EVERY boss knows that effective staff training can help to keep organisations thriving and competitive. Proven benefits range from increased efficiency to reduced staff turnover. But time-starved employers can struggle to keep abreast of the latest courses and techniques, which are constantly evolving.

A major Daily Mail-sponsored event next month is a must for all professionals with a role in training, personnel or human resources.

More than 3,000 are expected to descend on the NEC Birmingham for the World Of Learning Conference And Exhibition on November 14 and 15.

The show covers everything from new human resources software to distance learning and the latest e-learning technology. Now in its 14th year, it is the ideal opportunity to find out about the latest trends, find practical inspiration and source buyers and suppliers — all in one place. Leading industry players taking part include the British Computer Society, the Institute of Directors, The Matchett Group, Intellego Systems, Balance Learning, Impetus Training, Promethean and Webspiders.

The 2006 event aims to build on the success of last year’s, which, with a record 110 companies exhibiting, was the biggest yet. Among the most popular features of last year’s event were ‘experiential learning’ sessions by the Wizards Network, which even included origami and chocolate making.

This year the network is launching its first Wizards’ Festival Of Learning. Around 30 ‘wizards’ will be on hand to impart their wisdom on themes such as motivating teams, inspiring personal leadership, embedding a ‘can-do’ culture and embracing and managing change.

They will be available for one-to-one conversations with visitors.

Mark Lewis, the network’s relationship director, said: ‘Linking each of the wizards is a shared passion for enriching learning through inspiring approaches that engage with the hearts and minds of the people who drive organisations.’ An expert in psychometric profiling through foot-reading will explain to visitors how their feet reveal personal qualities such as their team-working abilities.

MR LEWIS said: ‘The point being made is that the talent within your team should not be overlooked. You always have more than you believe you have.’ Meanwhile, a horse whisperer will offer advice on innovative management techniques. ‘This is an alternative approach to enabling effective leadership, which is about using soft power rather than being authoritarian,’ said Mr Lewis. As last year, a master chocolatier will be promoting the benefits of creating a welcoming environment for training, with samples available for visitors. Other wizards’ areas of expertise include origami, sculpture, improvisational comedy and the Alexander technique.

The network is also hosting a special forum bringing together experts from business, academia and even the clergy to share their understanding of ‘wealth and organisational success’ in a changing commercial climate.

The Finding The Balance forum takes places on the afternoon of November 14. It is just one feature of a conference programme which is packed with leading international speakers, free interactive workshops, advice clinics and product demonstrations.

Alison Church, conference and marketing manager for World Of Learning, said: ‘The programme reflects the current industry trends, which make it the best respected conference in the field.’’

Testimonials from visitors last year show that they found it beneficial.

Diane Yates, head of business leadership at Audi UK, said: ‘It is a fabulous networking opportunity. I found two new potential training conference venues and picked up loads of useful tips and techniques to use back at work.’

The cost of attending the conference for one day is £350 plus VAT, while the two-day conference price is £898 plus VAT.

FOR more information about the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition, visit www.learnevents.com or call 020 8394 5171.

Female Powers

by Robert Flemming

Khaljee Times
11 July 2006

‘One is not born a woman, one becomes one,’ wrote Simone de Beauvoir some 57 years ago. And her words have echoed through the years, refined and distilled into a course that draws on a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Through the vision of HH Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ‘The Complete Woman’ programme started in Dubai last week to help develop and train 40 young ladies between the ages of 14 and 21. The first of its kind in the country, the course aims to provide four aspects of wellbeing: social, cultural, physical and mental. And to that end the Dubai Ladies’ Club has drawn together a formidable line up of women in a range of disciplines from around the world. Personal development, reflexology, make-up and fashion, analytical dialogue in popular culture, etiquette, child and family psychology, fitness and nutrition; just some of the elements that will link to form the whole.

‘The Complete Woman programme represents a unique initiative,’ says Mona Al Marri, Vice President of Dubai Ladies’ Club. ‘It supports DLC’s objective to reinforce women’s role in society by providing them with multi-dimensional experiences, both socially and intellectually.’

A truly excellent objective but what where does a professional horse whisperer fit into the line-up? Personal development. Ex professional horsewoman and ex journalist, Harriet Worthington became a horse whisperer 8 years ago. In the course of her work she realized that bringing horses and people together could bring serious benefits to the human race.

‘The way the person interacts with the horse becomes a mirror of their everyday life, how they interact with other people,’ says Harriet. ‘Horses pick up on our very core being, our real essence; that’s the real rather than the conditioned self that values things like wealth and power.’

She regards the horses as co-facilitators in her two four hour sessions that concentrate on relationships, interaction, leadership and responsive following. As the dialogue begins between girl and horse, questions are raised, answers found and relationships formed.

‘It’s incredibly powerful stuff and goes to such a deep level. And that’s the real challenge, managing the level that you want the individual to experience. With these girls I expect it throw up issues about their relationships, their sense of sometimes feeling different or alone how their basic needs can be met. The horse becomes a metaphor for the individual. It’s a way of managing yourself in how you interpret what someone else is doing to you and how that impacts on your behaviour. You work on changing thoughts; change the feeling about a person and in turn that changes behaviour.’

Learn the language of equus, she says. Horses communicate largely non-verbally and we have to learn to understand and communicate in the same way. As studied in herds of wild horses, it’s about reaction and interaction, dependency and interdependency. Harriet tries to avoid having expectations but she does anticipate a few interesting reactions.

‘The girls will be stepping out of their comfort zone. They’re unlikely to have had many dealings with the nitty gritty of horses. Some of them might have ridden horses but another person will have groomed the horses and tacked up. Some will kick against it and say, ‘that’s for the servants to do’. That in itself will be an interesting part of the process. There are likely to be a couple of girls who will relish the chance to get beyond the expectations of what girls of their age do and what they are interested in. Girls who don’t necessarily fit into the girlie gaggle, I think they they’ll flourish by being able to express their difference and being able to engage in a completely different way.’

But what of equine fear?

‘I love working with people who afraid of horses. One of the most rewarding things for me is to watch the people who start on the sidelines; by the end of the day they’re leading horses, grooming them and kissing them on the nose. And it’s about how much people feel empowered above and beyond just their connection with the horses: they’ve overcome their fear and have a greater belief in themselves.’

‘I’d like every girl to take away something that will keep resonating throughout her life and which will have helped her to lead herself if not other people. One of the main things is to get an understanding of self-belief, having a vision and being able to project an intent. To understand more about their non-verbal communication and listening at a deeper level. To be able to tap into an understanding of what the real self is saying rather that what they’re conditioned to think.’

Whereas Harriet’s role is to deliver the personal development aspect, it balances well with the other elements of the course. As she herself says, it is important to take a holistic view of the programme and the tutors have already forged links between the diverse modules with that in mind.

‘We’re encouraging the girls to stretch themselves, to take risks, to express themselves in a way that they have never expressed before.’

With just over four weeks left, the girls have already formed opinions about the Complete Woman programme. ‘I think it is really useful and beneficial,’ says Mahra Al Dahbashi. ‘And it will help us in life and with growth,’ chips in Alanood Ahmed Bulchammas. ‘At first I came here for fun but now I know it’s not just fun; you learn a lot,’ adds Marwa Al Shaibani. ‘Learning about leadership, controlling and respecting others, being gentle and kind,’ says Afnan Saud Amin. ‘I think that we can learn from animals.’

Consensus? They highly recommend the course and think it’s a great idea. ‘At the end I’ll be a better person than I was before; happier and wiser.’