Using technology realistically

via EduGeekjournal.com

While this video is centred mainly on the development of an online course there are quite a few lessons in this video that go wider.  Here is what I picked up -

• Online development isn't instant.  Rome wasn't built in a day.
• Online anything takes, time, work and practice.  Practice makes perfect.
• Have a road map or development plan and stick to it.  Cutting corners at the beginning will only mean that you will have to correct those mistakes again later.
• If you are doing something online - ask an expert for help.
• If you are going to create something - make it great!
• Just because you have done well in printed media absolutely does not mean you will have what it takes to make it in an online medium.
• Don't be overawed by others trying to use their postition as leverage to get you to give in.
• Just because it's online doesn't mean that it is going to be engaging.
• Don't mess with a female with pink or red hair!

Toastmasters teaches you stuff

I joined Toastmasters in April of this year (2010).  I have had a lot of experience with public speaking and have no issues when talking to groups of people.  But even with my love of public speaking have learnt so much it's almost unreal.

Toastmasters is great because it is a slow process of coaching and improvement.  You get to watch others, listen to the commendations and recommendations and even have a turn yourself.

The safe environment of a club is great.  Others in your club know how it feels and can mirror back to you both your good and not so good speaking habits and traits.  Speeches are generally 5 to 7 minutes so the time is very manageable. 

The first lesson I learned was the professionalism of a meeting.  Every speech is timed, every member has a role or a speaking part and once the clock starts ticking everyone (should) act professionally.

Competitions are very interesting.  There is a huge difference between speaking to give a speech and speaking in a competitive way.  Even for the pro's the butterflies come out at competition time so Toastmasters is a great way to conquer your fears.

In our club we have one lady who has developed from not speaking to anyone at all - all the way through to being somewhat confident and able to stand in front of a group of people.  I totally recommend Toastmasters as a professional development tool.  For both the confident and the not confident alike.

Ssshhhhh - HR is coming!

Have you ever been in the situation where there was something going down but no one would talk about it?  Managers have secret meetings behind closed doors and the whispers and rumours run rampant around the office.  Ever had one of those days?

And then to top it all off - Human Resources want to talk to everyone!  Aahhhhh!

Here's my view - Human Resources shouldn't be the big ogre.  If you only see your Human Resources Department went things are going badly - then things really are going badly.

Human Resources and the work they do is vital to the overall health of an organisation.  The development and continual improvement of employees gives an organisation more value than the management of restructures, redundancies and dismissals.

So what would I do if I was in Human Resources? 

• Take the initiative and start working with people to identify the deficits in peoples knowledge and work skills in the organisation - and get their learning to improve.
• Be more visible.  Walk around the organisation and talk to people about their jobs.  Like most central functions it is easy for those in the middle to have no understanding of what is taking place at the coal face.
• Start working (I mean really working) with the talent in the organisation.  A lot of HR departments assume they are nurturing talent but I have yet to see it happen.  Maybe I am just missing out?