Category: Human Resources

It may be a bit old fashioned that the view that face-to-face training is more effective than any other kind of training such as E- Training and Computer-Based Learning—with the right trainer or training team, that is.

Why not use all the tools we have? Let students pace themselves and repeat what’s necessary to facilitate learning. This kind of training makes sense, at least financially and it fills the training need. Or, does it? Does it really do the job in the long run? Do students come away motivated and filled with new, usable information? They certainly filled the square.

We’ve all seen training departments reduced in size, their missions diminished, and budgets slashed—especially when it comes to personal training. It’s so much easier to rely on the electronic tools of the Internet, webinars when live seminars won’t do, and videoconferencing calls. We can do training, demonstrations, sales pitches, brainstorming, facilitation via Windows Live, AOL Messenger, or Skype or any of a multitude of similar software communication applications. Really. We can see and hear others; we can even view presentations and videos. But it’s not really the same as face-to-face training, is it? Or, like hands-on training via demonstration? Those activities all take a guiding hand.

I’m sure you have taken online courses or training to fulfill this or that requirement. Did you really care about learning the material or did you just go through the motions to get the certification? That’s the major difference.

A person in front of you can help you care about what it is you are learning and have an impact on how you remember it. It must be important; or why are you having a person actually present the information and try to motivate me to remember it? You can ask questions—even dumb ones and get the personal touch. You also send the message: I care about you, the employee. When the employee gets that message, loyalty goes up along with productivity. Who can deny we will work hardest for someone who cares about us?

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.

As a way of introducing myself to the Training and Development world, I’ve included the bio below. While a variety of skill sets take us in many directions, my strength has been as a passionate communicator. I apply my social psychology background and my verbal skills to my “day” job, focusing on crisis management and customer service. I will be retiring from that position and devoting my time to running my company, Acting Smarts, as well as writing, acting, speaking, coaching and related activities. Meanwhile, I am open to financial opportunities now that will allow me to depart from my current position when feasible, and grant me the means to apply my skills and talent in a broader sense. In general, effective communication is important, not only in achieving our interpersonal goals, but in influencing the world around us. Skillful and charismatic communication is critical in leading any business or organization, and essential to trainers, training developers, professional development staff, and managers. So, here’s my story:

Jack Shaw is a professional theatrical and film actor, voice-over artist, on-camera actor, performing in commercials, public service announcements, audio books, and training films. In addition to being the Training and Development Blog Host for the Free Management Library, he is the Performing Arts blogger for the Wilmington Examiner, as well as a reviewer for Stage Magazine. He shares his thoughts on theater and other communication topics at www.actingsmarts.wordpress.com.

Through his company, Acting Smarts, he focuses his efforts on practical approaches to acting and communicating. Although he coaches actors for commercials, narration and theatre environments, the bulk of his business is derived from other practical applications of the art–in coaching executives in charismatic public speaking and presenting. With graduate degrees in Performance Criticism and Social Psychology, combined with his years of acting and directing, he has a unique communication insight and a dynamic presentation style. He’s directed such plays as Harvey, Lovers and Other Strangers, Romantic Comedy, Blithe Spirit, and Creation of the World and Other Business; and acted in Regional theaters throughout the country. His professional theater experience includes roles as “Nathan” in Guys and Dolls, “Perchik” in Fiddler on the Roof, “Mordred” in Camelot, and “Ice” in West Side Story. He’s also appeared in numerous non-musical theatre productions.

He has been an on-air personality, commercial announcer, a news director and talk show host in radio as well as a public affairs producer, audio chief, and a staff announcer in television. As an Air Force public affairs officer, he was a public speaker and spokesperson for national and local media, taught English and speech at the USAF Academy, ran the tour program inside Cheyenne Mountain, and was Space Division’s community spokesperson for Los Angeles and Orange counties. While stationed in Panama, he trained other public affairs officers how to handle national and international media. As part of the Administration’s National Training Center, he trained State and Federal staff, developed and presented courses in leadership, management development, train-the-trainer, and customer service. From his diverse experience he sees communication as vital in establishing and maintaining credibility, whether it is as an actor, business executive, or other professional.

Jack received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Psychology and English, and dual Master’s degrees (Speech/Dramatic Art and English) focusing on performance criticism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He has yet another Master’s degree in Social Psychology. The Passionate Communicator offers coaching, consulting, training in public speaking, executive presenting, and acting. He applies acting coaching techniques to help professionals build exceptional oral communication and networking skills, and helps serious actors act. Contact Jack at (856) 979-2890.

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.