Started planning your training for 2010 yet?

We have just completed our review of our 2009 year in training and want to share some of the trends we have noticed to help you in planning and forecasting your training and training needs in 2010.

Hot Themes
Leadership and leadership topics continue to be a strong theme into 2010, but we our noticing leadership training is more often being offered at all levels in the organization and there is more of a focus on building future leaders from within. Project management training had another good year last year and again we forecast it to be a big theme for training in 2010 - our clients seem to be moving away from bringing full Project Management training programs in house and instead are focusing on shorter duration, more intensive, applied project management training using real examples from their workplaces.

The economy last year saw a spike in the requests we received for team building and conflict resolution as people were being asked to do more with less and were feeling the fall out themselves from the rough economy. We also saw organizations wanting to invest more in building or rearranging their existing teams rather than taking on Te expense of hiring new team members. We also saw an increase in Customer Service training requests - both of these trends are expected to continue to 2010. Customer Service training is one of the hottest themes we have going into the New Year.

Best Dates
February and October are by far the busiest months for training as both public and private clients fill their calendars. In fact if you are looking to book training dates with us in February 2010, contact us soon! Several of our clients are closing or slowing operations during the Olympics and using this time for staff training.

In 2009, we experienced the usual slower July and August as many organizations run with lower staff numbers in the summer. We also noticed a quieter June to coincide with the nicer weather we had. So, this year, we will be expanding our summer sale (same great quality at lower summer prices!) to include June too - a great chance to get your staff training at a budget conscious price. A limited number of June dates will be opened in May - take advantage now and reserve your June dates by the end of January to ensure you get the dates you want. No money down!

Length of Training
In 2009, we saw an increase in the number of requests for shorter duration training - 1/2 days or intensive 1 day sessions. Clients were (and we predict still will be) looking for high impact training that is engaging and interactive and can produce tangible change - in 1 day. Using our knowledge of brain-based learning and our in-house curriculum design expertise, we have modified many of our curriculums and delivery strategies to better meet this demand.

In 2010, we will also be adding a "Books for Breakfast" program where we will be hosting a monthly morning discussion on the trends in the latest books on business and how this information can be transferred back to participants own workplaces. If you would like a personal invite to our first Books for Breakfast session, send us an email to events@actraining.com and we will send you a voucher for free admission.

The future
The future looks bright for corporate training in 2010 and we are excited to be entering our 20th year in business. We are proud to share our lessons learned and remain optimistic about learning more!

Please feel free to contact us at Advance Corporate Training Ltd. at 604.521.5473 or visit our website at www.actraining.com. We are eager to be of service.

Happy holidays!

Janet Dean
President

Slight delay....

Looks like our server is down for the count in the office. Hit by a virus, and after many hours of loving care - it has to be taken away for repair.... This means we are without our contacts, calendars and certain files. So, please forgive us if we are delayed in getting back to previous emails you have sent us or if we use the phone instead of email. Luckily, we are "old school" and have kept paper copies of the essentials. We hope to be back up and running as soon as possible.

Maybe it was the snow.....

Holiday Office Hours

Yes it's that time of year again.

The office of Advance Corporate Training Ltd. will be closing for the holidays at 3pm on Dec 24th so our staff have a chance to get home and celebrate with their families (or get in that last minute shopping!) We will remain closed Dec 28-Jan 1, reopening in the New Year on Monday January 4th.

For urgent requests during that time, please use our 24 hour contact line. We will endeavour to return emails and messages promptly on January 4th.

We are looking forward to a wonderful holiday season and wish the best for you and yours.

Master Facilitator Level 2 Rescheduling

The Master Facilitator Level 2 has been rescheduled from the original dates - November 20 - 22, 2009 to the following week November 27 - 29, 2009.

MF Level 2 - November 27 - 29, 2009 - Friday, 6pm - 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 4pm.

To register contact Caroline Armstrong at 604.521.5473 or via email events@actraining.com

Project Management Conference

Our own Janet Dean will be speaking at the upcoming PMC - Project Managment Conference, November 17 - 19, 2009, taking place at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife, NT. This conference is sponsored by the Northwest Territories Public Works and Services. Janet will be presenting on the morning of Thursday, November 19th on the topic of "Leadership - Powered Project Management: traits of great project leaders, leadership styles for various projects and teams, practical proven tips to achieve extgraordinary results."

For more information on this conference please go to the website of Northwest Territories Public Works and Services www.pws.gov.nt.ca/asset/conference.htm

Master Facilitator Program

Now that we are are all settled into our new location, here are the next dates for the Master Facilitator Program.

Each level is $595.00.

MF Level 1 - October 23 - 25, 2009 Friday 6pm - 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 4pm

MF Level 2 - November 20 - 22, 2009 Friday 6pm - 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 4pm

MF Level 3 - December 18 - 20, 2009 Friday 6pm - 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 4pm

All classes will be at our location: 204 - 360 Edworthy Way, New Westminster, BC

To register contact Caroline Armstrong at 604.521.5473 or via email events@actraining.com

Our Office is Moving

The day has come for our office move!

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. will close down today at our old office at 4pm and open up Monday morning at our new location at 204-360 Edworthy Way in New Westminster. Once we get settled in, stay tuned for an announcement of our open house.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our phone systems, computer networks and personnel and records make the transition.

Advance Corporate Training welcomes new trainers for fall courses.

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. is proud to announce that 4 new trainers have come on board for the fall 2009 season.

Carole Trilokekar
Carole is a dynamic, goal-driven professional with a multi-faceted record of successes in organizational and human resource development. She brings a strong blend of business acumen, relationship building skills and leadership talents. Carole is known to drive processes and training & staffing improvements that deliver measurable results of skill growth and productivity. Carole will be joining our Human Resources faculty.

Julie Iuvancigh
Julie has been leading, developing and implementing employee training programs for the past 10 years and takes pride in her ability to accurately identify the training needs of a group and develop and recommend appropriate training programs to address needs. She is a decisive leader with strong supervisory skills gained from 30 years of experience in human services. Most recently Julie has developed and supervises a provincial peer coach/trainer program for a Crown Corporation. Julie joins our Human Resources faculty.

Caddie T'Kenye
Caddie is a project manager and team leader with 13 years’ experience. She develops and implements complex solutions across disciplines, industries, and organizational needs. Highly effective, Caddie is an award-winning, published writer, editor, and content strategist. Knowledgeable at working with client requirements, acting as client liaison, as well as translating processes into business requirements, Caddie can present effective business cases that establish pragmatic project goals, facilitate change management, and propel adoption against realistic time lines and budgets. Caddie is joining our Project Management Faculty.

Carly Goepel
An athlete and event professional, Carly’s event experience includes the 2006 Commonwealth Games, The Australian Open (Tennis), the APEC Conference and the 2008 Alpine World Cup. In her current role she has trained over 200 event staff. Carly draws upon all these experiences and more to provide students with a unique insight into the world of events. Carly joins us to teach Event Management.

To find a current schedule and public course list, visit our website at www.actraining.com or call us at 604.521.5473.

The pressure of summer - don't work so hard!

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock

During the summer, many workplaces operate short staffed due to employee vacations, workload reductions or staff training - during these times it is okay if you are finding it hard to stay focused and motivated.

Biorhythm or biological rhythm is a cyclic pattern of changes in physiology or in activity of living organisms – including humans. They are the rhythms that vary according to the time of day (circadian rhythms), and in part a response to daylight or dark, include the opening and closing of flowers and the nighttime increase in activity of nocturnal animals. Although the exact nature of the internal mechanism is not known, various external stimuli—including light, temperature, and gravity—influence our internal clocks.

During the summer, our natural tendency is to rest during the day and become more alert and stimulated in the evenings – the opposite of how we feel in winter. This is the explanation for why staying focused, motivated and energized at work during these summer days is more challenging – even if we have less work on our desks.
When we try to work contradictory to our cycles (such as shift workers or extended day workers) we suffer lower productivity, greater accidents and if done chronically – suffer depression and illness. This is why working during the summer can be more challenging. On the other hand, when we adjust our activity level to our energy level on the upswing, time disappears and our productivity skyrockets.

Most good things happen to us during the upside, and most bad things happen to us during the downside of a cycle. Therefore it is a good idea to work with and not against the natural aspect of a biorhythm.

So, cut yourself some slack today at work – goofing off is biological!

Schedule for our Fall Courses with the Vancouver School Board

Advance Corporate Training is pleased to announce our new schedule of fall courses with the Vancouver School Board Community Education division. We have more than 35 courses on the schedule including returning favourites in the Project Management series and a new Certificate in Performance Coaching. Visit our database of events at http://www.actraining.com under "public courses and events" to find out when these exciting courses will be offered.

The fall terms begins September 17th with a series of free information sessions so you can find out more about the courses and programs you are interested in right from the trainers and course designers.

Registration opens August 9th at http://www.continuinged.bc.ca

Get out of the HEAT and learn HOT new skills....

Summer is the BEST time for staff and professional development!

When the scorching hot summer hits, productivity typically lowers – keep your team at their peak by training your staff this summer for the fall business rush. With Vitamin D fuelling staff, energy levels are up and the ability to retain information is increased.

We at Advance Corporate Training have created a series of courses to rejuvenate, motivate and elevate your staff this summer! ACT’s Corporate Summer School will be launched over 6 weeks starting July 13, 2009:

TEAM WEEK – 4 days of course designed to help you maximize team effectiveness.
CHANGE WEEK – make your organization change hardy with these courses!
MANAGEMENT WEEK – practical, proven management tips.
SALES WEEK – out sell the competition wit courses designed to propel you to the top in your sales group.
WOMEN’S WEEK – courses addressing the unique business issues challenging women today, in a safe all female environment.
MEN’S WEEK – Men have special needs too! Secrets to addressing the workplace issues men are challenged by today.

As time and schedule are always key factors in business and employee development, these sessions will be high level, focus driven, practical and interest-specific.

To maximize your training budget and to offer a great incentive to use this fantastic season for professional development, Advance Corporate Training is offering our Corporate Summer School classes from only $79/course!

This Corporate Summer School price is over 30% off our regular season rates! To take advantage of one or an entire series of courses, please contact Advance Corporate Training by email at events@actraining.com or by phone at 604.521.5473 and one of our events specialists will be happy to assist.

We look forward to turning up the learning, with you this summer!

Do you know where you are going to?

As part of our special summer promo to help you know where you are going to - in terms of staffing, employee engagement, motivation and morale - Advance Corporate Training Ltd. has a limited supply of free Road Maps of BC to give away.

If youwould like a copy, simply send an email to admin@actraining.com with your Name, Company Name and mailing address and we will send it off to you - just in time for your summer adventures.

And if you need help mapping out your training and employee motivation needs, feel free to give us a call at 604.521.5473, visit us at http://www.actraining.com/ or send us an email to train@actraining.com.

Happy Travels!

We are all a "Twitter"....

After much resistance (after all, we really aren't that fascinating) Advance Corporate Training Ltd. is now on Twitter. Register or sign in to Twitter to follow us and you will hear our latest exploits, get great quotes on leadership, communication and training (as well as some darn good jokes) and helpful tips, tricks and traps from our program areas.

And if you are one of our participants, follow us to find out what our trainers REALLY thought about your class when the day is done....

Open your mind to a breeze….

June is Fresh Air Month.

It is time to clean the clutter from your mind and feel the summer breezes start to flow through you. Shake your head and de-clutter your thoughts.
Here are some tips to open your mind:

1. Sweep Away the Negative. Stop criticizing and putting limitations on yourself - you are wonderful just the way you are. Remember that no one is perfect. Move forward by being open to learning and becoming who YOU want to be. Visualize and dwell on the things you want, not the things you don’t want or can’t have.

2. Clean out your Memory Closet. Don’t let your past affect your present or your future. Learn from it and move on. Write down our unpleasant memories and how they make us feel. When your brain sees it in writing, it can deal better with it. Then, let go of it. Our negative past can turn into our positive future.

3. Slow Down and have Fun. We are always faced with challenges - how we deal with them is more important. See them as opportunities to learn and challenge yourself to become a better problem solver. Be more willing to take risks instead of having a pity party.

4. Stop Making Excuses. You can do anything you set your mind to – work on believing this. Only you can change you. Be patient. After all, it took years to develop your bad habits. Do a little everyday, invest in yourself and work on YOU daily. Find positive people who will help you and stay away from the naysayers and dream stealers.

5. Treat Yourself with Dignity. Have gratitude for all the things you already have and the things that you don’t yet have will come. Accept others the way they are, and accept yourself as is too. You are in control of what you put into your mind about yourself - keep it positive!

And most importantly:

6. Learn Something New. When we are stressed by life or threatened by the economy, we often retreat into old patterns of behavior – this is not the time to retreat, it is the time to do something different and the only way to do that is to learn something new. Take a class, read a book, find a mentor – its time for you to change the status quo.

At Advance Corporate Training Ltd., we specialize in helping people change. With public courses you can take by yourself, to workplace programs for your whole team, we have the skills, the staff and the programs to help you learn something now – right now! Call us at 604-521-5473 or email admin@actraining.com.

2009 ACT Aurora Spirit of Learning Award Winner Announced

Advance Corporate Training (ACT) is thrilled to name Cindy Voudrach as the 2009 winner of the ACT Aurora Spirit of Learning Award.

This annual award is given to a graduating student from the Management Studies program at the Inuvik campus of Aurora College. The financial award recognizes perseverance in achieving academic goals and is given to someone with a demonstrated need.

“Cindy is the perfect example of a lifelong learner,” said ACT President Janet Dean. “She personifies all the characteristics, such as hard work, perseverance and determination, for which this award recognizes and will serve as an inspiration for current and future students.”

Cindy left school before graduating, then returned to school through an access program and obtained her college diploma in Office Administration, at which point she entered the Management Studies program. She graduated from the program this year despite facing many challenges.

“We recognize that learning as an adult is tough and it is made even harder by all the other commitments that must be maintained, including work, family and community,” Dean said. “This award honours Cindy and her ability to persevere in the acquisition of new skills, ability and attitudes.”

The award is part of ACT’s commitment to giving back to the Northern Community, which is the location of many of the company’s programs and projects.

Cindy is the fifth winner of the Aurora Spirit of Learning Award since its inception in 2004.

ACT has been providing training, consulting and curriculum-design services to performance-driven business, institutions and organizations since 1990. The company operates out of its head office in New Westminster, BC.

New Professional Development Course for Trainers

Using Interactivity to Engage Learners

This professional development course is designed for experienced trainers wishing to enhance their classroom delivery skills. Participants will discuss and explore learning activities that exercise intellectual skills, critical thinking and analysis techniques as well as being fun and creative. Participants will learn why interactivity and engagement are crucial in today’s adult classroom as well as some practical tips, tools and techniques to take away for their own classes.

Facilitator: ACT Ltd. President and Master Facilitator Janet Dean

Date: Tuesday May 26, 2009
Time: 6-9pm
Location: ACT Ltd. office at 650 Columbia Street, New Westminster BC

Cost: ACT Ltd trainers, contractors and partners may attend at no charge but pre- registration is required as class size is limited. $26.50 (incl GST) all others

Register: 604.521.5473 or events@actraining.com

New Public Course database coming soon...

At Advance Corporate Training Ltd., we are pleased to announce that we are in the beta testing stage of a new public course database that will allow our web visitors to better determine the ACT courses that best meet their needs, schedules and budget.

All ACT public and open enrollment courses are listed in a new searchable database on our website at http://www.actraining.com/ under public courses and events/schedules.

You will be able to find our schedules and our partners' schedules (sometimes before they even publish theirs!) in an easy to access database. Plan your staff training with ease and book your events before courses fill up. This new system will make working with us at ACT even easier!

Watch for the database to "go live" (meaning open for use) April 20, 2009!If you have any questions, please contact us at 604.521.5473.

I know its only just Spring but its time to be thinking of Summer!

We are a local soft skills training company and have been delivering training in teambuilding, customer service, governance, leadership and many other topics for 19 years – this year, we are starting our summer discount program early.

Each year, we pilot new courses and discount our training programs over the summer months (the quietest times for our corporate clients) to keep our team active and engaged.

This year, we wanted to give the opportunity to book world class training at discounted prices FIRST to community and non-profit organizations within our service areas. This will help you fit quality training into your staffing and resource budget and us fill our calendar early.

For 2009, we are offering our one day training programs at less than half price to community and non-profit organizations who book courses before May 31st for delivery June 15- August 31. That means a $2000 one day program for your organization for only $800!

You can use this training as you see fit – for your staff, your board, your participants, within your programs or as a staff development activity or fundraiser – it’s your call.

Take a look at the topics on our website at http://www.actraining.com/ or contact us at events@actraining.com for an electronic copy of our course catalogue or more information.

Currently this offer is only open to community and non profit organizations within the Lower Mainland of BC. We will be contacting you directly over the next month – this post may be removed without warning when dates are filled.

PS: If you are interested in discounted deliveries of some of our freshest new topics for 2009, stay tuned as we will be posting the titles and topics of this Springs new “crop” by the end of the month.

Get Ready for Brain Awareness Week - March 16-22, 2009

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is an international campaign dedicated to advancing public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research and increasing knowledge about how the brain works. BAW is now entering its fourteenth year as a catalyst for public understanding of brain science. Aurora College has joined with Advance Corporate Training Ltd. to provide you with the following workshops during Brain Awareness Week 2009.

“If we took all the phones in the world and all the wires (there are over four billion people on the planet), the number of connections and the trillions of messages per day would NOT equal the complexity or activity of a single human brain.”

Its time to know more.

Unlocking Creative Thinking
Ever wonder why some people seem so much more creative than others? This session explores the roots of creativity in the brain and some specific strategies and exercises you can use to become more creative.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Aurora College, Yellowknife Campus
Facilitator: Janet Dean
Advance Corporate Training Ltd.
Cost: Free

Do Men and Women Think Differently? Gender differences in the brain.
This session will look at recent research on the physical differences in the male and female brains and how that impacts on communication, problem solving, assertiveness and even just basic relating. Discover why he may not always pick up after himself and why she just cant seem to let go of the past. No gender remains unscathed in this fun and thought-provoking session.

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Aurora College, Yellowknife Campus
Facilitator: Janet Dean
Advance Corporate Training ltd
Cost: Free

New Fee Schedule as at April 1, 2009

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. is pleased to announce a new service fee schedule to take effect April 1, 2009.

This new fee schedule will ensure consistency and help our clients with anticipatory budgeting.

"We have completely redone our fee structure" says ACT Ltd. President Janet Dean. "Fees are now broken out by activity (training, team building, strategic planning) rather than just by duration of programming. This will help our clients budget more effectively and ensure peace of mind that we bill by outcomes not time - a key concern in these tough economic times."

Clients will also receive price breaks for repeat engagements, programs versus courses and number of participants. Janet Dean will continue to be available for premium events, our Master Facilitators will continue to deliver our unique outcome-oriented delivery style and clients can expect the same high quality of training as always.

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. last raised their fees in 1998.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of our new fee schedule, please contact Janet Dean directly at dean@actraining.com.

What others have to say....

As we look forward to celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend, our thoughts turn to those we love - friends, family, spouses, partners and even good clients and partners. To help get our "inside's out" in the language of love, we here at Advance Corporate Training want to share some famous thoughts on love by some of the worlds most romantic people. Feel free to share them with someone YOU lovethis February 14th.

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
- Aristotle

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
- Lao Tzu

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,My love as deep; the more I give to thee,The more I have, for both are infinite.
- William Shakespeare

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.
- Zora Neale Hurston

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other waythan this: where I does not exist nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
- Pablo Neruda

2009 Calendars Available

As you know, each year Advance Corporate Training creates a desktop photo calendar for our clients, suppliers and friends featuring photos taken by one of our principles. This year's calendar, "Secret Beauties", features lovely art shots of the weeds and wonders beside the road, taken during a road trip to Yellowknife, NT last summer.

Please drop by our office at 650 Columbia Street, New Westminster to pick up your free copy (supplies limited!) and register to recive annual updates. Or, if you are too far away, email us your address and we will send you a copy in the mail.

Influencing Employee Motivation

Are you trying to learn new ways to better motivate your employees, and help keep them a float?

Did you know that the long-term payoffs of training include better morale and motivation, lower employee turnover, and better performance?

By developing an awareness of your group’s training needs, you can make sure that individual employees acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work at their peak efficiency.

If you are interested in learning how to better motivate your employees, contact the ACT office at 604-521-5473 or events@actraining.com

ACT On The Road

On The Road Again!

Here at the ACT office we just can't seem to sit still. From Disney to Yellowknife we are on the road again heading to BC's beautifull Capital City Victoria. We will be delivering Retail Peak courses for the Victoria Chamber of Commerce through the month of March.

We will be Facilitating:

Keeping the Customer Satisfied - March 10th

Recruit and Retain Top Talent - March 17th

Management Leadership Skills - March 24th

If you would like to register for these events please find your registration form below.

Peak Brochure Web

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Brochures & Catalogs peak registration fo