t2 business solutions blog

Interview Skills Training Needed for Line Managers

An article on Training Zone explains how a new report has revealed that only 30% of line managers receive any kind of interview training, but the majority want to contribute to the recruitment process.

The report, collated by SHL, found that despite line managers showing a desire to become involved in selection interviews to ensure candidates are the right fit, they lack the necessary skills and training.

It shows that 35% of line managers never see the results of any psychometric testing carried out during the selection process and of those who do see the results only half have received the necessary training to allow them to fully understand them.

"It is crucial that line managers meet and assess prospective members of their team, in order to ensure that they have the correct competencies and personal fit for the role. However, our research has shown that this isn’t happening enough and when it does, managers have rarely had any training or guidance on interviewing effectively," said Claire Little of SHL.

"Being well prepared for an interview raises the interviewer’s confidence and is more likely to result in a successful recruitment process," she added.

t2 business solutions offers tailored training in Essential Interview Skills and Recruitment and Selection, which allows delegates to Prepare for and conduct a range of interviews in the workplace including selection, exit and appraisal. The courses include a range of techniques and information on how to use information effectively. For more information, visit t2's website.

Managers Failing Expectations

An interesting article on the ILM website explains how Managers across Europe are failing to meet their employee's expectations.

The Krauthammer Observatory 2008 report reveals that  workers have clearly defined expectations of what their managers should be doing, but there are gaps between this and what actually happens.

It found that 91% of staff think their managers should help them analyse work difficulties, however, only 47% of them said that this actually happens. Three-quarters of employees also wanted their managers to "create the right context" before implementing change in the workplace, but just one-third found this was the case.

A survey by Learndirect Business also found that many employees feel they have skills which could be going to waste as managers have not asked about them.

If your management team may be falling behind and not meeting the expectations of their employees, why not look into some training for them? Management training is fundamental in the development in staff, and t2 business solutions can tackle any specific issues to tailor training to your organisation.

There are also a number of management open courses available to the public. For more information, visit t2's open course calendar.

Virtual Pint? - Carling's virtual pint game tickles iPhone crowd

Carling's iPint application for the iPhone has rocketed straight to number one in the iTunes free games app chart since it launched late last week.

The application gives users the chance to complete a barslide game to win a virtual pint of carling. The iPhone then transforms into a virtual glass and when users tap the screen a virtual pint of Carling is poured.

Users are then free to drink their virtual pint by tilting the phone.

The game and virtual pint are made possible by the accelerometer within the iPhone, which detects when you move and rotate the device.

Carling is among the first UK brands to develop and distribute a third party application following Apple's release of its Software Development Kit.

As well as topping the free games category, iPint has also reached number two in the iTunes general applications chart, beating off competition from other apps such as Facebook.

The iPint was created for Carling by Beattie McGuinness Bungay and produced in partnership with Swedish based developers Illusion Labs.

Nic Young, director of marketing communications at Carling, said: "Innovation is at the heart of the Carling brand -- through product developments like an indicator on our can that turns blue when it is perfectly chilled -- but also through emerging new technologies.

"The team have shown all their friends and work mates the iPint and everyone thought it was great."

Millions Sue Employers Over Health and Safety

An article on ILM explains how approx. 6 million people have sued their employers due to illness or injury obtained from the workplace.

The study, conducted by YouGov on behalf of insurance firm RSA, reveals that 11.8 million have suffered health issues because of work and that more than half of these have sued their firm over the issue. A further third had gone to their trade union over the matter and one in ten made a complaint to their line manager.

The most common injuries were back-related problems which accounted for more than half of the cases.

If you are concerned about the health and safety in your business why not look to have a health and safety tailored training course created specifically for your organisation and delivered at a venue of your choice by t2 business solutions' experienced trainers.

Garden Chair Flying - The Latest Craze

An article on the Metro tells how Kent Couch rigged 150 giant balloons to a garden chair and took off, drifting 380km (235 miles) on his flying machine.

After nine hours in the air, the g­arage owner used a BB gun to pop enough balloons to land safely in a tiny town across the state border. He rallied dozens of helpers, filled 1.5m wide balloons and tied them to his chair. The ambitious pilot, from Oregon, got sponsors to pay for his £3,000 rig. For ballast, Mr Couch used canisters filled with fizzy drink and took chocolate and boiled eggs to eat.

This is not, however, the first time that man has flown with balloons! Larry Walters flew with balloon power in 1982 – and got fined £750 for breaking air traffic rules.

Importance of Workbased Learning Overlooked

According to an interesting article on Training Zone, chief executive of the Edge Foundation, Andy Powell, thinks the importance of work-based learning is being overlooked.

In a recent survey held by workplace learning consultancy HE@Work, findings show that 72% of employees believe they haven’t yet reached their full potential at work and 80% would actively welcome opportunities to develop professionally at work.

Andy Powell said: “The importance of workplace learning has been overlooked for too long. Businesses contain a wealth of knowledge and expertise and there is no reason why the workplace cannot become the preferred location.

“Establishing organisations as validated locations of higher-level learning would reinforce the brand names of the businesses concerned and help to make them employers of choice – a critical differentiation in the war for talent.”

t2 business solutions offers a variety of work-based learning solutions. For more information, visit the t2 website.