View from the Training Room

The business of training – whether it's coaching, facilitation or presentation – is a bit of roller coaster these days. The economy often dictates the ups and downs of our business because of the perception that 'training' or 'personal/professional development' is an optional element of any business.

While those of us in the business disagree, it is a tricky one to get past the powers that be; the decision makers who hold the budget for the training. Soft Skills Training is not seen as a necessary part of skills development in most corporate environments. While many will give lip service to the need for soft skills development, it is for the most part just that – lip service.

What do we in the Soft Skills Training Industry need to do in order to change the minds of the powers that be? There are a number of things that do need to happen and there are many discussion points around these issues. One of the biggest issues is connecting real dollar returns on the investment of soft skills training. Measuring the effectiveness of improving skill levels – especially communication skills - on the bottom line has been a major issue for as long as I've been doing this work – which is well over 20 years.

I was recently chatting with a client who I have worked for extensively over the past few years. During the recent downturn they did as everyone else did – cut the training budget and let people go. Closed an office down and moved the remaining people to another office.

So what happened once the economy started to strengthen? The work load doubled, the staff were unable to cope and they wanted to bring me in to do 'Stress Management' or how to do twice as much work with ½ the people and oh, also, coping with very angry customers who are not getting the service they need in a timely manner.

The value that a company places on their people speaks volumes for the kind of company they are. As we move into the 2nd decade of the 21st Century, I believe there will be a tangible shift in how successful businesses are run.

As this knowledge becomes an accepted part of business life – the role of the 'soft skills' trainer, coach, facilitator and presenter will become more important. Which leads us to the next important point - How do you know if the person you have hired as a coach/trainer/consultant knows what they are doing? Join me next month as I wade into this tangled and often confusing web.

Ellen has worked in the area of training and development for over 20 years and explored many different areas of personal as well as spiritual development. For more information, please contact her at riches.indigogroup@gmail.com or check out the website at www.the-indigo-group.com.

View from the Training Room

The business of training – whether it's coaching, facilitation or presentation – is a bit of roller coaster these days. The economy often dictates the ups and downs of our business because of the perception that 'training' or 'personal/professional development' is an optional element of any business.

While those of us in the business disagree, it is a tricky one to get past the powers that be; the decision makers who hold the budget for the training. Soft Skills Training is not seen as a necessary part of skills development in most corporate environments. While many will give lip service to the need for soft skills development, it is for the most part just that – lip service.

What do we in the Soft Skills Training Industry need to do in order to change the minds of the powers that be? There are a number of things that do need to happen and there are many discussion points around these issues. One of the biggest issues is connecting real dollar returns on the investment of soft skills training. Measuring the effectiveness of improving skill levels – especially communication skills - on the bottom line has been a major issue for as long as I've been doing this work – which is well over 20 years.

I was recently chatting with a client who I have worked for extensively over the past few years. During the recent downturn they did as everyone else did – cut the training budget and let people go. Closed an office down and moved the remaining people to another office.

So what happened once the economy started to strengthen? The work load doubled, the staff were unable to cope and they wanted to bring me in to do 'Stress Management' or how to do twice as much work with ½ the people and oh, also, coping with very angry customers who are not getting the service they need in a timely manner.

The value that a company places on their people speaks volumes for the kind of company they are. As we move into the 2nd decade of the 21st Century, I believe there will be a tangible shift in how successful businesses are run.

As this knowledge becomes an accepted part of business life – the role of the 'soft skills' trainer, coach, facilitator and presenter will become more important. Which leads us to the next important point - How do you know if the person you have hired as a coach/trainer/consultant knows what they are doing? Join me next month as I wade into this tangled and often confusing web.

Second Shift

So, here we are in California enjoying the sunshine and noticing that there are many people like us, self-employed and over 50. We are not unique and yet for many of us, it is a challenge to keep on creating the life that we want to live – as opposed to living a life that we have fallen into.

There is a new generation that is itching to move into the places we vacate, be it jobs, and homes or other positions of learning and authority. Yet, they can't move into these places until we leave them and go on to what is our next step.

I'm calling this next step the 'second shift' – we have had a very big first shift and it's now time to think about the second phase of our life and what it is we want to create.

For me, I'm thinking about the work I want to do – where I can make the biggest difference. How can I use my experience and knowledge to help this next generation find their place in the world? Also, how can I assist the 'Second Shifters' in finding their place and realizing their dreams?

These are the questions that I'm pondering today. I have heard it said that there is a way for each and every one of us to express our gifts, realize financial reward and experience fulfillment in our life. One way is to follow your heart, do what you do naturally well and trust the process of life to take you where you intend to go.

What's Next?

Rob and I have been spending the holiday season and the first few weeks of January in California. Avoiding the winter weather back east was one motivation. The other was spending time with my cousin in LA and checking out the possibilities of living here for part of the year.

We are looking at this quite seriously as we have discovered that the several months of winter in Ontario is not conducive to our overall well being and happiness. At times it's just too cold to do anything but stay inside and keep warm. While this could be a great opportunity to be creative and write – which I have done – it does start to pale a bit after a few months. Staying warm becomes the primary imperative.

The idea that we have a choice here and that we can perhaps change our living conditions – having already done this once in the past few years by moving from the UK to Canada – seems pretty crazy in some ways. And yet, when I look down the next 10 to 20 years and see myself hitting that time of life known as the 'senior or elderly' years, I know that I don't want to be living in a cold climate. I also know that I want to continue to be active and working. There is still some juice left in me and I want to make sure that it all get's used.

Our generation of baby boomers has never settled for less than what we truly desire. We are I'm sure, a bit of a mystery to our kids and to our parents as we grew up. We have created our own rules and as we face the 'second shift' in our life, the question is how do you want your life to be? What will you fill the next 10 – 20 years with?

I may be just California Dreaming and one day I'll wake up and realize that it is all a dream. For now, pass the suntan lotion, I'm going for the sun.

What's your focus for 2010?

Have you thought about what it is you want to make happen this year? Most people seem to want one of three things; love, money or better health. Some people have a strong belief that you have to sacrifice one in order to get the other. As in, if I really want to make a lot of money, I may need to give up time with loved ones and also sacrifice my health in pursuit of financial abundance.

It can leave a person thinking that in order to have love and good health, the pursuit of wealth needs to be missed out. Perhaps – but perhaps not. Maybe it's just a matter of priorities and focus. What if we placed 'love' as the number one priority in our life? Would this make a difference? It might look something like this; experience a greater level of love in your life through loving yourself and those you care for, take care of yourself and your health as a function of this self love and as a result of this love create abundance in all areas of your life – including your finances.

Thinking holistically for a moment, one piece cannot be out of place without having an impact on the other. So, yes, pursuing wealth without a firm foundation of love and good health in your life will often skew the balance in your life. Witness the countless celebrities who have wealth beyond most of our comprehension and yet, fail to achieve the other aspects of a good life; love and health.

Focusing on what is most important to your life may come down to focusing on what is not in balance. Where have you placed your focus? If the answer is 'wealth' – how is your relationship with your self? If the answer is 'health', how is your relationship with your self? If the answer is 'love', how is your relationship with your self?

Some questions to ponder for 2010.

What is the first step you need to take?

It's January 2nd 2010 and I don't know about you but I'm still feeling a bit like - ok - now what? It's a new year and I'm not a big believer in new years resolutions. The resolution is fine - it's the steps needed to achieve it that seem confusing.

The achievement of goals and dreams starts with small steps. What we often want is for the big resolution to happen without thinking through the obstacles that get in the way.

What is the first step that you you need to take? Think about the goal, the dream the place you want to be this time next year? As you think about that, what is the very next thought that comes to your mind?

It is this 'habit of thought' that needs to be addressed. For a lot of us, the gap between where we are and where we want to be creates feelings of pain and stress. This is normal and an expected part of the process. The discomfort is our way of knowing that there is something more we want with our life. The issue is how to handle these thoughts and feelings while we take the steps we need to take to further our goals.

The first step, then, is to address the thought, the feelings of anxiety or pain. Our attitude comes from our 'habits of thought' and for many of us - that is step one. Create a new habit of thought - one that does empower you to move forward and is optimistic of your eventual success. Affirmations are one way that you can turn around a negative 'habit of thought' and create a new positive attitude that supports your success.

Making your dreams come true in 2010 starts with one small step - are you ready to take that step?

What will you create in 2010?

As the year comes to a close it seems a good time to reflect back on 2009 and consider this question; what are you bringing into 2010 with you?

For many of us, the year has been a challenging one on many levels. It would be safe to say that if you are the kind of person who enjoys having a fair amount of control in your life and in your business; this may not have been a joyous time for you.

On the other hand, if you managed to 'go with the flow' and stay open to the opportunities that presented themselves, you may have had a great year.

Whatever the case, the difference in the experience will come down to one key ingredient; your attitude.

Shift happens and when it does, are you ready?

It's Time to Pursue Excellence

When I moved to England, almost 10 1/2 years ago, I had a big dream to bring The Pursuit of Excellence to England. This is a programme that I led in Canada and I felt that it would be a great thing to bring to the British public.

Needless to say, the British public were not that interested in the programme. Fast forward 10 years and I am now holding the very first Pursuit of Excellence in England. The Pursuit is the first programme in a series that is designed to help you move forward in your life and to do it with Excellence.

This is excellence - not perfection. Excellence is about living according to your own standards and being true to who you really are not who you think you ought to be in order to please the rest of the world.

So much is changing in England right now. As I write this blog, I'm tuned into the news reporting on a series of letter bombs that have exploded this week. It turns out that actually there have been several going off in the past month, though we have just heard about that today.

Fear is a tangible and very felt experience for many people living here right now. I believe that fear will continue to dominate until people start to build their own inner compass and decide what and who they will give their power to. Right now - it is all about looking outside and seeing the enemy there.

The Excellence Series is about looking inside and embracing the enemy within - the one that gets in the way of you having the richest experience of life possible. These programmes are about 'reconnecting you with meaning and richness in your life.' How many people are experiencing that right now? In my mind, not that many.

I'm excited about bringing these courses to England. It really is time for people to truly be, do and have more of what they want.

Until next time - have a truly excellent day!

P.S. For more info on the Series check out www.excellenceseries.com