Sparrow Training

Simply put, a competency describes the behaviour or actions that can be seen when a job is being done well. Organisations use competencies to get consistency in what they do, ensure people are treated equitably, enhance communications, improve stakeholder relationships and establish high standards of quality and performance. The Competencies Pocketbook explains how to develop a competency framework, how to assess competencies and how to reap the benefits from both the individual's and the organisation's perspective. It also describes why some competency initiatives don't work and how to make sure that yours does. Author: Roger Mills. Pages 128

First impressions count! A well-planned and thoughtful induction process will give new employees a sense of belonging and lead to greater motivation and productivity. The Induction Pocketbook examines ways of introducing a successful programme at all levels. It looks at the benefits of induction, who to involve in delivering induction (not just personnel staff!) and who should receive induction (not just newcomers!). There are further chapters on what to include in the induction programme, when and where it should take place and how to evaluate the induction. Finally, there is a series of checklists (one for each stage of the process) and a case study.

Read "The Manager's Pocketbook" and learn the POLCA, the five essential management skills. 'P' is for 'planning': the essentials of good planning and objective setting. 'O' is for 'organising': managing time and work, and decision-making. 'L' is for 'leading': teambuilding, leadership, motivation and communication. 'C' is for 'controlling': correcting errors, disciplining and appraising. And 'A' is for 'achieving': the action planning section, so get your pen ready! This enlightening Pocketbook is for team leaders, supervisors and people managers of all levels.

Psychometric testing helps employers to assess people, in a way which gives results that are objective, systematic, reliable and valid. The Psychometric Testing Pocketbook offers insight into how these tests can improve recruitment, selection, promotion and assist organisational development. The book takes a practical approach and is aimed at the non-specialist reader. It explains the process of test selection and demonstrates, with the aid of case studies, how some of the more popular tests can be applied to achieve workplace solutions. In better understanding the unique characteristics of its individuals, organisations are equipped to undertake a range of actions, including building effective teams, implementing change and identifying future leaders. This pocketbook not only benefits employers, but also provides employees with an understanding of what is involved in completing such tests and how the results can focus career counselling and development plans.

Building teams that are united, motivated and productive is the aim of this collection of practical, easy-to-use activities. They are for use by managers at team meetings and briefings, and for trainers running teambuilding workshops. The lively and persuasive activities are the work of Paul Tizzard who has already established his credentials as a creative developer of training materials with the publication of The Icebreakers Pocketbook and The Openers & Closers Pocketbook, both popular titles in the Management Pocketbook Series. The activities in The Teambuilding Activities Pocketbook are grouped according to their suitability for different stages of team development. From new teams to established teams there is a range of applicable activities to choose from. There are those too that address specific team issues. To help readers identify which activities they need to draw on, there is a questionnaire that will identify at what stage their own team has reached. Also dealt with in the book are facilitation, presentation and coaching skills.

The Team working Pocketbook focuses on how to maximise team performance. Looks at the differences between groups and teams and between teambuilding and team working, the types of problems preventing teams from being effective, and offers plenty of practical advice for countering such difficulties. Leadership, conflict management and understanding group behaviour are among the many subjects covered in this 'hands-on' guide. Wrote Business Executive magazine: 'While much has been written about building teams in an attempt to get people to start working together, less has been said about what happens next during the performing or team working stage. Fleming helps redress the imbalance'.

To be competitive businesses are increasingly going further a field for their talent and skills - drawing together teams of people with the best mix of experience and abilities, regardless of their location. This has given rise to the concept of the virtual team, a network of individuals who have a common goal yet rarely if ever meet. Virtual Team working - possibly across different time zones and against different cultural backgrounds, and often project-specific and, thus, temporary - poses specific challenges for the team leader. The Virtual Teams Pocketbook looks at the skills needed to lead a virtual team, at the required style of leadership, at the team selection process, at the cultural issues that may arise and at the process of developing trust and building a productive and cohesive unit. Without the recent strides forward in communications technology virtual team working would not be effective or, even, possible. This pocketbook looks at the options available and gives advice on selecting the most appropriate method and how to use it to its full potential.