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Midas trainers share the websites that intrigue, help or amuse them
Top Tips - Dealing with Difficult People
Midas Training Solutions
Malmsmead, Kiln Lane
Lacey Green, Princes Risborough
HP27 0PU UK
Phone: +44(0) 845 468 0235
Fax: +44 (0) 845 468 0235
enquiries@midas-training.co.uk
You can now call the Midas switchboard on the local rate number 0845 468 0235. Read more...
In our information rich world, the debate about the value of speed reading vs accuracy and retention is alive and well! Read more about how to improve your reading skills.
Personal safety for their staff and customers is top of the agenda for many organisations today. Midas is working on new training initiatives with the Suzy Lamplugh trust on this important issue. Read more...
The world wide web has an incredible range of sites. Midas trainers share the websites that intrigue, help or amuse them. Read more...
You can now call the Midas switchboard on the local rate number 0845 468 0235. The 0870 number used in the past will still work until the end of 2008. The direct numbers for individual Midas consultants will stay the same.
So, if you know who you want to talk to and have their number - please just get in touch with them directly. If you are not sure who to speak to or would like some general information, please call 0845 468 0235 and let us know how we can help.
Please change the main Midas Training Solutions number in your contact list and address book to 0845 468 0235.
In our information rich world, the debate about the value of speed reading vs accuracy and retention is alive and well! As the volume of emails, reports, leaflets, magazines and websites we see every day climbs, our ability to get what we want or need from them is ever more important.
Says Midas trainer Jenny Shorten "People often talk about 'speed reading' as being the instant solution to managing their overloaded in-tray. The reality is a little more complicated.
"We learn to read at an early age and often that's it. We don't get any more help in the technique of reading itself - we just get ever increasing amounts of information to take in.
"Participants in the Midas Effective Reading courses are shown how they can improve their understanding and retention of information from the written word as well as their reading speed.
"There are some really good exercises we can show you to improve the speed at which you read text - but that's only part of the story. Making a conscious decision about what you want or need from a document is an important first step. Then you can pick the right technique to speed up your understanding.
"It's about playing to your strengths and recognising that there are different ways of reading documents and other written material that will help you become more effective."
Click here for more information about the Midas workshop 'Effective and Rapid Reading' or contact us on 0845 468 0235 or email enquiries@midas-training.co.uk
The Midas team is delighted to be working with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. "The issue of personal safety is a vital one today." Says Midas Director Candy Piercy, "When we were asked to help the Suzy Lamplugh Trust team to develop new training initiatives in this area we were thrilled."
Midas consultant Miranda Roberts is leading the Midas contribution to this important project. She says "Suzy Lamplugh Trust is an expert organisation with an excellent reputation. My brief here is to help them expand their programme of training, whilst keeping it relevant to the wide range of clients they train."
To see more about the work of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust go to www.suzylamplugh.org
Team Awaydays have proved to be a particular success for the Midas team over the last five years. The Midas approach is to mix strategic planning with practical techniques, to improve internal team communication and co-operation. It has proved to be a winner.
Candy Piercy says "We customise every Awayday to meet the need of the team concerned. What works one year might not be what they would need or enjoy the next. I believe that the more say a team has in the content of their own Awayday, the more likely it is to be a success.
"We begin the process by asking the team involved to identify up to five objectives for their Awayday. Often they give us only one or two - something like 'To improve internal team communication' or 'Improving how we work with other people and teams in our organisation' or 'Setting our practical priorities for the next year'. We then use these objectives as a starting point for the design and development of the Awayday.
"On the day our facilitators are great at keeping everyone involved. Participants enjoy how they all get to contribute. We recognise that different people learn in different ways. Some people get the most out of day like this by observing others, whilst reflecting on what is happening. Others throw themselves into the occasion with terrific energy.
"There is usually someone in every team who starts off by saying they hate any kind of team building or awayday event. Often they have had a bad experience in the past. We find they come round very quickly and enjoy themselves a great deal. They are often the people who appreciate the practical, work-orientated nature of our Awaydays most. When the next Awayday comes around they are as enthusiastic as the rest from the word go. One man told me he was very surprised to find the day was both enjoyable and very useful!
"Some teams like to make a real day of it. They finish their Awaydays a little early and then go out together for a fun activity or challenge. It is important that this is something that their whole team will enjoy - not just one or two enthusiasts! These extra activities can range from a treasure hunt to a session learning to make chocolates, before ending the day with a nice meal out. We have a long list of ideas for our teams to choose from.
"Other teams enjoy going to an unusual venue such as Leeds Castle in Kent, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, HMS Belfast or the Tower of London. There are super venues all over the country, with great recreational facilities on site.
"These creative ideas, coupled with our practical and supportive programmes, are what make our Midas Awaydays different and very successful."
Click here for a typical Awayday programme or contact us on 0845 468 0235 or email enquiries@midas-training.co.uk
The world wide web has an incredible range of sites. We have decided to ask Midas trainers and consultants to share their favourite sites of the moment with our newsletter readers. Some are incredibly useful; some are wacky and make us a laugh. Others give an insight into areas that we may not have considered before.
We hope you enjoy them.
Moonpig Real Greeting Cards for Special Occasions - so much better than e-cards
Miranda says "This brilliant site helps you create personalised greetings cards from thousands of fantastic designs they have on file. Moonpig then print and send the finished card to you. You can even get them to put the cards in the post for you.
"Their designs range from a conventional greetings card to a card that looks like the front page of a travel brochure to tropical destinations (see right). You just add your own words to suit the person and the occasion. My personal favourite is the card that looks like a celebrity magazine - you can even upload your own photographs to that one.
"This is a lovely way of getting just the card you want for a special day - with just the right message."
So where is Matt now?
Mike says "This man Matt has brought the classic photo album of his travels bang up to date. It gave me a laugh - I hope you enjoy it too!"
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