Agents for Performance Improvement
and Organizational Learning

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The Gardner Shaw Group offers customized courses to meet your needs. We see professional development as an investment rather than a cost and work with you to ensure that the needs of your organization are met. The offerings listed below are examples of what we have developed and delivered with clients in a variety of industries. Every course is customized – each course is developed to meet your specific needs. All are interactive and utilize various assessments, case studies, simulations, and discussions.

Some of the programs we have developed and delivered include (in alphabetical order): 

Behavioral Interviewing -- Intended for all individuals who are responsible for interviewing candidates for hire as well as for those who make hiring decisions, this course is designed to provide an overview of the selection process including specific information about “competency modeling” and interviewing techniques.  In order to obtain accurate and relevant information from candidates, the emphasis will be on “behavioral” interviewing that allows interviewers to get past the facade of polished and rehearsed answers that well-coached applicants give.  Participants will develop in class a series of behavioral questions that they will be able to use upon completion of the course.

Coaching for Development -- Designed for individuals who have supervisory responsibility and must provide feedback and direction to employees in order to develop their capabilities and/or improve their performance and will provide individuals with an introduction to fundamental coaching and development skills.  Participants will learn that of the many variables that affect an individual’s ability to do well on the job “competence” and “commitment” require a combination of directive and supportive behaviors that provide the basis for coaching.  The course will be interactive, using situation scenarios, in-class group and individual exercises, and sharing of personal experiences.

Communication Skills – Writing -- Intended for individuals seeking to improve their business writing skills in hard copy (paper) and soft copy (electronic) media, this hands-on course will assist the individual in understanding that writing is a process that begins with knowing what is to be said and to whom it is said. Properly planning the message helps to ensure that the correct message is conveyed. Writing techniques will be discussed, including outlining the message. Finally, participants will learn the value of reviewing and editing the message before sending it.

Intermediate Supervisory Skills -- Designed for experienced supervisors to help them learn to manage the challenging situations that they often find themselves in, this workshop will provide supervisors with tools for handling complicated workplace situations.  Special attention will be paid to surfacing specific participant issues for consideration by the group as a whole as well as by the instructor.  Participants will learn to identify the root causes of problems they face, to work systematically toward solutions and how to mobilize employees to carry out implementation plans. The course will be interactive, using a behavioral style assessment, case studies, in-class group and individual exercises, role plays, and sharing of personal experiences. 

Managing Change -- Intended for managers, project leaders, and individuals (or for intact teams) who are or will be involved in change initiatives, this course focuses on initiating, implementing and managing change.  The course is designed to give participants a basic understanding of how to address and manage change in their work environment.  Change management strategies and skills will be introduced for achieving desired results in a changing environment.  A process model of change will be presented as a framework to help participants better understand the dynamics of change.  The course emphasizes interactive exercises to demonstrate the main learning points. 

Negotiation Skills -- Designed for individuals who are involved in negotiations with others as part of their job responsibilities, this interactive workshop introduces the individual to negotiating within the relationship context. Participants will understand the context of partnering and the importance of “win/win” negotiating. They will also gain an understanding of their personal negotiation style and how they relate to five major negotiation styles. Finally, through discussion and simulations, they will gain an understanding of some of the tools and techniques that can help them improve their negotiation style.

Organization Skills (Advanced) -- Intended for managers and supervisors seeking to improve their abilities to work with and lead others while accomplishing their own goals, this highly interactive workshop focuses on helping manage and lead others in their departments or teams. The first part of the workshop helps the individual learn to make the meetings they lead more effective. Strategies for planning the meeting, setting the agenda, and ensuring that all topics are covered effectively and efficiently are discussed. The remaining part of the workshop helps the individual get over the “If it is going to be done right, I have to do it” barrier. Strategies for managing time, prioritizing work, and delegating tasks to others will be discussed.

Organization Skills (Basic) -- Intended for individuals seeking to improve their abilities to work more efficiently and effectively, as well as their abilities to organize, lead, and facilitate group or team meetings, this highly interactive workshop focuses on helping individuals organize themselves and their units or teams. The first part of the workshop helps the individual identify strengths and weaknesses in their own organizational abilities. Strategies for further developing strengths and improving weaknesses are developed along with implementation goals. The remaining part of the workshop assists the individuals in improving their abilities to plan and lead meetings. Sample agendas will be shared and discussed.