Follow us on Twitter and become our fan on Facebook to receive the most up-to-date promotions, announcements, and information from Executive Education.
We are excited to use these new tools to share with you new ideas in leadership, the latest research from our faculty, updates from staff, news from the Sam M. Walton College of Business and much more. We hope this becomes an even better and more convenient way for you to keep in touch with us at the University of Arkansas.
We'd love to hear from you, as well. Don't hesitate to leave comments or feedback on this blog, on our fan page, or on Twitter.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
ABCBS's Customized Program Works for Them
This week, supervisors from across the Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield enterprise attended the first session of their company's fourth set of customized Supervisory Leadership Series workshops, facilitated by trainer and Associate Director of Executive Education, Greg Fike.
ABCBS has scheduled six series of this workshop for 2009 and is committed to having all their supervisors attend over the next three years. Since the program's inception, it has proven to be a valuable tool for employee development and preparation for the leadership roles that are the next natural step in ABCBS's career ladder.
The workshop's content is designed to prepare and support existing supervisors in their roles as team leaders, decision makers, managers, and process experts. Through exercises and interactive content application, these supervisors have experiences that will enhance their strengths as leaders. This workshop hones their skills to facilitate leading productive teams, developing employees, and acting as performance coaches.
The participants look forward to learning and want to take back as much as they can to support their own development. The success of the program has warranted a waiting list of future ABCBS attendees. This creates a supportive environment that allows for learning new behaviors and testing different leadership strategies. Open dialogue is fostered in such an environment, and feedback is expected. The climate is upbeat; participants are open to new methods and enjoy discovering their own effective leadership styles.
One focus of this week's session was utilizing the research from Influencing Strategies. With interactive exercises, the participants learned how to apply the different strategies and worked on expanding their influencing-strategies repertoire. The goal is to expand the use of these different strategies, which gives the supervisors many options. The chosen strategy can thus be catered to the context of any workplace situation. For instance, one participant discovered Logistical Persuasion is a useful tool for successful communication with his boss.
It is important for supervisors to send the message to all employees that they are capable, effective, and significant within their own activities. What leaders do now sets up what can be done later. Leaders should assist all employees in becoming more capable and effective in their work, therefore encouraging them to play a more significant role in day-to-day operations. Each participant in this program will learn how to make this happen in the workplace.
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield's Supervisory Leadership Series workshops are a customized version of Executive Education's Supervisory Leadership Series. For more information about program customization, visit our website.
ABCBS has scheduled six series of this workshop for 2009 and is committed to having all their supervisors attend over the next three years. Since the program's inception, it has proven to be a valuable tool for employee development and preparation for the leadership roles that are the next natural step in ABCBS's career ladder.
The workshop's content is designed to prepare and support existing supervisors in their roles as team leaders, decision makers, managers, and process experts. Through exercises and interactive content application, these supervisors have experiences that will enhance their strengths as leaders. This workshop hones their skills to facilitate leading productive teams, developing employees, and acting as performance coaches.
The participants look forward to learning and want to take back as much as they can to support their own development. The success of the program has warranted a waiting list of future ABCBS attendees. This creates a supportive environment that allows for learning new behaviors and testing different leadership strategies. Open dialogue is fostered in such an environment, and feedback is expected. The climate is upbeat; participants are open to new methods and enjoy discovering their own effective leadership styles.
One focus of this week's session was utilizing the research from Influencing Strategies. With interactive exercises, the participants learned how to apply the different strategies and worked on expanding their influencing-strategies repertoire. The goal is to expand the use of these different strategies, which gives the supervisors many options. The chosen strategy can thus be catered to the context of any workplace situation. For instance, one participant discovered Logistical Persuasion is a useful tool for successful communication with his boss.
It is important for supervisors to send the message to all employees that they are capable, effective, and significant within their own activities. What leaders do now sets up what can be done later. Leaders should assist all employees in becoming more capable and effective in their work, therefore encouraging them to play a more significant role in day-to-day operations. Each participant in this program will learn how to make this happen in the workplace.
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield's Supervisory Leadership Series workshops are a customized version of Executive Education's Supervisory Leadership Series. For more information about program customization, visit our website.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Live Blog from Domestic Violence Course
Today's blogger is Kevin Rose, Assistant Director of Executive Education. He is blogging live from the Combating the Workplace Effects of Intimate Partner Violence course.
Today I have the distinct pleasure of attending one of our newest programs, Combating the Workplace Effects of Intimate Partner Violence. This program originated from a research project undertaken by two Walton College faculty members whose research showed strong correlations between domestic violence and negative business impact. From that research, we found a need to educate our business community and provide additional training on the topic.
Our facilitator today, Detective David Williams, will be leading us through several examples of the negative workplace impact of domestic violence and the need for increased employer involvement in such situations.
One of the first things we are exposed to in this course is a recording of an actual attack on a young lady in a parking lot. Fortunately, this victim was able to record the audio of the attack which was used later as evidence. This compelling audio clip makes the case that the topic of domestic violence should never be taken lightly.
Det. Williams poses the question regarding who is liable for reporting instances of domestic abuse: individuals, neighbors, coworkers, employers, supervisors? This is especially important for businesses to consider as there may be legal consequences involved. To help answer this question, think about the following shared consequences of domestic violence:
Today I have the distinct pleasure of attending one of our newest programs, Combating the Workplace Effects of Intimate Partner Violence. This program originated from a research project undertaken by two Walton College faculty members whose research showed strong correlations between domestic violence and negative business impact. From that research, we found a need to educate our business community and provide additional training on the topic.
Our facilitator today, Detective David Williams, will be leading us through several examples of the negative workplace impact of domestic violence and the need for increased employer involvement in such situations.
One of the first things we are exposed to in this course is a recording of an actual attack on a young lady in a parking lot. Fortunately, this victim was able to record the audio of the attack which was used later as evidence. This compelling audio clip makes the case that the topic of domestic violence should never be taken lightly.
Det. Williams poses the question regarding who is liable for reporting instances of domestic abuse: individuals, neighbors, coworkers, employers, supervisors? This is especially important for businesses to consider as there may be legal consequences involved. To help answer this question, think about the following shared consequences of domestic violence:
- Nearly $5 billion per year in medical expenses
- More that $100 million in lost wages, sick leave, non-productivity
- 30% of domestic violence victims lose their jobs
- Increased school absences and lower grades (victims and witness/victims)
- Children are 15 times more likely to be abused/neglected in a domestic violence home
- Domestic violence is THE strongest risk factor for transmitting violence to the next generation
- More babies are born with birth defects due to battery on pregnant mothers than all illnesses combined
- Depression in victims is 60%-80% (7% is population)
- PTSD in victims is 30%-40% (1% in population)
- Increased propensity for addiction/substance abuse
We now hear from Dr. Carol Reeves and Dr. Anne O'Leary-Kelly who are here to discuss their research study, funded by the National Institute for Justice. Below are some interesting conclusions of the study:
- Many employees are dealing with intimate partner violence in their lives.
- It is not uncommon for IPV to occur on work premises.
- IPV has negative effects on employees and on work outcomes.
- IPV victims who need assistance seek help at work.
- Victims who disclose IPV at work generally feel more hopeful.
- Victims who feel hopeful display more positive attitudes and behaviors.
- Coworkers are “sympathetic but reluctant observers.”
Many may not readily see the connection between business results and domestic violence issues, but this program presents compelling evidence that businesses and organizations have a role to play if employees are suffering intimate partner violence.
I am impressed by our presenter's knowledge of the subject, his professionalism, and his passion for improving the lives of others. At the very least, this course has taught me that domestic violence in any form is nothing to be taken lightly and that I, as an employer, have the responsibility to become involved in situations where domestic violence may be occuring.
If you would like more information about this course or if you wish to be notified if we offer this course again, please visit our website.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Welcome to the Executive Education blog!
Executive Education's programs are designed to provide today's professional with innovative experiences that enhance abilities for facing a demanding, ever-changing workplace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
