Large and small companies alike are witnessing incredibly challenging operating conditions. The new normal of today requires us all to navigate complex digitalized economies, evolving social patterns, and changing workplace environments. And as employers face shifting employee knowledge patterns within multifaceted, intersecting industries, our employees collaborate and interact together with other colleagues who have greatly differing attitudes, goals and competencies…even within the same job description! It can certainly be a challenge to keep everything and everyone together. Therefore, it is essential that companies increase team member cooperation and collaboration to achieve ongoing, profitable outcomes. You can achieve this by fostering a work environment that is aligned to the organizational purpose, and amenable for employees to become more flexible, agile and sensitive to both business and social change. Here is how a table-top learning and development (L&D) training program can make that happen.
This past month I've been getting back into the swing of things after a rejuvenating trip to Coppertoppe Inn in New Hampshire. Always the goal setter, I have set these New Years Resolutions:
Change by Design will double our sales numbers.
Our team will continue to deliver well-crafted, effective performance improvement solutions (both training and non-training) that meet the specific needs of each client.
I will personally grow our capacity by hiring respectful people who fit in our joyful culture, doing what they most enjoy at a high level, while being paid a good hourly rate.
I will begin building my speaking business.
My family will take 3 big vacations this year, and 3 mini-vacays in-between, for well-earned rest and renewal
Although there are no gym fitness goals this time around, I'm still keenly attuned to that frustrating feeling of failure that comes when a goal begins to look unreachable. It's 1 step forward, 2 steps back, often followed by guilt. When that happens, I just remember the reality of change: it's a process. So here are 4 principles from the change literature I find helpful for achieving meaningful change…
Modern Learning Management System (LMS) solutions are robust software applications that provide on-demand access to a company’s educational courses, online training, or other learning and development programs. With so many options, it can be daunting to successfully identify the LMS that meets the unique requirements of your client’s organization. This guide will help you navigate the many considerations for selecting the right solution.
Each December, when festivities have died down and work is done for the year, I briefly take stock of my personal and professional life to make sure my priorities are straight. Ultimately, my priorities = most important people in my life.
In 2021, Change by Design grew a lot. By quadrupling the workforce, I found a clear need to double-down on maintaining meaningful connections with each person while I was going after new business. I've written a bit about my role as Chief Cultural Officer in previous issues of Oomph!
One tactic I used to keep tabs was ordering meals and having them delivered (thanks, Door Dash!), then sharing a lunch hour virtually over Zoom with each team member. After all, we are a virtual team at this point in our evolution and need these connections! We do this at least once during a project, just get to know each other a little better, over a nice meal.
Here is the big-money idea that I'm giving away for free today: They should make the final chapter of the Griswald Family saga and title it "Thanksgiving Vacation." After all, everyone can relate to (or even cringe with), at least one of the popular tropes on screen: such as rambunctious kids in close quarters, competitive siblings, eccentric family members, or awkward families. And you probably also appreciate those evergreen themes of re-connection, redemption, gratitude, and perseverance... despite any turkey cooking challenges. You see, the movie's practically written itself already!
But why am I waxing on about a prospective sure bet in the box office? Well, because I think it illustrates how those familial dynamics are not a cliché, but instead, something we each experience deeply throughout our lives. We're born into families, marry into families, work in "job families" and even build chosen families. They each have their own baked-in norms and expectations, which we accept and even perpetuate.
There are two types of motivation, extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation is externally based. If you take a series of trainings to get a small bonus, that would be extrinsic motivation. The motivation to do the task is coming from an outside source. Intrinsic motivation is internally based. You are internally motivated if you are taking a class to improve your communication skills, or because you enjoy learning.
