THE LEARNING FLASH

It’s Spring Cleaning Time, and we’re tuning our newsletter. Let us know what you think at info@russellmartin.com. This newsletter is broken into the following segments of brief articles:

• Project Management Magic - The latest practical PM tools, techniques and information
• Leadership In the Middle - Thoughts and ideas from the trenches of Middle Management
• Improving Higher Education - Ways to grow student success in career and public higher ed
• Training Truths - New ways to facilitate learning
• Technology - The latest news in Information Technology
• Web Wonders - Always amazing what’s on the web – just for fun
• The Contest - Find out who won last month, play this month, win fabulous prizes!
• Come See Us - Visit our webinars, blogs, public workshops, booths and speeches

Project Management Magic

Project Management for Sponsors

We are proud to offer a new 1 day workshop (live or online) for your project sponsors and stakeholders to learn what their roles are on your project.  Contact Margie at mbrown@russellmartin.com for more information.

It’s The People… Still

From the classic IT study by the Standish Group, 1995, Chaos Report:

The Top 3 problems haven’t changed much, have they?

Project Success Factors

1. User Involvement 15.9%
2. Executive Management Support 13.9%
3. Clear Statement of Requirements 13.0%

Project Challenged Factors

1. Lack of User Input 12.8%
2. Incomplete Requirements & Specifications 12.3%
3. Changing Requirements & Specifications 11.8%

Project Impaired Factors

1. Incomplete Requirements 13.1%
2. Lack of User Involvement 12.4%
3. Lack of Resources 10.6%

Check out my latest book 10 Steps to Successful Project Management.  In it, you'll find fast, flexible techniques to improve project communication and success.  

Check out our public workshop schedule or contact Margie at mbrown@russellmartin.com.

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Leadership In the Middle

Kudos to Medco

Congratulations to our customer Medco Health Solutions for being voted by their health care peers as America’s Most Admired Company, specifically for innovation and people management.  Through our work with them helping with project management and leadership, we have seen how amazing they are.

Kudos to United Way of Indiana

Congratulations for 90 successful years serving the people of Indiana. 

Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work

Managers are programmed to solve problems. When an employee comes with a problem, many managers automatically go into solution mode without realizing it. In the new book Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work, author David Rock strongly suggests that solving your people's problems for them creates an obstacle to developing accountable, non-dependent employees. Anchored in current neuroscience studies, Rock’s approaches are supported by these recent discoveries:

• Our behavior is guided by our emotions which are triggered when our thoughts (beliefs, habits, memories, assumptions, etc.) interact with certain situations in our daily life.
• We develop neural pathways–wiring in the brain–which build habitual responses.
• It is much easier to LEARN then RELEARN.
• The instant we get a new idea or see a possible solution to a problem, we experience a rush of energy and for brief period we are highly motivated to do something related to it.

RMA’s Leadership Academy helps grow coaching ability in similar ways.  We’ll teach you how to lead not tell.  Contact Margie at mbrown@russellmartin.com for more info.

Focus on One Thing

Trying to focus on two things at once will diminish the results by much more than half. "Multitasking" only works when all but one of the "tasks" is on automatic, such as driving home and wondering when you got there who actually drove! Rapid refocusing (example, from email to phone to interruptions, etc.) does not hinder productivity, as long as there is a clean break from one task to the next, unless you are not retracing steps. Work is diminished when the focus is split, or when refocusing requires having to repeat work.  - David Allen www.davidco.com

5 Ways to Improve Employee Decision Making

Busy managers and leaders ask these questions frequently.

"Why can't my employees make decisions? Why do they always have to come to me?"

The following tips will help you dramatically improve employee decision making.

1. Clarify decision making expectations - Clear expectations are the linchpin. Discuss the level of authority you are granting and any applicable limitations with the employee.

2. Help the employee understand the factors important to the decision - Every decision is governed by objectives, priorities and limitations. When people are reluctant to make a decision, it is often because they are unclear about these factors.

3. Generate and evaluate alternatives together - Decision making is a matter of choosing among alternatives. The ability to identify reasonable alternatives depends on knowledge, experience and creativity. Alternatives that seem obvious to you may not even occur to an employee.

4. Ensure the discipline and expertise needed to assess potential risks - Help your employees learn to pause long enough to consider what might go wrong before they get carried away by what looks like a great alternative. Be sure they have the skill, knowledge and other resources needed to recognize relevant risks.

5. Support the risk-taking needed to make decisions - Even the best decision maker can make a mistake due to incomplete information or poor judgment. If your employees believe their happiness and job security are on the line whenever they make a mistake, they will be reluctant to make any decisions.

Excerpt from an article by Ann Latham, President of Uncommon Clarity, Inc.

Contact Margie Brown at mbrown@russellmartin.com to learn more about out public Leadership Academies to improve decision making strategies.

Picking the Right Tool

Inside Indiana Business contributor Lou Russell writes,"the phone rings, and a new customer is on the line. "How quickly can you get here to do a one day leadership workshop?", he says. My stomach begins to knot - it is never good when the customer says '1 day' and 'leadership' in the same sentence."

Read the Article

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Improving Higher Education

Welcome NCA Attendees!

Thanks to the dedicated school staff who attended my session in Chicago last week. Thanks for playing games with me! For more info on teaching games, or a copy of my presentation, contact Leah Colville at lcolville@lplusearn.com.

Did You Know?

Nearly 38% of degrees conferred at career colleges were to minorities compared to 19% at public institutions. Three years after enrollment, students at career colleges have a higher completion rate (38%) than students at community colleges (17%). A 14% increase in job opportunities by 2016 is projected for occupations requiring a post secondary vocational award. For more info, check out the 2008 IAF Fact Book.

High School Presentation

Did you know we have a new High School Recruitment Presentation packaged for your high school reps to teach potential students project management. It’s not too late to get their attention for a summer or fall start. For a free trial, contact Leah Colville at lcolville@lplusearn.com .

The Human Capitalist

In the Spring 2008 edition of the LINK magazine from the Career College Association www.career.org, Lou Russell (me) offers her diagnosis on what factors contribute to unhealthy teams, and her prescription on how to achieve an effective cure. If you’d like a copy of the article, please let us know at info@lplusearn.com.

Power Speaking Tips

The Harvard Business Review recently interviewed screen writing coach Robert McKee. McKee's students have written, directed, and produced hundreds of hit films including Forrest Gump, Erin Brockovich, Gandhi, and Sleepless in Seattle. Here are some of McKee’s tips for engaging your audience:

1. Tell a story: Try to connect a personal story to your topic and audience. Rather than just giving facts and numbers, try telling the story of how your company overcame a major challenge.

2. Use pauses: A well placed moment of silence can draw your audience into your talk.

3. Flex your inflection: Use vocal variety in your speech. To color your speech with your own emotion and passion, change up your volume and emphasize key words.

4. Animate yourself: Let your body move naturally during your presentations. Get rid of the extra energy you feel by moving around.

5. Make eye contact: Look people directly in the eyes.

Did you know L+EARN, a subsidiary of Russell Martin & Associates, offers services to improve faculty delivery, admissions’ reps presentations, high school presentations and career services employer presentations? Contact Leah Colville for more info lcolville@lplusearn.com.

New Data Predicts Major Shifts in College Student Population

Colleges and universities know that the composition of the nation's student body is headed for a major change. Shifts are under way. Next year, the number of graduates nationwide will begin a slow decline until 2015, according to new analysis by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. At the same time, the number of minority graduates is expected to grow rapidly.  The number of graduates is expected to start growing again in 2015 when the rapidly growing Hispanic and Asian populations will begin pushing that number to new highs. By 2022, almost half of all public high-school graduates will be members of minority groups. If those graduates go on to college, many of them will also be the first in their families to do so.

If you'd like help adjusting your admissions and student services to the future or more information on this article, please contact Leah Colville at lcolville@lplusearn.com.

CCA Hill Day

Leah recently attended the CCA Hill Day. For a summary of the important decisions being made right now by your representatives in Congress and the Senate, as well as their impact on your schools, please check this out. Contact Leah Colville for more info lcolville@lplusearn.com.

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Training Truths

Great Training Resources

• Check out the video The Simple Truths of Service Movie. You get it free when you buy the book. Lots of small, meaningful books to supplement classes as well.
• Check out the new versions of Animated Music. Great break music and entertainment. Pretty amazing stuff. As seen on PBS…

Stump the Stars

Reader Dan Brandon dared us to help him with some culture change in his organization. A quick way to illustrate how people feel about change (whether chosen or not) is to ask your learners to sign a piece of paper then sign it again with their other hand. Talk about how that feels.   Send your requests for learning tips to Lou at lou@russellmartin.com.

Teaching Effective Writing

The word “cite” has three very different meanings, so be sure you use it correctly. “Cite” can mean:

• "to quote,” Be sure to cite the sources used in your research.
• “to officially commend”, A formal ceremony will be presented to cite the officer for his bravery.
• “to summon before a court,” The city will cite anyone who doesn’t pay.

The word “site” is a little easier, with only one meaning:

• “a place.” That site is perfect for the new mall. I like the new web site.

The word “sight” means

• “the ability to see.” Because our sight was blocked by the new building, we could no longer see.

Excerpt from www.upwritepress.com

Contact Margie Brown if you’d like to hear about our Effective Business Writing workshops (live and online) at mbrown@russellmartin.com.

Optimizing Costs

Expertus announced its study entitled, Training Efficiency: Optimizing Costs. The research, in collaboration with TrainingIndustry.com, found mounting pressure among training executives to reduce costs. The most critical area to cut costs and improve efficiency is in administration as compared to delivery, content development, and technology.

• Technology: Optimize/customize/consolidate learning technologies (67 percent)
• Administration: Streamline evaluations or reporting process (53 percent)
• Delivery: Reduce travel and lodging (53 percent)
• Content Development: Increase use of content development software (46 percent)

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Technology

Women Working in Technology Conference 2008

April 14, 2008, presented by the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, Ball State University: The event will be a forum for discussion and development of a culture and environment in which women have opportunities to grow, add value, and succeed within the world of technology through the many transitions and phases of life.

Get more information or contact kirstensmith@bsu.edu for details.

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Web Wonders

They ARE Talking About You

According to an alarming (are you kidding me?) new study published in the American Journal Of Sociology, most Americans are critically discussed after leaving a room occupied by others. Dr. Edward Phillips, a professor of sociology at Utah State University says "This phenomenon affects nearly everyone. If you have ever feared that people whom you considered to be good friends were mercilessly mocking and insulting you shortly after you left their presence, your fears are almost certainly 100 percent correct. It seems that the only people immune to this are the 7 percent of the population simply too dull and boring to even make fun of." Phillips added.

Crafts You’d Never Build a Website For

• Weird Science
• Pine Cone Crafts
• Spacecraft

I saved the best for last...

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The Contest

Here’s a Cryptogram for April.  CLUE: It’s the title of a book.  Send your answer to info@russellmartin.com for fabulous prizes!

OPB  QOPFQ  OM  QAYYPQQRAH  FCMTPYO  DSBSEPDPBO

Last month’s Visual Puzzle Winners

Dan Brandon, Brenda Barrington, Cynthia S. Peters – Sunrise Community, Inc., Jackie C. Harris – Fairfax County General Registrar, Paula Hammon – Connecticut General Assembly, Nancy Wright – VSP Vision Care, Paul Mossberg – Insurance Services Office, Inc., Bonnie Rheinhardt – WNIN, Todd Amell – TDS Telecom, Sara Levine – MetLife, Nina Gitomer – Zenith Insurance Company, Brent Taylor – Sunbelt Rentals, Marti Allen – Chubb, Ruth Keazirian – Northern Trust, Kent Hamblen – AT&T Services, Inc., Cathy Patton – El Camino Hospital, Jodi Moll – All Children’s Hospital, Sue Trams – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Dan Brandon – American General Financial Services, Kathy Wasilewski – Chubb, Betsy Donahue – ACS @ UNUM, Amy Dinning – Willow Financial Bank, Karen Parker – Highland Hospital, Mark Walls – Department of Agriculture, Meg Morales, Kathy Franklin – National Life of Vermont, Kelly Izquierdo – First Data, Judy Walsh – The Mitas Group, Karin Ellis – MN Dept. of Commerce, Robert Myers – Kentucky Farm Bureau, Ethlyn Garlichs - TSM Corporation.

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Come See Us

Spring Into Webinars

All webinars start at 1pm and last for 2 hours.

• April 21, 2008 - 10 Steps to Successful Project Management
• May 19, 2008 - Growing ROI by Growing Project Sponsors
• June 20, 2008 - Leadership Alchemy
• July 29, 2008 - My Team: Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Work Without 'Em

Register Now

ASTD Project Management for Trainers Certificate

Attend one of our ASTD Project Management for Trainers Certificate 2-day workshops:

• 4/24-25 - Atlanta, GA
• 5/30-31 - San Diego, CA
• 7/21-22 - Chicago, IL
• 9/8-9 - Alexandria, VA
• 10/23-24 - Atlanta, GA

Register now for these workshops

Blogs

• It's the People
• Project Management Mania
• IT Leadership Alchemy

Add these to your feed reader!

Lou is Podcasting

I have been playing with podcasts, and have two new podcasts at www.careercollege.com. Watch for two new 10 Tips in 10 Minutes editions this month.   I also recorded a small promotional piece for the ASTD certificate workshop Project Management for Trainers which you can listen to at their website www.astd.org (see above for more info about these workshops). Big thanks to Lindsay Blamire for continuing to help drag me into this decade with all her amazing technology ideas.  Do you have a topic you’d like me to record a podcast about?  Just let me know at lou@russellmartin.com.

If you'd like help with the Podcasts, please contact Margie Brown at mbrown@russellmartin.com.

Facebook

Want to be friends?  Log into your Facebook account, search for "Lou Russell" and ask to be friends.  I look forward to meeting online.

Where the RMA Staff Will Be in April:

Lou Russell:

• April 3 - 13 - Vacation
• April 18 - Indianapolis, IN
• April 22 - Elkhart, IN
• April 24 - Greenville, SC

Leah Colville:

• April 13 - 15 - Chicago, IL
• April 18 - Indianapolis, IN

Mary Cook:

• April 11 - Indianapolis, IN

Janice Daly:

• April 2 - Indianapolis, IN
• April 24 - 25 - Atlanta, GA

Susan Mosey:

• April 8 - Park Ridge, NJ

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