The
Training Director's Forum was held in Phoenix,
Arizona May 22 - 25 this year. As a first time attendee, I was very pleased with
the size of the conference (small) and the ability to connect with people easily. I
attended a total of 23 sessions and activities
at the conference. My primary focus was on topics related to strategic planning.
The Strategic Planning for Training & Performance Improvement Departments
certificate course provided a wonder framework and clear methods for creating
a strategic plan - the examples were a bit too focused on e-learning but the translation
was easy. The
best keynotes were the CEO & and the Monk
(book by same name) and Understanding Human Potential
and Motivation (book called "How Full Is Your Bucket"). The
books they published are virtually the same as the talk but it was great to hear
them in person. Three
break-out sessions were particularly memorable: The
session on Identifying & Developing High Potential
Leaders & Key Experts was an excellent small group that allowed
the presenter to discuss what they had done at Caremark and the other participants
to discuss what they have done that has worked and hasn't worked in their organizations.
I was particularly interested in the Key Expert program which defines the "critical
and top performing subject matter experts". Talking
to the Top
was an excellent session on making presentations to executive levels. Strategies
and tips were clear and made sense. A
session called Creativity & Strategic Thinking: Essential
Competitive Competencies was also very good. This topic and delivery
is very dependant on the instructor, Ann Herrmann. She was very practical on how
you can be strategic and did it in such a creative way that I was amazed. (Ann
Herrman is interested in coming to Vancouver to do an ISPI special event!). I
would recommend the Training Director's Forum to anyone who manages a training
or performance function. The next one is in June 2006 in San Jose. Resources Handouts
from two Margy's favourite sessions are available online: CEO
& The Monk:
http://www.eshow2000.com/tdf/handouts/handout_198472.doc Creativity
& Strategic Thinking: Essential Competitive Competencies:
http://www.eshow2000.com/tdf/handouts/handout_198574.pdf
More
Training Director's Forum Conference Handouts:
http://www.eshow2000.com/tdf/handouts.cfm VNU
Learning - sponsors of Training Director's Forum:
http://www.vnulearning.com/learninggroup/index.jsp | 
