Hi Clive, thanks for this great example of how you use gamification. The more I think we read about the science behind how gamification actually works to secure people's attention, and keep it, the more I think we will see an increase in its uptake.

This sounds great, just the kind of things that people need to make their training memorable and ultimately repeatable.

Thanks Shonette, I shall check it out the article for sure.
Always interesting to read content about the matter.
Mark

Hi Shonette
Thanks for starting the discussion!
IMO, 90 minute training not only features relevant and varied content in sessions designed to keep the learners’ attention, but it also allows participants to choose and identify the particular training sessions they most want and need, in other words, training that’s self-generated.
However, just as the AGES report highlights, in order for training to remain in our memory in long-term, it also needs to be delivered in a way which triggers an emotional response. Some of the ways we feature in our training include role play and scenario setting, and sometimes even games, where appropriate! Game based exercises are highly interactive, participatory and feature an element of novelty and entertainment. Again, according to the AGES report, doing this this may be the way to stimulate positive emotions towards learning for the participant, and that sense of positive anticipation may have an impact on vividness of the memory of their training experience, which in turn supports the formation of new learning which can be saved and recalled later. This is a common issue I hear time and time again from companies about their training: how can they provide staff with effective, useable, relevant training that ‘sticks’ for the long term? And it’s here where I think the ‘spaced’ nature of bite-size training really comes into play and holds its own.
HAGD!
Mark

1. Don’t keep it all in your head

This is the first and most important tip when it comes to to-do lists.
Our short term memory can only hold between seven to ten items so it can be difficuly to remember every single thing you need to do without writing a list.
Rather than getting stressed trying to remember everything, making a list will help you to focus on what you need to do as well as reducing anxiety levels.

2. Try multiple lists

Rather than trying to keep a single list of tasks for all aspects of your life, it can be easier to use multiple lists.

It can be helpful to keep separate lists of your work-related tasks, household jobs and family/friends-related reminders: it’s important that each list is kept in its proper place.

For example, you may keep your work list in your work planner, computer or smartphone and your household list on a kitchen notice board and yor family/friends related reminders in your diary.

3. Lose the big stuff

There is no point putting goals like ‘get a promotion’ or lose three stone’ on your ‘to do’ list.

The point is to break large goals down into manageable, bite-size chunks. The best to-do lists focus on tasks that need to be completed on that particular day.

Rather than putting big goals such as these on your current ‘to do’ list, create a separate ‘Someday Maybe’ list for tasks which don’t quite fit into your life at the moment but which you want to keep track of for the future.

I hope these will help!

Glad you like the sound of the VT and will register to try our virtual classroom this Wednesday. I know you will like it and see why some of the world's top brands buy into it. Get your boss to register too!

Mark

Hi Esther

This is a question I hear all the time, so I’m glad you raised it here.

A key USP for Virtual training is that it’s closely aligned with the way people are working and learning today.

Unlike face to face, classroom-style training live virtual training, or the ‘virtual classroom as I and others call it – offers:-

• An adaptive, personalised, effective and continuous learning system that allows for application, reflection and reinforcement of new information and skills.

• Participants to train from wherever they are based with minimal interruption – they don’t even need to be at a desk as they can access training from smartphones and tablets.

• A variety of online tools such as designated ‘windows’ for Q&As, participant discussions and off-line collaboration and “homework.” Features like “whiteboards” and “break-out rooms” for example, make VT an engaging and exciting session for everyone.

• Participants to be able to immediately apply what they learn: with some offline courses, implementation doesn’t necessarily appear straight away. That’s how the VT classroom adds value.

If your boss compares VT to say, a webinar, he/she will see why the virtual classroom training is creating such a buzz in the L&D market.

Your MD needs to remember that in order to get the most value from virtual classroom sessions, they must invest in the right technology and invest the time to create sessions which truly engages learners and so move them beyond somewhat staid lectures and webinars which won’t a allow for multi-way participant interaction offered by a great VT classroom.

I recommend he (and you) register to join the Creativedge Training live, virtual classroom we will run at the Learning & Skills Exhibition on 28 January at from 11:15-11:45am.

I will co-host it with a key speaker Colette Johnson.

I think you will enjoy it!

Register on:

https://creativedgetraining.adobeconnect.com/lsliveevent/event/event_inf...

Seminar information:-
Day: 28 January 2015

Location: Theatre 7, Learning & Skills Exhibition 2015, London Olympia

Time: 11:15 - 11:45 (including audience Q & A)

Seminar name: “Bite-size Training goes Virtual”

Key Speaker Name: Colette Johnson

I hope you can join everyone next week to experience the VT classroom for yourself.

Have a good weekend.

Hi Esther
There are many tips I would love to share with you, but here are two which I hope will be food-for-thought and help you:-
1. ASK THEM
In a few rare cases, the customer may just be a difficult one! If you've tried what you consider to be 'everything', simply as the customer: "What can I do to make you happy now Mrs Johnson?"
In many cases, it may be something you are able to do; you just may not have thought of it. So go ahead and ask them!
2. FIX IT QUICKLY
When something has gone wrong, don't make a customer wait for good service while you try to fix it.
Fix the problem as quickly as possible. The cost of the fix must be considered, but don't get hung up about pinching pennies or going through the layers of bureaucratic approvals. Service recovery is an investment in long term relationships and the ROI can be tremendous.
Your fix (depending on the nature of your business) may be a replacement, a repair, a return, a new product alternative, an apology or a new person working on that client account. Don't get stuck pointing fingers internally or arguing about cost. Just do it!
And ensure it doesn't happen again - for this customer or others. Make each mistake a learning opportunity for everyone involved. Repeated mistakes are the real cost you want to avoid.

Your question has inspired me to write a blog about managing mistakes so I will post a blog with other useful tips this morning! I recommend you check out at some point today.

Mark

Hi Esther.

Sorry to hear you had a difficult follow8-up with your boss.

There are a number of things you can do to manage your emotions in critical conversations.

Expressing emotions during any critical conversation while maintaining professionalism, IS  difficult.

If someone is raising his or her voice, let them know how you feel with "I feel" or "I am" statements rather than "you are" statements. If the behaviour doesn't stop or change, then explain how you feel and offer a possible solution to the problem.

If the other party agrees, the conversation can continue and you've helped to lower the emotions by expressing your position in a calm and controlled voice. That's the professional response to the situation.

If you want more tips on controlling emotions in the workplace, I recommend you visit the Creativedge App for 10 Tips on controlling emotions, especially when someone is pushing your hot buttons!

Hi Esther

Knowing where you're headed allows you to steer a clear path and achieve your goal. Start at the end and work back. Knowing and confirming that goal will give you a steer direction to focus on.

ONE KEY GOAL

Whenever we fall into a slump (just like you!) it's often because we have too much going on in our lives (like Christmas!). We're trying to do too much and it saps our energy and motivation.

it's THE number 1 mistake that people make. They try to take on too much and accomplish too many goals at once. You simply cannot maintain energy and focus - the two most important things in achieving a goal - if you're trying to do two goals at once. You need to choose one goal and for now, focus on that one completely. Can you do that? You can always do the other goals when you've completed goal one.

Also, be realistic! People often give up on their plans because their expectations are too high. There's no hard in thinking big, though recognise that getting big results will take time and be hard work!

Don't be discouraged. but do be realistic about what you can achieve in the short term, aka the Christmas holiday period. Make a list and tick them off as you go.

I hope this helps.

Mark