‘Taking Charge of Change’ June 23, 2008

This newly revised leadership training video, “Taking Charge of Change” will prepare managers and employees to face any type of organizational change with a positive attitude. We all know that change can be scary, but as long as we keep the lines of communication open – it can be taken in stride.

Learn how to recognize the three main stages of change acceptance, and see scenarios played out in a variety of industries (manufacturing, white-collar business, healthcare, government and education). This package even comes with a PowerPoint presentation to make facilitating the session even easier.

For more information on this and other change management videos click here.

Duh! ‘We’re On the Same Team, Remember?’ May 30, 2008

This training video for teams is one of my favorites. “We’re On the Same Team, Remember” is perfect for those companies in the telecommunication industry, but its themes are universally applicable. It is a story-based training video that illustrates how customers can be lost if a high standard of service is not upheld by EVERYONE in the company.

In this story, a telecommunications company is trying to acquire a big, new client. The sales person does relatively well when presenting their product, but when this potential client calls the 800 number and gets accidentally misdirected to the shipping department, they are treated rudely and basically left to suffer. They eventually lose the client because of several customer service mishaps that could have easily been avoided. For more information visit our website >> www.media-partners.com

The World’s Population shrinks to a “Village of 100″ May 5, 2008

Okay, so it hasn’t ACTUALLY happened….but what if it did? How many of us would be rich, poor, homosexual, hungry, disabled, or left without electricity??? Once you think of the world in this way, you start to realize that everyone around you has value no matter who they are, and everyone deserves the same respect that you would demand for yourself.

The “Village of 100″ meeting opener is a great way to kick off a diversity training or a simple workplace respect workshop.  Even though it is only 3 minutes in length, I have had clients that have turned this short training video into a full day event.  For more information visit our website at www.media-partners.com, or for other respectful workplace training videos click here.

“Is ‘Good’ Enough”?? May 5, 2008

Obviously, if everyone & everything in the world operated at a 100% success rate, we all would have fewer problems. Gas prices would be lower, food costs would stop rising, and war would cease to exist. HOWEVER – we all know that is not the case because no one is perfect. Well, what would happen if organizations/companies operated at a 99.9% success rate instead of 100%? How would that change our experience as customers?

In “Is Good Enough”, MPC’s latest meeting opener, we attempt to answer that question and the outcome is surprisingly scary. How many babies would go home from the hospital with the wrong parents? How many tires would burst due to less than perfect manufacturing? The answers to these questions makes the viewer think….how important is perfection in my job?? What is the effect on the end-user when I don’t do my absolute best to take care of their needs?

To order this film go to our website – www.media-partners.com, or to see what other meeting openers are available click here.

“LeaderFiSH” – a step above the rest….. April 21, 2008

For those of you who are familiar with training videos, you have probably watched or trained with the “FiSH” training video at some point since it is one of the best-selling of all time. In 2007, the producers of the “FiSH” series of films came out with a leadership training video called “LeaderFiSH” which, in my humble opinion, is their best production to date.

I have a hard time with the idea that all people need to do is “have fun” at work to make themselves feel fulfilled (which is what the original “FiSH” training video touts), and for some organizations – it is hard to translate that concept into a traditional workplace. However, “LeaderFiSH” speaks to managers/leaders and helps them to see that if there is a problem with their employees – they may need to take a long look at THEMSELVES to correct issues instead of trying to change those around them. This is a powerful concept that is just as applicable to one’s personal life as it is with their co-workers.

With 6 quick scenarios it can be used in a classroom setting or for individual viewing with independent study.  For more information visit our website at www.media-partners.com.

Thoughts on “Everyday Creativity” April 10, 2008

Working as a Training Consultant, one of our responsibilities is to watch all of the films we carry right when we get hired so we can make appropriate recommendations to our clients (and we carry hundreds of titles). As a new employee, this can be somewhat daunting. I remember breathing a sigh of relief when it came time to watch DeWitt Jones‘ training videos. As a former National Geographic photographer, he has a keen eye for beauty and captures it so well in his pictures that I knew I was in for a welcome change.

“Everyday Creativity” is an inspiring, motivational training video that captures the audience’s attention with its remarkable photos and poignant message. In today’s workplace, it is easy to go through the motions day in and day out….not realizing how thrilling it can be to break your normal patterns and to look at problems with a fresh perspective.

For more information you can click the links above or visit us at www.media-partners.com.

‘Ethics for Everyone’….is it REALLY for EVERYONE???? April 2, 2008

In the training video industry, there are very few solid options if you are in the market for an ethics training video for all levels of employees (to train everyone from the front-of-the-line folks to upper management).  In my opinion, “Ethics For Everyone” is a good choice when shown to folks in entry level positions because it discusses issues such as workplace respect, not taking office supplies from the office, and touches on insider trading.  In most organizations, these themes are a bit remedial for middle- to upper-management.

However, there is a film that I would recommend as appropriate for all employees to watch no matter what their title…. “Moment of Truth” is the best ethics training video I have seen because it provides four clear questions that you can ask yourself when you are faced with an ethical dilemma.  Of course every work environment is different and the scenarios in the film may not necessarily occur where you work, but we all know that tough ethical choices are made easier when we take a moment to see the consequences of our decisions.

‘Abilene Paradox’….an oldie, but a goodie…. March 24, 2008

Have you ever been in a business meeting, or even with family or friends, and someone brings up an idea that sounds absolutely ridiculous to you…..but you keep your opinions to yourself because you believe that you are the only one who feels that way?? I know I have!

Believe it or not, there is a communication skills training video that addresses this very issue in the workplace called “Abilene Paradox” . This video was originally produced in 1984, but was updated in 2002 – luckily you get both versions when you purchase the DVD. As a Training Consultant, I will typically recommend this film to clients who say they are having team communication issues or if their team members have trouble feeling empowered to speak their minds in meetings. As an employee, this film has shown me that although group dynamics can be somewhat intimidating, teammate relationships and productivity will suffer if opinions aren’t voiced.

A Training Consultant’s opinion on ‘More Than a Gut Feeling’ March 24, 2008

Since I have been working for Media Partners (Apr. 2006) as the Diversified Services Training Consultant, “More Than A Gut Feeling” has consistently been one of my best sellers. Even though it is now considered to be an older production, the main points of this hiring training video are still valid. It is also nice that you can select a specific version to better fit your industry.

Having been on both sides of the interviewing process, I have seen first hand how costly it is for both parties involved when poor hiring decisions are made. It is always great to hear from a client who has successfully utilized this training video!

Hello world! March 21, 2008

Welcome to Karen’s Blog!  Hopefully you will find my opinions on training films helpful in some way.

Feel free to ping me if you have questions.