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LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Click on the below links for detailed descriptions

 

Supervisory Development

Sexual Harassment Awareness

Interviewing and the Hiring Process

Effective Performance Appraisals

The Supervisor and the Law

Managing Diversity

How to Remain Union Free

Get Control of Your Workers

Conflict Resolution

Compensation Costs

Leadership Fundamentals

Effective Customer Service

Managing Employee Turnover and Absenteeism

Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Handling the Difficult Employee

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Retaining Employees in a Tight Labor Market

Administering Employee Leaves of Absence and Related Wage and Hour Issues

 

The training programs are often conducted utilizing a variety of experiential/interactive exercises. Case studies and organization specific scenarios can be introduced, analyzed and discussed. Participants often receive a "practical tips" training manual, which can be both used in the session and as a reference for the future.

 

Supervisory Development

For many supervisors, managing people can be a difficult experience.  This program is designed to help supervisors see and experience how managing people can be effective and rewarding.  We will explore the supervisor’s and employee’s expectations of the job; methodologies for developing trust and opening communications; developing employee skills; dealing with conflict and discipline; and techniques for on-going follow-up and coaching.  Additional focus will be on helping the supervisor to gain a better understanding of his/her strengths and weaknesses.  We will explore the individual's interpersonal style, management orientation, interests and values that shape their interactions with people.  The session will also focus on what motivates people and will answer the question, "why do people work?"  We will look at progressive discipline techniques and termination while avoiding wrongful discharge.  Upon completion of this program you will have the tools to better lead a team of people.

 

Sexual Harassment Awareness

Studies show that employers who ignore, condone, or allow sexual harassment of their employees are likely to end up on the wrong side of a sex discrimination lawsuit.  In one national study, more than half of the respondent organizations were named as a defendant in at least one lawsuit.  Settlements in these cases have been catastrophic for employers.  In this workshop we will define sexual harassment; outline the manager’s role in the investigation process; review the employer’s liability, including for acts of their supervisors; and define the employer’s preventive obligations.  Managerial strategies to prevent and reduce liability will be presented along with an overview of some key court cases.   Participants will learn how to assist the victims of harassment; how to conduct an investigation; and how to implement an effective prevention program.

 

Interviewing and the Hiring Process

Selecting and hiring a new employee is a particularly sensitive area of management, which, if not properly conducted, can expose organizations to costly litigation, increased turnover, and lower productivity.  This workshop highlights the critical skill of interviewing effectively and legally - the key to choosing the best available person for the job.  Some of the topics that will be discussed include preparing for the interview; avoiding interview pitfalls; developing interview questions; behavioral questioning; sourcing candidates from outside and from within your organization; evaluating information on resumes and job applications; checking references; making pre and post-offer inquiries; understanding what's legal and what's not; and presenting the job offer.  In this session, participants will develop an organizational recruitment strategy, develop interview questions, and role-play an employment interview.  Upon completion, you'll have had a review of recruiting fundamentals and will have gained valuable new insights, techniques and ideas in identifying and hiring the qualified candidate.

 

Effective Performance Appraisals

For many managers and supervisors, the performance appraisal interview can be a difficult experience.  This program is designed to help managers and supervisors see and experience how different approaches to the performance appraisal interview can affect the outcome of the interview.  We will explore the supervisor’s and employee’s expectations of the process; methodology for developing trust and opening communications; preparing for the performance interview; conducting the interview; developing employee skills; setting goals and objectives; and techniques for on-going follow-up and coaching.  In this session, participants will practice writing appraisals and setting goals.  They will also have the opportunity to role-play the appraisal interview.  Upon completion, they will have a strong understanding of the appraisal process, knowledge about how to set goals and write appraisals, and the confidence to effectively deliver the appraisal.

 

The Supervisor and the Law

This workshop will focus on the most critical compliance issues that managers face today.  The session will review federal and state law; management obligations; and potential organizational and supervisor's liabilities.  We will discuss sexual harassment, discrimination, workers’ compensation, substance abuse, discipline and termination, ADA, the Family and Medical Leave Act, employee privacy, as well as specific state laws.  In this session, participants will analyze cases and will strategize how to handle organization-specific scenarios.  Upon completion of the workshop, you will be able to take proactive steps to prevent legal problems; understand and work with the law without having to get a law degree or hire an expensive lawyer; and run your organization or department without the fear of being sued.

 

Managing Diversity

By the year 2020, nearly 80% of the U.S. Population Growth will be non-white.  As Baby Boomers retire, the labor force will shift to a younger, more diverse workforce.  The goal for this workshop will be to increase awareness and heighten sensitivity to the dynamics of workplace diversity and to review and clarify everyone's role and responsibility in fostering a work environment where all feel valued.  The key topics will include a conceptualization of diversity; the business case for diversity; understanding intent versus impact; understanding multiple realities; the cumulative effects of discrimination and harassment; the dynamics of difference; and diversity dilemmas found in the workplace.  Upon completion, you will have an understanding of diversity; a greater sensitivity of all employees' needs; and a better appreciation of the importance of inclusion.

 

How to Remain Union-Free
Why do employees turn to unions? How do employers drive employees to unionize? And, what can you do to create an environment where unions are unnecessary? This session will focus on these questions. We will look at your vulnerability to unionization and we will outline a positive employee-relations strategy that will foster a productive environment and will eliminate any needs employees may have to unionize. As a result of attending this session, the attendee will be able to audit their organization to determine their vulnerability to unionization; layout the essential building blocks that create positive employee relations environments and instill pride, trust, confidence, and fairness in your organization while acknowledging the value of your employees. Employers must be focused on managing their business. Unions and/or the threat of unions can prevent you from focusing on your mission. Unions are costly, disruptive, and demoralizing to your organization and workforce. This workshop will provide you with a proactive strategy where valued employees are motivated and productive.

Get Control of Your Workers' Compensation Costs
Are you reducing your injuries, but your workers' compensation costs continue to rise? Do injured employees seem to stay out forever and doctors and insurers don't seem to help? No matter how good an organization's safety program is, work related injuries will occur. This session will focus on developing a positive "post-injury response" system, designed to care for injured employees while reducing your costs. Through this system approach, employers achieve substantial reductions in workers' compensation costs, as well as time lost from the job. As a result of attending this session, the attendee will be able to understand how your workers' compensation costs are set and what it takes to reduce them; set up a "post-injury response" system, which focuses on taking care of injured employees and creates a partnership among employees, medical providers, insurers, unions and supervisors; and analyze the factors that impact injured employees so that you can foster an early return-to-work mindset. This workshop will provide you the strategy and tools to reduce your workers' compensation costs, get your employees back to work quickly, while creating an environment where employees are happier and productive.
 

Managing Employee Turnover and Absenteeism

This workshop focuses on managing and controlling costly turnover and absenteeism which, if excessive, can significantly impact business profitability and quality of products or services.  Topics include computing absence and turnover rates, determining their costs, determining and analyzing their causes, and instituting positive measures to increase employee retention and attendance.  Methods discussed cover a spectrum of sound personnel practices.  Upon completion of this workshop, you will have a strong understanding of the causes of turnover and absenteeism, knowledge in how to analyze the extent of it, and a strategy to address and reduce it.

 

Substance Abuse in the Workplace

One out of every ten U.S. workers abuse alcohol or other drugs, and each of these individuals cost their employers an average of 25% of their salary on lost productivity.  This workshop covers many legal and employee issues concerning substance abuse in the workplace.  Topics include the prevalence and effects of drugs in the workplace; developing an effective and legally sound drug and alcohol policy; the supervisor's role in dealing with performance related problems; recognizing the symptoms of substance abuse; when supervisors should intervene and how; employee leaves and the ADA; and substance abuse identification.  For companies that must comply with Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) regulations, emphasis will be placed on compliance, including drug testing procedures, and the concept of reasonable suspicion.  Upon completion of this workshop, you will have an understanding of the problem; the skills to identify the symptoms of abuse; and the confidence to confront the problem employee.

 

Conflict Resolution

Conflict is not a confrontation to be overcome--it is a problem to be solved.  This distinction is important in the successful management of conflict.  The right attitude towards conflict sets the tone for conflict discussions and allows the parties to focus on constructive behavior.  The constructive behavior can be achieved through the use of a collaborative, conflict resolution strategy.  People approach conflict with different strategies.  Depending on the strategy employed, the tone of the conflict encounter is set.  When you view conflict as a problem-solving exercise, you open the door to working with the other party rather than against him/her.  Viewing conflict as a problem also makes it necessary to apply good problem-solving techniques.  Participants will evaluate their personal conflict style; learn how their style may affect others; and develop strategies to address potential workplace problems.  Upon completion of the program, participants will understand their personal conflict style, how to develop skills to resolve conflict, the causes of conflict, and methods for dealing with conflict assertively.

 

Handling the Difficult Employee

This workshop will give you insight and specific suggestions on how to handle the most difficult employees with confidence.  You will learn to overcome your anxieties, reinforce good behavior, and terminate properly if the time comes.  Some of the topics will include: spotting the troubled or problem employee; avoiding negligent hiring and termination problems; dealing with sexual harassment, theft, substance abuse, poor performance; and discipline procedures.  The workshop will focus on problems you have at work and provide you with an understanding of how to manage the problem or troubled employee.  Upon completion, you will have developed more effective skills in all aspects of dealing with difficult employees.

 

Leadership Fundamentals

As a new manager you face unique challenges.  You are expected to be someone who does more than just get the job done.  You are expected to teach and develop the people you lead.  Leadership encompasses much more than we think of when we hear the word "manager".  Leaders must know how to delegate, teach, inspire, coach and evaluate their employees and themselves.  This course is designed for managers of all experience levels and for individuals with management potential.  Any individuals who want to gain a working knowledge of the roll and skills of good leaders would benefit from this course.  Upon completion of this workshop, you will develop the confidence to create your own personal management style.   You will understand how to lead, motivate and coach your staff.  You will be capable of handling change, resistance and conflict.  You will learn to effectively communicate with your peers, subordinates and upper level management.  You will understand the difference between leading and managing.

 

Interpersonal Communication Skills

This session will develop the "people side" of your job.  It will expand and build essential communication skills and give you deeper insight into how your personal style affects the way you communicate.  The objective of the workshop is to learn how to be more effective in your communication skills, overcome barriers to good listening and focus on the content of your delivery.  You will learn to improve your listening skills; understand the differences between assertive and aggressive behavior; how we communicate through our body language; and how perceptions can block effective communications.  Upon completion of this workshop, you will understand how to effectively communicate with confidence.

 

Retaining Employees in a Tight Labor Market

Today's employees are more strongly committed when you hire selectively and develop continuously.  It is becoming increasingly important to employ the right people from the start.  In this practical, hands-on workshop, you will receive practical tips on innovative, cost-effective ways to hire and retain employees in this very tight labor market.  We will discuss alternative recruitment strategies; methods to tighten up the hiring process; and ideas for creating an innovative retention campaign.  We will look at turnover control, developing a positive employee relations program, as well as exploring cost-effective incentives and rewards.

 

Effective Customer Service

It is critical for organizational success to have all employees focused on effective customer service.  In this workshop, we will discuss the effect that good customer service has on the organization, the customer and the employee.  Basic communication skills including active listening, body language, empathy, etc. can be used to ensure that an interaction with a customer is as effective as possible.  In addition, principles of effective communication skills, both sending and receiving, will be reviewed.  Many people have difficulty dealing with customers because they do not control their own stress level during customer interactions.  There are some concepts and techniques that can be used to control this and make the individual better able to handle difficult customer service situations.  Finally, participants will learn how to handle difficult situations, including understanding why customers get angry and what angry customers want.  Upon completion of this workshop, you will understand the reasons for good customer service and the methods for fostering it within your organization.

 

Administering Employee Leaves of Absence and Related Wage and Hour Issues

This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of state and federal laws governing employee leaves and time off policies.  The Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), federal discrimination laws covering disability, religion, as well as state mandated leave and workers' compensation will be reviewed.  Effective tools and polices will be provided to help the manager deal with these laws and methodologies for requesting leaves will be presented.  Upon completion, you will have a solid understanding of the laws that effect leaves, the tools and forms needed to administer leave policies, and the methods needed to communicate these programs to your employees.