Going into 2009, many people have a sense of anxiety and nervousness, largely because there are so many unknowns in a rapidly changing business environment. Where is the bottom of the housing market? When will stocks finally stabilize? What industries will have key bankruptcies? Although there are so many unknowns, there is one thing we can count on; there will be a significant amount of people finding work in new industries over the next 2-3 years.
Over the last 6 months a tremendous shift has begun in specific industries, especially financial services and retail. These industries are being depleted of workers as they begin to look for work and in growing industries and markets such as healthcare, infrastructure, energy and the Federal Government. In November 2008 there were 533,000 fewer jobs which is the highest one-month decline since 1974. And economist project this trend will continue for months. This means there will be a lot of “re-shuffling” in job markets over the next few years.
This implies that 2009 will be a year of retraining. I believe the key to success for individuals retraining in today’s changing job market, will be to accelerate their retraining. The historical trend for retraining has been a focus on knowledge and technical skills. However, today’s global environment is different. It is equally or even more important to accelerate the learning component on how to apply the knowledge. As we know, technical knowledge without the ability to apply it is of little value. As hundreds of companies begin to retrain existing staff and new staff, the key will be empowering them with the needed learning tools to quickly apply their learned knowledge.
Companies will find that accelerated and successful training can be achieved by designing knowledge training in small segments and then using “in-between” sessions to assign opportunities to apply the knowledge being acquired from training. This “on-the-job” training will solidify the “classroom” learning. The other key element will be to create debriefing groups to discuss the live experience of applying the training. The debriefing sessions are not as complicated as people think. Simply design the debriefing session around three core questions: 1) What worked, 2) What didn’t work, and 3) what should you do differently to improve the outcome. Some research indicates that by encapsulating training with live training and debriefing, you can accelerate training by over 250%. The biggest challenge to this type of training is that it requires people to have frequent interaction with a trainer or a facilitator that can regularly debrief their applications.
The ARTT approach described in my book is an excellent tool to use for designing training programs. Anyone undertaking new training initiatives I would strongly encourage to implement and use the 4 step model to learning how to learn. Here is the link to the model - http://www.learntheskill.com/#/arttoftheskill/4529483749
We all know that transitions and “work-shifts” are filled with challenges and more often than not difficult. But they don’t have to be. They are ripe with moments of learning, but only if navigated with the right tools. As you retrain or your company retrains, be sure you have the right tools.
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About THE SKILL
In a world moving at breakneck speed, with constant and complex changes, people need to adapt to the changing conditions to succeed. More specifically, they need The Skill. This book offers readers the chance to learn and apply a proven methodology for managing challenges such as personal change, new jobs, stretch assignments and global postings.
Based on Les Woller’s highly successful four-step process that has been applied effectively by thousands in businesses, governments, and in personal lives, 'The Skill' is a method that fosters increased learning and adaptability.
The lessons learned and detailed in this book evolved from Les’ 25 years of experience where he recognized that many struggled with times of change. A significant number operated on 'autopilot', where they behaved in unthinking, habitual ways to problems and opportunities. They quickly fell into comfortable, but ineffective routines. Over the years Les developed a simple methodology to help them switch off autopilot and begin to effectively adapt to situations.
This book explains the four steps in the ARTT of 'The Skill', which people need to take - becoming more self-Aware, Reflecting on why they do what they do, Targeting situations and Trying new behaviors in these situations.
This book is essential for individuals, teams and organizations who want to enhance their performance, accelerate their promotability and increase their potential. It is an easy to use process for anybody. As the marketplace becomes more competitive and complex, the winners will be those with 'The Skill' who can learn and adapt.
Based on Les Woller’s highly successful four-step process that has been applied effectively by thousands in businesses, governments, and in personal lives, 'The Skill' is a method that fosters increased learning and adaptability.
The lessons learned and detailed in this book evolved from Les’ 25 years of experience where he recognized that many struggled with times of change. A significant number operated on 'autopilot', where they behaved in unthinking, habitual ways to problems and opportunities. They quickly fell into comfortable, but ineffective routines. Over the years Les developed a simple methodology to help them switch off autopilot and begin to effectively adapt to situations.
This book explains the four steps in the ARTT of 'The Skill', which people need to take - becoming more self-Aware, Reflecting on why they do what they do, Targeting situations and Trying new behaviors in these situations.
This book is essential for individuals, teams and organizations who want to enhance their performance, accelerate their promotability and increase their potential. It is an easy to use process for anybody. As the marketplace becomes more competitive and complex, the winners will be those with 'The Skill' who can learn and adapt.
THE SKILL
1 comment:
Over 2 years later now, one can clearly see the foresight which ARTT had deemed for the times. I am totally 'on board' with THE SKILL. In fact, I would almost say that this paradigm shift in workplace productivity is only going to be more important as the next 19 years will find the baby boomer generations of US and Eurpoe reaching 62.5 years of age. Such ARTT will be necessary for the new working man. If Drucker were still with us, I'm sure he'd have a chapter or two in his latest works to inlcude ARTT.
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