June Meeting sum-up

Our June meeting was a bit “different,” with a focus on creating a more healthy workplace environment. Below are the impressions of one attendee:

I admit that I was skeptical at first, but one exercise converted me (at least for this concept). We all stood with a partner with one arm raised to shoulder height. First, one partner told the truth and the other tried to lower the arm. The arm didn’t budge. Then the first one told a lie and the second attendee was able to lower the arm. I still didn’t believe until we reversed roles. I used the same pressure with the truth as with the lie and the results were the same. The lie, regardless of whether I said the lie first or second,  triggered the arm lowereing.

Those who attended this atypical presentation rated it very highly. I say “atypical” because Dr. Jeanette Schwartz, with Planet Apothecary, did not lecture on instructional design, measurement, facilitation, or the usual training and development topics, but rather on how to improve in all of these areas and more through the recognition of the power of speech, feelings, scents, and room design.

A summary of the participants’ comments:

~ Emotional drain when lying vs positive energy when telling the truth

~ An awareness of your feelings can promote clearer communication

~ Be conscious of your space and how you set it up

~ Pay attention to words I use and others use

~ Pay attention to feelings in the moment

~ Be aware of your physical space

~ Use of oil and scents as influencers and healing agents in training and staff meetings

~ Drumming to enhance team work, communication, and decision making

Every chapter meeting, an attendee has the chance to win a delicious pie made from a local bakery to help us promote the concept that it is the People, Ideas and Energy from the chapter that enhances everyone’s experience. The winner of the June pie was Chantal Ricketts, who was our newest member attending the chapter meeting.

 

A Persuasive Evening in February

The February chapter meeting was marked by 3 significant things:

1. A great presentation, by Dr. Rosemary Dietrich, on Persuasion and Influence in Training,

2. An overflow crowd that was very lively and enthusiastic,

3. Good weather, finally!

While the last two chapter meetings were marked by inclement weather that kept attendance artificially low, this meeting was packed with pre-registrants and walk-ins, such that more chairs had to be set up in the room. A new policy we’re trying out – allowing people to attend just the talk (no dinner) for a lower cost seemed to be well-received also, though most came for dinner and enjoyed the interaction of the mealtime. As usual, we had a number of folks “in transition” who are looking for their next career role, and the format of our meetings allows for networking connections to be made that might prove helpful.

Louise Vivona-Miller, one of our first-time guests, won the traditional pie (cherry this time, in honor of President’s Day) for having the closest birthday to the event!

Dr. Dietrich did a wonderful job presenting the principles of persuasion hammered out by Dr. Robert Cialdini, while also facilitating helpful group discussions. In fact, the audience participation was so lively that she barely made it through the material! Some photos of this enjoyable evening together are below (our next event chapter meeting, in March, is on Level 3 Evaluations – see our Events page for more information and a link to sign up!).

Discussions over dinner

Dr. Dietrich presents

Application discussions at the table

Discussion of principles during workshop exercises

 

Year-end Holiday Bash

A brave group battled the elements to attend the annual Mid-NJ ASTD Holiday Bash on December 13th. The speaker, Avish Parashar, kept the event lively, entertaining, and informative for the attendees who ventured out in the treacherous weather conditions. Avish spoke on (and demonstrated, of course!) Improv techniques, and their usefulness in training.

The exercises showed that Improv techniques can be used when training team building and conflict resolution, along with many other themes. Avish’s three guiding principles were, 1) have fun even when life throws you a curve, 2) react instantly and powerfully by focusing on only those items that you can control, and 3) learn to say “Yes, And” instead of “Yes, But” to improve communication, flexibility, and personal success.

All attendees received a gift – there were 5 poinsettias, 3 books from Elaine Beich, a fresh apple pie donated by the Marriott and one gorgeous iPod Nano won by Susan Lichtig.

Here are some photos from the festive event:

 

Pix from November Technology Showcase

In November, the Mid-NJ Technology SIG and the Mid/Northern-NJ Sales Training SIG sponsored a successful meeting showing technology solutions for training. Here are some photos from that very enjoyable evening (a thank you to James Barnes for the pix):

 

October Chapter Meeting: Reusability 2.0

On October 3rd, the Technology Special Interest Group (TechSIG) of the MidNJ ASTD Chapter hosted a special speaker to present the latest ideas on content Reusability.

Bryan Chapman is  the Chief Learning Strategist at Chapman Alliance, LLC; a provider of research-centric consulting services that assist organizations to define, operate and optimize their strategic learning initiatives. He spoke on the latest research on reusability of learning objects in the development and deployment of training programs. Bryan presented a summary of his latest research paper, presenting a set of examples on how reusable learning content can extend beyond e-learning to additionally support instructor-led training (ILT), print-based learning, textbooks, job aides, and performance support.

Bryan also explored what it takes to develop learning that can be created in single production pass, while supporting multiple modes of delivery on-demand. And, he discussed the conditions that precipitate adoption of reusability 2.0 versus traditional methods for creating and formatting content for specific learning purposes.

While technology-delivered training has become mainstream in many organizations, most are still not fully leveraging the power of reusable learning content to meet their instructional needs. One of the main reasons is that most learning technologies are designed to create content for a specific learning purpose (i.e. e-learning). Bryan shared three specific examples of organizations that had implemented reusability programs in varied environments. Sharing with the audience that research results that show 64% of all training is still provided by instructor-led facilitators and that the latest trends have included a growth in blended learning programs with an emphasis on rapid development and global implementation.

Bryan examined case studies of several organizations that employ reusability 2.0 techniques to meet sophisticated learning and business requirements, while delivering on-demand content for use in customized instructor-led training (ILT) support material, student manuals, lesson plans, textbooks, job aides, performance support, certification exams, etc. – all through a single production pass to assemble and organize reusable learning content.

The discussion both during and after the presentation was quite lively; another hour could easily have been spent discussing these important issues. Thanks to Bryan for enlightening us with his experience and ideas!

 

September chapter meeting – the PIEs have it!

This month, our chapter had the privilege of hosting an excellent speaker, and launching our new PIE (People, Ideas, Energy) campaign.

Jennifer Hoffman, principal eLearning consultant at InSync Training, spoke to the ASTD Mid-NJ Chapter on September 12 on the topic of Turning Classroom Trainers into Online Facilitators. More trainers are finding themselves spending less time face-to-face with trainees and more time using the Internet tools to perform their training function. Jennifer shared her knowledge of the changing roles of the trainer and showed how many Internet services, such as WebEx, provide tools that allow the trainer the ability to connect with the trainee as though they were in the same room.

She reviewed best practices in the virtual arena particularly suggesting that online facilitators work with team members to monitor the technology aspect of online training so they can focus on the content and delivery. In addition, facilitators must develop skills to maximize engagement and learning for their participants. They need to use the technology tools to make sure learners are in the virtual classroom and not checking emails. Online courses need to be designed into smaller segments.

Also at this meeting, we began a new tradition of awarding a pie from Mr. Todʼs Pie Factory to a lucky recipient (the pie symbolizing our new theme – People, Ideas, Energy). As we introduced ourselves, Jeanne McCarthy said that she was starting a new job this very day and that her new boss told her that it would be OK to attend our seminar first and to come to work after the meeting. She then suggested that if she won the pie, she’d give it to her new boss. Well, as life would have it, Jeanne did not win the pie – John Dix of Compass-USA won it. However, in a grand gesture, John gave the pie to Jeanne, to a resounding round of applause.

In Jeanne’s words: “Of course, my new colleagues were wondering where the pie came from and by the next day, it was happily consumed. I had the PIE my new role needed: playing out my passion with new People, Ideas and Energy are on my mind, thanks to this year’s theme! Thanks!”

 

NNJ ASTD Sponsors “Leadership under Fire” breakfast in October

Full details here.

Our neighbors in Northern New Jersey have an interesting breakfast meeting coming up on Oct 2 in Wayne NJ:

We are honored to announce that Brigadier General Nick Halley (U.S. Army, Retired), nationally renowned leadership expert and author of Leadership Under Fire!, will lead an exceptional presentation and dialogue with our senior learning leaders on leadership principles learned during his distinguished military career and applied to achieve extraordinary success in corporate America.

 

Coming up…it’s Bryan Chapman!

The Technology SIG of our chapter has been most fortunate in securing Bryan Chapman as a speaker for our upcoming October Tech SIG meeting. Bryan is Chief Learning Strategist of Chapman Alliance, a consultancy based in Utah. Bryan spent many years working Brandon Hall’s research arm, and is deeply experienced in the eLearning field.

Bryan will speak to us on the topic of Reusability 2.0: The Key to Publishing Learning.

Corporations have to be aware of reusability issues when developing learning, in order to support multiple delivery modes and situations. Bryan will discuss how content can be reused to support the right learning, at the right time, on demand.

This event will take place in Princeton, NJ, at the Nassau Inn, on October 3 (starting at 8:00 am). Full details and sign-up are here.

 

People…Ideas…Energy

Why do professionals like you get involved with their local ASTD chapter?

Well, for us here at the Mid-NJ chapter, it boils down to three key things: People. Ideas. Energy.

We need interaction with other professionals who share our hopes and our challenges. The people you meet at our chapter events are just like you – folks trying to advance the role of training in their companies. Individuals who enjoy like-minded camaraderie. And, sometimes, people looking for their next job – or their next new hire.

And when we get together, we share ideas. Our speakers are top-notch, carefully chosen to challenge us with proven strategies or leading-edge techniques. And there is always time for interaction before, during, and after the presentation, where ideas flow freely and learning occurs in ways both planned and unscripted.

And all of this interaction leads to renewed energy. Readiness to go back to our training roles with new purpose. We share a professional passion for best practices in training that energizes all who join us.

So what are you waiting for? Join us, and share a piece of the PIE!