IN THIS ISSUE:

What are the implications for interest rates
and investors?

increased wages and demand for skilled professionals  
Cliftons art prize
Trivia Night - raising funds for the nbcf
connect with cliftons - upcoming events

Contributed by Edward Sainsbury, CBA - Corporate Solutions Group

Important Information
The summary has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular individual. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual’s objectives, financial situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. In the case of certain securities Commonwealth Bank of Australia is or may be the only market maker.

What training? The first steps towards ROI

Contributed by Rowena Beresford
HRD Central

The Reserve Bank has kept interest rates on hold for four consecutive months allowing consumers some reprieve and would be pleased with the latest result, alleviating any concerns that spending had dried up completely. However, any sustained increase in spending levels over coming months may see the central bank likely raise rates again.

Inflation is still a problem, but the rate hikes are working to slow the economy and reduce inflationary pressures. The higher cost of fuel is acting as a further rate hike and is likely to curb spending even further over coming months.

Savanth Sebastian - Equities Economist, CommSec (2nd July 2008)

Making sure your training is effective, suited to an increasingly sophisticated training audience and fits within budget constraints is an ongoing challenge.

After identifying the training need, taking the time to consider what type of delivery is going to be the most appropriate is an important early step towards ensuring a good return on investment.

Here is a quick exploration of some benefits and potential pitfalls to help you do just that:

Who is the CBA - Corporate Solutions Group, how can they help?

The Corporate Solutions Group is a unit of the Corporate Bank that helps new clients with their total capital solutions. The focus is to work with Mid-Market companies with their debt capital, equity capital, FX and Working Capital requirements. The Group prides itself on working through complicated scenarios and is dedicated to fast turn around times.

Please contact Edward Sainsbury on
0403 447 981 for more information.

SHORT WORKSHOPS

Usually range from ½ day to 2 days in length.

Volatile finance markets driving increased wages and demand for skilled professionals  

Great opportunity for team building, group problem solving or any activities requiring face-to-face interaction

Contributed by Kaplan Professional

Watch out for: consistency of content if training multiple groups in the same topic, an over-dependency on PowerPoint or ‘telling’ instead of ‘training’.

According to Warren Jacobson, CEO of Kaplan Professional, "The economic downturn that has shaken financial markets is increasing demand for more highly skilled accountants and financial planners. The issue is that employers want people that are not only recently up-skilled, but that can strategically apply those skills to analyse complex issues. Clients demand the same and that demand is increasing as those that managed their affairs personally in the rising market now appreciate the need for professional help."

In addressing the skills shortage, Professional Investment Services (PIS), Australia's largest dealer group for financial planners PIS is working with Kaplan Professional to offer entry-level education programs which enable candidates to learn first-hand from practitioners about the industry and the many pathways to new job opportunities.

RAPID LEARNING

Usually range from 20 minutes to 2 or 3 hours

Suitable for quick introductions, pre-course work, post-course refreshers, one-to-one or team coaching, staff meeting sessions or when faced with time and resource constraints

Watch out for: too much theory. To be effective, these bite-sized sessions need to have a very practical focus and be delivered in plain English.

Warwick Glaves, Education Manager for (PIS), says, "Boom years have seen demand for financial services professionals increase. The industry has also born the brunt of increased compliance and regulation. In volatile markets advisers need to spend as much time as possible talking to their clients and hence increasing the need for technical specialists to manage the back office. Top paraplanners are a scarce commodity. Good candidates need to demonstrate problem solving skills and attention to detail as well as the ability to grasp complex strategies."

COACHING

The focus is on achieving specific goals and what it will take to do that

When done well often has a very positive effect on employee engagement

If the coach is also the manager, can help build great working relationships

To help employers hire candidates with sufficient skills, Kaplan Professional has also introduced knowledge test exams which are now purchased by many major banks and financial services organisations.

Mr Jacobson said, "With skilled candidates in short supply, it makes sense for employers to use knowledge testing so they can identify any potential skills gaps. If a candidate is strong in most areas, then employers may still hire them but offer on-the job training or professional development courses to fill the skills gap."

The coach does not tell the person what they need to learn, they help them discover it for themselves (which tends to result in a much greater and more positive sense of ownership in solving the problem)

Watch out for: coaches who don’t really want to be coaches, or who think this is the opportunity to tell someone else what is wrong with them.

About Kaplan Professional

Kaplan Professional is part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan Inc. serves over one million students with operations in more than 30 countries around the world. Its international programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and

Finally, don’t forget the people aspect of your decision. The learning styles of your participants, their level of familiarity with technology or their ability to quickly adopt new skills (amongst other things) are all likely to have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your training. Make sure you take this into consideration when deciding what type of training would be best.

professional training. Kaplan Inc., with 2007 revenue of $2 billion, is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO - News).

To find out more visit: www.kaplanprofessional.edu.au or call 1300 66 22 03

ABOUT HRD CENTRAL

CLIFTONS ART PRIZE

HRD CENTRAL is an online superstore of more than 1000 ready-to-use trainer's tools and resources from Australia & overseas.

Topics range from interpersonal skills, leadership and management right through to personality type, recruitment and selection, safety and wellness and just about everything in between. We provide short course kits, games and activities, e-learning, self-assessment tools, business books & much more.

For information on HRD Central's great resources, navigate your way to www.hrdcentral.com or Free Call 1800 657 025.

THE WINNING PIECES
(Please click on thumbnails to enlarge. Click names for artist's statement):

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MELBOURNE TRIVIA NIGHT

On Thursday, July 3rd 2008, Cliftons Melbourne held their inaugural Trivia Night supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. By all accounts, it was a resounding success - food, wine, fun and fundraising was had by all!! The 11th floor of Cliftons Collins Street Training Facility was transformed into an entertainment venue for the night. All feedback from clients, fellow tenants and attendees was extremely positive:

"...enormous thank you for putting on such a fun and action packed night.  It was extremely well organised and the fact that so many people came, made it even more exciting!" (Readify)

"It was brilliantly organised by you and your team and very generously supported by sponsors. Add in a great host/quiz master, some fabulous prizes, great food and wine and you have the perfect recipe for a successful event. Well done and we hope you raised lots of money for a wonderful cause."
(Curriculum Corporation)

CONNECT WITH CLIFTONS AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Envisage Perspectives - View The Works of Sarah Mottram
Date: 1 - 2 August 2008
Location: Cliftons Melbourne Training Facility
Details: http://www.cliftons.com/files/sarah_mottram.htm

PMOz
Date: 18 – 20 August 2008
Location: Sofitel Melbourne
Details: http://www.pmoz.com.au/

Technology in Government & the Public Sector
Date: 18 – 19 August 2008
Location: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Details: http://www.acevents.com.au/ausgovtech2008/

CIO Summit, Sydney
Date: 19 August 2008
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
Details: http://www.idc.com.sg/CIO_Summit2008/default.asp

Australian Institute of Professional Facilitators (AIPF) Conference
Date: 20 - 19 August 2008
Location: Hillstone St Lucia, Queensland
Details: http://www.aipf.com.au

itSMF (The Information Technology Service Management Forum Australia) 2008 Conference & Expo
Date: 27 – 28 August 2008
Location: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Details: http://www.itsmf.org.au/conference/#confcont

Australian Institute Office Professionals (AIOP) Conference
Date: 28 – 29 August 2008
Location: Victoria Park Function Venue, Herston Queensland
Details: http://www.officeprofessionalsconf.qut.edu.au/

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Around 20 companies represented the nearly 200 strong attendees, incorporating GE, Rio Tinto, ANZ, Readify, Ericsson, and many, many more. 28 prizes were won and over $6500 was raised. Due to the generosity of our sponsors, Apples and Pears for the food, Casella Wines for the wine and Readify for taking care of the Trivia Master's cost, there were zero expenses meaning every cent raised went directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation which also sent their compliments on a wonderful event.