Laura,
One idea is to get in touch with Performance Concepts International and
check, the business use of their BE (Building Excellence) Inventory. Below
I include a short description of what the BE is:
Reduce the cycle time in learning and witness a marked improvement in
performance-
Reducing cycle time occurs when indivduals identify their core learning and
performance competencies. Think of these competencies as human software:
when the software is fully developed, understood, and utilized, the outcome
is unparalleled performance. Learning competencies are the conditions that
determine an individual's most effective approach when developing new skills
and acquiring, comprehending, and retaining new information. Individuals who
reach higher levels of performance have the following in common:
* They understand their unique set of learning and performance competencies.
* They implement the appropriate strategies for any situation.
The quest for a competitive edge has led many organizations to promote
employee education as a vehicle for improving performance. Yet this approach
often produces poor results when the "one-size-fits-all" model is applied.
In an effort to help organizations reach their goals, Performance Concepts
International (PCI) offers you a way to help individuals tap their full
potential-Building Excellence"The Learning Individual" (BE*)-an assessment
tool for adults. The BE Personal Performance Profile, the results from the
BE Inventory, provide strategies that will help optimize each individual's
learning and performance strengths.
The BE Inventory is based on the original Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles
Model, which was developed more than 30 years ago. In 1996 BE was
co-developed by Susan M. Rundle and Dr. Rita Dunn. Dr. Dunn is a professor
and Director of St. John's University's Center for the Study of Learning and
Teaching Styles. Susan M. Rundle is president of PCI and Director of Adult
Learning and Corporate Training, St. John's University's Center for the
Study of Learning and Teaching Styles.
BE is a multi-dimensional inventory that includes the following six
domains:
* Perceptual elements-the sensory elements that are key in developing new
skills and retaining new information.
* Psychological elements-the way people think about and process information,
solve problems, and make decisions.
* Environmental and Physiological elements-the conditions that control one*s
ability to concentrate.
* Emotional elements-preferred methods for completing tasks and achieving
goals.
* Sociological elements-preferences for working and interacting with others.
Identifying core learning and performance competencies*
* Improves learning and performance
* Promotes positive work attitudes
* Strengthens self-confidence
* Reduces conflict and stress
* Improves communication
* Paves the way for change
* Cultivates self-motivation
* Promotes self-leadership
The Development of Excellence
The Secret to Success Lies in Building Individual Knowledge
Discover Your Strengths
Self-knowledge, the cornerstone of BE, leads to meaningful insights about
the twenty factors that affect you and the degree to which they impact how
you learn and perform best. When taken seriously, these insights lead to an
essential understanding of your natural strengths.
Advocate
Once you*ve discovered or rediscovered your strengths, advocate for what
works best for you. When you do, you will experience a new level of
self-confidence and motivation. This leads to learning energy-the
excitement, curiosity, and desire for increased self-knowledge.
Communicate Your Needs
Advocating leads to communicating. As you become the champion for your needs
and preferences, self-leadership becomes more firmly established.
Communicating for "freedom of choice" is the essence of self-leadership. In
the final analysis, communication is the crucial link to becoming a more
competent learner and performer.
Achieve
Change comes about as a result of freedom of choice-the most powerful
intrinsic motivator for personal and professional growth. When you
understand your strengths and the stress inducing factors, you will be able
to overcome barriers to learning and higher performance.
You can link to PCI web page: www.pcilearn.com or contact Susan Rundle at
susan_rundle@pcilearn.com
All the best with your paper.
Kazuyoshi Tsuyukusa
Overseas Marketing Division
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Tokyo, Japan
--"Kazuyoshi Tsuyukusa" <kazuyoshi_tsuyukusa@mail.toyota.co.jp>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>