Monthly archive for May 2014

Psychometric Testing

Knowledge is power

More often than not the reason training programs fail to achieve the desired outcomes is because trainers don’t understand the culture and dynamics of team relationships. Understanding an organisations culture is often simpler than understanding the personalities within this culture. One of the most accurate and efficient ways of developing a comprehensive understanding of individuals and team dynamics is through psychometric testing. Psychometric testing is a practice that has been in used for decades and is a practice not used enough in recruitment and professional development.

‘Best Practice’ training processes

DST people integrate the latest generation ‘best practice’ psychometric tests in their training programs. The information obtained through this process helps both facilitators and Business Managers develop a more accurate understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working with and developing team members.

The Latest generation of Psychometric testing

For those who may have previously used or engaged with previous generations of psychometric tests, you will be surprised by how far this technology has come in a short time. The level of sophistication provided by the types of psychometric testing employed by DST people provides essential information on personalities and natural aptitudes.

Building a more comprehensive picture of your team

There are very specific personality traits that make people naturally suited to filling specific positions in an organisation. For example, the traits that made someone a successful sales person are not necessarily the same traits that make them good sales managers. Psychometric testing does not limit team members’ capabilities; it only defines current challenges and potential behaviours that can undermine team dynamics and efficient workplace practices. Armed with this information, businesses are then in a position to determine what training is required to improve outcomes.

People join organisations and leave managers

We all understand how the wrong team dynamic can undermine the effectiveness of a whole. Bad practices and poor behaviour often starts at the management level and filters down to the remainder of the organisation. The psychometric tests deployed by DST people can help identify the root cause of these problems. Training can correct these problems and provide lasting benefits.

The secret to retaining the best people

It is widely recognised that the experience of the first 90 days with an organisation is key to retaining the best people. In the first 90 days, new people are exposed to your on boarding process, a range of managers and different team dynamics. The right psychometric testing can improve every aspect of this experience. Psychometric testing can provide you with detailed information to help individualise the on boarding process. It can also help implement professional development and succession strategies, improving the effectiveness of managers and team dynamics.

A combination of the right psychometric testing and training strategy can deliver measurable and long lasting benefits to an organisations culture, securing the best people and attract more of the same quality.

7 ways to improve the efficiency of your organisation

The current government efficiency drive is a signal to all Australian organisations to look at their own efficiencies. One of the more obvious areas where Australian organisations can improve efficiency is with their people. This does not necessarily mean working your people harder, it means empowering your people to work ‘smarter’. Imagine what impact as little as 10% increase in productivity would have on your organisations success.

Here are our top seven tips to greater efficiency

1. Begin by involving your key people in your planning and goal setting
2. Establish mechanisms for measuring, reviewing and re setting goals
3. Implement a workable win-win Performance Review process and stick to it
4. Put in place a proactive training and development program for key employees
5. Develop a communications charter to celebrate success and keep staff informed
6. Recruit staff who are going to fit and / or build your ideal achievement culture
7. Move staff on who don’t get on board with your vision as quick as possible

Before you start training, consider a HR audit

DST people conduct HR audits of organisations, which help identify any gaps, or lapses in the way companies manage the people side of their business. A DST people HR Audit can help you develop and implement retention strategies, policies and processes.
Role Success Profiling

DST people Role Success Profiler packages increase your ability to select and retain the high performers who will help deliver your business vision. Role Success Profiling allows new managers and staff to fit into and strengthen your organisations culture. Role Success Profiling can also improve staff morale, motivation and retention.

The best place to start is at the beginning

Once you have employed the right people, the next thing is how you bring them into the organisation.

The first 90 days of employment are crucial to ensuring new team members understand an organisations culture and ensuring they become long-term productive team members. The key to this is the induction process. Developing and helping your people implement an effective and efficient induction process is one of the services DST people provide to its clients.

Organisational and Development Planning

Changes that drive efficiency can leave your people feeling a little shell-shocked. DST people Organisation Development packages help you address major internal changes, merge cultures and increase competiveness. DST people Organisation Development packages help organisations learn how to unlock their team’s power, focus, creativity and energy. This package helps your people understand the need for change and the positive outcomes for all concerned.

Conflict resolution training

Not everyone in your organisation needs to be best friends, however they do need to get along together. Personality conflicts can cause major interruptions within organisations, poison cultures and can even result in high profile court cases. The presumption is that all adults have the coping skills to manage these conflicts but the reality is these skills are not naturally acquired they are taught. The power differentiations in workplace relationships further exacerbate these matters and these often lead to legal intervention. All of this can be avoided, if your people are trained in the skills of identifying issues before they arise, as well as learning the skills to resolve conflict before it escalates. DST people can provide your people with the training to achieve these outcomes, allowing you to focus on core issues.

Other opportunities to improve efficiency

Meeting with DST people will provide you with insights into the many solutions they provide organisations like your own to improve efficiency. It is proven that the right HR reviews and training strategies can increase efficiency, reduce conflict and help your organisation develop a culture of innovation. Call today on (03) 9555 9050 and arrange an obligation-free consultation from one of our team.