Tom Ault, Author at ERC

3 Keys to Communication: Listening, Nonverbal, and Written

January 26, 2025January 11, 2024 Tom Ault

The Highlights:

Listening is important at work because it helps you understand others, build trust, and respond accurately by staying fully tuned in to what others are saying.
Nonverbal communication is important at work because gestures, facial expressions, and body language can help reinforce your message, show confidence, and build stronger connections with coworkers and peers.
Written communication skills allow employees to communicate clearly, document information in a way others can understand, and convey ideas effectively across teams and audiences.

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10 Crucial Skills Supervisors Need to Have

September 23, 2024January 9, 2024 Tom Ault

8 Crucial Soft Skills Supervisors Need to Have soft skills training topics for employees

Soft skills are essential for successful professional development. According to research by Stanford Research Center, Harvard University, and the Carnegie Foundation, 85% of long-term job success depends on well-developed soft and people skills.

The benefits of having employees with strong soft skills include better customer service, improved communications and team interactions, stronger relationships, and increased efficiency.

Additional Resource

The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Supervisors and Managers

Learn how training your supervisors and managers will help them overcome challenges, motivate those around them, and be more effective in their roles.

Here are 10 crucial soft skills supervisors need to have:

3 Ways to Calculate Your Training & Development Budget

September 23, 2024October 18, 2018 Tom Ault

According the 2017 State of the Industry report from the Association for Talent Development, organizations spend an average of $1,273 per employee for direct learning expenditures. Organizations smaller in size spend more per employee and larger organizations spend less per employee but smaller organizations have a much smaller training budget than those larger organizations.

The Slash Generation: Millennials in the Workplace Mix it Up

September 23, 2024July 26, 2017 Tom Ault

We tend to see a lot of negative connotations and stereotypes surrounding “Millennials” in the workplace. Even though they aren’t the newest generation to enter the workforce, there is still a lot to be assumed about their work ethic and lifestyle choices from their coworkers. Recently there is a new term to describe this generation that is rather fitting. Due to their unconventional and multi-faceted career paths, Millennials have been defined as the “Slash Generation”. Not every Millennial identifies with having a ‘slash’ career, but it is becoming a very prominent trend among this generation.

3 Reasons Why Traditional Classroom-Based Learning is Still King

September 23, 2024January 23, 2017 Tom Ault

Online training and e-learning have become increasingly popular over the past decade. There are a number of advantages when it comes to technology-based training but do they really overshadow the advantages of traditional, classroom-based training?

Keys to Setting Up a Training & Development Process

May 16, 2024November 15, 2013 Tom Ault

Many organizations have a training and development function of their business nowadays, whether it is one or a few staff members devoted to training and development, or an entire department. Developing a training function not only helps centralize employee training and development, but also supports an organization’s commitment to employee development. Increasingly, organizations that invest in and structure their approach to training and development have a ‘leg up” on the competition.

What to Do When Managers Behave Badly

May 30, 2024November 4, 2013 Tom Ault

A new national study of leadership uncovered that many managers and senior managers lack the behaviors required to be good leaders. This calls into question: what if our managers are behaving badly with our employees, and what should we do about it?

Additional Resource

The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Supervisors and Managers

Learn how training your supervisors and managers will help them overcome challenges, motivate those around them, and be more effective in their roles.

10 Employment Laws that Supervisors Need to Know

May 16, 2024October 2, 2013 Tom Ault

10 Employment Laws that Supervisors Need to Know

Supervisors and managers have a shared responsibility with HR in making sure that their interactions and relations with employees are compliant with federal and state employment laws. Here are ten (10) of the most important employment laws that supervisors need to be aware of and the major responsibilities that supervisors typically are responsible for in ensuring compliance.

8 Keys to Managing Training & Development

May 23, 2024August 28, 2013 Tom Ault

Strategically investing in your staff’s training and development, nurturing their talents, and building their skill sets helps your organization achieve its desired results, enhances your company’s culture, and assists your leaders in better managing talent.

Checklist to Select Employees for Promotions & Leadership Training

May 23, 2024November 2, 2011 Tom Ault

Whether you are determining who to promote at the end of the year or creating a leadership development/training program or strategy, the most critical task is selecting the right employees. Your organization wants to be sure that it trains, develops, and promotes employees that are the most likely to succeed in leadership roles. We’ve developed a short checklist you can use to select employees for promotions or participation in a leadership development program.

Are Your Supervisors Prepared for These 5 Challenges?

May 23, 2024January 11, 2011 Tom Ault

are-your-supervisors-prepared-for-these-5-challenges

The following is a complimentary audit and assessment consisting of key questions your organization should ask to determine if your supervisors and managers have the appropriate skills and competencies to combat the most common management pitfalls. Additionally, tips we frequently recommend to organizations in addressing these pitfalls are summarized.