What is Employee Onboarding?

Employee onboarding is the process of welcoming and integrating new workers into the workplace, ensuring they have everything they need to be productive, successful and comfortable in their new role.

Employee onboarding ensures new employees are supported and fully understand the work tasks, work environment, expectations, team structure and company culture. It’s also a great opportunity to give that all-important positive first impression of the company, as it can easily influence how the new worker feels about their new workplace.

Onboarding begins as soon as the new hire has received their job offer and continues for weeks or even months after the employee’s first day at work, usually until the point when the employee feels fully adjusted to their new role.

A well-planned employee onboarding procedure has many benefits, for both new employees and businesses, including:

• New employees will settle into their role quickly.
• New workers will reach full productivity at a faster rate.
• Employees are more likely to stay with the company leading to better employee retention.
• Teams are stronger, closer and work together better .

Employee onboarding is particularly important for remote workers or hybrid workers, who are likely to face additional barriers and challenges compared with those who work alongside their colleagues every day. It’s a good idea to create a separate onboarding procedure specifically for remote employees if they are a common feature of your business.

Onboarding Process Steps

Following a series of onboarding steps with each new employee ensures you have a well-thought-out plan that can be used time after time. An intentional employee onboarding process ensures that new hires, whatever their position, have all the necessary information to start work and feel supported and positive about their new role. 

Onboarding process steps can be categorised into four key areas: pre-boarding tasks, first day tasks, first week tasks and first month tasks. Breaking it down into categories ensures you don’t miss anything and don’t overwhelm the new employee by giving them everything all at once.

Pre-boarding Tasks

Pre-boarding tasks are the things you need to do as soon as the new employee receives their job offer and before they officially join the business. Employee pre-boarding steps include:

• Emailing the new employee – before the employee begins work, send them an email with key information, such as their start date and time, the address of the company and who their line manager will be.
• Collecting personal details and legal information – ensure you have all the information you need from the new employee before they begin work, such as their contact details, emergency information, references, proof of right to work, signed contract, etc.
• Sharing company policies and documents – give the new employee copies of important documents such as the job description, dress code, company handbook, benefits, pension information, holiday policy, safeguarding policy, etc.
• Ordering work equipment – ensure you have everything you need for the employee to hit the ground running, such as computer equipment, a desk chair, tools, etc.
• Preparing the employee’s workstation – the new employee wants to feel welcome from the moment they arrive, so make sure you have a desk ready for them and everything is set up ready to go, including computer software, stationery items, etc.
• Creating logins and passwords – for a seamless first day, ensure the new employee’s login details are created in advance so they can access all necessary systems and software immediately. This might also involve allocating keycards or lanyards for access to rooms and buildings.
• Setting up the employee’s email inbox – create the new worker’s email address and inbox ahead of time so they can access it from day one. You can also use it to invite them to any first week meetings and orientations, ensuring they have full visibility of their calendar from the moment they arrive.
• Assigning a buddy – choose someone on the employee’s new team to pair up with your new starter as their mentor. This person will help to support the new worker, answer their questions and help them integrate into the workplace.
• Planning the employee’s first week – it’s a good idea to meticulously plan the new hire’s first week to ensure they have a clear plan for their first days on the job and aren’t left wondering what to do next. This might include meetings and orientation sessions, training courses, meet and greets, etc.

First Day Tasks

The very first day at work can be overwhelming for new hires as they face a barrage of new people, information and learning. By setting out a series of first day tasks like those listed below, you can help to ensure the worker’s first day is streamlined, focused and welcoming. First day tasks include:

• Doing a company walkthrough – when the new employee first arrives, be welcoming, happy and positive. Introduce them to their new colleagues, walk them around the workplace and help them feel acquainted with where everything and everyone is located. This is also sometimes known as a company orientation.
• Introducing the employee to their buddy – the new employee may already know who their buddy is and have communicated with them by email before arriving, but this is their first time meeting in-person.
• Hosting a welcome meeting – schedule a meeting, coffee break or lunch with the new employee and their new team so that they can all meet each other properly. It’s important to make time for the new hire so they feel welcomed and have a positive first impression of the business.
• Notifying the business of the new starter – send an email round to the whole company, or put a message in your team chat, to welcome the new employee and explain who they are and what role they’ll be working in. This ensures everyone is aware of the new employee and can welcome them into the company.
• Giving them a copy of the onboarding checklist – provide your new worker with a copy of your onboarding procedure so they can see the structure of their first day, week and month.
• Sharing the company handbook – if you haven’t shared this by email in advance, give the new employee a copy of the handbook and any related documents, such as benefits and pension information.
• Providing a ‘welcome hamper’ – a welcome pack or hamper can be made up of whatever you think best represents your business and is a great way to showcase your company culture and make the new employee feel valued. Include items such as technology and desk equipment, stationery items, branded clothing and snacks, for example.

First Week Tasks

When the new employee’s first day is out the way, you then want to ensure their first week of onboarding is well thought out so they quickly feel integrated into their new team and new role. First week tasks include:

• Talking about the job role and expectations – hold a meeting with the new employee during the first week to discuss their role, responsibilities and expectations, answer any questions and resolve any initial issues. Make sure the employee understands any targets they’re expected to meet or information about their probation period.
• Setting first-month goals – get your new worker to be proactive about filling their calendar and see what they’d like to focus on during their first month outside of their allocated tasks. This is key to their personal and professional development.
• Sharing important company policies – if you haven’t already, ensure the new employee is given copies of all your company policies and procedures and has signed them where necessary. Depending on your particular business, this might include HR policies, safeguarding policies, health and safety information and data protection guidelines.
• Scheduling training sessions – if your new starter is required to carry out training, whether it’s in health and safety compliance, data security or something more role-specific, make sure they have access to the relevant training courses and are given enough time and support to complete them.
• Planning an end-of-week activity – team-building is important in all situations but especially when you have a new worker who needs to integrate into the team. Schedule a lunch, coffee or walk for the end of the week with the new employee and their team to celebrate their first week at the company.
• Checking in at the end of the week – schedule a meeting for the last day of the week to talk to the new employee about their first impressions and experiences. Ask how they’re feeling, answer any questions, ask for feedback and discover whether they need any further support for the weeks ahead.

First Month Tasks

Employee onboarding doesn’t end after the first week and should continue until the new employee feels fully settled in their new team and role. This might mean your employee onboarding process lasts for a month, several months or until their probation period ends. Examples of first month tasks include:

• Keeping in touch – schedule a 1-2-1 meeting with the new employee, send them regular emails or direct messages, say hello in the corridor and do your best to remain visible and available.
• Setting up client meet and greets – if your new employee will be working with clients, customers or stakeholders in their role, the first month is a great time for them to meet the key players, whether in-person or over a video call. Meeting important people will help to establish good working relationships and ensure the ‘new person’ doesn’t feel so much like the ‘new person.’
• Scheduling a performance review meeting – put a performance review meeting in for the end of the month to talk through the new employee’s performance so far, remembering to ask for their opinion on what they’ve learnt and what they want to focus on going forward. Talk about what’s working well, what needs to change and what further support they need.
• Setting new goals – ask your new employee to set new goals for the months ahead, based on what they’ve learnt about their role so far. Encourage them to be ambitious and motivated and to look at personal goals as well as professional ones by using a PDP.
• Asking for feedback on the onboarding process – all procedures have room for improvement so it’s important to ask each of your new starters for their thoughts on their onboarding experience. You could obtain feedback anonymously or ask employees directly, but be sure to take their comments on board and make adjustments where needed.

Want to Learn More?

An important part of the employee onboarding process is ensuring new workers are fully trained. Our wide range of Online Training Courses has a course for everyone, from Data Protection and Sexual Harassment Training to Mental Health Awareness and Basic Health and Safety Training, ensuring your new starters have the knowledge and skills they need to perform their roles effectively and safely.

Employee Onboarding Checklist Template

An employee onboarding checklist provides you and your new employees with a structured schedule for their first days and weeks in your company. The checklist includes all of the important tasks that need to be completed in order to fully welcome, support and integrate new workers into the business.

Your company may prefer to have individual onboarding checklists for specific roles and departments, or you may choose to use a single employee onboarding checklist for everyone that can be adapted depending on the role.

Use the link below to download a free employee onboarding checklist template that you can use as a guide for your own onboarding process and edit to suit your own company’s needs.

Further Resources:

• Online Training Courses
• 10 Employee Engagement Strategies for 2025
• How to Write SMART Goals for Employees

The post Employee Onboarding Checklist: Free Template appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Section 57 of the act, which will come into force on 31st March 2025, seeks to support the government’s aim to eliminate all avoidable food waste ending up in landfills by 2030. Under the act, it is mandatory for all non-domestic properties that produce any food waste to arrange separate collection by licensed waste carriers. The act applies to all businesses and public and third-sector organisations such as, but not limited to; restaurants, pubs, hospitals, prisons, care homes and schools etc. Businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees, also known as micro-businesses, will not have to comply with the new legislation till 31st March 2027. 

In this article we will explain what waste separation is and what the new regulations are under the Environment Act 2021. This article will help you to understand your responsibilities and provide you with a range of free downloadable posters to act as a reminder of the new legislation and encourage the proper separation of waste. 

What is Waste Separation?

Waste separation refers to the sorting and separating of waste into different elements in order to facilitate recycling and appropriate disposal. There is no legal or universally accepted definition of ‘food waste,’ however the Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024 defines food waste as ‘biodegradable material resulting from the processing or preparation of food and drink including inedible food parts such as bones, eggshells, fruit and vegetable skins, tea bags and coffee grounds.’ 

Whilst the new legislation makes waste separation mandatory for non-domestic properties, it is something that most people have been doing in their households for years. In 2003 the government introduced the Household Waste Recycling Act which meant that every local authority had to provide households with separate recycling collection. The introduction of recycling wheelie bins saw waste separation become the norm for most households. The new act brings this same level of responsibility to businesses, seeking to reduce the environmental impact of the waste that they generate, whilst highlighting the importance of corporate social responsibility. 

Food Waste Legislation

From 31st March 2025 (or 31st March 2027 for micro-businesses) all businesses and non-domestic premises will have to comply with new food waste separation legislation. Under the Environment Act 2021 businesses that produce food waste must:

• Separate all food waste from other waste streams.
• Store food waste in separate bins from other waste. 
• Arrange for the collection of food waste by licensed waste carriers. 

Note: Whilst under Welsh waste laws, only businesses and non-domestic premises that produce more than 5kg of food waste per week must separate their waste, as yet DEFRA have set no such minimum for England and have stated ‘there is no minimum food waste weight before the new regulations apply.’ 

The Environment Act 2021

The Environment Act 2021 will support the government’s aim to eliminate all avoidable waste being sent to landfills by 2030. The act includes a number of policies that seek to improve air and water quality, biodiversity, resource efficiency and reduce waste. When first published, Environment Secretary at the time, George Eustice, stated that the act ‘will deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth […] setting an example for the rest of the world to follow.’  

The Environment Act 2021 has two main functions; to provide a legal framework for environmental governance in the UK and to introduce measures for the improvement of the environment. It also reflects a growing expectation that businesses operate more sustainably with better accountability and transparency. As such, the general public and other parties will be able to report workplaces that do not follow the new legislation.

The act will impact many different types of businesses, however it is particularly relevant to the hospitality and food service sector. Guardians of Grub, WRAP’s food waste reduction campaign that focuses on the hospitality sector, states that 1.1 million tonnes of food is thrown away every year across the sector. As such, improving recycling in the hospitality industry is vital. By introducing mandatory food waste separation, the act seeks to reduce the negative impact of the tonnes of food waste generated by industries such as the hospitality sector. 

Separating food waste and stopping biodegradable waste from being sent to landfills, enables it to be repurposed and reused. The government’s preference is for food waste to be collected for treatment by anaerobic digestion as this generates bio-fuel and digestate which can be spread to land, ensuring nutrients are recycled.

Under the act, businesses must have separate bins for the collection and storage of:

• Dry recyclable waste (glass, metal, plastic, paper and cardboard)
• Food waste
• General waste

How to Prepare for the Food Waste Separation Legislation

All businesses will eventually have to comply with the new legislation. As such, irrespective of whether it will impact your business in March 2025 or March 2027, it is important to prepare your business and staff for the new legislation. 

Following the steps below will help you to prepare your business for the introduction of food waste separation legislation.

1. Undertake a waste audit. 

A waste audit is a review of the different types of waste that your business produces. It will help you to understand the type of waste that you generate, enabling you to see where, if possible, reductions in waste can be made. The information that you gather during a waste audit will help you to better plan waste handling, storage and disposal. The government has provided guidance on how to conduct a waste audit in a hospitality business and guidance for conducting an audit in other sectors can be found elsewhere on their website. 

2. Find a waste collector. 

Now that you have an understanding of the type and quantity of waste that your business produces, you need to find a suitable waste collection service. The waste collector can be a private company or your local authority may provide the necessary services. Whilst cost is a notable factor when selecting a waste carrier, compliance should be a top priority and it is important to remember that if the company you use to dispose of your waste does so illegally, such as fly-tipping, you could be held responsible. You can visit the Public Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers to check if your prospective waste collector is registered. Working with an accredited and compliant waste collection service that is aware of and complies with the new legislation, will ensure you avoid fines, enforcement actions and potential prosecution. 

3. Set up appropriate recycling bins. 

You may already have different recycling bins in place, however the information gleaned from your audit will help you to assess whether they are still suitable for your business under the new legislation. Do you have enough bins for food waste separation or do you need to invest in new ones? Are your bins different colours to make it clear what type of waste should go in each bin? If not, is there clear signage to avoid cross contamination? It is also important to consider the size and location of your bins. If you are a larger business you may need a commercial 1100L wheelie bin or a smaller 240L bin, the same size as those outside your house, may be just fine. If you don’t already have the appropriate recycling bins set up then it is vital that you do so before the new legislation comes into force to avoid delays and potential fines. 

4. Improve signage around your business.

Clear signage will enable your staff and anyone else who may be at your premises, to dispose of waste correctly. Imagery showing what waste needs to go in what bin, empowers people to confidently and correctly dispose of their waste. Posters are a good visual reminder of the correct process for waste disposal and help to reduce any ambiguity that people may have. Take the time to improve signage before the legislation comes into force so that people have time to get into the habit of disposing waste correctly. You can find a free downloadable poster that you can use in your own business below. 

5. Monitor and review your waste management and collection.

The government has introduced mandatory digital waste tracking that will come into force from April 2025. Mandatory tracking seeks to help businesses move towards a circular economy by providing a comprehensive way of tracking the amount and type of waste being produced and where it ends up. Continuous monitoring and reviewing of your current waste management and collection practices is good preparation for mandatory tracking and allows you to check that your practices remain compliant. It also enables you to establish the best approach for reporting, sharing and evaluating your practices before the enforcement of the new legislation. Remember, from April 2025 the general public and other parties will be able to report workplaces that do not comply with the new legislation. As such, monitoring and reviewing your waste management practices is vital to ensure you remain compliant and have the opportunity to correct any non-compliant practices before any reporting. 

Free Waste Separation Posters

Our free downloadable poster is a simple and clear way to help you and your employees separate food waste effectively. Place the poster on or above the necessary bin, in a clearly visible spot so that people can easily see what waste needs to go where. 

• Food and drink cans recycling
• Food waste
• General waste
• Mixed recycling
• Paper and cardboard recycling
• Plastic tubs, bottles, pots, tubs and trays

As mentioned above, food waste is not the only waste that will need to be separated. Below you will also find posters to guide the separation of different types of waste. Download and print the posters that are relevant to your business and use them as clear visual tools to guide your staff. 

Food waste has an incredibly detrimental impact on the planet and whilst individual steps can be taken to reduce household food waste, the introduction of this new legislation reiterates the responsibility of businesses to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Whilst the new regulations have increased businesses responsibilities, its aim is to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal which will, in the long run, help to reduce business costs, save energy, conserve natural resources and protect the environment. 

Further Resources:

• How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Restaurant
• Recycling in the Hospitality Industry: How & Why Should We Do it?
• Environmental Awareness Training

The post What You Need to Know About Food Waste Separation appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

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• Unconscious Bias Online Training

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Effective time management is a vital soft skill that increases productivity, reduces stress and helps you to achieve important goals. As such, adopting a time management technique can help you to better manage your time, enabling you to focus on what is important and achieve personal and professional growth. 

There are numerous techniques that can help you to manage your time in a way that works best for you. In this article we will outline why time management is important and explore 10 different time management techniques that can help you to manage your time.

Why is Time Management Important?

Time management is the process of planning and organising your time for different activities. It encompasses various aspects of your life including work, family life and hobbies. Time management relates to how you consciously coordinate your time to increase your efficiency and achieve different goals. 

Good time management is important because it is crucial for maximising productivity, reducing stress, achieving personal and professional goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Effective time management enables you to spend time on what is important and have the free time to relax and recharge. Poor time management can lead to persistent feelings of overwhelm, procrastination, a lower quality of work and increased stress. Therefore, adopting a time management technique enables you to take control of your time and increase your efficiency and productivity. 

Looking to Learn More?

Time management, like any skill, can be improved and strengthened. Our Time Management course provides you with the knowledge to improve your time management skills and excel in the workplace. You can further develop core business skills with our wide range of Business Essentials courses. 

Time Management Techniques 

As helpful as it would be, there is no one size fits all when it comes to time management techniques. Different techniques work for different people and what works for an undergraduate cramming for their first year exams, may in fact not help you prepare for that major project that needs completing by Q2. Moreover, different projects may require different techniques depending on their qualitative or quantitative needs. 

Irrespective of which technique you choose, it needs to be the best method for you. We’re all guilty of adopting something because it worked for someone else and then a few months later casting it aside as yet another ‘ineffective technique.’ Therefore, figuring out which technique works for you is the first step in learning how to manage your time more efficiently. Below you will find 10 effective time management techniques to help you manage your time. Carefully read through each one before deciding which method you think is best for you. 

Remember, it’s okay to trial different techniques. If you’re unsure which one would be best, pick one, trial it for a week, then review your productivity at the end of the week and adjust accordingly. Each technique has its own advantages and its own limitations so consider which works best for your individual needs and don’t be afraid to return to the drawing board if one particular technique ends up not working.

10 Time Management Techniques 

Which Time Management Method is Most Useful?

To put it simply; different time management techniques work for different people. With so many different time management techniques out there it can be hard to know which is best. However, because there are so many different techniques there is undoubtedly one that will work well for you. 

Certain strategies lend themselves well to different requirements and personalities. For example, Eat That Frog works well for procrastinators as it forces them to start their day with the most challenging task rather than putting it off. Comparatively, Time Boxing works well for those who often find themselves spending much longer than needed on a task by setting a time limit. Some of the techniques listed above may work better for your personal life, whilst others may be better suited to your worklife; there is no right or wrong way, there is only what is right or wrong for you. 

Take the time to think about what you need help managing. Is it your day, your week or your month? This time frame might rule out some strategies entirely but be perfectly suited to others. Consider the kind of thinker that you are. Do you rely on visuals to help you clearly see what you are doing? Is a to-list your idea of hell? These are vital questions to ask yourself when choosing a time management technique as there is no point picking a technique that is entirely at odds with your working style or habits. 

Trial and error is an important part of adopting a time management technique. After trialing a technique, review your productivity, the ease of use and adjust accordingly. Don’t be afraid to try different techniques till you find one that works for you or to test different techniques for different projects. 

Poor time management causes stress and anxiety blurring the lines between home-life and work-life. It can lead to a lack of motivation, decreased productivity and consistent feelings of overwhelm. Take back control of your time by adopting a time management technique that can improve your productivity, reduce your stress and support a good work-life balance. 

Further Resources:

• Time Management Matrix: Free Template
• Soft Skills in the Workplace
• Time Management Course

The post 10 Time Management Techniques appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article we will outline what meeting minutes are, why they are important and provide guidance on how to take useful meeting minutes. You will also find a downloadable template that you can use to effectively write meeting minutes.

What are Meeting Minutes?

Meeting minutes are a summary of the main points discussed by meeting attendees and the subsequent action points that they have decided upon. Meeting minutes are not a transcript of every single thing that was said during a meeting nor are they solely for formal meetings. Regardless of the type of meeting, meeting minutes serve as a record of the key elements discussed such as:

• Issues raised.
• Motions put forth.
• Decisions made.
• Actions agreed upon.

As a minute taker it is your responsibility to write clear and concise minutes that document the key talking points of the meeting. It is therefore beneficial to have a separate minute taker and Chairperson so that focus can be directed where necessary. An effective chairperson will ensure that meetings run smoothly and efficiently and that the agenda is followed accordingly. This enables you as the minute taker to focus solely on producing useful and succinct meeting minutes. 

Why are Meeting Minutes Important?

Meeting minutes are an essential tool for before, during and after a meeting. They deliver key information and help to keep the necessary people informed of the main talking points of a meeting. 

Meeting minutes are important because they:

• Help with meeting preparation – Minutes from previous meetings help organisers to prepare agendas for upcoming meetings. They provide information which can guide topics for discussion such as updating attendees on a project’s progress or reviewing the success of a previously agreed upon action.

• Act as an official record of proceedings – Meeting minutes act as an official record of discussions held, decisions made and actions taken. They act as a point of reference of what occurred during the meeting and can be easily referred back to by senior staff or stakeholders. 

• Hold attendees accountable – Meeting minutes record actions that need to be taken and the person or department responsible for those actions. By documenting each task and associated action items, meeting minutes provide a clear indication of who is responsible for completing specific tasks. 

• Build trust through transparency – Meeting minutes inform those not in attendance, whether due to absence or remote working, of the key points discussed. This provides important insight into the inner workings and discussions of meetings, highlighting to those not in attendance that attendees are acting in the best interest of the business.

• Improve efficiency – Well written meeting minutes provide information that can be used to guide future meetings. This saves times when reviewing prior decisions and actions and helps to eliminate repetitive discussions or tasks.

Looking for More?

Our Minute Taking Course will teach you the skills to produce clear and concise meeting minutes for any meeting. We also have a wide range of Business Essentials courses, such as our Communication Skills course, that will provide you with knowledge and skills to thrive in the workplace.

How to Take Minutes for a Meeting

Meeting minutes have to record a lot of different information, so it is important that they are as detailed and succinct as possible. Writing effective meeting minutes involves thorough preparation before the meeting, active listening during the meeting and diligent compilation after the meeting.

Here are five top tips to help you capture the essential information of any meeting, regardless of the size or formality. 

1. Be Prepared.

The better prepared you are for the meeting, the more efficiently you will be able to take notes. Take the time to find out the agenda points ahead of time so that you have an idea of what the meeting is about. If the meeting is a follow up, read over previous agenda points and minutes so that you have as much contextual knowledge as possible. Speak to the Chairperson in advance and ask for clarity on any points you are unsure of. Don’t forget to make sure you are physically prepared to take notes. It may seem obvious but make sure you have enough pens to hand and a notebook or paper with enough space to write the necessary information. If you prefer writing notes on your laptop, make sure your laptop is charged and muted to avoid any distractions from incoming notifications.

2. Find your Focus.

It is important to know what you actually need to be making notes on so use the agenda to help determine the key topics of the meeting. As the minute taker you need to record information accurately as your notes will eventually serve as a reminder of the commitments made and topics discussed. It is important to get these details right and it is much easier to do this if you know in advance when to focus and when to just listen. 

3. Use a Template.

A template provides you with a clear structure with which to format your notes. It can help you to keep track of the important details and guide which information you decide to include based on pre-set subheadings/categories. Templates are also useful for maintaining consistency. Your business may have a set minute taker, or the role may change from meeting to meeting. However, a template ensures consistency irrespective of who is taking the minutes. 

4. Be Objective.

Only include the facts in your notes and remain neutral, avoiding any personal impressions or opinions. The finished meeting minutes must be an unbiased and impartial overview of the proceedings.

5. Review your Minutes.  

Once you have finished typing up your minutes and before distributing them to the necessary parties, have them reviewed and approved by the most senior person in attendance or the Chairperson. It is important to double check that the necessary information has been included and that dates, agreed actions and task assignees have been documented properly. 

Due to the increase in hybrid/remote working, you may find yourself acting as minute taker for virtual meetings. The steps above remain applicable for remote meetings, however it is beneficial to also consider the following: 

• Find a quiet space – Find a space where you won’t have any disruptions or distractions. If you’re working from home and others are present, let them know you have a meeting to attend and not to disturb you. It is important that you can clearly hear the other members of the meeting during a call, so reduce as much background noise as possible so that you can focus properly.

• Speak up – Remote meetings are frequently subjected to the whim of one’s internet connection. It’s highly likely that there will be drops in someone’s connection at some point during the meeting so it is important that you speak up to seek further clarity when necessary. Knowing how to speak up in meetings enables you to confidently ask attendees to repeat themselves and ensures that you do not miss any vital information.

• Record the meeting – The benefit of virtual meetings is the chance to record the entire thing. You must first ask permission from those attending or let them know well in advance that you will be recording the meeting. Recording the meeting allows you to be more present as you can then go back and watch over the recording to make any necessary notes. 

• Use multiple screens – If you have more than one screen in your home office set up then make the most of the extra space. Having the meeting on one screen and a document for notes on the other, stops you from juggling multiple windows on the one screen and potentially missing key information as you switch from one window to another.

Meeting Minutes Template

Below you will find a meeting minutes template for you to download and use. 

The template has been broken down into sections to help you prioritise key information such as the meeting objective, the agenda, main takeaways and action points. There is also space to include the meeting date, time, location and details of the next meeting. The template is fully editable so you can input additional information should you wish. 

Being able to create clear, professional meeting minutes is a crucial skill to have as they are an important part of ensuring that meetings are productive and successful. As a minute taker it is your responsibility to produce useful notes in the final minutes document. Using the guidance and template above will help you to do just that and write effective meeting minutes.

Further Resources:

• How to Chair a Meeting Effectively
• Minute Taking Quiz
• Minute Taking Course

The post How to Write Meeting Minutes: Free Template appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article we will outline what a training calendar is and how your business can benefit from using one. You will also find guidance on how to prepare a training calendar along with free downloadable training calendar templates. 

What is a Training Calendar?

A training calendar is a schedule of training sessions, workshops and seminars. It acts as a visual guide of training opportunities that will further your employees’ professional growth and development. 

Providing your employees with a diverse range of training empowers them to enhance their skills whilst encouraging them to attain new ones. This boosts their confidence and increases their independence which in turn helps your business. The consequences of not training your employees can be severe, but a well organised training calendar will support the successful implementation of training in your business.

Why Use a Training Calendar for Employees?

The benefits of employee training include improved efficiency, greater job satisfaction and higher employee retention. A training calendar is much more than just a checklist of the workshops and seminars that create these benefits. Training calendars enable you to deliver training in the most effective and efficient way possible and act as discernable markers of your dedication to employee development.  

Five ways a training calendar can be beneficial to you and your employees include:

1. Improved performance and engagement – training improves your employees’ skills and gives them the tools to do their jobs confidently and competently. When employees can see what training is coming up, they are better prepared to improve those skills and thus more likely to be highly engaged during said training.  
2. Encouraging innovation – creativity is stimulated when employees are given the chance to explore new ideas and approaches through training. A training calendar shows employees that you both value and encourage these chances for innovation. 
3. Increased competitiveness – businesses that invest in employee training have a competitive advantage on others as they are providing their employees with the skills to meet different demands. By showing prospective and existing employees what training opportunities are available, your business stands out as an organisation dedicated to employee development. 
4. Creating a culture of learning – a training calendar reiterates to all your employees that training is not a ‘one time thing’ but in fact a continuous process of improvement. This in turn helps to create a culture of learning in which learning and development is a normal part of your business’ day-to-day activities. 
5. Addressing skill gaps – upskilling employees can be a cost-effective way to build the skills that your business needs whilst boosting morale and improving employee engagement. A training calendar that has been strategically developed to target identified skill gaps provides your employees with the chance to fill those gaps and improve their skill set. 

Looking to Learn More?

We offer a wide range of Online Training Courses to support your employees’ professional development. From Health and Safety Training for Employees to Communication Skills, we have an array of courses to expand your employees’ skills and boost your business’ success.

How to Prepare a Training Calendar

There are lots of different training calendar formats available and you need to consider which format is best for you. Important factors to consider are the size of your team, the frequency of training sessions and the training objectives. Regardless of which format you choose, your training calendar needs careful planning and consideration in order to be as effective as possible. 

Remember; a well planned and carefully executed training calendar will align with the needs of your business and enable your employees to take ownership of their development. 

Here are some key steps you should follow when preparing a training calendar:

1. Assess your Needs.

Before you begin any kind of planning, you need to identify the training needs of your business and your employees. This is an opportune time to seek input from your employees and learn what kind of training they actually want and need. Take the time to consider skill gaps and ask your employees what skills they are interested in developing. The more tailored your training calendar the more engaged your employees and the more plentiful the rewards. 

2. Establish Objectives.

Once you have an idea of what needs your training will address, the next step is to define the objectives for your training sessions. What do you want your employees to gain? What skills and knowledge are you eager to develop? Establishing clear objectives and setting SMART goals gives your employees a direct understanding of what is expected from them and their training. You can then align their training with your business’ objectives, ensuring they have the necessary skills for your business’ success.

3. Select Resources and Format.

Training comes in all shapes and sizes but one size does not fit all. Not only do different employees have different training needs, some training is better delivered in one way than  the other. Consider offering a variety of training formats such as online courses, in-person workshops or seminars/webinars. This can help to mix things up for your employees and prevent training from appearing monolithic.

It is also important to consider the best facilitator for training. Don’t overlook the expertise that already exists within your business but also recognise when an external training provider would be the best course of action. 

4. Plan your Schedule.

Now that you’ve done the groundwork it’s time to put your training calendar together! It’s important to be strategic with your scheduling in order to make it as effective as possible. Whilst you want to offer ample opportunities for training, avoid overloading your employees with too many sessions at once. Ensure that training is spread out so that it remains manageable along with your employees’ regular workload. It is also a good idea to offer sessions at different times of the day to accommodate different schedules and workloads. 

Consider aligning your training calendar with your business’ initiatives. For example, if you have an important project coming up in the next quarter, you can spend the previous quarter delivering key training that will help the project’s success. Moreover, if you know that May is a particularly busy month for your business, you may decide to reduce the number of training sessions for that month to avoid overloading your staff.  

5. Share and Promote.

Think of your training calendar as a living breathing document, that is to say, once it’s finished don’t let it rot away in a folder never to see the light of day. Ensure that your training calendar is easily accessible for employees and encourage them to regularly check it for updates. You may decide to share the calendar via email, monthly newsletters (depending on the frequency that you have chosen) or other internal communications. However you decide to do it, make sure you convey the value of the training that you are offering and promote the specific benefits of each session. 

6. Evaluate and Evolve.

As with any living thing your training calendar can and should evolve over time. Take the time to evaluate your training calendar and the impact that it has had on your business. Have your employees gained the skills that they needed? Are you offering too much training in one area and not enough in another? Does the calendar still align with the needs of your business? These are important questions to ask to maintain the efficacy of your training calendar. Encourage employee feedback and use this to adapt and tweak your calendar as necessary. Utilise both qualitative and quantitative metrics to gauge the success of your training sessions and to guide the creation of future calendars. By committing to the continuous improvement of your training calendar you are ensuring that it remains useful and impactful for your business and your employees. 

Training Calendar Templates

A training calendar is an invaluable tool when it comes to delivering effective training. As mentioned, it needs to be comprehensive and informative, whilst remaining simple to follow and understand. It can be daunting to know where to start when creating a training calendar and there are countless templates for you to choose from. Regardless of which one you choose, it needs to be appropriate for your business and adjusted to suit your specific goals. 

Our free monthly and weekly training calendar templates provide you with a structured approach to professional learning and development. Each template can be downloaded and edited to suit the specific needs of your business; for example, you may choose to use the monthly calendar template for department or company wide training and encourage your employees to use the weekly template to create their own individualised training calendar.

You also have the option to colour coordinate your calendar with an editable colour key. You may choose to do this to group training sessions together by the skill that will be developed or to indicate which sessions are mandatory and which are optional. If you choose to keep your training calendar as a digital file you can highlight each entry with the corresponding colour yourself, or should you choose to print it, you can use a highlighter. 

Remember, it’s important to evaluate your training calendar to maintain its efficacy and to ensure that it remains relevant to your employees’ and business’ needs. It is therefore advisable to allocate time in your calendar for feedback sessions during which you can gain valuable information to guide the creation of future training calendars.

A training calendar is much more than just a stylish way to display training. It is an invaluable strategic tool that enables you to deliver efficient and effective training, supporting your employees’ growth and your business’ success.

Further Resources:

• 10 Employee Engagement Strategies
• How to Write SMART Goals for Employees
• Online Training Courses

The post Training Calendars: Why Your Company Needs One appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• How to Chair a Meeting Effectively
• How to Take Useful Minutes of a Meeting 
• Minute Taking Course

The post Minute Taking Quiz appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article we will outline what a time management matrix is, how it can benefit you and how to effectively use and prepare one. You will also find a free downloadable time management matrix template. 

What is a Time Management Matrix?

A time management matrix is a tool that enables you to strategically organise and prioritise different tasks. There are numerous different time management matrices, however this article will focus on the Covey Time Management Matrix. The Covey Matrix is a popular and effective method from Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The matrix divides tasks into four categories based upon their importance and urgency, enabling you to prioritise your tasks more efficiently and spend your time wisely. 

A time management matrix is just one of the many ways in which you can increase your productivity in the workplace. It can also help you to develop a growth mindset as you are better able to prioritise long-term goals and successes.  

The 4 Quadrants of Time Management

The Covey Matrix divides tasks into four quadrants and an understanding of each one is key to the efficacy of the matrix. We will explore how to categorise tasks and the practical implementation of the Covey Matrix later in the article. 

The four quadrants of the Covey Time Management Matrix are:

Quadrant 1: Urgent and important – Q1 tasks are those that are both important in nature and require immediate attention. These tasks must be completed in a short time frame and this can make them stressful and negatively impactful on your other duties and responsibilities. These tasks often arise due to short deadlines, unforeseen emergencies or poor planning. Be mindful of these kinds of tasks and try to plan strategically to avoid having too many Q1 tasks. 

Quadrant 2: Important, but not urgent – Q2 tasks are those that are important in nature but not time-sensitive. This can make these tasks easy to avoid as they do not have the same time constraints as Q1 tasks. However, Q2 tasks can help you to achieve important long-term goals and are essential to your personal or professional growth. As such, they should be prioritised accordingly and you should aim to invest the majority of your time on Q2 tasks.  

Remember: A Q2 task can become a Q1 task if left unattended for too long; stay on top of encroaching deadlines to stop Q2 tasks from becoming unnecessarily urgent and creeping into Q1.

Quadrant 3: Urgent, but not important – Q3 tasks are time sensitive but not important. These tasks can often feel falsely important due to their urgency, however they have little impact on your larger goals. Tasks that fall into this quadrant are often more reactive than proactive and can be a distracting interruption to your productivity. 
Quadrant 4: Not urgent and not important – Q4 tasks are neither urgent nor important and should be avoided where possible as they are an inefficient use of your time. Though it may appear counterintuitive, take the time to identify these lower priority tasks so that you can minimise the number of them and instead focus on the tasks in other quadrants. 

Benefits of a Time Management Matrix

The benefits of using the Covey Matrix include:

• Increased productivity – identifying which tasks are important enables you to better focus on them, reducing the chances of you getting distracted and increasing your productivity. 

• Improved habits – assigning tasks to different quadrants allows you to see what kind of tasks you spend the majority of your time on. If you find that you are spending too much time on Q3 and Q4 tasks, you can adapt and adjust your working habits to better focus on Q2 and Q1 tasks. 

• Improved planning skills – prioritising long-term goals over immediate, less important ones improves your strategic planning skills, helping you to plan future projects and goals more efficiently. 

• Better work-life balance – developing more productive work habits makes your work day more efficient. This then gives you the freedom to focus on the things that matter to you outside of work.

Looking to Learn More?

Good time management is a key skill that can help you to excel in the workplace. You can further develop your skills with our Time Management course and enhance other core skills with our wide range of Business Essentials courses.

How to Prepare a Time Management Matrix

Now that you have an understanding of the different quadrants, you can develop your own matrix. 

Follow these steps to create an effective Covey Matrix:

1. Create a list of your tasks.

Start by making a comprehensive list of all your tasks and their respective deadlines, no matter how big or small. The time span that your matrix covers is up to you and could reflect your tasks for the day, the week or the month. However, each task needs to have a realistic deadline, so avoid making a list of tasks for one day if all of those tasks need to be completed that same day. 

2. Assess your tasks. 

Now that you have a list of tasks and their deadlines you need to assess their importance and urgency. This can be tricky as it is easy to see everything as important and urgent or to mistake urgency for importance. However, you need to be as objective as possible when assessing your tasks. Use the deadlines that you have included and ask yourself; Does this task align with my long-term personal/professional goals? Does this task need my immediate attention or can it wait? 

Asking yourself these questions will help you when assigning each task. For example, if the answer is yes to question one and no to question two, then the task belongs in Q2 as it is important, but not urgent. Conversely, if the answer is no to question one, but yes to question two then the task belongs in Q1.

3. Assign your tasks.

Once you have determined the importance and urgency of your tasks you can assign them to the different quadrants. It’s useful to have some level of organisation in each quadrant. For example, you could use the deadline to prioritise a tasks’ position; the closer the deadline, the higher the priority. This is admittedly easier for some quadrants than others. For example, Q2 tasks tend to be more beneficial to long-term goals, but their lack of a pressing deadline can make them hard to prioritise. In this instance it is useful to set your own benchmark of urgency and use that to assess the priority of your Q2 tasks.

When assigning tasks to the different quadrants be mindful of how many tasks are in each section. Q3 tasks may have some level of urgency, but they are ultimately not important. This can make them an inefficient use of time and energy, so attempt to minimise the number of these tasks. Comparatively, since Q2 tasks  are essential to your personal or professional goals, you should aim to spend the majority of your time on these tasks. For example, you may choose to block out time each day or week to complete these tasks so that impending deadlines don’t cause them to creep into Q1. 

4. Review and adjust your matrix.

Regardless of whether your matrix covers a day, a week or a month, it’s beneficial to take the time to review and adjust it. Reflect upon your productivity; has completing tasks based on their quadrant improved your efficiency? Have you spent enough time on Q2 tasks, or has your list of Q1 tasks grown too long? Asking yourself these questions assesses the efficacy of your matrix and allows you to adjust accordingly. This is a core part of using the matrix as it fosters a mindset of continuous improvement as well as the continued prioritisation of personal or professional goals.

Common mistakes when using the Covey Matrix include mistaking urgency for importance when categorising tasks and neglecting the tasks in Q2. These can prove to be costly errors that negatively impact the efficacy of your matrix. Take the time to step back and objectively assess the importance of a task and make a conscious effort to block out time to focus on Q2 tasks. 

You also need to remember the importance of rest breaks. The Covey Matrix does not negate the need for regular breaks to rest and recharge and if you don’t factor in adequate rest time, you may find yourself procrastinating with Q4 tasks due to tiredness and a subsequent lack of motivation. 

Time Management Matrix Template

Below you will find a free editable time management matrix template for you to use. Download the template and follow the steps above to create an effective matrix that will help you to maximise your time and increase your productivity. 

There are countless demands on our time both inside and outside of work. A time management matrix is a useful tool to help you better manage your time so that you can meet these demands. With a well organised time management matrix you can say goodbye to blocking out three hours on your calendar in an attempt to power through four days worth of work and say hello to increased productivity, improved focus and reduced stress.

Further Resources:

• A Personal Development Plan (PDP) Guide & Template
• What are Personal Development Goals for Work?
• Time Management Course

The post Time Management Matrix: Free Template appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.