Training

The Human Resource Services department is announcing our Fall training calendar.  We are introducing two new workshops, Consequential Conversations and Effective Supervisor – Dealing with Difficult Employee Performance and Behavior.  To sign up, go to http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/humanresources/training/index.cfm.

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Brainstorming

In this workshop you will have the opportunity of learning to harness the incredible, exciting and proven power of group based creative problem solving.  If you have ever been in a situation where you needed solutions to issues, needed to solve a seemingly insurmountable problem, wanted to overcome stale or outdated ideas, need to bring together input from a number of different individuals or departments or where you need to ensure buy-in from a group, this is your opportunity.  
The workshop will cover a number of different brainstorming processes and then will focus on using the brainstorming process to develop new and creative ideas to an issue.  Those in the workshop will participate in brainstorming session, the topic will be decided upon in the workshop. 

Consequential Conversations

Based on the book Crucial Conversations, this workshop will discuss the components of conversations with consequences, those that involve differences in opinion, have strong emotions and where there is a potential for loss.  Have you ever been involved in a conversation like that?  Did it go the way that you wanted it to go?  You will also hear about the amygdala hijack and how that significantly affects the potential outcome of discussions.  The workshop will cover the visceral reactions we typically have when we are involved in consequential conversations, how to recognize when conversations get off track, how to stop and develop a safe environment where productive conversations can take place and then how to work together with other participants to achieve the results you both are seeking.  This workshop will present you with skills that you can use on the job, in the community and at home.

Developing Position Descriptions

Learn about how to develop position descriptions that links positions within your department to the strategic plan for the university.  In addition, you will learn about how to develop essential responsibilities, define scope of those responsibilities and also how to define required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Effective Supervisor – Difficult Performance Issues

Part of being a competent supervisor involves having successful discussions with employees about performance.  Occasionally those discussions may need to focus on performance that fails to meet expectations or behaviors that are not conducive to positive departmental operations.  It is the responsibility of the supervisor to be aware of issues and then respond appropriately and effectively.  This workshop is designed to discuss those situations and to develop and practice skills to address the issues when they arise, to provide constructive feedback and to positively address desirable outcomes.  Prerequisite – currently supervising regular staff.

Employee Performance: Employee Performance Management

The university is committed to employees receiving performance evaluations on an ongoing basis.  To assist in this process, this workshop will cover the employee's role in receiving feedback, preparing for and participating in performance related discussions throughout the year. Learn about setting and tracking performance expectations with your position.  Confirm how your position fits in to the ongoing strategic direction of the university and what you can do to maximize your performance.  

Employee Performance: Employee Performance Management for Supervisors

For those supervisors who may not have had the opportunity to participate in a workshop through their workgroup.  This will cover performance evaluation foundations, planning for performance, supervisory skills enhancement, developing performance expectations, measuring performance, giving feedback and performance appraisal forms and conducting performance evaluation interviews.  

Hiring Winners

Trying to find the right candidate for a position can be difficult.  There are a number of steps that need to be taken which will significantly improve the odds of you attracting and retaining exceptional candidates.  This workshop will cover the hiring sequence, from designing the position, learning how to communicate motivational factors about the position, how to develop solid and successful advertising, understanding where to recruit and finding out where you can advertise where you will be more likely to source a diverse and highly qualified group of candidates.  In addition, you will learn how to consistently utilize the hiring process, including usage of behavioral interviewing techniques, to screen in the most qualified and capable candidates while at the same time understanding why some candidates may not be the best choice for your work group.  In addition, you will gain a deeper appreciation of the ins and outs of reference checking.

Producing WOWs in Customer Service

We see examples of good customer service every day.  Unfortunately we also see mediocre and really bad service as well.  Occasionally we have a customer service experience that is better than what we have come to expect – it is the type of experience that has you saying “WOW”.  It’s the experience that we remember when someone asks if we have ever had a very good customer service experience.  When that happens, we typically find ourselves talking with friends about the experience and recommend the organization to others.  Every position has a customer service aspect to it and every person here can learn about how to recognize opportunities and consistently produce WOWs with thosecustomers that they interact with.  Learn how you can set standards in your job where others recognize and respond to the exceptional customer service that you provide.

Time Management and Personal Productivity

Ever feel like you are occasionally challenged by multiple competing demands, having to deal with interruptions that redefine your day, making decisions about what is urgent and what is important or feel that you are just spinning your wheels?  This workshop has been designed to provide participants with tools to help diagnose issues with time management and to leave with solid ideas on how to better organize the time that they have available.

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All of these workshops will be presented in the University Lake Building

Human Resource Services is also presenting workshops to individual work groups.  Any of the workshops listed in the calendar as well as Performance Management Skills for Supervisors and Performance Management Skills for Employees can be presented in this manner.

As a very unique opportunity, Human Resource Services can also facilitate DiSC Assessment Profiles within established work groups.  The DiSC Assessment Profile provides insight for teambuilding, communication, conflict management and much more.  Have questions about the DiSC?  Give me a call!