Business and Community Solutions

2015 Calmar Business Consortium

What is the Business Consortium?Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions mission is to collaborate with businesses, industries and the community to provide tailored, high-quality professional educational opportunities that enhance personal and professional development. Realizing that organizations are facing increased fiscal responsibility, we have implemented a model that pools financial resources and allows employers to gain access and exposure to quality training at a reasonable cost, increasing the return on investment and exposing employees to expert trainers.

How do we become a member?Invest in an annual membership of $1,525 in addition to $3 per full time employee. Example: A company with 100 employees would pay annually $1,525 + $300 = $1,825. The annual investment per employee is $18.25.

Where is the training?Classes begin in January of each year at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).Wilder Business Center, Calmar Campus1625 Highway 150 S • Calmar, IA 52132

For additional information or to become a member, contact: Bailey Kloft 563.557.8271, ext. 140 kloftb@nicc.edu

For questions regarding class registration, contact: NICC Business and Community Solutions 800.728.2256, ext. 399

Microsoft Excel 2010 Fast-Paced - Level 2 This intermediate-level class introduces more features of Microsoft Excel 2010, building on Level 1. Students will learn to create large worksheets and workbooks, tables, outlines and templates. They will also practice inserting clip art, pictures, SmartArt and digital signatures. An illustrated textbook is included in the cost of the class.

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Trainer: Annette KrienerRoom: 107

The Perfect Storm (Generational Mix) For the first time ever, there are four generations (soon to be five!) in the workforce. This has never happened before and is creating all kinds of new issues. Each generation, Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, brings a different perspective to the workplace. Unless bridged, these differences can be frustrating and will impact an organization’s bottom line. What are each generation’s core values? What do they expect of their leaders and how do they define success? In this engaging program, John Graci answers these questions and much more. Filled with concrete examples and entertaining front line stories, this presentation will show all attendees we are all “different” and how to make the most out of cross-generational differences.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015Time: 1-3 p.m.Trainer: John GraciRoom: 104 & 105

Appraising People & Performance Advanced This session will focus on driving higher performance through feedback for new supervisors or even seasoned leaders. Conducting performance discussions, including appraisals, helps ensure that team members perform at their best, however, we are often uncertain how to deliver the best feedback in difficult conversations. Discussion and activities will focus on handling a wide range of situations for high performers as well as growing those to higher potential or addressing those who are not meeting expectations. Participants will leave with new tools and techniques to apply immediately back on the job.

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2015Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.Trainer: Celina PeermanRoom: 104 & 105

2015 Class Schedule

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Business Email: Write it Right Are your email messages effective? Do they get the results that you want? Are you aware of how to contribute to your organization’s success via email? During this half-day workshop, you will discover best practices for composing and writing, using this primary mode of communication, making it easier for your readers to read, understand and respond to your messages.

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2015Time: 9 a.m.-NoonTrainer: Jim BrimeyerRoom: 104 & 105

A Roadmap for Talent Management and Succession Planning The future success of an organization hinges on two primary factors. Recognizing the organizational culture, particularly as it relates to the hiring process, is critical to creating a succession plan and a solid succession plan is dependent on the organization’s current attention to attracting and retaining talented employees. It is the job of every member of the organization to contribute to this effort, but managers who supervise staff have an especially important role in the support and development of the next generation of leaders. We’ll address talent management issues such as providing quality performance reviews and offer transition tools to implement a smooth succession process. Are you ready for your future?

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2015Time: 1-4 p.m.Trainer: Celina PeermanRoom: 104 & 105

Dealing with Difficult Employees Take a time out from the inevitable office tensions and join this class to learn how to deal effectively with difficult behavior and troublesome confrontation in the workplace. Students will identify communication strategies, discuss coping skills for common hot-button issues and practice how to resolve conflict with win-win outcomes. When conflict is reduced, productivity and employee satisfaction is increased.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2015Time: 1-4 p.m. Trainer: Celina PeermanRoom: 104 & 105

Stress Management Stress can be good or bad - depending on how much you have, how long you have it and your attitude. In this class, participants will identify the roots of job stress, methods to be proactive in managing stress and how to “Claim it, Frame it and Tame it,” leading to a healthier and happier workplace.

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2015Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Trainer: Dean RussellRoom: 104 & 105

Dress Etiquette: Aiming for Professionalism Regardless of ability, work ethic, sense of responsibility and productivity, people are most judged in the workplace for the physical image they present to others. The good news is that your appearance is one element of your personal brand that is within your control. This class will offer some basic rules to define business professional attire vs. business casual attire and when or where each is appropriate or expected. We’ll help you understand the benefits of presenting yourself professionally and the consequences of not making this a priority. So, join us for tips that will enhance your professional credibility and, ultimately, boost your personal confidence too.

Date: Friday, April 17, 2015Time: 8 a.m.-11 a.m.Trainer: Jim Onsanger & Jessica RoseRoom: 104 & 105

Building Effective Teams The workplace that fosters teamwork demonstrates that collaboration is an important value, and within its culture, everything is better when done cooperatively. Class will consist of discussion on the definition of a team, methods to form teams that will help in solving work issues and how to reward and recognize team players. Students will also be able to identify how to avoid the mistakes most leaders make with their team, how to motivate, take ownership, create trust and empower team members to reach their full potential.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2015Time: 1-4 p.m.Trainer: Lisa SchaeferRoom: 104 & 105

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Session 5: “The Art of Conflict Resolution and Negotiation” presents a framework for understanding conflict, exploring different conflict resolution styles and adopting a positive approach to resistance. Through discussions and group exercises, participants learn to recognize the value of conflict, identify its various sources and express, appreciate and manage resistance.

Session 6: “Attitude of Service - Leading Change” uses a systems approach to highlight the advantages of adaptive change. Drawing on their own work experiences and key leadership concepts introduced throughout the course, participants will envision their accomplishments six months out and will develop individual action plans as well as next steps towards building and nurturing a learning organization. Participants must attend all 6 sessions.

Dates: Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3 &10, 2015Time: 8 a.m.-NoonTrainer: Lisa SchaeferRoom: 104

Motivating Employees Using Common Sense This class challenges supervisors’ assumptions that low motivation is usually the fault of the employee. News flash: Changing how YOU lead can change your employees’ attitudes and increase motivation! So take a look in the mirror and open yourself to developing leadership techniques that get the results you want - productive, motivated employees.

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Time: 1-3 p.m.Trainer: John GraciRoom: 104 & 105

Leadership Institute: Develop the Leader Within You! No longer can one rely solely on technical and management skill for professional success. Today’s professionals need 21st century skills which include team management techniques, powerful communication methods and effective self-development.

The NICC Leadership Institute provides interactive, relevant, learner-centered training that is engaging, meaningful and results in professional growth. The six-week series includes four-hour modules that build on each other and weave together components of several leading-edge approaches to leadership. Participants are to attend all six sessions.

Session 1: “Discover Your Leadership Style” utilizes appreciative inquiry as a way for participants to explore concepts of leadership and management, formulate a common vision of effective leadership and identify shared organizational values. Additionally, participants assess their own personal leadership style and recognize a range and variety of leadership, management and organizational development theories.

Session 2: “Communication, The Heart of it ALL” uses small and large group exercises to identify effective communications skills. The session also explores characteristics of learning organizations, with a particular focus on understanding the power of mental models (unspoken assumptions). Participants practice advocacy, inquiry and narrative techniques as ways to address mental models and other forms of interference in communication.

Session 3: “Supervision and Management” further explores characteristics of learning organizations by introducing the concepts of personal mastery and whole systems as management frameworks. After identifying their unit’s purpose via customers’ needs, wants and expectations, participants have the opportunity to share exceptional supervisory experiences. They then apply leadership styles and applications to real-life supervisory situations through role-plays utilizing objective, reflective, interpretive and decisional questions.

Session 4: “The Power of Teams” is designed for individuals who currently head teams but have little or no formal training in group dynamics or team leadership. The session covers essential elements of effective teams (e.g., ground rules, agendas and evaluations), group task and maintenance functions, stages of group development and climate assessment primarily through interactive exercises and large and small group discussion. The emphasis is on application to current job responsibilities.

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We love having this opportunity for quality education right in our neighborhood. We have educational opportunities in Mason City and Des Moines, but the travel time and cost are often prohibitive.- Connie Kuennen Director of Marketing and Foundation Regional Health Services of Howard County

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Meet the TrainersJim Brimeyer is a career teacher of writing, 25 years at the high school level, and more than two decades at NICC. His college composition textbook, “You’ve Gotta Have Heart in Your Writing,” is in its second edition. He is also an instructor for the Iowa Writing Project and conducts pedagogical and business writing presentations throughout the U.S. Jim has garnered state and national awards for his exceptional teaching.

John Graci has more than 15 years of experience in leadership development and training. He received his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and is the author of the leadership book, “The Buck Stops with You,” published in 2009. John has performed at locations from the Mirage in Las Vegas to overnight retreats located in International Falls, Minn. to CNN! He currently resides in Cottage Grove, Minn.

Laurie Johnson has a wide range of management experience in human resources, industrial relations, organizational development, business information systems, training and development, management coaching, mediation and communication disciplines. She has more than 15 years of experience helping companies elevate the performance of their employees and improve productivity. Laurie is also CEO of Innovations Communications Consulting, a company she founded in 2004.

Annette Kreiner has been actively teaching computer classes at NICC since 1998 and enjoys helping people learn new skills for use in their daily and business lives.

James Onsager has been a faculty member in the NICC Administrative Office Management program since 1986. He teaches office procedures, business communication, computer applications, professionalism and job seeking skills. Jim also supervises internships for students in his program.

Celina Peerman, Ph.D is a trainer and instructional designer specializing in organization behavior and human resource management related topics. She received her psychology degree, with a distinction in organizational psychology, from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn. and received her master’s in business leadership, specializing in human resource management, from Upper Iowa University, Fayette. Her undergrad degree was from the University of Dubuque in psychology and international studies. Dr. Peerman is a trainer and consultant with 20+ years of experience, specializing in organizational behavior and human resource management-related topics. She also has expertise in senior leadership roles in human resource, organizational development and operations positions in both profit and not-for-profit businesses - where she was responsible for quality service, effective processes, staff diversity and achieving measurable results.

Dr. Dean Russell is an organizational effectiveness consultant with Trusight, Inc. He is certified in many areas including lead auditor for ISO 9000/13485 Series/14000 Series and a facilitator and administrator for the Myers-Briggs/DISC Behavioral Type Indicator. Dean uses the ISO/Baldrige quality models as the primary instrument in the installation of Quality and Environmental Systems. He has served as adjunct faculty at Limestone College, S.C., Southern Wesleyan College, S.C. and Haywood Community College, N.C. Dean is a national speaker and a frequent speaker at the University of St. Thomas, Minn. He received his doctorate of philosophy in international business from the University of South Carolina.

Lisa Schaefer is the owner of Shine with Schaefer, Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) instructor of the professional development courses for community college faculty and brings online instructor position a wealth of educational and work experience. Ms. Schaefer’s career path includes positions with the K-12 Wisconsin Public School system as a high school counselor, psychology instructor with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, director of students services with Southwest Wisconsin Community College, and currently a human services program instructor with NICC. Ms. Schaefer’s experience offers a broad background of instruction in all modalities: face-to-face, hybrids and full online environments. Ms. Schaefer received her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in marketing as well as her master’s of science in education degree in school and adult counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Wis. In addition, Ms. Schaefer has earned an Educational Leadership Certificate from Winona State University, Winona, Minn., as well as numerous Wisconsin Technical College Course Certifications including Lean/Six Sigma, Teaching Methods, Curriculum Design (WIDS), Guidance and Counseling, Educational Diversity, and Survival Spanish for Educators.

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