Are you taking your time?

In a world full of rush hour and fast food, finding balance between life and work may seem impossible or challenging. "Take Back Your Time" day is dedicated to the promotion of work life balance for all. Advance Corporate Training Ltd. is committed to ensuring that all workers, white to blue collar have the opportunity to "Take Back Your Time".

You deserve it!

Enthusiastically Supported by: Advance Corporate Training Ltd.

For more information about how you can "Take Back Your Time" please visit:
www.timeday.org or call us at 604.521.5473.

Food for Thought - Food for Learning

Food First Foundation, NWT hosted A Taste of Canadian Living in Yellowknife on Friday Oct. 3rd at Sir John Franklin High School.

Based on a successful event last fall, this gourmet evening was in support of school breakfast, lunch and snack programs in the NWT.

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. President Janet Dean is a long time supporter of community food programs and was pleased tobe able to participate in this year’s event.

Sponsored by Canadian North and BHP Billiton Diamond Inc., the event featured a professional cooking demonstration by Elizabeth Baird, Executive Food Editor of Canadian Living magazine and Pamela Collacott, celebrity chef, cookbook author and CTV cooking show host.

These women provided an entertaining show – attendees enjoyed a sample of each of the three Canadian Living appetizers demonstrated by Elizabeth Baird and Pamela Collacott as well as samples of signature hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants such as Diamante; Thornton’s Wine & Tapas Room; Fuego; Trader’s Trapline; Chef Pierre’s Catering; Coyotes and Our Place. A cash bar, draw prizes and a silent auction round out the evening.

The event is a fundraiser for Food First Foundation, NWT Nutrition Grants in support of school based breakfast, lunch and snack programs in the NWT.

Jelly Bean Challenge

Congratulations to Milagros for participating at the Information Session on September 16th

Congratulations Milagros Palacios!

She has won a copy of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey from the 'Jelly Bean Challenge' at the Vancouver School Board information session on September 16th from Advance Corporate Training Ltd.!

Join us next year for the Vancouver School Board information session on January 13th and 14th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at 1580 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC.

Critical Thinking At Work

As the inaugural event of our new INsight Series (Independent Narratives) of short workshops and presentations designed to raise awareness and critical reflection on sensitive, topical and interesting issues – we are pleased to present the following:

Understanding the Significance of Eid (Islamic Celebration)
Renowned Islamic scholar and businessman, Feroz Dean will discuss the significance of Ramadan and Eid in the Muslim calendar and answer questions on Islam in Canada and traditional practices.

When: October 1, 2008
12noon – 1:30pm
Where: ACT Office Boardroom New Westminster, BC
Cost: There is no cost but preregistration is required and space is limited.
Attendees: Everyone is invited to attend. Preference given to ACT staff, contractors, suppliers and clients.

To preregister, please contact events@actraining.com or call 604.521.5473.

Janet Dean on CBC Radio One ~"On the Coast"

Janet Dean on CBC ~ "On the Coast"

ACT on CBC RADIO ONE Tonight!

Advance Corporate Training Ltd. is being featured on CBC Radio One tonight! Host of "On the Coast" Steve Quinn will be interviewing Janet Dean, learning specialist about night school and how to " Deal with Difficult People!" Janet Dean will be featured on 690 AM at 5:50 pm September 9, 2008.

Tune in to 690 AM on YOUR radio dial to hear all of Janet's latest tips!
You may also tune in via the web at: http://www.cbc.ca/onthecoast/

Here is a little more about the fantastic community show that Janet Dean, President of Advance Corporate Training will be featured!


On The Coast

On The Coast is a great way to catch up on the day's news, and get connected to what's happening in your neighbourhood. Join host Stephen Quinn between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.every weekday, and you'll be right up to date on all the latest sports, weather, traffic, and entertainment from around the Lower Mainland.

Broadcast Times
CBC Radio One: Weekday Afternoons 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Returning to Learning - Back to School at Work

Today's workplaces are changing at the speed of light - new technologies, new people, changing expectations - all requiring new skills to keep up. Research shows that 1 in 5 adult Canadian workers will be in a workplace learning event within the next 7 days and by the end of September, 1 in 3 will have participated in workplace learning.

If all this learning is taking a toll, here are 3 quick tips to get you ready to go back to "school' at work as you get your kids back to school themselves. The skills you need for returning to learning are the skills you have already developed as an adult juggling multiple responsibilities: managing time, setting priorities, asking questions, and knowing yourself. Your formula for success is almost complete.

Accept that you ARE a good student.

Many workers are intimidated by workplace learning with a very real fear of whether they can measure up academically. Relax - your real life experiences and need for new information will win over that inner child trying to remember the times tables. Good workplace learning focuses on new skills that help at work - not how fast you memorize new information. And as an adult, you are already really good at learning new things to make your life easier.

Know why you are returning to learning.

Go into training knowing what you want to get out of it and you will be surprised how much you do. by having a clear idea of your expectations, you can help make sure the material is relevant to you and ask questions of the trainer that personalize the material to your needs.

You have transferable skills.

You already know just about everything you need to, to be successful. You may have to apply those critical thinking, problem solving and stress management skills to a new computer program or those conflict resolution or communication skills to a challenging colleague but you already have the skills - your learning is going to be about new situations and ways to apply them - easy peasy!

Tell us your favoutite workplace learning stories - good and bad - via email to dean@actraining.com. We'll enter your stories into a draw for 6 "School Bus" Photo Frame Magnet Craft Kit. 8 1/4" x 6"; holds three 1 1/8" x 1 1/4" photos so can show your trip back to school right alongside your kids!

Summer fun at Advance Corporate Training

Advance Corporate Training is on the move!

The summer is a quieter time in the training industry but staff and management at ACT Ltd. still look forward to the season. We use it as a chance to take on more creative, time-consuming projects, build relationships with new clients, develop and test new courses, spend more time on our community good works - as well as time to take the show on the road. This summer has seen us in Yellowknife, Whistler, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Denver and Orlando - from the top of North America right down to the bottom. Stay tuned for stories from our travels later this month - and our schedule for the fall.