HR Advisors Group
March 2013

Creating an Organizational Learning Culture

I recently returned from AE Advisors’ Annual CEO Forum held in sunny Scottsdale, AZ with some sun on my skin and a head full of ideas. One of the topics at last week’s meeting was “Creating a Learning Environment” and the Chief Learning Officer from MWH spoke on this issue. During her presentation, I reflected on how we at HR Advisors Group have seen a number of clients and partners designing learning programs that meet organizational, business and client needs. Creating a learning environment that matches organizational culture is key, but not every organization is in the position as MWH to create a full-scaled corporate university. What is important though, is creating an environment where employees can continuously learn and grow with your organization. For example, a structural engineering firm out of San Francisco, CA, is designing a great program for the younger staff to conduct lunch/learn programs for their clients. This program has dual purposes and benefits. It provides staff with the opportunity to enhance their 'toolbox' of skills while engaging the firm's clients, all while the clients increase their knowledge in various technical and/or industry related topics.

When working with organizations on trying to identify the best approach for training and development initiatives, I encourage management to start somewhere, whether it is mentoring an employee on a specific assignment and/or project, or conducting a lunch-time session on "Collaborating for Effectiveness," "Management Skills 101,” or simply creating a program that highlights latest and greatest technical skills. The message you are sending is that you want to help your staff enhance their individual skill sets, create new opportunities and grow within the organization. Developing your employees will pay off both short and long-term for your organization.

I’ll be blogging about some of the other interesting issues that surfaced at the CEO Forum in Arizona over the next coming weeks, so I encourage you to check back with our website to hear more.

Barbara Irwin, President, HR Advisors Group
[email protected]


What We've Been Thinking About
 
Trends in Healthcare Benefits

 

With changes to health care reform beginning to be implemented, organizations across the country are evaluating options in an effort to keep medical benefits competitive while remaining affordable. According to the Washington Employers Benefits Survey, administered by Wells Fargo, health care reform appears to have impacted the dialogue on medical plan funding.

Read More >>


What Benefits Are Important to Your Employees?
 

We recently wrote about the changes and trends in health care benefits. Much is changing, but one thing that remains the same is that health insurance is one of the most important and most expensive benefits to offer employees. Outside of traditional benefits such as health care, dental, vision, long and short term disability, what other benefits do employees want your organization to provide?

Read More >>
 

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Events of Interest:

NSPE HR/CFO Roundtable 
May 8-10, 2013
Alexandria, VA
http://bit.ly/15ckFU4

Speaking Engagements:

Society for Design Administration
May 16, 2013
Williamsburg, VA
Your HR Toolkit for Success
http://bit.ly/WuXCf3


American Waterworks Association Conference 
June 12, 2013
Denver, CO
Competency Modeling = Retaining Your Workforce
http://bit.ly/T2j3pp

Interesting Tidbits:

Relax! You'll Be More Productive
http://nyti.ms/VNojNb

Performance Reviews - All About Development
http://bit.ly/10uSJY0


The 4 Stages of the Employee Value Proposition
http://bit.ly/132UcZL

How to Tell if Your Company Needs Leadership Training
http://bit.ly/PljSJl

Partner Job Bank:

Communications/Graphics Coordinator
Architecture Firm
Philadelphia, PA

Director of Client Development
Architecture Firm
Washington, DC

Medical Equipment Planner
Architecture Firm
Philadelphia, PA

HR Director
Govt. Contractor
Herndon, VA

Email Ellen Beekman
For More Information

Tel: (703) 476-4025
Fax: (703) 935-1299
Email: [email protected]
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