To get and keep a job, you typically need hard skills. For example, Dentists need to know how to fill cavities, Computer Programmers need to be able to write functional codes, and Accountants need to be certified. However, beyond the hard skills, which dentist do you go to? The one who is pleasant and takes time to answer your questions; or the one who treats you like a number in a long line of numbered mouths? Which programmer do you retain when the […]
Category Archives: Workforce developemt
Apr
5
Mar
30
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How e-learning can reduce costs and improve staff performance
With the current state of the Nigerian economy, cost savings are a major concern for directors, managers, and business owners. One of the major ways to reduce cost is by reducing the escalating costs associated with traditional training, without giving up training completely. The cost associated with the traditional training sessions can be extremely high compared to the cost associated with having the same information online and giving staff members access via the Internet. E-Learning is a very cost-effective training […]
Mar
3
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The role of supervisors in employee engagement
Employee engagement is the extent to which employees feel passionate about their jobs, are committed to the organization, and put discretionary effort into their work. Employee engagement does not mean employee happiness. Someone might be happy at work, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are working hard, productively on behalf of the organization. While company outings, TGIF, and end-of-year parties are fun–and may be beneficial for other reasons–making employees happy is different from making them engaged. Also, employee engagement does […]
Sep
30
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Why Online Learning is a viable alternative to Classroom Learning
About 16 years ago, online learning was in its infancy, whereas being taught in a classroom in a systematic form has been around for hundreds of years. Little wonder that it’s not been easy to translate the pedagogical methods used in the classroom into those adopted in online learning. Yet there is evidence that suggests both methodologies can deliver comparable learning outcomes (notwithstanding that both methodologies can be subject to poor implementation and delivery). A number of things are different […]
Sep
6
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How to measure the business impact of employee training
The purpose of training is to prepare participants to perform certain tasks effectively on the job. It is this effective staff performance that allows organizations to achieve excellence and maintain competitive advantage. So it comes as some surprise to find that many organizations don’t measure the impact of their staff training on performance. The reasons include lack of resources, confusion about what should be measured and lack of staff who understand measurement methodologies. Many simply don’t think it matters to […]
Mar
6
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3 major signs of soft skills gap in your organization
Soft skills, also known as people skills, are the skills you use to interact with others at work. They make up who you are, generally encompassing your attitudes, habits and how you interact with other people. Examples are communication skills, interpersonal skills, business etiquette, etc. In contrast, hard or technical skills mean subject matter expertise like computer programming, accounting, financial analysis, or chemical engineering. Hard skills are generally easily quantifiable and measurable but not as transferable as soft skills. Both […]
Feb
6
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Seven great ways to employee development
Coaching and mentoring Demonstrated benefits of these approaches include improved quality and quantity of work, transfer of learning and, for employees, improved communication and problem-solving skills. Effective coaching and mentoring programs depend on the skills and personality of the mentor or coach, adequate time for coaching and mentoring sessions and established timelines and goals. Job rotation and cross-training Job rotation moves an employee through one or more different positions. The rotation can last several hours, several months or even a […]
Jan
23
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The business case for skills development
Ask employers what their biggest challenge in running and growing their business is, most will tell you it is the inability to find the right employees. The reason for this is not difficult to figure out looking at our low quality education and a value system that supports sub-optimal work culture. Small- and medium-sized businesses are the most affected because they lack the brand and sometimes the resources to attract the few skilled and ‘already-made’ employees that are available. So […]
