Most of us can count on two hands how many exciting and engaging workshop sessions we have participated in. In the training and development profession, we want to help you with the challenges of leading dull workshop sessions. This is a great article which provides a four-pronged approach to follow when leading a session! http://www.trainingmag.com/content/last-word-less-teaching%E2%80%A6more-learning Our newest addition to the TotalTrain™ family is TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions, or TTBLS is what we like to refer it to. This unique system combines: pre and post test assessments, performance contracting, eLearning courses, live workshops, and coaching to ensure ongoing focus and extends the performance change process.  

Are you taking the necessary steps for implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?   We recently came across an article in Quality Assurance and Food Safety Magazine that stresses that although delays are occurring in the implementation of the regulations and policies related to FSMA, companies should have policies and procedures in place that will achieve compliance now.     http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/qa1012-food-safety-modernization-act.aspx A complete HACCP program is one way to compliance in addition to ensuring compliance steps are documented and recorded.   Russell Associates provides solutions that can help.  Our line of Food Safety training for managers and operators provides the knowledge your employees need to ensure the safe operation of facilities and equipment.  Learn more by visiting www.intratrain.com/products/safetrain  

Who’s responsible for food safety?  Are the consumers responsible?  Is the supplier responsible?  What about the producer?  In many instances it is assumed that the producer is taking all the necessary steps to keep the food you eat safe.  A recent article in Food Quality News detailed a paper critiquing the efforts of the producer. http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Public-Concerns/Food-safety-ultimately-the-producers-responsibility-says-professor/ Do you think the audits recommended by this article would help?  Russell Associates offers a tablet-based solution that streamlines data collection and provides better inspection/audits results in less time.  Learn more by visiting www.inspectiTRAC.com  

Russell Associates launched their TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions (TTBLS) model for delivering training using a Poly Modal approach.  Today, Russell Associates is announcing the intRAtrain™ Management Platform for Active Corporate Training (iMPACT) which is the infrastructure on which TTBLS is delivered. This all inclusive platform incorporates seven components that guide the delivery of TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions to achieving Excellence.  These steps include: Pre-Knowledge Assessment; Training; Testing; Documentation and Reporting; Observation and Verification; Reinforcement and Feedback; and Post-Knowledge Assessment.  Each step serves a specific purpose in ensuring learners achieve performance mastery faster and with greater motivation than traditional training. Russell Associates will be hosting product showcases, lunch and learn sessions, and virtual demonstrations of the TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions training on Making Great Decisions utilizing the iMPACT platform delivery system.  Watch for opportunities to experience this revolutionary training concept. To learn more about TTBLS and iMPACT, check out www.intratrain.com or contact us today!

Are you ready to eliminate foodborne illness?  We recently came across the article below detailing some of the preventative measures companies can employ to reduce and mitigate their exposure.  Do you agree? http://nrn.com/article/wiping-out-foodborne-illness?page=0,0 Did you know Russell Associates can help?  We provide training development and educational technology that has provided results-oriented solutions to the food industry.  Our Services include a web-based learning management platform, eBased classroom and individual testing; training content development; classroom, eLearning, and customized blended learning solutions for food industry employees, operators, and managers. We also offer a tablet-based software application and online management system for automating data collection, transfer and management of inspections, audits and observations.  

In order to be successful with your company’s eLearning program, you must have the key “ingredients” present. This article, from the Training Magazine, provides a great example comparing learning to ride a bike with a structured learning process – key ingredients being: trial, error, adjustments, and practice. http://www.trainingmag.com/article/conference-highlight-success-elearning-missing-ingredients Visit www.intratrain.com to learn more about TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions today! This proven six-phase performance system includes all the right ingredients and brings novice or experienced learners to performance mastery faster, with greater motivation than traditional “training programs.”  

Don’t forget the 2012 ASTD-TCC Regional Conference & Expo!  Stop by and visit Russell Associates in booth #40 from 11:50 am to 3:45 pm on October 23-24.  Let us show you how we can help your employees be the best they can be! The newest addition to our lineup is TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions (TTBLS). TTBLS is a key component of intRAtrain™ Management Platform for Active Corporate Training (iMPACT).  This system maximizes individual learning preferences which allow learners to effectively achieve the greatest results and enhances your training return on investment. In addition to TTBLS, Russell Associates also offers: intRAtrain™, our easy-to-use and affordable learning management system. SafeTrain™, our library of interactive, web-based industrial and food safety and compliance training courses (most available in English as well as Spanish).  TotalTrain™, our library of over 3,000 web-based business and professional courses. Custom eLearning (computer-based training/eLearning), designed for your specific processes and needs. Take the time now to complete our word find, then be sure to bring your completed puzzle to our booth to be entered into a drawing for a great prize! To print your Russell Associates iMPACT word find, click here. Want to know more? Check out our website at www.intratrain.com then visit us at this year’s ASTD-TCC Regional Conference & Expo on October 23 & 24, in St. Paul, MN.

Russell Associates will be introducing TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions (TTBLS) at this year’s American Society of Training and Development, Twin Cities Chapter (ASTD-TCC) Regional Conference and Expo. TTBLS incorporates the Performance Breakthrough Model that integrates Poly Modal Learning to delivery unprecedented learning results. TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions uses a blended approach to learning that incorporates pre- and post-assessment to ensure participants learned the critical and need-to-know information, performance contracting that sets desired behavior change, eLearning that maximizes knowledge transfer, live learning that optimizes skill development, and reinforcement/virtual coaching that ensures ongoing focus and extends the behavior and performance change process . This has proven to be extremely effective in increasing retention and is particularly effective with Generation Y learners. This year’s ASTD-TCC Conference and Expo will be held at River Center, October 23 – 24 in St. Paul, MN. The conference is a place for top quality professional development and hands-on, world class workshops for today’s learning professionals! There will be over 20 breakout sessions within the two days, with presentations by industry leaders like Franklin Covey and Jason Bickle. For more information about TTBLS or other Russell Associates’ products and services, contact Jerry Van Oort at jerry@intratrain.com or visit http://www.intratrain.com.

There are many questions any entrepreneur may ask themselves. How many employees can we handle? Where is there a need in our industry? What industries are showing the most growth for need, and so on. Being a part of a small company, the spotlight is on to make the most out of your decisions and efforts. I found this great infographic which picked at trends HR Managers face on a daily basis and which they see as a forth-coming for the year 2012. http://www.openforum.com/infographics/business-forecasting-2012-hiring-trends How does your company compare? Find the latest solutions to all your specific, custom training needs from development, to safety, and to our newest service, TotalTrain™ Blended Leaning Solutions (TTBLS) where beginner or experienced learners will perform mastery faster and with greater motivation than traditional “training programs.” Don’t let your company be another statistic, visit www.intratrain.com.  

Russell Associates will be introducing TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions (TTBLS) at this year’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conference. TTBLS incorporates the Performance Breakthrough Model that integrates Poly Modal Learning to delivery unprecedented learning results. TotalTrain™ Blended Learning Solutions uses a blended approach to learning that incorporates pre- and post-assessment to ensure participants learned the critical and need-to-know information, performance contracting that sets desired behavior change, eLearning that maximizes knowledge transfer, live learning that optimizes skill development, and reinforcement/virtual coaching that ensures ongoing focus and extends the behavior and performance change process . This has proven to be extremely effective in increasing retention and is particularly effective with Generation Y learners. This year’s Minnesota SHRM Conference will be held at the Mayo Civic Center October 14 – 16 in Rochester, MN. The conference is titled, “Empowering People through Knowledge”. There will be 40 – 50 breakout sessions with presentations by subject matter experts that are not often available at similar conferences. For more information on the conference go to: http://www.mnshrm.com/cde.cfm?event=387187 For more information about TTBLS or other Russell Associates’ products and services, contact Jerry Van Oort at jerry(at)intratrain(dot)com or visit http://www.intratrain.com.