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Cameo answers HR questions
August 5th, 2009HR/PR always work in unison with each other
June 25th, 2009
By Susan K. Maciak, Consultant
What do HR and PR have in common? Everything.
A good public relations program depends on a good human resource development program and vice versa. A company can spend thousands of dollars on ads, brochures and special events . . . but poorly trained employees will turn away customers.
What training topics best boost corporate public relations? Quite a few. Start with:
- Customer service training
- Communications improvement
- Public relations principles
- Sales and marketing strategies
- Creative thinking
- Decision Making
Everyone from company president to custodian needs to know how to treat customers, communicate with them, create good will through P.R. and sell the company’s products and services. Every staff person also should be able to think creatively and make on-the-spot decisions. If not, you risk alienating customers.
Especially toxic to business are employees who:
- Pass the buck on customer complaints
- Can’t make a quick decision on returns or refunds
- Calls a supervisor every time he/she gets a question
- Can’t solve simple problems such as suggesting alternatives for
- out-of-stock items
- Can’t communicate directions or meet other customer requests
- Doesn’t know how to ‘make a lemonade out of a lemon’
For more on the link between human resource development and public relations programs, see www.cameocareer.com or request information on HR-PR services at ask@cameocareer.com
Quiz: What do you know about adult training?
April 24th, 2009
By Susan K. Maciak, Consultant
True or False:
1. Adults have shorter attention spans than youth do.
True Adults typically have a more difficult time staying focused on learning than youth do. Most have much more on their minds than children do.
2. Adults prefer to learn theories and concepts, allowing them to see the big picture.
False. 80% of adults say they prefer straightforward, how-to instruction over theory.
3. Adults need more time to perform learning activities than youth.
True. As learners age, they grow more thoughtful in approaching projects and use a variety of resources to finish assignments.
4. Adults are more sensitive to learning failure than youth.
True. Adults take errors more personally. They worry about their reputations.
5. It’s usually a good idea to relate material / methods to an adult’s past experience in high school or college.
False. Avoid fashioning your training techniques on adults’ formal education. Many will judge your instruction as too childish. Some may have bad memories and negative attitudes toward traditional schooling and will tune you out.