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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Men’s Wearhouse


I selected Men’s Wearhouse for my organization in which to conduct my needs assessment.

Men’s wearhouse is a corpatation that forsters a fun and family-like enviroment based on mutual respect, teamwork, and servant-leaderships.  These fundamental elements are what makes Men's Wearhouse a great place to work. (Men’s Wearhouse, n.d.)


Men’s Wearhouse orginally was known for being a company that sold quality taylor made suits for men.  Like most companies evolved through the years and is now known as an inclusive men’s store.  Providing shoppers with everything a man would need to create a looks that expresses confidence, comfort and a image of a truly successful man.

Let’s take a look at what makes this company tick in order to get a sense of the organization's products and/or services, consumers, management philosophy, and strategic objectives. In order to conduct my needs assessment of this company.

Organization’s Products/Services – To sell men’s clothing, give back to its local communities, and to champion the task of ensuring that “no men are denied the opportunity to be good providers, responsible citizens and positive role models because they lack the appropriate wardrobe to land a job.” (Men’s Wearhouse, n.d.)

Management Philosophy – Is “Employee-Centered Corporate Culture”.  It understands its product, selling clothes but contributes the company’s success to understanding that its heart and soul is its employees.  By creating and fostering an environment in which its members can grow, prosper, and flourish. The company’s business culturally is based on a set of core values that include nurturing creativity, growing together, admitting to mistakes, promoting a happy and healthy lifestyle, enhancing a sense of community, and striving to become self-actualized people (Men’s Wearhouse, n.d.)

Strategic Objectives

Provided High-Quality Training Programs:  For their employees by providing them with the knowledge and skill required for understanding a customer’s needs, male fashion, and their desires when purchasing clothing.

Training Approach:  To incorporate a comprehensive initiation programs and education seminars.

Service Approach:  To provide customers with a shopping experience like none other, by providing them with a team of consultants who posses the ability and drive to transform walking male fashion opps into a icon of a confidence.

Outstanding Service:  By creating an environment where customers feel at easy during their shopping experience and confident that the advice provide ensures they look good as guarantee by its CEO.  As well as, their commitment to provide outstanding service to its employee thru its company benefits programs.

By taking a look at how the company’s organization and culture functions, as well as, its views on training an instructional design (ID) member will be able to take the first step of understand how to effectively approach a needs assessment. (Noe, R., 2010)  The following consideration to consider when preparing and conducting a needs assessment are as follows:

Who need to be involved in order to secure buy-in from levels with in the company? (Noe, R., 2010)  In my case with Men’s Wearhouse, I would consider the CEO (based on research he is a involved member, who hold true to his company culture, and would be an instrumental force in supporting any modification to training that would benefit his valued employees), upper/mid-level/trainers and workers (based on the company’s culture all members have some type of ownership associated with the company core value).

The questions I would ask of the:

Organizational Analysis Phases:
Upper-Level Managers:  Do you see training as valuable tool that supports your business strategy and company goals? (Noe, R., 2010)

Mid-Level Managers:  How do you feel train will help you meet your goals? (Noe, R., 2010)

Trainers:  Do you feel you will have any concerns with receiving the required support to conduct training? (Noe, R., 2010)

Person Analysis Phases:
Upper-Level Managers:  What is required in order for your employees to meet the company objective/goal? (Noe, R., 2010)

Mid-Level Managers:  Who do you think will benefit from the training? (Noe, R., 2010)

Trainers:  Which method will be used to indentify who will be tasked to complete this training? (Noe, R., 2010)

Task Analysis Phases:
Upper-Level Managers:  Do you currently have adequate number of members equip with the knowledge, abilities, and skill to perform these tasks? (Noe, R., 2010)

Mid-Level Managers:  What task will this training provide the most benefit? (Noe, R., 2010)   

Trainers:  Which task to you feel should be included in the training in order for your employees to be able to accomplish the standards required to do this job? (Noe, R., 2010)


The documents or records I feel that provide some insight in the which method would be best is survey feedback from each training event, summary reports that outline employee performance levels associated with areas of concern, company market reports to outline market trend and reports that list the company’s direction associated with its goals and objectives

The techniques I would employ listed in Table 3.2 are:

 Observation:  To be able to observe a member in real time and in their natural environment provides insight and clues as to what and how thing work in relationship to each other. (Noe, R., 2010)
Questionnaires:  This is a cost effective means in which to reach a large population in order to collect data identify trends. (Noe, R., 2010)
Interviews:  Allows you to uncover details and establish a connection in which to gain trust, provide education, and drum up support. (Noe, R., 2010)

By taking this first step you are on your way to creating the proper training that meet your company’s needs.

Reference: 

Noe, R. A. (2010). Employee training and development (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Why isn't Training and Development Important?





In a world of highly educated members, why isn't learning considered a continues adventure?  Why do we have to constantly fight to justify funds to support programs design to improve workforces ability to stay ahead of game?  Within the next eight week I hope to find the answers to these and other questions.  


I have included my podcast of my hypothetical elevator speech, as assigned to depict how I would get the attention of someone in my company, in order to share this untapped resource called training and development of personnel.  I look forward to hearing what you think.





(Having a little trouble, please stand by)


The following is a written transcript of my hypothetical elevator speech podcast:



Hello Mr. Russell, thank you for agreeing to meet with me, my name is Sandra Acol and I’m with your Training and Development Team.  

As I briefing discussed over the phone, I wanted to share with you some more information on training strategies, that can be used to save your department money.   As you well know, just from listening to the 6 o’clock news or even reading the Wall Street Journal more and more companies today are facing budget cuts and downsizing of personnel in order to manage their bottom-line during these hard times.  

I can see, that you are probably thinking to yourself, how can training and development help me save money?  Am I right, Mr. Russell?  

I did a little poking around and did some research after our call.  Gathered some information from the corp minutes, and noticed that the object was to find creative ways to increase market share, while reducing cost, without affecting the quality of our products or our company’s good name.  One strategy came to mind, the Concentration Strategy, just as it sounds this strategy forces or concentrate on creative ways improve market share, while reducing cost.  I noticed that your depart is a mature work force this will work will with this strategy as we develop training that support our goal by teaching team building techniques, interpersonal skill to help improve our customers.  

What do you think; can I make an appointment with your sectary to go over this and other training strategy with you at our next meeting?  

Thank you, for your time, I look forward to working with your.





Conclusion:

In a world of change, training and development of personnel is the key to unlock the resource that will produce your success.  But first you must believe it has value…...
file://localhost/Users/daqueen/Desktop/Week%201.mp3

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

My Next Learning Adventure


Hello everyone,
 I look forward to another exciting class with all of you.  Please come and join me on this next adventure.  Stay tune to my next blog message.

See ya soon
Sandra