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Pepperdine | Community

Development Resources

Human Resources is pleased to offer professional development opportunities on a community-wide scale as well as for teams to use during department retreats, for team building, and for times to step away from routines and refocus. We are continuously creating new workshops and providing unique opportunities in order to address the needs of the Pepperdine community and further the University mission. For more information about any of our offerings, to inquire about a departmental workshop, or suggest a training program, please contact Todd Creekmore.

Select a workshop to learn more:

 

 

Customer Service

The advanced reading Harvard Business Review article My Time at the Ritz serves as foundation for discussion of customer service principles and the Ritz Carlton approach to service. Emphasis on the underlying reasons for service ensures sustainable behavior, while a focus on interpersonal communication provides practical tools to establish rapport with others. The session concludes with a discussion on ways to provide an exceptional experience with angry and difficult constituents.

 

 

Execution of Documents

The University’s Execution of Documents Policy outlines the information and authority required to contract on behalf of the University.  The Office of the General Counsel, in collaboration with Insurance and Risk, offers periodic training on the policy that informs contracting employees how they may adequately safeguard the University from liability and excessive risk through careful contract review.  Additionally, the Office of the General Counsel provides a summary of the Policy as a reference and resource. 

 

 

LinkedIn Learning

Explore thousands of online training tutorials for beginners and experienced users alike on topics ranging from the basics of Excel to leadership fundamentals. Learn a myriad of different technical, social, and professional skills for free. Learn more here.

 

 

Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

Differentiating between time (finite resource) and energy (renewable resource), this personal and professional development workshop debriefs and expands upon the advanced reading Harvard Business Review article Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time. With the belief that people are most productive and effective when they are balanced and engaged in all aspects of life, participants gauge their physical energy (body), quality of energy (relationships), focus of energy (mind), and energy of meaning and purpose (human spirit). Participants leave with a practical action plan to increase their energy in all facets of life.

  • Booklet

 

 

Make It Happen: Setting and Achieving Goals

This action-oriented workshop will provide practical tools for setting and achieving your personal or professional goals. You will leave the workshop with a meaningful goal and a list of personalized next steps and strategies to successfully see it through. This can also be modified to create departmental goals as a team.

  • Slideshow Presentation

  • Goal Setting Worksheet with Instructions

  • Goal Setting Worksheet

 

 

People Skills

People Skills provides an in-depth look at behavior styles in the workplace, common attributes of each style, and ways to meet the needs of others. In addition to understanding their own styles, participants are given practical solutions to work effectively with all styles and to increase social competencies. Differences in task/relationship and process/expedience orientations serve as the foundation for understanding and identifying various behaviors at work.

 

 

Personal Effectiveness

Gain a broad perspective of your contributions in the workplace, and make the choice to excel in your role. Identify and intentionally leverage your strengths and distinctive characteristics for the betterment of the University. Learn practical tactics to link behavior with values, prioritize, and identify urgent and important tasks. Maximize your potential each day by leveraging calendar tools and identifying obstacles to effective time management.

This session is not offered on a regular basis but you can find all session materials and videos at the link below.

 

 

Strategies for Success

Designed for employees who are newer to the workplace and for those looking to advance their career at Pepperdine, this workshop will give practical advice on thriving and growing in our community. Whether this is your first job out of college, you are returning after a time away, or you feel like you may benefit from a refresher, this workshop will give you the guidance and the tools you need to gain the professional edge from the start. This workshop addresses topics such as navigating office culture, managing workplace conflict, supporting your supervisor, adding value to your office, realizing your purpose, and growing your career at Pepperdine.

 

 

Stress Management

Stress is inevitable, and while some stress can be beneficial, how one manages stress makes a monumental difference in productivity and overall health. This one and a half hour course helps participants identify physiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of negative stress. Participants learn about common workplace stressors to avoid and productive, practical coping methods that may make a lasting difference in their lives.

 

 

Remote Work Best Practices for Supervisors

Remote work, when properly implemented, can provide great benefits to both participating staff members and to Pepperdine. It can reduce commuting time, lower stress, improve employee morale, and has the potential to increase productivity. While telecommuting has many advantages, it may also pose unexpected challenges such as communication gaps, isolation, burnout, and loss of team cohesiveness. Supervising remote employees requires different skills and a potentially altered management style to address these challenges. This workshop is designed to help you avoid these pitfalls and prepare for telecommuting success.

 

 

The Organized Professional

Your physical space has a profound effect on your mental and emotional states and has the potential increase or decrease stress, creativity, and productivity. Not only does an organized workspace affect you as an individual, but it can also instill credibility in your work and improve your service to those around you. Keeping your space tidy and organized is a learned skill that can become second nature over time with the right systems in place. This workshop will provide the tips and tools you need to create a workspace that will reduce stress, provide inspiration, increase productivity, and enhance your overall work experience.

For more resources, please click here.

 

 

Time Management

Time is a valuable resource. We cannot create more time, so what matters most is using the time we are given well. Good time management can increase efficiency, maximize work/life balance, reduce stress, and manage competing priorities. While its merits are clear, effective time management is often difficult to implement and sustain. In this workshop we discuss the importance of managing time well, developing an awareness of and combating time robbers, and tools and strategies to make the most of your time.

 

 

Development Reading

Harvard Business Review

Human Resources is pleased to recommend various Harvard Business Review articles for employee development. Please visit the Pepperdine Library website to search for Harvard Business Review articles.

Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time
Schwartz, T. (2007). Manage your energy, not your time. Harvard Business Review, 85(10), 63-73.

Do Your Commitments Match Your Convictions?
Sull, D. N., & Houlder, D. (2005). Do your commitments match your convictions? Harvard Business Review, 83(1), 82-91.

Be a Better Leader, Have a Richer Life
Friedman, S. D. (2008). Be a better leader, have a richer life. Harvard Business Review, 86(4), 112-118.

Managing Oneself
Drucker, P. F. (2005). Managing oneself. Harvard Business Review, 83(1), 100-109.

Reaching Your Potential
Kaplan, R. S. (2008). Reaching your potential. Harvard Business Review, 86(7/8), 45-49.

 

 

LinkedIn Learning

Learn a New Skill Online!

Visit www.LinkedInLearning.pepperdine.edu to explore thousands of online training tutorials for beginners and experienced users alike on topics ranging from the basics of Excel to leadership fundamentals. Whether you seek a cursory review or in-depth instruction, the available lessons will meet your professional needs.

 

 

Personal Effectiveness and Time Management

About the Session

Part 1: Pulling Out the Stops: Five Strategies for Extraordinary Performance
Gain a broad perspective of your contributions in the workplace, and make the choice to excel in your role. Identify and intentionally leverage your strengths and distinctive characteristics for the betterment of the University.

Part 2: Accomplishing More With Less Effort and Greater Enjoyment
Learn practical tactics to link behavior with values, prioritize, and identify urgent and important tasks. Maximize your potential each day by leveraging calendar tools and identifying obstacles to effective time management.

Video Clips from the Session

These video clips from the session capture each of the five principles that lead to extraordinary performance.

Resources and Materials

Follow-Up Teleconference Recordings

Follow-Up Teleconference Materials 

Preview Videos

All registrants were encouraged to view the three videos on the right in preparation of the Personal Effectiveness and Time Management workshop on March 27. Facilitator Hugh Blane provided thoughtful consideration regarding time management and previews two of five aspects of personal effectiveness.

About the Speaker

Hugh Blane is President of Claris Consulting.  He is a nationally recognized business strategist hired to help executive teams and boards solve challenging business issues, strengthen personal and professional relationships, and execute on strategic initiatives with greater effectiveness.

A subject-matter expert in leadership, team performance and influence, Hugh honed his consulting skills with renowned business author, Tom Peters. As a Senior Consultant with the Tom Peters Company, Hugh equipped and inspired leaders to do something daily that moved them and their organizations closer to their greatest potential. With 25-plus years of management, sales and leadership experience, Hugh approaches his work with the firm belief that discovering what matters to you, what motivates you and what you want to be known for is the first step in creating breakthrough performance.