Issue 96
Inside this issue:
Audie McCarthy founder and president of Marrek Solutions Inc. Click here for Audie's bioLisa Dennie Training Associate Click here for Lisa's Bio
Sherry Pelkey Marketing Coordinator & Trainer Atlantic Canada Click here for Sherry's Bio Contact:
63 Southmeadow Cres. Stoney Creek, ON L8G 3E6
Phone:
905.662.3407
Email:
Web:
I had the privilege of speaking to a wonderful group of women at the Options 2008 conference in May. What they came to learn about was how to prepare for re-employment and/or full employment. They wanted to know what employers are looking for. I didn’t want the information I was giving them just to be my opinion so I surveyed some of my business colleagues to come up with a few universal characteristics that we all are looking for when hiring new team members. The answers were all very similar to one another.
What employers are looking for encompasses three areas: comfort and skills with technology, a positive attitude and capability in the work they will perform.
As an employer, how do you find what you are looking for? There are generally two major strategies that you can use to create a workforce that embodies these characteristics.
The first, of course, is to make sure your recruitment strategy lines up with what you are really looking for. Have a clearly defined job description and pre-determined qualifications. Have structured interview questions and a process for assessing the candidate’s skills, knowledge and attitude.
The second strategy runs a bit deeper: If we want a labour pool reflecting these qualities and characteristics in our community, we must contribute to the skills, knowledge and attitudes of our current staff. That means providing training in technology skills, helping your team members develop their capabilities on the job and creating a climate where a positive attitude is encouraged and supported. If all employers do this then we will have the cream of the crop to choose from in the communities in which we do business.
Please see the Tips section below for creating a positive and highly skilled workforce.
To see the full transcript of my speech, please visit www.optionsconference.ca and click on May 8th Presentations.
Have a great week.
Audie
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Audie’s work at the PEI Women in Business Symposium (www.peibwa.org) was a great success. The response from the audience at her keynote speech, “Leadership – it is not just for Leaders” was incredibly positive. One comment from a participant indicated that “ the audience was mesmerized, all eyes were focused on Audie, she is SO easy to listen to.”
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Brantford Chamber of Commerce Business
Business After Hours is held once a month on the second Tuesday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Our host for June 17th is Empire Homesat, 72 Blackburn Dr.
** Please note that this is the 3rd Tuesday of the Month
There is no need to register for this event. Just show up! We hope to see you there!
Women In Business – Wednesday, June 25
Guest Speaker: Heidi Wilmot-SmithTopic: Taking Care of your Aging Parents
Location: Best Western Brant Park Inn @ 5:30 p.m.Member cost : $36.75 [GST inc]
Non-member cost : $47.25 [GST inc]Includes the cost of dinner and the guest speaker!
Register online at http://www.brcc.ca/
Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Business After Hours Proudly Sponsored by the Fairfield Inn by Marriott
(Date : 2008 July 9)
Come join us for our premier monthly networking event!
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: The Fairfield Inn by Marriott
2937 Sherwood Heights DriveFree for Chamber members and first time guests
$10.00 for second time guestsNo Registration required
Contact : Brendan
More info : | Email : brendan@oakvillechamber.comStoney Creek Chamber of Commerce
After 5 BBQ
June 26th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Great Food Prizes & Networking
Hosted by Holiday Inn Express
Contact Connie at 905 664 4000 for more information.
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Workshops
Mohawk College- (Tools for Business Series)
The T4B Fall Calendar is now available on line..
Problem Solving – June 9 – Brantford Campus
This one-day workshop addresses two major factors of problem solving: flexibility and creativity. Participants will use these factors to examine key problem-solving techniques, such as examining assumptions, modeling, shifting paradigms and drilling down.
Core Skills for Team Leaders, Supervisors and Managers–June 10/11–Brantford Campus
This two-day workshop outlines the characteristics of a successful supervisor. Participants examine the different communication styles, skills, knowledge and attitudes that are required to be an effective supervisor. The workshop will culminate with individuals preparing a personal development plan.
Inspiring Multi-Generational Teams – June 12 – Brantford Campus
This one day workshop provides participants with strategies to effectively motivate and inspire work teams. Participants demonstrate their understanding of managing versus leading, through role-play and small group activities.
Creating Amazing Customer Service – June 19 – Brantford Campus
This one-day workshop is designed to improve customer service skills by focusing on areas such as projecting a professional image and understanding the negative impact of providing poor customer service. Participants learn techniques to maximize the customer’s experience.
Effective Time Management – June 23 – Brantford Campus
This one-day workshop is designed to help the participants increase their performance at work by introducing time-management techniques and providing an opportunity to apply them in the learning environment. Participants will assess their personal deficiencies and learn how to stop procrastination and other time wasters.
Training for Results – June 24/25 – Brantford Campus
This 2 day workshop assists individuals who have responsibility for training in their organization. Topics include: basic skills, identifying strengths, adult learning principles, communication processes, utilizing training aids, analyzing training requirements, the steps in developing and conducting training, strategies for learning, training techniques, skill demonstrations, and evaluating the results.
Managing Performance – June 27 – Brantford Campus
This one-day workshop guides participants through employee motivation and goal-setting, coaching and performance feedback. Participants practice coaching and employee feedback in this non-threatening environment.
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Developing Skills and Attitude
- Hold your employees to a high standard of performance.
- Offer training in understanding technology and in applications.
- Beware that all “young people” are not technology wizards.
- Beware that all “mature” workers are not digitally naive.
- “Test” for technology skills during recruitment.
- Empower and delegate to your staff to develop their capabilities.
- Train them in transferable skills to retain them and add to a skilled workforce.
- Offer tuition reimbursement programs for outside training courses.
- Create an open communication environment for positive input from staff.
- Remember we are all responsible for creating a skilled labour pool.
Tips __________________________________________________
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June 2nd , 2008
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." |
