Pandemics, Holidays & Other Stresses News and Trends

Pandemics, Holidays & Other Stresses

Pandemics, Holidays & Other Stress Blogs

Making Your Lists and Checking Them Twice | A Workplace Blog

Be aware of how holiday celebrations may affect your staff and coworkers in different ways to help reduce the stress of the holiday season.

Happy Holidays? | A Workplace Blog

By Beth Schaefer IPD Director Last week I attended an annual holiday party with friends that I have been attending for 30-some years.  Fun!  It was a potluck, and I made a pretty ordinary salad – for about $35 dollars in grocery supplies – not fun.   While many of us

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 3: Make Your Move | A Workplace Blog

Take these actions to ensure a smooth career move.

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 2: You’ve Got Leverage | A Workplace Blog

While a record number of people are leaving their jobs (see the series introductory article: Is The Great Resignation Time for Your Career Transformation?), you may not have to leave to get a better deal. Because so many people are leaving, this may be a good time to negotiate a

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 1: Should I Stay of Should I Go? | A Workplace Blog

The Great Resignation Is On! This series of blogs studies the impact through the personal lens of your career ladder. Series Introduction  Part 1: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Coming in April) Part 2: You’ve Got Leverage (Coming in May) Part 3: Make your Move Before making any

The Great Resignation Transformation Intro: Is The Great Resignation Time for Your Career Transformation? | A Workplace Blog

To coincide with the IPD Expert Insights free webinar series on transforming the workplace using the Modernization Playbook, I thought I should take a look at workplace transformation on a personal level.   For the first time in quite a while, workers are in demand so it stands to reason that

The Beatles & Your New Year’s Resolution | A Workplace Blog

Are you in need of a New Year’s Resolution, or a Performance Goal? If you are as old (mature) as I am, you will remember the craze around a little book by Robert Fulghum entitled All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten.   Now, we have the

Taters, Turkey, and TP Anyone? | A Workplace Blog

Taters, Turkey, and TP Anyone? Worried about shortages in holiday gathering supplies? Now, more than ever, business architecture has a role to play.

Return-to-Work Phobia | A Workplace Blog

What can leaders can do to ease the fear of returning to work after Covid? Many people are dreading the return to work: the commute, unnecessary in-person meetings, sitting a cubicle, eating lunch at their desk…   For over a year, public health messaging has been that the safest place

Pandemic Changes That Will Stick | A Workplace Blog

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” John Drucker For this article, I am taking a quick glance at how our workplace environments are likely to change in the long-term as a result of the pandemic.  It is a

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Workplace Wins News and Trends

Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how big or small!

Workplace wins are important! Any big or small achievement can have the effect of a positive outcome in your job. Things like landing a new client or getting a promotion to smaller things like resolving a conflict with a coworker or finishing a challenging task on time can all count.  Things like this offer a sense of accomplishment, which can encourage you to keep doing good work.

Public Sector Blogs

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker Part 3: Too Much of a Good Thing | A Workplace Blog

While there are benefits of having a curmudgeon on your team, curmudgeonly behaviors have their limits. Learn more here….

Heard! Spreading Love in your Workplace | A Workplace Blog

You can contribute to a positive workplace environment by learning some team lessons from the restaurant kitchen.

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker: Part 1 – Curmudgeon | A Workplace Blog

New research is debunking the myth that the always-happy employee is your most productive employee.

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker Part 2: Because the Research Says So… | A Workplace Blog

Research says a team should have at least one grumpy coworker on your team or in your department. Read about four of the reasons.

Interdependence Part 2: The Power of Ubuntu: How Connection Can Change the World | A Workplace Blog

Explore the philosophy of Ubuntu and unlock the power to change your team and make a lasting impact in the world.

Who’s Sitting at Your Table? Part 2: It’s Beyond What You Can See | A Workplace Blog

It’s Beyond What You Can See. Part 2 of Who’s Sitting at Your Table?

Who’s Sitting at Your Table? Part 1:The Dinner Party | A Workplace Blog

By: Destyn Land, M.Ed.   Imagine that you were personally invited to a dinner party hosted by one of your favorite celebrities (for me this would be the late Chadwick Boseman). Upon your arrival, you realize the table you were assigned to sit at has seats that you do not

What’s Love Got to Do with It? | A Workplace Blog

When we think about our work lives, and the way that we engage with our colleagues, I imagine most of us (including me) would ask, “What’s love got to do with it?”

The Value of Chit Chat | A Workplace Blog

Improve well-being, production, and creativity at work with one magical bullet that you are probably already doing … Chit Chat!

Build Bridges Within Your Village | A Workplace Blog

Satisfy the workplace needs and personality traits that every generation has.

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Public Sector Training News and Trends

Training is an essential investment for any public sector organization.

Training leads to a more efficient, effective, and responsive government that better serves the public.  The world is constantly changing, and public sector policies and procedures need to keep up.  n a competitive job market, public sector organizations need to offer competitive benefits to attract and retain top talent. Investing in employee training shows that an organization is committed to its workforce and provides opportunities for growth and development.

Public Sector Blogs

How Mature Are You? | A Workplace Blog

Learn how as little as 15 minutes or having 2 or 3 conversations can determine where you are on the capability maturity model can save you time, money, and frustration.

Public Sector Hiring Challenges (and Solutions)- Part 2: Disrupt and Innovate | A Workplace Blog

Ignite a spark for the Minnesota Public Sector to collectively promote ourselves as a great career option! Be disruptive and innovative with these links to organizations and events.

Public Sector Hiring Challenges (and Solutions) Part 1: Recruit | A Workplace Blog

While almost every industry sector is suffering with the challenge of the Great Resignation, public sector is suffering more than others. Learn six Talent-Recruiting Actions to Find Public Sector Employees in Minnesota

Employee Retention Part 4: Six Things You Can Skip to Improve Employee Engagement | A Workplace Blog

This article will discuss the 6 myths your organization should avoid if it wants to help those immediate supervisors maintain engaged employees.

The Top Four Obstacles to Problem Solving | A Workplace Blog

  This month we are featuring a free webinar on how to solve problems so that you do not need to solve them again.   So, I took a quick look out on the world wide web, to see what obstacles people are facing to getting problems solved – especially

Why It Makes Dollars and Sense to Improve Workplace Mental Health | A Workplace Blog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month Things You Can Do Now To Improve Your Organization’s Mental Health – Even While Working From Home In the past, I would have dismissed this topic as something that is so distant to me, I would not even need to glance in its direction.

Your Organization Needs Business Architecture | A Workplace Blog

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Leadership – How do you encourage Agile and innovation in a Bureaucracy? | A Workplace Blog

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Value the Voice of Customer | A Workplace Blog

By: Beth Schaefer    Director, Institute for Professional Development It happened again last week.  I was at a meeting where a policy revision was announced.  As the policy changes were being laid out, several people in the room had questions that did not have answers.  It became clear to me

Why change initiatives fail: it’s not me, it’s you … except when it’s not | A Workplace Blog

These are the real reasons people resist change… Call IPD today if you would like to learn more about our change management classes – 612-659-7230

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Advancing Your Career News and Trends

Advancing in your career can provide new opportunities to learn, grow, and taking on more responsibility.

Not everyone is motivated by the same factors regarding advancing a career.  It is not always about the recognition and status that come with a higher position.  You may be looking for increased earning potential, greater responsibility, or even job satisfaction and purpose.

Advance Your Career Blogs

Eyeshadow Can Change Your Life | A Workplace Blog

My most successful resolution occurred about 10 years ago when I resolved to wear eyeshadow every day. I ended up losing 60 pounds.

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 3: Make Your Move | A Workplace Blog

Take these actions to ensure a smooth career move.

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 2: You’ve Got Leverage | A Workplace Blog

While a record number of people are leaving their jobs (see the series introductory article: Is The Great Resignation Time for Your Career Transformation?), you may not have to leave to get a better deal. Because so many people are leaving, this may be a good time to negotiate a

The Great Resignation Transformation Part 1: Should I Stay of Should I Go? | A Workplace Blog

The Great Resignation Is On! This series of blogs studies the impact through the personal lens of your career ladder. Series Introduction  Part 1: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Coming in April) Part 2: You’ve Got Leverage (Coming in May) Part 3: Make your Move Before making any

The Great Resignation Transformation Intro: Is The Great Resignation Time for Your Career Transformation? | A Workplace Blog

To coincide with the IPD Expert Insights free webinar series on transforming the workplace using the Modernization Playbook, I thought I should take a look at workplace transformation on a personal level.   For the first time in quite a while, workers are in demand so it stands to reason that

The Beatles & Your New Year’s Resolution | A Workplace Blog

Are you in need of a New Year’s Resolution, or a Performance Goal? If you are as old (mature) as I am, you will remember the craze around a little book by Robert Fulghum entitled All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten.   Now, we have the

Always Be Networking | A Workplace Blog

Why you should always be networking. Call IPD today for more information on how to grow your career. 612-659-7230

Your current position: Pinnacle or Plateau? | A Workplace Blog

Seven actions to remain relevant and propel your career.

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Diversity Equity and Inclusion News and Trends

DEI is not just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business.

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is crucial for businesses today, for ethical and practical reasons.  By creating a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, you can unlock many benefits that will help your company thrive in the long run.

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Blogs

Interdependence Part 2: The Power of Ubuntu: How Connection Can Change the World | A Workplace Blog

Explore the philosophy of Ubuntu and unlock the power to change your team and make a lasting impact in the world.

Interdependence Part 1: The Goal | A Workplace Blog

We are not working on an island. We need to teach people to work interdependently, ask for help early, and work with others to dream big and solve large problems.

Pets, People, and Practices: Rethinking Bereavement Policies for a Diverse Workplace | A Workplace Blog

DEI policies often fall short in bereavement policies. Ensuring employees can grieve is essential for a company’s health and longevity. Learn more…

It’s More Than Memorizing a List: Inclusive Language in the Workplace | A Workplace Blog

Inclusive language in our workplaces is essential. Learn three ways to improve the use of inclusive language in the workplace.

Who’s Sitting at Your Table? Part 2: It’s Beyond What You Can See | A Workplace Blog

It’s Beyond What You Can See. Part 2 of Who’s Sitting at Your Table?

Who’s Sitting at Your Table? Part 1:The Dinner Party | A Workplace Blog

By: Destyn Land, M.Ed.   Imagine that you were personally invited to a dinner party hosted by one of your favorite celebrities (for me this would be the late Chadwick Boseman). Upon your arrival, you realize the table you were assigned to sit at has seats that you do not

Diversify to Recruit and Retain | A Workplace Blog

Learn 6 workplace values sought be younger generations and 4 actions leaders can take to demonstrate those values and diversify their culture.

Five Criteria For High-Quality Diversity Training | A Workplace Blog

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) are not just buzzwords. To save time, I researched what makes a good DE&I trainer and combined the information into five key criteria.

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Business Architecture News and Trends

Business architecture is critical for a business.

Business architecture is like a well-designed map for your organization.

It helps you navigate the complexities of your business, make informed choices, and reach your desired destination of strategic goals.

Business Architecture Blog

Business Architecture 201: Part 1 – Business-Object Oriented Capabilities and their Relationship to Information | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Explore the core business architecture that DHS is leveraging to integrate service delivery and develop an enterprise portfolio of products.  

Business Architecture 201: Part 2 – Using Architectural Value Streams to Center the People We Serve | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Learn more about value streams role and position in the larger business architecture framework.

The Modern Business Architect: Lessons from the Field: Part 1 – A Business Architect’s Role in Product Management | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Learn more about how product managers can use business architecture in their roles.

The Modern Business Architect: Lessons from the Field: Part 2 – Getting the Business to Care About Business Architecture | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Discuss some tips and techniques for getting your business stakeholders to become your greatest champions.

The Modern Business Architect: Lessons from the Field: Part 3 – Modern Approaches to Collaborating Across Architecture Disciplines | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Explore modern operating models for organizing different types of architects, along with approaches companies are taking to improve collaboration.

Standing Up a Business Architecture Practice Part 1: Your Value Proposition | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Cover the basics that must be established before even starting to think about a formal business architecture practice.

Standing Up a Business Architecture Practice Part 2: Your Business Architecture Practice Charter | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Learn how to stand up a business architecture practice within an organization.

Standing Up a Business Architecture Practice Part 3 – Your Governance / Past Expert Insights Webinar

This third and final session in Standing Up a Business Architecture Practice poses questions that should be considered when it comes to the governance of an enterprise-level business architecture practice.

Solving the Puzzle: Using Models to Organize Enterprise-Level Change | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Learn how to leverage business models to define overall scope, map work tracks, track vendors & systems, and ensure end-to-end coverage.

Business Architecture at the Speed of Business | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Previously Recorded Webinar Watch the Video Here 2020 demonstrated the criticality of a business’s ability to pivot and respond to a rapidly changing environment.  Business strategies are now fluid, and business architects need to adapt.  The session will focus on practical tips and methods for how business architects can take

Back to Business (RTO) Through a Business Architecture Lens – Past Expert Insights Webinar

A look at the COVID pandemic’s impact on corporations and the digital economy through the lens of business architecture.

Business Architecture In Uncertain Times | Past Expert Insights Webinar

How Business Architects Can Help Their Companies Navigate Through Uncertainty.

Modernization, Maturity, & The Playbook: Part 1 – The Marvel of the Playbook | Past Expert Insights Webinar

This session focuses on the creation of the State of Minnesota’s Office of Transformation to standardize and assist state agencies with their modernization efforts.

Modernization, Maturity, & the Playbook: Part 2 – Ideas for Standardizing Maturity Mapping | Past Expert Insights Webinar

Learn how the playbook works in conjunction with maturity assessments.

Modernization, Maturity, & The Playbook: Part 3 – Managing Transformational Change | Past Expert Insights Webinar

This session will discuss the importance of change management in any transformation.

How Mature Are You? | A Workplace Blog

Learn how as little as 15 minutes or having 2 or 3 conversations can determine where you are on the capability maturity model can save you time, money, and frustration.

Does Your Company Need More Convincing to Send You to Business Architecture Certification Training? | A Workplace Blog

Does Your Company Need More Convincing to Send You to Business Architecture Certification Training?

Your Organization Needs Business Architecture | A Workplace Blog

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Leadership – How do you encourage Agile and innovation in a Bureaucracy? | A Workplace Blog

Read More…

Is Pocket Agile a Thing, or Did I Just Invent It? | A Workplace Blog

Is Pocket Agile a Thing, or Did I Just Invent It? Or – Is it OK to be Agile Lite? By: Beth Schaefer    Director, Institute for Professional Development I hesitate to say that I am practicing Agile because I have not been formally trained in Agile. And, I work

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Leadership & Strategy News and Trends

Leadership Makes Strategy Work

Think of strategy as a brilliant plan – on paper, but it’s strong leadership that translates that plan into action. Leaders effectively communicate the strategy to employees, motivating them to work towards goals. They also delegate tasks, track progress, and make adjustments as needed.

Leadership & Strategy Blog

How Mature Are You? | A Workplace Blog

Learn how as little as 15 minutes or having 2 or 3 conversations can determine where you are on the capability maturity model can save you time, money, and frustration.

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker Part 3: Too Much of a Good Thing | A Workplace Blog

While there are benefits of having a curmudgeon on your team, curmudgeonly behaviors have their limits. Learn more here….

Heard! Spreading Love in your Workplace | A Workplace Blog

You can contribute to a positive workplace environment by learning some team lessons from the restaurant kitchen.

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker: Part 1 – Curmudgeon | A Workplace Blog

New research is debunking the myth that the always-happy employee is your most productive employee.

Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker Part 2: Because the Research Says So… | A Workplace Blog

Research says a team should have at least one grumpy coworker on your team or in your department. Read about four of the reasons.

Interdependence Part 2: The Power of Ubuntu: How Connection Can Change the World | A Workplace Blog

Explore the philosophy of Ubuntu and unlock the power to change your team and make a lasting impact in the world.

Interdependence Part 1: The Goal | A Workplace Blog

We are not working on an island. We need to teach people to work interdependently, ask for help early, and work with others to dream big and solve large problems.

What’s Love Got to Do with It? | A Workplace Blog

When we think about our work lives, and the way that we engage with our colleagues, I imagine most of us (including me) would ask, “What’s love got to do with it?”

Diversify to Recruit and Retain | A Workplace Blog

Learn 6 workplace values sought be younger generations and 4 actions leaders can take to demonstrate those values and diversify their culture.

The Value of Chit Chat | A Workplace Blog

Improve well-being, production, and creativity at work with one magical bullet that you are probably already doing … Chit Chat!

Read More