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Learning Leaders
In this edition, we are delighted to feature Marie Dayton - the Founder and Acting National President of the Institute of Learning and Development Professionals (ILDP). Marie's passion has been to provide an International Standard of global excellence for L&D professionals. We asked Marie 10 questions to share some insight on her strategies for success. To see Marie's responses - go to Learning Leaders.

Leveraging the Value of Training: An Interview with Author Ed Trolley
Source: www.humanresourcesiq.com
For many years, training and development has been important for organizations. And as the HR function has transformed from administration to more of a human capital management function, training and development has become critical for the survival of internal clients and the overall business.

Ed Trolley, the author of Running Training Like a Business, shares his development of the training outsourcing industry and how he has coined training a valued asset to any organization. [Read more]

Maximizing Learning and Development Strategies during an Economic Recession
Source: www.humanresourcesiq.com
Today's training providers face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. In an economy teetering on recession, companies must respond swiftly and strategically to the scarcity of economic resources, generational shifts in the workforce, new business demands and technological advancements in the training industry. It is more important than ever that the value of training is tangible and involves all operational business partners and stakeholders in its development and delivery.

Katherine Mehr speaks with Linda Landry, Senior Director, Global Learning and Development for Nuance Communications on training within an uncertain economy. [Listen to the podcast]

The Art of Conversation (TAOC)
from HRD Central
This pack of cards, contains 300 fascinating conversation starters that can be used for everything from dinner party conversation, openers or icebreakers for team meetings or groups, and more. Discover more about people you know, or those you don't! Designed to facilitate and teach the art of conversation, TAOC provides a non-threatening, non-judgemental environment in which to learn, or re-learn communication skills. RRP $19.95 [More information]

Making Live Training Lively by Andrea Molberg
This is a must-have reference book for trainers. 'Live' trainers can engage and interact with learners in ways that other training methodologies cannot. The tips and exercises outlined in Making Live Training Lively will enable trainers to make learning more exciting, memorable and fun! AIPF members will receive a 10% discount on their purchase of Making Live Training Lively through www.managementbooks.com.au Please state "AIPF Member" in the Comments box in Additional Notes on the payment screen. Normal RRP is $21.95.

Inspiration...365 Days a Year
3 minute movie from Simple Truths
Needing a little inspiration? Here is a short 3 minute movie with Zig Ziglar sharing his favourite quotes. Zig Ziglar is a legend in the field of motivation and personal development. His belief in that, "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want," has been the foundation of what he has accomplished. [View movie]

Power Presentations provide a one-stop-shop for all your professional presentation needs. They can revamp your presentations for a fresh and more professional look making the right impression on your audience. Click here for more information.

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Financial Smarts for Learning Professionals with Geoff Rip FAIPF (ChangeLever)
Brisbane - Wed 11 Feb 09 Sydney - Tues 24 Mar 09
As L&D professionals we need to be able to 'talk the language of business' and we need to be financially literate. Lack of financial acumen undermines our communication, effectiveness and credibility.

During this session, Geoff Rip will explain a simple yet comprehensive model of financial productivity from one of his most successful programs, whilst showing that learning finance can be fun. You will walk out with a practical understanding of financial performance and the ability to ask meaningful questions about financial priorities and performance.

For our Melbourne and Perth Readers - AIPF will be providing a schedule of events in our next newsletter.

AIPF'S 2009 National Expo - Building Valued Relationships
30 & 31 July 2009 at Sea World, Gold Coast , Qld
Lock in these dates so you do not miss out on this year's most exciting and interactive conference for learning professionals. Day One will have some great speakers sharing practical tips on building valued relationships and Day Two (optional) will provide a series of discounted development seminars to top up your skills and services. More information coming shortly.

AIPF Networking Events are great opportunities to network with other learning practitioners as well as receive practical professional development tips.

Training for Transfer
Too often, highly rated training is wrecked by lack of application in the workplace. Great training without transfer is like saying, "The operation was successful, but the patient died." When this happens, time and money are wasted and management expectations are not met. The sad truth is that 'good' training can easily end up with a bad name and a credibility problem.

This two day workshop covers topics that are fundamental to boosting training transfer and effectiveness. These include: the importance of transfer to competence development, barriers to transfer, the transfer climate in the workplace, learner motivation to transfer, the role managers need to play in influencing transfer, how to increase commitment to training, and transfer strategies for L&D professionals.

The workshop content is based on research into training effectiveness over the last 30+ years and the facilitator has extensive experience, in Australia and overseas, in helping clients achieve significantly better results from their training investments.

Participants will use real situations to apply the concepts and will leave with a practical action plan to make a profound impact on training outcomes. Click here for more information.

A Perfect Connection - AIPF and the Sydney L&D Professionals Forum are joining forces to support learning professionals in NSW. We will be providing regular networking functions for learning professionals and collaborating to deliver relevant, timely topics and practical development opportunities.

Referral Rewards - This year we are increasing our thank you gift for successful membership referrals to a $25 gift voucher from HRD Central. In addition all referrers from 1 February 2009 to 31 March 2009 will be put in the draw to win two Gold Pass Movie tickets.

Learning Resources Webstore - Look out for our new webstore with a great range of learning and development resources (powered by HRD Central) being launched in March 2009.

State Ambassadors - We are delighted to introduce three new State Ambassadors who will assist with local networking events and membership enquiries:

NSW - Fran Corrigan

Vic. - Margaret Stuart

WA - Adrienne Catlin

New Member Benefit - Business Advisory Services FPM Pty Ltd in recognition of their association with AIPF, is pleased to offer Members a 5% discount on business advisory services for your own business and are also offering members a 5% commission on any work for your clients referred to them.

All suggestions for benefits are most welcome - please Contact Us.

For more information - please go to Member Benefits or Member Categories.

Congratulations to our first CLDP recipients:
Penny Delfs, Peter Ferreira, Dennis Hall, Stephen Hartley, Kaye Kurth, Geoff Rip and Irena Yashin-Shaw.

CLDP (Certified Learning & Development Practitioner) is the AIPF's master professional benchmark for learning practitioners. It is provided in recognition for formal and informal education and successful application of learning and development knowledge and skills, and ongoing commitment to professional development. For more information - please go to CLDP Program.

Chris Brazel (FAIPF) appears on Today Show. Most of our Queensland Members will remember Chris from our entertaining Colour in the Learning Environment Networking Event. She recently appeared on the Today Show giving numberology tips for 2009. Very interesting! Click here to see her segment.

Fork in the Road
You come to a fork in the road. One path leads to riches and happiness, the other to poverty and despair. Standing at the fork in the road there are two consultants; one always lies and the other always tells the truth. You don't know which consultant tells the truth, and which lies. If you could ask only one question before you start down the path, what question do you ask the consultants? Click here for the solution.

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