negative view, does it make it worse? Here's our thoughts...

Negativity at work:

1. Don’t dismiss what they are saying.  This is what they feel and they need to know you understand.
2. See if there is any area where you can both agree.  Once you have somewhere to start, you are more likely to be able to help them see different ways of looking at everything else that is bothering them.
3. Together work out some clear actions they can take to change the situation.  We always hear that ‘you can’t change others but you can change yourselves’.  Remembering this can help us feel more in control.
4. Look at the areas they do feel positive.  Add your positive thoughts to help reinforce this positive feeling.  By remembering the things they do like, you might be able to help them move on from that negative mood.

Ice Breakers: do you use them in training? What are the benefits?

Some trainers love them but we also know many trainers never use them. 
How much do they help kick off the training or do you prefer another option? 

Let us know!

Cracking your competency management system!

1. Identify the right competencies

2. Draw a map

3. Build a workable system

4. Prioritise your people

5. Get management buy-in

6.  Provide quality assessor training

7. Provide accessible guidance

8. Support assessors during the early stages

9. No snakes and ladders!

10. Recognise competency