Mar/110
Brain Awareness Week is March 14-20
Brain Awareness Week is March 14-20
Next week is Brain Awareness Week (BAW), a global campaign sponsored by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research.
The Dana Alliance’s website provides a number of brain-related activities and puzzles that promise to give your brain a workout, as well as reports, educational information and other resources from participating organizations and experts around the world.
Brain Awareness Week happens only once a year, but if you’re looking for ways to exercise your Whole Brain® Thinking skills throughout the year, be sure to check out our job aids and tools.
As Adrian Hall recently commented on Twitter:
“I need my @herrmannintl Red Bear today. For those who have done the HBDI®, they will understand!”
Jan/110
Four Secrets of the Learning Brain – ASTD Video Available
At the 2010 ASTD Conference & Exposition, Ann Herrmann-Nehdi’s session, “Four Secrets of the Learning Brain,” received a 98% participant satisfaction rate. You can now preview and purchase the mp3 or audio file of this popular session by visiting the ASTD Live Learning Center.
Discover how to align training design, e-learning, activities, tasks and responsibilities with multiple thinking models – thereby improving the impact of your learning design.
In this information-packed, engaging presentation, Ann draws on decades of research on the brain and learning to show you how to build a performance-based program that gets the results you need, meeting the requirements for your organization to remain competitive.
You’ll take away a practical set of tools you can apply immediately to leverage your talent’s brainpower, and you’ll learn how to design and implement training using a proven Whole Brain® approach.
Head over to the ASTD Live Learning Center for full details:
Four Secrets of the Learning Brain
ASTD 2010 International Conference & Exposition
Speaker: Ann Herrmann-Nehdi
Program Code: 214158
Jan/110
A whole brain approach to sharing data-this video is amazing!
What else have you seen that is this effective?
May/100
Innovative Learning Takes on Today’s Workplace Challenges
As new challenges place greater demands on businesses to be nimbler, smarter and more innovative, companies are looking for the most efficient and effective ways to rapidly build the capabilities of their high-potential employees.
With the recent announcement of the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Awards, Herrmann International’s program, The Thinking Accelerator™ featuring HBDIinteractive™, is demonstrating that a Whole Brain® approach – both in content and delivery methods – is vital for addressing today’s workplace performance challenges.
This blended learning solution received the USDLA’s 2010 Gold Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming. It was also recognized last fall with a Silver Learning in Practice Award for Excellence in Content from Chief Learning Officer Magazine.
Originally developed with IBM as part of its global new leader development program, The Thinking Accelerator™ featuring HBDIinteractive™ gives companies the ability to meet learners “where they are” with insights into their own thinking preferences and skills to apply Whole Brain® Thinking to improve their on-the-job effectiveness. It is now being implemented by organizations of all sizes and industries in a variety of applications.
Some are deploying it to meet individual learner needs while others are finding it useful in ramping up large-scale initiatives spanning continents. We’ve heard about its role in initiatives to improve teamwork, communication and innovation in addition to leadership development – all the critical skills organizations are dealing with in the 21st century work environment.
And beyond traditional elearning, many HBDI® Certified Practitioners are using it in conjunction with classroom workshops. As Deb DeNure, founder of DB Associates, told us:
“Ultimately it helps learners to be self-directed and learn to communicate in an appropriate fashion for the situation.”
The essence of Whole Brain® Thinking and learning.
Tell us: How are you using the Thinking Accelerator™ to get better results?
Haven’t seen it yet? Be sure to contact us to learn more about this award-winning learning solution.
Feb/100
Whole Brain® Thinking Killer Apps
In last week’s THINC™ Webinar, Ann Herrmann-Nehdi discussed five Whole Brain® Thinking “Killer Apps” for 2010:
- Accelerating Leadership Development
- Making Connections That Pay Dividends
- Mindful Engagement
- Innovating Ahead
- Thinking Strategically to Think Around Corners
Is your organization prepared to effectively deal with these issues? They’ll not only impact success in 2010, they will also shape how well the organization is positioned moving into the years ahead.
During the webinar, Ann shared some examples of what forward-thinking companies are doing to hone in on these mission-critical issues, and how Whole Brain® Thinking is driving that process.
If you missed the webinar, you can view the recording, 5 Essential Applications of Whole Brain® Thinking for Success in 2010, to see the specific examples and find out what other participants had to say about issues such as customer service, innovation and leadership development.
Jan/1014
The Trends We’re Watching in 2010: How Will They Impact You?
From leadership strength to innovation, virtual teams to social learning, faster on-boarding to better measurement, business leaders and learning professionals have a full plate in 2010.
We’ve distilled down the trends and focus areas organizations are talking about into our list of Top 10 for 2010, including the Whole Brain® implications for each of these trend areas.
So tell us: What stands out to you when you read through this list? What will be the top 3 hot button topics that you, your organization or your clients will be dealing with this year?
Share your top 3 and any other thoughts you have about trends for the year in the comments section of this post. A few lucky commenters will be winners of our next prize give-away on the Whole Brain® Blog!
Note: This is an expansion of an article that appears in our January BrainBytes™ e-newsletter. Be sure to sign up if you’re not already receiving our monthly newsletter.
- Strengthening Overall Leadership Skills. With the planned economic rebound, never has there been such a demand for leadership. After a year in which much development was “on hold,” many organizations are reviewing their existing curricula, updating their approaches with new blended offerings and emphasizing competencies that stress a broader range of skills and a need for situational thinking.Whole Brain® Implication: Understanding leadership through a Whole Brain® lens allows for a fresh approach to leader development. I am currently working on a model of the leadership attributes required for 21st Century leaders. (Please email me if you are interested in receiving a copy.)
- A Broader Definition of Diversity (and related talent management implications). Diversity and diversity initiatives continue to play a significant role in the workplace, and the definition is expanding to include such areas as thinking and generational differences. There is also a growing focus on the business benefits of inclusion, beyond an articulation of the process and need. Whole Brain® Implication: When the HBDI® is used as a platform or introduction to diversity, it provides a broader lens for viewing diversity and immediately gives the initiative a practical, relatable and actionable context. A recent article on Harrah’s approach to “diverse by design” teaming is a great example of how cognitive diversity can be leveraged for increased innovation.
- Adapting to Virtual Leadership and Team Roles. Reduced travel and a growing “virtual workforce” have decreased face-to-face time and both highlighted and heightened the need for more effective approaches to virtual leadership, teaming and communications.Whole Brain® Implication: Terrific research on Virtual Distance has emerged, and it recommends the use of an approach (like Herrmann International’s!) to reduce the perceived distance between virtual colleagues and increase their effectiveness. It’s a topic we’re considering for a future webinar if there is enough interest. If you have a particular interest or need, be sure to consult with your Herrmann Client Relationship Manager for information and assistance.
- Faster On-Boarding and Ramp-up to New Functions, Teams and Responsibilities. In light of the desired mobility and shorter job stints of younger generations, the need for rapid assimilation has increased even further. Whole Brain® Implication: Several organizations in the United States and around the globe are using the HBDI® as an accelerator for assimilation and “culture positioning.”
- Developing and Retaining High-Potential Employees. Emerging leaders, or “Hi-Po’s” as they are often called, are a precious resource and will be at risk for poaching from the competition as soon as the economy rebounds (and don’t kid yourself: The best are already weighing their options!). Whole Brain® Implication: As early as in the 1980s, Ned Herrmann used the HBDI® at Crotonville as a development platform for Hi-Po’s. Since then a multitude of companies have found the model to be a good fit because it helps to build off of and honor preference in addition to providing the opportunity for stretching thinking as needed – thus, no cop-outs!
- Building Teams That Fuel Innovation. Many believe that innovation will be the key for succeeding in the wake of this economic crisis. The opportunity is there, but innovating out of the recession requires work at both the organizational culture level and the team level – work that many organizations have yet to take on or simply aren’t doing well. Whole Brain® Implication: In her recent book, The Firefly Effect, Kimberly Douglas, President of FireFly Facilitation, a Herrmann HBDI® Certified Practitioner and a nationally recognized team effectiveness expert, shares a multitude of ways she has used Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® to help her clients transform group talents and energies into innovative business ideas.
- Social Media Implications on Customer Experience, Service and Brand. A recent article in Scientific American Mind on social networks and mental health addresses many of the questions we are asking about what it all means for us as humans. Clearly, there are huge organizational implications as we look for effective, informal touch points with those we serve. Whole Brain® Implication: I addressed the phenomenon of hyperthinking and its impact on the brain in an article last year. With so many communication options accessible to us all, it’s never been more important to look for ways to communicate using a Whole Brain® approach: Who is your target? How do they like to be communicated to?
- Expanding Effective Use of Informal Learning, Social Learning and Self-Paced E-Learning. We have learned much in recent years about the power and effectiveness of informal learning from many thought leaders, including my friend Jay Cross. Jane Hart from the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies is great resource on social learning (follow her on Twitter or check out her blog, Social Media in Learning). The economic crisis has led to a renewed interest in self-paced e-learning and simulations as a viable part of a blended solution. Whole Brain® Implication: The brain is an essential part of all learning processes. As you reflect on your design options, think about ways to use a Whole Brain® Approach to enhance the outcomes. For more on Whole Brain® learning and design, download the recent white paper, The Best of Both Worlds – Making Blended Learning Really Work by Engaging the Whole Brain®, or see my article, The Learner – What We Need to Know, in the ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals.
- Better Measurement of Learning Impact/Demonstrating Connection to Bottom-Line Results. Demonstrating ROI is still one of the biggest challenges of many in our profession, and with resources tight, the connection to the bottom line is ever more critical. Learning leaders are redoubling their efforts to better measure and more effectively articulate training’s impact on organizational success. Whole Brain® Implication: For several years I have referred to ROI as Return on (a) Investment, (b) Implementation, (c) Interaction and (d) Ideas. All four are vital. What results are you trying to drive?
- Increasing Training in 2010 (but not necessarily increasing resources). The need is there! Many are saying there is a pent-up demand for training and development and feel they have some catching up to do. Others kept things going in ‘09 but see a growing demand for development in a growing (albeit slowly) economy. Whole Brain® Implication: Clients are telling us that the Whole Brain® approach gives them the advantage of a platform for learning that is fast to teach, can address a wide range of applications and has great stickability.
- Bersin Research
- Forbes
- CLO Magazine Industry Outlook
- Elliot Masie Learning Trends
- Strategy + Business
- Business Management Daily Sales Trends for 2010
- Herrmann International’s informal survey
Sources
Dec/090
Herrmann International Featured in Chief Learning Officer Magazine
Herrmann International’s work with IBM in developing the new blended learning solution, the Thinking Accelerator™ featuring HBDIinteractive™, is featured in the December 2009 issue of Chief Learning Officer Magazine as part of the magazine’s coverage of its 2009 Excellence in Practice Awards. Herrmann International received the Silver Award for Excellence in Content in the Provider Awards category.
According to the magazine, the Excellence in Practice Provider Awards were created to “recognize distinguished service providers for their close work with clients to design and implement innovative and effective learning solutions.”
Over the past three decades, Herrmann International has had the great pleasure of partnering with clients like IBM who are dedicated to growing the field of learning and discovering new and innovative ways to build the next generation of great leaders.
Originally developed as part of IBM’s global new leader development program, the Thinking Accelerator™ is an example of that kind of innovative partnership. The solution includes a five-module online simulation that incorporates a participant’s HBDI® profile data, allowing the learner to explore thinking preferences and apply Whole Brain® Thinking techniques to improve communication, leadership, problem solving, creativity and other critical business skills.
IBM has incorporated face-to-face classroom labs, webinars and other action learning activities as part of this blended learning solution to achieve key learning objectives while efficiently and effectively reaching its emerging leaders around the globe. Read more about the partnership with IBM: “An Innovative Whole Brain® Solution Develops the Next Generation of Great IBM Leaders”
Nov/090
Support for Your Supplier Diversity Initiatives: Herrmann International is Nationally Certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise
We’re pleased to announce that Herrmann International has received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Greater Women’s Business Council, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
The organizations we work with have a strong commitment to fostering diversity at all levels – including within their supplier ranks and throughout the supply chain. This certification gives them the assurance that Herrmann has met the strict requirements of WBENC’s certification standards.
As part of the meticulous process the WBENC institutes, we provided a detailed notarized affidavit, client interviews and site visits. The process was designed to confirm that our business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers and partners, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.
To learn more about Herrmann International’s status as a Women’s Business Enterprise and how it can support an organization’s diversity initiatives, contact 800-432-4234 (press 6) or email service@hbdi.com.
Nov/091
5 Ways to Use Your Head to Get Ahead and Accelerate Your Career
Thinking is at the core of everything we do, yet is often taken for granted. If we think of our brain as the hardware, our thinking is the software that allows you to use all of the information and skills you have available to you in your brain. Try these 5 steps to use your head and shift your thinking to accelerate your career in these tough economic times:
1. Be SMART and SAFE: There is an old adage, “If you do not know where you are going, any road will get you there.” You can only move forward if you know what direction you want to go.
Use your analytical left brain to set career goals that are SMART: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely
Jerry Lopper suggests a great approach that may appeal more to your intuitive right brain – SAFE: See the end result, Accept the end result, Feel the end result, Express the end result.
It is critical that you clarify your objectives, ideally communicate them to your manager and then stick to them. This is the best way to get where you want to go as quickly as possible.
2. Star in your Own Movie: Follow Tiger Woods’ example of “seeing” a successful shot before it happens.
Use your visual brain to think about the career future you want, and play the movie of your desired outcome happening in your head, in real time (not in slow motion or fast forward). Here is a video to get you started.
Play the movie until it ends, and play it again when you need a boost. Pay attention to what you are doing that is working and use that to help you stay on track toward your desired future outcome. It is always a good idea to show your employer the growth you are capable of. Use this technique to help you successfully take on new challenges in your current position. Find the visualization techniques that work best for you, and you can develop your own script for success.
3. Network Juice: Tap into your interpersonal brain and work your network and connections well before you need them.
Who can you learn from? Who would be good to know in order to achieve your goals? Who has influence? Make a list of those you can connect with locally. Use LinkedIn or other social networking sites to stay connected with people at a distance and to find personal routes to the contacts you would like to reach. Be authentic, be prepared and be willing to reciprocate! HBDI® practitioner Karlin Sloan shares some great tips for Pursuing the Power of Professional Connections.
4. Become an Addict and Get a Habit: You can think about doing all of the above all day long, but you will not make progress unless you work on it daily.
Repetitive action helps you lock in habits, so use your organized brain and try this for 30 days. Set aside time every day to do this work, and set yourself up for success: schedule it for a productive time of the day, not when you are rushing out of the door in the morning.
Try using time on your lunch break, and devote at least 15 minutes to clarifying your goals, building relationships and visualizing success. Follow these tips for developing new habits, and the activities will become second nature.
5. Cross-Train Your Brain to Jazz up Your Thinking: All employers want flexible thinkers on their teams.
Use your Whole Brain® to stretch your thinking by learning tools and techniques outside of your comfort zone and natural preferences. You can learn more about your thinking preferences in this video.
This fall I was invited to teach with Doug Hall at the University of Maine as part of their exciting Innovation Engineering minor program, designed to give skills to boost and ignite new thinking in any major of study and thus any career. The program teaches you to cross-train your brain, using skills and techniques from your analytical, visual, organized and relational brain to improve the outcome of any challenge you are facing.
What training can you engage in to become more Whole Brained? Just practicing the techniques mentioned above is a good place to start. Use your head and you will get ahead!
Oct/090
Serving Up Blended Learning with a Whole Brain® Twist
Is “blended learning” on the menu for your organization’s learning and development initiatives? It can certainly offer some powerful advantages, but only if it’s done right.
Blended learning has built up momentum in the last few years as many organizations are looking for ways to turn the challenges of a fast-changing work environment and continually evolving technological capabilities into an opportunity to think differently about how we develop and deliver training.
But if you get too caught up in the latest tools and trends, you’ll risk losing focus on what really matters: the learning. And watered-down learning can be pretty unsatisfying.
On the other hand, when it’s done right, blended learning offers a very brain-friendly way to reach diverse audiences and achieve desired learning and business objectives. It can also provide the impetus for more innovative thinking around approaching instructional design and delivery from the learner’s viewpoint.
In the white paper, The Best of Both Worlds: Making Blended Learning Really Work by Engaging the Whole Brain®, Herrmann International provides a recipe for applying the Whole Brain® model to develop an effective blend.
What are some of the things you’re doing to diversify your menu and get more innovative with training design and delivery?
