| I'm among a large group of educators who are | | | | fall as students return to school. What about creating |
| finalizing lesson plans and preparing for new students | | | | "teaching" roles within your organization? Those |
| and teaching adventures in the next couple of weeks. | | | | teachers could: |
| In addition, I'm among a large group of parents who are | | | | provide specific training about their expertise |
| shopping for kids' school supplies, attempting to wake | | | | begin blogging about their knowledge |
| their kids up earlier each morning and attending school | | | | become mentors for others within your |
| orientation sessions. These roles and tasks got me | | | | organization |
| thinking about this process of going back to school and | | | | Development - there are often specific learning |
| how it relates to the workplace. | | | | objectives for students as they progress through their |
| While many workplaces don't have such a distinct stop | | | | next level of learning. What about your CTM's? Is this |
| start time, there are parallels between what happens | | | | a good time to: |
| at the end of August in classrooms/homes and what | | | | revisit the goals set at the beginning of the year or |
| occurs in the workplace. Or at least there are | | | | to develop goals if none have been finalized |
| opportunities for similar experiences. | | | | find new ways for your CTM's to collaborate and |
| Here are a couple of ideas: | | | | share ideas with each other (i.e. staff meeting, intranet, |
| Learning - is there a specific time for jump starting or | | | | discussion boards) |
| revitalizing the learning of your Contributing Team | | | | have a conversation about career development |
| Members (CTM's)? Could this be the time? Here are a | | | | and how the organization can provide opportunities |
| few ideas to get things rolling: | | | | and how the individual can continuously add value |
| start a lunchtime book club | | | | The challenge in beginning new programs with CTM's |
| offer new subscriptions/professional memberships | | | | is often getting their buy-in. If you make connections to |
| to your CTM's (maybe they are a reward for some | | | | what they are already familiar with, showcase the |
| type of performance) | | | | benefits for them and make it easy to participate, the |
| provide training or a contest highlighting some | | | | buy-in comes quite naturally. And from my world of |
| aspect of your business | | | | marketing and advertising pros, speak in the language |
| Teaching - teachers are the focused profession in the | | | | of your audience. They'll respond. |