1. Motivational speakers

From: Barry Johnson
Email: barryj@learningpartners.co.uk

Ian

I would be vary wary of 'motivational speakers', particularly those who have not been through the sort of 'tough times' you are referring to. If you must do this, have speaker(s) live and have them responsive to a demoralised audience. If it is a rah, rah session, you may get an adverse reaction.

I dislike motivational speaking sessions as I can motivate myself to do what is necessary and, if I don't know what to do, I talk to people who might know.

The best motivational sessions I have attended in tough times is the CEO being up-front and honest, with a clear forward plan. Um, I think that might just be leadership.

Barry

2. Project Map / Timetable

From: Claudette Brokenshire
Email: claudettebrokenshire@gov.nl.ca

Very useful, Bryan - I couldn't find a fillable Gantt chart anywhere so thanks for sharing.

Claudette

3. Project Map / Timetable

From: Claudette Brokenshire
Email: claudettebrokenshire@gov.nl.ca

Thanks, Richard.

I have come up with a Gantt chart combined with an overall project plan and will submit both to see which my manager prefers. I am good at keeping to my own time management guidelines but needed something different to submit for others who may be monitoring my project.

I have decided to use an overarching forecast for the full scheme as well as a more specific day-to-day practical plan as well.

Claudette

4. Project Map / Timetable

From: Hoda Lacey
Email: hodalacey@aol.com

Claudette's comments really got me thinking! I also can't think in mindmap fashion. I am much more linear and for me, Post It notes, diagrams, boxes, arrows, charts etc really work.

However, I do have mindmapping software installed on my computer and what I really like best is the little clipart gallery at the bottom. I do love pictures on my diagrams to liven them up, and love to use faces, objects etc to embellish my quadrants and smart art shapes. If anyone has seen the Mind Manager gallery, you'll know what I mean. 

I can use my clipart or clipart on line, of course, but it doesn't come anywhere near Mind Manager software in terms of ease of placement on the page, or in a table etc. And, anyway, it would take ages to compile my own clipart file of useful objects and faces in the same way.

Does anyone know of a software that combines the two - mindmapping for the linear thinkers, as it were? Or some other way I could easily access a similar gallery of faces and objects?

I continue to be delighted at the amount of useful information I derive from other users of the forum. Thank you all for such wonderful and generous contributions.

Hoda Lacey

5. Put your questions to the CIPD

From: Debbie Carter
Email: debbiecarter@trainingjournal.com

Do you want to know about the CIPD's future plans and how L&D features within them? Its CEO, Jackie Orme, has agreed to answer your questions in the December issue of TJ magazine.

In a recent interview with TJ, Orme described how she saw the L&D function as one of the variety of specialisms that makes up HR today and while clearly she sees our function as important to business success, she still sees it sitting comfortably alongside the other HR specialisms. But, as she admits, the role of L&D in the future may become more dominant as organisations begin to recognise that their key competitive advantage in our changing world are their people.

She says: "The demand for L&D will continue to accelerate, as will the levels of sophistication in which learning happens in the workplace and the way that the impact of learning is felt and those demands are only going to get greater. If I was an L&D practitioner right now I'd be looking forward to an exciting future."

Please post your questions online or send direct to the editor at debbiecarter@trainingjournal.com

Note: the questions that appear in the magazine will be selected by the editor.

Debbie Carter

6. What publications do leaders read?

From: Deborah Wainwright
Email: deborah@consultsee.com

Dorothy,

I would be interested, too. There are some great 'heavy duty' publications such as "Management Learning" or "Leadership", both available from Blackwell Publishing. However, I would like to know what is available of the 'dip & rip' variety of reading.

If you are interested in publishing, why not get qualified at the same time. Lancaster Uni runs a great masters programme - Management Learning & Leadership - http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/departments/DML/

Hope this helps

Debi

7. What publications do leaders read?

From: Deborah Wainwright
Email: deborah@consultsee.com

Dorothy,

Sorry, both journals I mentioned earlier are available through Sage Publications, not Blackwell (they do a great journal on gender, work and organisation, to name a few).

Debs

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