Training

Katherine Ray, S.P.H.R., is President and one of the two principals of Ray Associates, Inc., and has over 30 years of experience in human resources and organizational management. Katherine has consulted and conducted training on a wide range of human resource issues including coaching, performance assessment and development, classification and pay systems, personnel policies, application of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and serving as an expert witness on human resources issues.

A dynamic speaker who involves the audience in active participation, Katherine has developed a number of performance assessment systems for public employers and trained their managers and supervisors in conducting effective assessment discussions and coaching sessions. She has also developed and facilitated new board member orientations, strategic planning efforts, and leadership development seminars for public organizations and associations.

Below are samples of the types of training our firm offers that might be helpful to your organization:

Employee Performance Evaluation Systems and Training
(includes initials workshop with department heads and managers, customized performance evaluation system and forms, full-day training session for supervisors on the new system) 12 hours training in two courses, plus time for development of the system

• Learning objectives: Involvement of the employees, and more specifically, the supervisors, from the start of the project to foster communication, buy-in to the system, and ultimately to assist the organization with implementation of any changes. Numerous court decisions have held that if an employer requires its managers to conduct performance evaluations of their employees, it must also train those managers in how to make the evaluations effective.

Who Are We and Where Are We Going?
(includes a review of the organization's values, vision, mission, and goals; a review of the organization's strategic plan; and exercises to help employees, supervisors, and/or managers understand their role in realizing the organization's vision): 4 or 6 hour courses

• Learning Objectives: Increased understanding of the organization's values, vision, mission, and goals; application of the organization's vision, mission, and values to each employee's department, division, and personal objectives; and understanding of the organization's strategic plan, planning process, and their impact on each employee's responsibilities.

Personality Traits and Their Role in Leadership
(includes each participant's completion of a personality profile using the statistically validated D-I-S-C methodology; personality kaleidoscope exercise; secret insights and danger zones; using personality profile information to be a better leader; and using personality profile information to enhance communication and teamwork): 4 or 6 hour courses

• Learning Objectives: Understanding yourself better; understanding others better; and understanding how to apply that knowledge to achieve greater success in your work and your home life.

The Metamorphosis of a Leader - Attitude and Leadership Basics
(includes attitude's role in closing productivity gaps, six mind conditioners for leaders, the Fish! Philosophy, goal-setting, and walking the talk): 4 or 6 hour courses

• Learning Objectives: What leadership is; what leadership is not; what leaders do; how you can change and become a leader; and how you can multiply your effect by developing other leaders.

Communicating and Listening: What Distinguishes a Leader?
(includes the Iceberg Theory, 10 keys to developing the ability to communicate effectively, the four stages of learning/the four stages of speaking, the changing workforce, and 10 tips for tip-top listening): 4 or 6 hour courses

• Learning Objectives: How leaders influence others through communication; how and why leaders listen; and the most effective ways to get your message across verbally, nonverbally, in writing, and making presentations--whether formal or informal.

Establishing Priorities and Using Your Time Wisely
(includes where does your time go, organizing for maximum results, six time savers, eight time wasters, Stephen Covey's quadrant theory, and balancing everyday stress): 4 or 6 hour courses

• Learning Objectives: How to use your time more effectively (time wasters, time savers, and the importance of organization); how to set and accomplish priorities--the four quadrants matrix; Covey's 7 habits of highly effective people; and John Maxwell's Daily Dozen)

This is just a sample of the types of training we do. All of our training is designed to build leaders in the organization. As you know, leaders don't have to be people in leadership positions within the organization--they can be anywhere. Wherever they are, we want them to be leading in the direction we want the organization to be moving toward.

Each of our training "days" includes participant involvement through activities such as small group exercises, case studies, and quizzes, as well as videos that help to enliven the training atmosphere; and each participant receives a training workbook for their future reference as they apply the learning.

For more information about our training services, please e-mail us or call (512) 478-4699.