Flex Time and Human Performance- There’s something in it for everyone…

•November 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Every morning, you know how it goes- the alarm goes off, the kids wake up, the dogs need to be let out, the cat wants to be fed, the kids need breakfast, the garbage needs to go out, and you still have to shower, but you haven’t even had your coffee yet.   On top of all that, now you’re going to be late for work.   By the time you finally get to work (late), you are exhausted from the morning routine and can’t concentrate on doing your job.

Mornings are not easy for anyone, especially for those with children and other responsibilities.  Life has a way of getting in the way of responsibilities and there’s not much we can do to stop it.  Our current economy requires most of us to work (if we can) full time or more, but we can’t neglect our other “jobs” either.   There’s a balance game we must all learn to play- a teeter-totter of family and work.  Sometimes one wins out over another, but the one that loses often suffers dire consequences.  It’s a catch twenty two for working families- do I take care of my child or do I get to work on time?  Sadly, it comes down to taking care of a child versus paying the mortgage or buying groceries- a choice we shouldn’t be forced to make.

Employers are coming into the 21st century and realizing it’s difficult (near impossible) to balance everything going on in our lives and still be a good employee, parent, pet owner, etc.   They have figured out that making things easier and helping employees balance their responsibilities makes them better performers at work.  Some of these businesses are offering their employees the opportunity to use flex time.   Flextime can be defined in a few different ways- usually by the employer offering it.  It can mean working from home, staggering hours, working 4 ten hour days, etc.

What this does for employee performance is immense.  This relieves stress, reduces costs spent on commutes, allows parents to spend more time with their children, and gives employees a newfound respect for their employers.  When employees are offered these opportunities, they feel valued as a team member- trusted.  This makes employees want to give more effort back to their employers.

The benefits of flextime for employees are obvious- but did you realize the benefits to the employer are just as good- and maybe even better?  Here are 8 reasons to offer flextime to your employees-

  1. It’s FREE!  It’s a benefit you can offer to your employees that costs you NOTHING.  How many benefits offered to employees cost the employer nothing?  We can’t think of too many.
  2. Less sick days taken = more work days produced.  Sick days are virtually eliminated with flextime.
  3. Increased morale- a happy employee is a hard working employee.
  4. No more tardiness- they set their own schedules and allow time to get everything they need to get done before work.
  5. Productivity increase- your employees are eliminating commutes, and giving themselves more time and less stress resulting in better job performance.
  6. Lower turnover.  When you are flexible, you are desirable as an employer.
  7. With new advances in technology such as GoogleWave, GoogleDocs, Twitter, Webinars and more, it’s virtually (pun intended) the same thing as being in the office.  And- many of these tools are free!
  8. Improved customer service.  Your customers/clients will be working with employees who are less stressed and more focused- on the CUSTOMER.

Providing for your employees, and showing them that you are working together, not against each other is a simple, yet underused practice.  Offering some of these benefits to your employees will help increase human performance and ultimately, help your business grow.

 

For more information on the Roosevelt University Human Performance Improvement Graduate Degree and certificates visit our website at http://www.roosevelt.edu/trdv

 

Exclusive RU TRDV News- Volunteer Opportunities for ASTD International Conference and Expo in May 2010!

•November 20, 2009 • Leave a Comment

We know that many of you want to attend the ASTD International Conference and Exposition.  This is THE BIGGEST training and development conference of its kind and it is taking place in Chicago from May 16-19, 2010.  We also know that registration can take a little too much out of your budget.

Don’t fear because there are many volunteer opportunities available.  We spoke to the Volunteer Coordinator and obtained some details so that you can “save the date” on your calendar to attend and network with our industry’s leaders… FREE.

Here are the details:

1)      Volunteers will get one full day’s access to sessions and the Expo for each full day volunteered.  If you volunteer for two days you get two days free.

2)      Volunteers will be broken down into two groups:

  • Session Monitors- these volunteers are assigned to a speaker’s room and assist the speaker, distribute handouts, facilitate evaluations, and perform head counts.
  • “Ask Me”- these volunteers will be stationed around the entire conference center to provide information and directions to conference goers. 

3)      Between 350 and 400 volunteers will be needed

4)      A volunteer website will be available for participants in January 2010

We recommend that you check the ASTD 2010 Conference website in January for updates so that you can be the first to get the dates and volunteer opportunities you are looking for.  We will do our best to keep you posted as well.

We hope to see as many RU TRDV students participating in the conference as possible.  Let’s show the world what we have to offer!

CCASTD Holiday Party- Come to Share Your Holiday Spirit and Network with Industry Insiders!

•November 19, 2009 • Leave a Comment

The annual CCASTD Holiday Party will take place December 3, 2009 at Petterino’s in Chicago.

CCASTD is teaming up with two Human Resources Associations for this year’s bash- SHRP and SMA.  There will be networking, appetizers, deserts, cash bar, and tons of holiday cheer!

Register now and let us know if you will be attending so we can look to see you.  Email Mark at mdurgee@roosevelt.edu if you plan to attend. 

The RU TRDV department wishes all students, faculty, staff, and the entire Chicagoland TRDV community a safe and happy holiday season!

RU Schaumburg to Host December CCASTD Event

•November 18, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Another great opportunity for RU TRDV students to network and learn from our industry leaders will take place on our Schaumburg campus on December 7, 2009.  The CCASTD event is titled, “Business Simulations- The Learning Accelerator.”  Come and learn from three speakers who will share their experiences, success stories, and lessons learned in using business simulations in a corporate environment.  The expected outcome of these simulations is increased effectiveness of an organization’s leadership. 

This panel discussion will reveal best practices, implementations, and organizational fit.  Example simulations will be shared and discussions will follow.  Don’t miss this chance to learn from some of the top movers and shakers in this area.

For more information and to register click here. 

Salt Jobs- Update

•November 17, 2009 • Leave a Comment

SALT Jobs Update

Listed below are the most recent Job Postings that have been added to the SALT Web Site (http://www.salt.org/).

1. Instructional Designer

Ft. Myers, Florida

We have a 12-month contract opportunity for a Instructional Designer in Southwest Florida. The selected candidate will be responsible for designing training and developmental programs for employee skill enhancement and career development targeting individuals as well as groups. A minimum of 5 years of Instructional design/curriculum development experience required as well as experience conducting training programs and constructing training manuals and aids.

2. Instructional Designer

Landover, Maryland

Instructional Designer needed to support of state-of-the-art training projects. Work includes conducting research, creating instructional designs, writing script/storyboards, developing student/instructor guides, creating job aids and performance support tools. Motivated self-starter able to work both independently and with a team. Excellent career growth potential.

Bachelor or Master’s Degree (preferred) in related field. Excellent communication and writing skills. Proficiency in MS Word. Ability to obtain security clearance required.

3. Instructional Designer

Madison, Wisconsin

If you are an instructional designer who believes in creating “distance learning courses that are anything but distant,” consider joining our team.

You will work with dedicated education professionals who provide world-class distance learning offerings described by students as “most engaging” and “high-value.”  For a complete position description and application form, visit EPD’sWeb site at http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu/Employment/ or send a cover letter and resume to epdjob@epd.engr.wisc.edu

4. E-Learning Developers to Create Web Based Training

Ft. Myers, Florida

We need an eLearning Instructional Developer to develop web-based training.

You should have your own hardware (PC) and Software (Sony Sound Studio or equivalent to edit audio). Background in developing skill simulations and

certifications preferred.   Required Skills:  5+ years experience developing

e-learning using Articulate, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, or Flash.   Web

development and graphic design background.    Must be able to provide

samples when requested.    Start: ASAP    Duration: 12 months   Location: Ft

Myers, FL

To read the full job descriptions on the web site paste the following link

into your browser.

http://www.salt.org/index.htm?salt.asp?pn=joblistall

Post a Job

If your organization has a position they would like to post on the SALT Web

Site, paste the following link into your browser to learn how you can reach

qualified individuals involved in e-Learning, instructional design, and

technology based systems for training, education and job performance

improvement.

http://www.salt.org/index.htm?salt.asp?pn=jobHowTo

Society for Applied Learning Technology

50 Culpeper Street

Warrenton, Va 20186

Ph: (540) 347-0055

Fax: (540) 349-3169

Web: http://www.salt.org

Workforce Management: Great Information for TRDV Professionals

•November 13, 2009 • Leave a Comment

WorkforceIn previous posts we have linked to Workforce Management articles and have since received feedback that information is only available to those who fill out a form and get a free membership.  We know that there are thousands of websites out there that provide information.  We also know that busy individuals like our readers don’t want to join every site out there only to be bombarded with junk email. 

We feel that Workforce Management is a wonderful resource.  They have a special section exclusively for TRDV professionals.  Many of our postings were inspired by information in their weekly emails.  If you don’t like it, you can ask to be removed from their mailing lists. 

As always- we are open to comments.  We are interested in your feedback on Workforce Management and how the site compares to others out there.  Happy surfing!

Seeking Students for RU Chapters of ISPI and ASTD

•November 12, 2009 • Leave a Comment

ISPIIt has been a long term vision for the RU TRDV program to have student chapters of both the International Society for Performance Improvement and the American Society of Training and Development.   We are in the planning stages to make this vision a reality and need your help.

ASTDRight now we are talking to the national offices as well as Chicagoland chapters of these groups to find out our next steps.  If you are interested in being a founding member of either of these chapters please let us know so we can involve you!  We feel that this would be an amazing opportunity to build a stronger TRDV network within the university as well as with professionals in the field.

If you have interest please email Mark Durgee (mdurgee@roosevelt.edu) and we will reach out with more information in the weeks ahead.

RU TRDV Participates in Upcoming CISPI Event

•November 12, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Laugh Out LoudDue to RU TRDV student participation at the 2009 CISPI Crackerbarrel last month we have been invited to host a table at the next CISPI event!  Please check out our posting for the event here.  Students who are interested in being RU TRDV ambassadors are asked to email Mark Durgee by November 16, 2009 (mdurgee@roosevelt.edu).

For students who just want to attend the event we have been offered CISPI membership pricing.   Please email Donna Roberts-Luttrell (CISPIprograms@gmail.com) by November 16, 2009.

Several TRDV classes this semester require students to attend local association events.  This is a great opportunity to meet movers and shakers in our area while getting a good laugh.  We hope to see many of you there!

Job Alert (x3) Salt Jobs- Instructional Designers and E-Learning Designers

•November 11, 2009 • Leave a Comment

1. Instructional Designer  Landover, Maryland

Instructional Designer needed to support of state-of-the-art training projects. Work includes conducting research, creating instructional designs, writing script/storyboards, developing student/instructor guides, creating job aids and performance support tools. Motivated self-starter able to work both independently and with a team. Excellent career growth potential.

Bachelor or Master’s Degree (preferred) in related field. Excellent communication and writing skills. Proficiency in MS Word. Ability to obtain security clearance required.

2. Instructional Designer  Madison, WI

If you are an instructional designer who believes in creating “distance learning courses that are anything but distant,” consider joining our team.

You will work with dedicated education professionals who provide world-class distance learning offerings described by students as “most engaging” and “high-value.”  For a complete position description and application form, visit EPD’sWeb site at http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu/Employment/ or send a cover letter and resume to epdjob@epd.engr.wisc.edu

3. E-Learning Developers to Create Web Based Training  Ft. Myers, Florida

We need an eLearning Instructional Developer to develop web-based training.

You should have your own hardware (PC) and Software (Sony Sound Studio or equivalent to edit audio). Background in developing skill simulations and certifications preferred.  Required Skills: 5+ years experience developing e-learning using Articulate, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, or Flash  Web development and graphic design background  Must be able to provide samples when requested   Start: ASAP  Duration: 12 months Location: Ft Myers, FL

To read the full job descriptions on the web site paste the following link into your browser.

http://www.salt.org/index.htm?salt.asp?pn=joblistall

Post a Job

If your organization has a position they would like to post on the SALT Web Site, paste the following link into your browser to learn how you can reach qualified individuals involved in e-Learning, instructional design, and technology based systems for training, education and job performance improvement.

http://www.salt.org/index.htm?salt.asp?pn=jobHowTo

Society for Applied Learning Technology

50 Culpeper Street

Warrenton, Va 20186

Ph: (540) 347-0055

Fax: (540) 349-3169

Web: http://www.salt.org

Tweet your way to a TRDV job in Chicagoland!

•November 10, 2009 • Leave a Comment

RU TRDV TwitterWe have been posting information for job seekers recently.  It can be a tricky market and creativity can be the difference between getting your dream job or watching it pass you by.  Although we have focused on unconventional job search methods we thought we might want to add in some good, old-fashioned job postings to help our readers as well.  We are adding a twist to the conventional by sending out job openings using Twitter.  Web 2.0 applications like Twitter are an awesome way to find jobs- some that are only listed to Twitter subscribers. 

Today and tomorrow we will post some TRDV openings in and around Chicago.  Add RU TRDV on Twitter and you will get every listing we can find!

Once you get a call back for your interview don’t forget to check out our advice on the topic! 

Good luck!