March 30th, 2011 by Robin Green

Recently I wrote about asking your employer for more training, an extra online LMS course, or a raise. I talked about how women are statistically less likely to approach their bosses about a raise, and when they do so, they are viewed more negatively than when men do the same thing. But whether you’re a man or a woman who has hesitated about requesting funds for work-related education, you might be unsure about how to go about broaching the subject to your boss.

In this dog-eat-dog world, I think it’s an apt metaphor to think of your boss as your master and you as–if you will–his dog. If you can condescend to consider yourself as such for a moment, let’s imagine you want your master to throw you a bone. The bone represents a raise, an LMS online course, or any other such request. How do you get him to do throw it to you? He’s reading the paper; he’s watching a football game; he’s on his phone. He’s a busy man. The bone might not even be in his line of vision. Maybe it’s under the blue sofa, well within your own line of sight. In any case, think about it. What are the odds that he is going to take notice of your lingering around the blue sofa, immediately understand your wishes, and stoop down to scoop it out for you? Slim to none.

What’s the solution? You’ve got to paw it out yourself and present it to him. Only by doing so is there a chance that he’ll catch your drift and throw you the bone. It’s probably simply not occurred to him to do this, and ultimately, if you present it to him and the conditions are right (we’ll get to those in a moment), then it only takes him a second to chuck it out for you. It ultimately doesn’t affect him all that much, and if he thinks you deserve it, then the matter is settled. In the end you’ll be a better dog for getting some exercise and fun, and everyone wins.

Now, the conditions have to be right, and you have to do some research (yes, we are leaving the dog metaphor behind for a moment). First, consult with people who have held similar positions or work with companies with similar goods and services. Whether you’re asking for a raise or online training, this will help you get a sense of what you can expect, and what’s out there.

Second, timing is another critical condition for approaching your boss about LMS education or a raise. There is such a thing as bad timing for asking your boss for a raise or course; for example, when your company is going through a substantial financial loss. Good timing would be during an annual performance review. This is akin to the difference between trying to get your master to throw you a bone during a fight with his girlfriend versus doing so when he is filling your dish or giving you attention.

Lastly, specifically if you’re asking for a raise, be sure to state the amount you want (after research). Don’t be the first to offer a number; deflect the question if necessary. Finally, don’t provide the amount of your previous salary. After all, it is not relevant to your next salary, given the change of circumstances and the position.

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS platform.

March 27th, 2011 by Robin Green

These days, every time you turn around there is yet another training course necessary to ensure workplace safety. It has become almost impossible to gather every single employee into a conference room to get them to view boring videos about safety compliance. Federal regulations make it imperative for each and every employee to view and understand safety precautions. Now, you can avoid a roomful of impatient employees, or worse – the thumping of heads hitting the table in abject boredom – by providing online training as a sensible alternative to traditional safety compliance training.

There is a wealth of topics that need to be covered when it comes to company safety. They run the gamut from blood-borne pathogens to workplace violence. The process starts with picking and choosing the ones that are relevant for your particular company, and having employees view those which are the most valuable. For example, every employee should know how to perform CPR, and other First Aid basics. Emergency planning has become a popular topic, especially in high-rise structures in major urban centers. You can never be “too prepared” for an emergency, and the more you know, the better off you’ll be when a crisis or emergency arises. Online training provides the convenience of allowing your employees to devise their own game plan. No more large gatherings or set times to adhere to; they can take part in Webinars that suit their schedules, or download material from home. There are even interactive online courses that will prevent any snoozing on the job. After all, safety should never be taken for granted; even if learning about it is as boring as watching paint dry. You never know when you’ll need that knowledge, and after all, learning should always be fun.

Online training can not only educate your employees, it can also save you money. If your organization has multiple locations spread out across the country, Webinars and other types of conferences can be arranged so that regional employees can take part at the same time without the need for expensive travel arrangements. No more cancellations because of bad weather, or worrying about exorbitant airline tickets. As long as your employees have access to a high speed Internet connection, a computer or other electronic device, online training is a slam-dunk.

There is no better time to put technology to work for you. Check out the many online training options available for company safety compliance. Your employees and your chief financial officer will thank you.

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Coggno.com provides premier online education  world-wide.

March 24th, 2011 by Robin Green

Would you like to make yourself more relevant at work or simply improve your skills, but you aren’t sure how? This is a problem many people (including myself) face when it comes to maximizing their potential and letting their skills shine. It often has to do with personality traits such as shyness or aversion to attention, or simply not wanting to put yourself in the spotlight.

Perhaps just the idea of talking to your employer about the possibility of picking up a course teaching some work-related skill makes you feel slightly nauseous.

Sometimes it requires the encouragement of a coworker or a friend to approach your boss about possible improvements, courses you are interested in taking whose costs you hope your employers will cover, or LMS online training which you can complete at home in your free time.

Women especially have a difficult time approaching their boss for salary raises or training and LMS courses. Several recent studies, including a 2010 study in the U.S. of gender in the workplace, show that when asking for a salary raise, women are much weaker than men, and less likely to even state their case to their employer. And since classes that are paid for by an employer basically mean a raise in pay, even if they are work related, the same applies for LMS courses and other work-related education.

I once decided to take a Spanish language class offered at a university location near my workplace. I knew that other employees were taking language classes, since our organization was an international one which holds meetings held in various languages, but it never even occurred to me to ask my boss if my course could be covered until a coworker brought up the possibility.

Still, it took me a few days (cutting it close to the sign-up deadline for the course) to approach my boss about it. I waited until we were alone sitting at lunch, and felt my face turn beet-red as I explained my plans and stated my inquiry. He said he would look into it, and I receive my answer days later, affirmative. I was ecstatic, but noted regretfully that without the encouragement and easy confidence of my (male) coworker, I never would have asked in the first place, and would have ended up covering the costs of my language course, which come to about 1/8 the amount of my salary.

Moral of the story? Whether you’re a shy male or female, getting over your hesitation can pay off, and it can also help fatten up your ego so that next time you need to approach your employer about something–whether it’s LMS course-related or about another work-related topic–it won’t be as painful.

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Coggno.com offers high-quality online education.

March 16th, 2011 by Robin Green

As I wrote in a recent post, LMS certifications in wedding planning are on the rise due to an increasing interest in customized weddings.

How many times have you been to a particularly unique or creative wedding? Or flipped through a Facebook album (perhaps of someone you don’t even know directly) of a wedding that caught your attention?

Customized, creative weddings are all the rage and more and more soon-to-be-married couples have their own wedding ideas that they would like help fleshing out. Many also don’t have a specific idea, but would like some help figuring out what their perfect wedding would be. This is where wedding planners come in, and the reason why LMS wedding planning certification is an increasingly popular endeavor in the U.S..

One example of a customized wedding I recently attended was what I’ll call a “green wedding”. It took place near Burlington, Vermont, on a hill with a beautiful view. At the reception, all plates and cutlery were compostable. Drinks were organic and their provenance was local breweries and wineries. The food was mouth-wateringly delicious, and the pig they roasted came from a local organic farm which uses free range and humane practices. Actually, local and organic were two characteristics applicable nearly to everything, from the table clothes to the fruits and vegetables. Wedding favors for the guests, pots of oregano, basil and other herbs, also served simply and beautifully as the table centerpieces.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom’s spiritual beliefs were written into their vows, and their attire was symbolic as well, straying purposely from the traditional white gown and tuxedo. In short, everything was customized and in line with the bride and groom’s beliefs.

My friend, the bride, is now considering an LMS certification in wedding planning—or creating an LMS course herself, since she now has the experience of planning her own wedding under her belt. In fact, her then fiancé had twisted an ankle during an ultimate frisbee match the week before, leaving my friend in charge of instructing the wedding help and calling most of the shots concerning the details.

Wedding planning, the affair of managing, coordinating and planning a wedding, is something that people are increasingly paying for in order to truly enjoy a non-stressful wedding. Although my friend claims she enjoyed her wedding, she also admits she was totally overwhelmed with all the details, and was happy when it ended.
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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform.

March 14th, 2011 by Robin Green

Let’s face it: not everyone is cut out to be a student. We don’t all thrive in classrooms, and these days, our attention spans are shorter than the time it takes to download movies onto our laptops. That doesn’t mean we’re not capable of learning; it means we have to find fresh new ways to stay engaged with the learning process. Today, the world is our classroom. We don’t need to physically sit in one in order to grasp new ideas. With the proper motivation and the right online training courses, anyone can glean knowledge and put it to good use.

Remembering the boredom and rote of classroom-style learning is enough to keep anyone from going down that road again. During these tough economic times, many of us don’t have a choice. We have to learn new skills in order to keep those paychecks coming, and thankfully, online training courses have become a viable option, rather than heading back to school. However, students need to be properly motivated and willing to learn independently. The consequences are more serious than blowing off class because you’re hung over from an all night kegger. Now, you’ve got a mortgage, bills and a family to take care of.

So, here are some things you need to consider. And remember, learning is always worthwhile; it can also be fun.

• How quickly do you need to grasp a particular skill? If you have something specific in mind, it’s best to begin the process as soon as the need arises. The beauty of online training is that you can pick it up whenever, wherever you are.
• Keep in mind that distance learning is the antithesis of falling asleep in a chair with a book. You can attend Webinars, subscribe to Podcasts and watch videos at your convenience; even during the commuter train ride to and from your present job.
• Get your manager or supervisor involved. If the organization you’re currently working for suggested your foray into distance learning, keep the higher-ups apprised of your progress. Be an active participant in your own training, and you’ll not only reap the benefits, you’ll shine as a team player.
• Form a support group. Find out if other colleagues or friends are engaged in distance learning and how they’re faring. Discuss the material over coffee; get their insights on research and case studies. The more, the merrier.
• Apply the new skills and techniques you’re currently learning to your present position. You’ll become more enthusiastic about your chosen new skill when you begin to see how beneficial the learning process is to your current job.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for online training courses, the sky is the limit. No more monotone facilitators and boring classrooms. Today’s distance learning keeps you involved and gives you the knowledge you need to continue on the most productive path to success. As the consultants like to say, it’s a “win-win” for everyone.

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Coggno.com provides world-class e-learning.

March 9th, 2011 by Robin Green

Have you ever thought about taking or creating an LMS certification course in wedding planning?

At a wedding I helped set up last summer, I remember talking to people who had planned their own weddings. During the setup they felt a strong desire to give their advice and suggestions. They said that after planning such a challenging and time-consuming logistical and symbolic event, they were eager to share their knowledge.

It’s knowledge that very few people, except wedding planners or LMS wedding planning certification creators, ever use again.

Throughout history and socio-economic classes, weddings have traditionally been a special event that people are willing to invest in perfecting.

Across the world, weddings have mushroomed to a multi-billion dollar industry. Each year in the U.S., there are around 2.5 million weddings, and none of them exactly the same.

In an age when people’s interests, tastes and spiritual beliefs are increasingly varied, it takes a great deal of time, thought and energy to plan the perfect wedding. More and more people seek personalized, customizable weddings, but don’t want to be in charge of the logistics, wedding invitations, clothing, music, reception, bachelor and bachelorette parties, ceremony, and all the other details involved in making the wedding a perfect event.

Therefore, more couples are seeking assistance in making their wedding dreams come true, and therefore the professional wedding planning industry, along with LMS online training and in-person certification courses, is growing rapidly.

Just as there are as many tastes and styles as there are different kinds of people under the sun, there are endless ways in which a wedding can be conducted. A wedding planner is a professional with expertise, an LMS wedding planning certification, or just a strong reputation and great ideas who helps plan and organize weddings according to the wishes of the soon-to-be-married.

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Coggno.com is a quality LMS for learners and publishers alike.

March 6th, 2011 by Robin Green

Many changes have encompassed human resource management over the years, but today present major challenges, especially as it relates to online training and online training courses. One of the challenges those responsible for training new and existing employees meet is the methodology of the training. While there are methods of “testing” that have been used for many generations to help human resources managers make the right hiring decisions, those methods are no longer effective in today’s market. In fact, when it comes to hiring new employees, assessments rather than tests are becoming more common and are a more accurate measure of a potential employee’s worth to your company.

One of the major problems with tests is there is no gray area: the applicant either passes or fails. This does not give the company any kind of measure of that individual applicant’s potential worth to the company in a unique way. On the other hand, assessments—a more accurate type of online training—provide information about the person in general. This doesn’t mean that online training courses are not helpful in their own way, but they are not very helpful when it comes to evaluating a potential employee’s personality and how that person might fit in with others within the company.

No matter what type of job you may have, your job requirements are certainly beyond those that fit into your job description. It is within the capacity of these job functions that training becomes more advantageous. For example, an administrative assistant may need to exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with unhappy customers or clients, and while these employees can certain learn these skills through training the company will benefit more if they hire someone who already possesses those qualities.

When an employee’s job duties directly conflict with their natural characteristics, it causes stress and tension. This stress and tension these employees place on themselves can lead to conflicts within the organization and employee burnout. No amount of online training or online training courses will successfully train most people to think and act in a different way than they learned from birth. Certainly you can teach people leadership skills, but to attempt to teach them tact, diplomacy, assertiveness, compassion or other personality traits they may need for their specific job functions can only create partial success and in the process create employees that are unhappy, tense and lack motivation and company loyalty.

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Coggno.com offers a wide variety of e-learning courses.

March 2nd, 2011 by Robin Green

For both educators and LMS course creators, the effectiveness of your material will depend on how organically you’re able to work in the essential repetition that builds on itself.

As I’ve written about previously, repetition and memorization are the basic building blocks of knowledge. My history teacher used to say, “You can’t make up an empty mind.” I remember recalling this phrase in a college classroom where one particular professor sat back and allowed student dialogue to rule the classroom (a pedagogical approach that’s increasingly popular in humanities departments). I wanted to hear what my professor knew; I wanted to get the basic building blocks of the course material before we were to do any group discussion.

I wouldn’t have minded having to memorize a few facts, ingest a few critical texts or novels (it was a literature class), in order to then climb the “skill ladder” at a swifter speed. And indeed, that is the fastest way to climb any skill ladder—with repetition and transforms the unknown into the known.

The problem is, how can LMS course creators or educators design material that includes repetition without losing students’ interest?

Learning, after all, is seldom its own reward. Even if you’ve put together the most exciting and intellectually stimulating LMS course ever made, the point of taking your course is the new skill or knowledge hoped to be gained—not the joy of learning in itself. Both children and adults learn for different motivations—children for stickers and shining report cards, and adults for the practical new skill that they’ll be obtaining. So the best way to include repetition is to create activities and learning sessions which allow students to immediately put into hands-on practice what they’ve learned.

The more repetition/practice your course includes, the more confidence students gain, not only in their own abilities, but in the ability of the course to effectively weave in repetition that enables them to climb the skill ladder.

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Coggno.com offers world-class e-learning.