Thursday, August 18, 2016

Evaluating Training Through Kirkpatrick's Four Level Training Model

How do you know if your training program is on track? In his book Evaluating Training Programs, Professor Donald Kirkpatrick proposed that Reaction, Learning, Behavior and Results constitute a solid corporate training program. The model helps training professions understand how their programs are functioning and whether or not they need to make adjustments.

Reaction: How does your audience react to the training? Do they understand and seem to connect with the material. If they are not engaged in the training then you might need to make some adjustments in content and style.

Learning: Has your participants learned? Having definable objectives and then assessing their learning helps in ensuring that people are taking away valuable knowledge that can be used in other places.

Behavior: Has the learning impacted your trainees? If their behavior hasn't changed and they have not learned to apply their ideas then they are unlikely to have gained much from the course. The best route is to develop higher levels of behavior changes that produces results in the workplace.

Results: What has been the total impact of the training? If it hasn't led to increased sales, lower mistakes, or some other viable objective then the training didn't have as much impact. Results justify the program and future programs.

2017 International Conference Social Sciences Humanities and Education Milan

November 9-11, 2016

Milan, Italy
Conference Venue at The BW Antares Hotel Concord Milano

Submission Deadline: Contact us via email:ictttconfo@gmail.com

OVERVIEW
The ICBTS Conference Center, four years ago for organized conference, hosts the International Conference Social Sciences Humanities and Education to promote all academic research in the field.

Please join us for the 2016 International Conference Social Sciences Humanities and Education in Milan. The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for researchers to present their ideas, proposals, or completed research in all areas of education. Since 15 to 30 different countries are typically represented, presenting at this conference is a great way to get feedback from researchers with a different perspective. An extensive list of acceptable topics is available on our website. 

In addition to the International Conference Social Sciences Humanities and Education, we are also hosting an International Conference Business Tourism and Sciences which will be held concurrently; one registration covering both. 

INQUIRIES
Inquiries: conferenceteam@icbtsconference.com; ictttconfo@gmail.com
Web address:
http://www.ictttconference.com/15199807/milan-social-sciences-education-conference

Wine Review of Menghini Merlot

Ruby red, fruity aroma with a hint of cherry and a semi-dry taste are some of the words that describes Menghini's Merlot. The first thing you will notice about the wine is that it is smooth. It has almost no aftertaste and doesn't seem to be either too dry or wet. I would characterize it as a little more wet than dry.

Smooth typically means the wine doesn't have high tannins or acidity. The first thing we noticed was its mildness making it a solid table wine that will appeal to most palates.

This can occur for many reasons. Age will often make a wine taste more smooth while using smaller barrels in the curing process can also help. 

Menghini Winery is relatively small and produces around 4,000 cases a year just outside of Julian California. They have a tasting room and events like crush the grapes dances and more. You might want to check out their site below.

https://www.facebook.com/Menghini-Winery-334699435773/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/menghini-winery-julian-3

1150 Julian Orchards Dr
Julian, CA 92036

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Make Sure Your Business Doesn't Go Underwater by Watching 20 Somethings!

Businesses must continually renew themselves or face the risk of decline. Every business has their ups and downs but when the down is no longer part of a natural cycle it is necessary to adjust your business propositions and approach. Making sure your business doesn't go underwater means watching market trends. In this case, watching the 20 somethings is a good place to point your efforts!

Evaluating your business from a market standpoint can help in creating stronger approaches to understand what precisely must change in order to gain market share. For example, if house phones are going out of style it is necessary to think of new tools that houses can use to find alternatives to a shrinking market.

Sometimes it is best to look at the purchasing habits of the younger generation to determine what will and will not have market relevance. The early 20's are in the process of formulating their purchasing strategies that will last them throughout their lives. If they like bright clothes when they are young they are likely to continue to buy bright clothes throughout their lives.

Branding, style, and loyalty are often associated with our memories of the products. Therefore, we must continually look at what is coming down the line when these 20 somethings start to maximize their earning and buying power. That will give you a 5 to 10 year leeway to adjust. The process should then start all over......

Squeezing the Brexit Turnip and its Impact on Fed Interest Data Hike

Things have been running fairly smoothly for the American economy. There is a push to get interest rates moving upward to ensure the economy doesn't overheat. However, being hasty without knowing the full impact of Brexit might not be a smart idea. A little caution by making mild adjustments might be wise for the next few months.

Thus far Brexit has been largely confined Britain where inflation picked up and companies are adjusting.The overall impact on businesses is muted as the full effects are making their way throughout the system.

It should be remember that many contracts go on for a year or more and when they expire there will be significant problems as companies seek to find a place in both the EU and Britain. Using the UK as a launching pad into the EU will be muted and monies and contracts are likely to be split based on market share.

Companies have not yet burnt through their cash reserves and as their income takes a slow but sure hit they will adjust. They will start making decisions as sure as they understand the impact themselves. Once their strategy has formalized operations will be adjusted.

Brexit wasn't an all or nothing shock. It was one that will play out over the years. Likely, starting in the next 6 months the UK will start leaking news about problems with their companies, economy, and revenues. They will recover and there won't be a one time hit...but a slow squeezing of the turnip. It would be wise for the Feds to understand the full impact before being too optimistic.

Is Sitting Killing You?

Sitting my actually be killing you! According to a news release from the American Heart Association people are spending far too much time sitting. As they get older the problem gets worse resulting between 8 and 10 hours sedentary a day. They recommend moving throughout the day in addition to your 30 minute exercise routine.

Most people spend a lot of time sitting and this is going to get worse. We are in a world where work and recreation are often done sitting at a desk. By the end of the day, many of us have exceeded the danger mark.

That doesn't me we are doomed to cardiovascular heart failure. We can mix up our day with a little activity. For example, every half hour to an hour you can put in yoga or other aspects of fitness to keep your blood circulating.

If you don't have the ability to do that because of work constraints try and stand up every half hour or so. You can also try working while standing or exercising in place by putting your knees up or doing squats. 

The main point is that as we become more sedentary in our lives we will want to ensure that take care of our health and fitness needs. This means trying some things that were not tried before. The biggest point is that we must move instead of sit and take breaks from sitting too long. 




Don't Snake Charm Your Customers

Customers are smart and they will eventually figure out that you are snake charming them. Don't ruin your reputation or your business success by offering something you can't provide. Providing genuine business advice and quality products will raise trust with your clients and bring you repeat success over and over. Without trust business doesn't exist.

 I frequented a sporting goods store that offers both used and new goods. I listened to the owner talk about how nice and high quality a pair of sandals were and decided to purchase a pair for myself. A few days later and they break, I exchange them for another pair, they also break, and I exchange again to the same end.

Apparently...low quality sandals bought on discount.

Eventually I received credit on another item that worked out well. A few weeks later, I called to see if they had Personal Flotation Devices for sailing. She stated with the same positive and hyper enthusiastic voice that she did! When inquiring about the automatic inflatable deep sea kind I needed, she skipped over the "no I don't carry that" and artfully moved to telling me about the ones she does have.

She didn't care if I drove down to find out she doesn't have what I wanted or not! I could not buy any other one than what I needed and to go see the other kinds would have been a waste of time and effort. She was overly focused on that one sale.

A masterful salesperson that likely led to her success. The problem is that with the poor quality item I purchased, and her overly practiced approach of not giving dis-confirming information, she puts me at a disadvantage to make an informed choice. Because of her inability to answer my question directly or provide me with accurate information....I choose to downgrade her store as an option.

The problem for her business is that I also downgraded it for other purchases as well. Once you break trust with customers they will maintain that negative image of your business until you do something exceptional. While I might go back and purchase something they will not be my first choice. The lesson...don't try and snake charm your customers....provide them with honest and accurate information.