High Performance HR

High Performance Human Resources
NEWSLETTER
Practical tips for managing your most valuable resource - your staff
December 22, 2010
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In This Issue 

A Note From Dave

Dave Hagel

Hi and welcome back!  Happy New Year to you!

I hope you're off to a roaring start in 2011.

I've spent the first few weeks of January writing a new workshop.  It's called Delegating for Results. It is four hours in duration and targets front line supervisors and managers. 

I'm also putting the finishing touches on a public seminar series.  My initial offerings will include Leading with Confidence (3 days), Time Management (1 day), Motivating Others (1 day) and Delegating for Results (half a day).  Stay tuned - an announcement on dates and locations will be coming soon.

I also attended another trade show on January 8th and 9th. The National Franchise Show drew more than 4,000 people.  Not bad considering we had pretty lousy weather on the Saturday.  I made a number of interesting contacts and met some interesting people.

Take care until next time.

Dave Sig
Dave Hagel, President
High Performance Human Resources

Here's something to think about:
The best motivating is self-motivating. The guy says: "I wish someone would come by and turn me on." What if they don't show up? You've got to have a better plan for your life. 
- Jim Rohn

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

The deadline for compliance to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service Standard for Ontario private sector firms is January 1, 2012. 

Are you ready?

The Accessible Customer Service standard is the first standard developed to become a regulation. It came into force on January 1, 2008 and is now the law. Public sector organizations were required to comply by January 1, 2010. 

Private sector organizations will be required to comply by January 1, 2012. The standard addresses business practices and training needed to provide better customer service to people with disabilities.

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service applies to all people, businesses and organizations that:

  • Provide goods or services either directly to the public or to other businesses or organizations
  • Have one or more employees in Ontario

The legislation provides for tough penalties for violators.  If an organization fails to comply, it may be ordered to file an accessibility report, comply with the standards and/or pay an administrative penalty.  Substantial fines may be levied for other offences.  As well, officers and directors will be required to exercise due diligence to ensure the corporation does not commit any offence under the Act.  Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $50,000 for each day or part day the offence continues.    

I'll have more information on the Accessible Customer Service standard in my next newsletter.

If you'd like more information and would like to get started on meeting the standard, but need held, please contact me.

10 Tips for Running an Effective Meeting


  1. Know the goal of the meeting. Are you sharing information or seeking to solicit ideas? Establishing the reason for the meeting will help you to determine the best format and best use of time. Make sure that you have clear objectives that you can measure.
  2. Review the agenda before starting the meeting. Does anyone have any changes or suggestions to make which will affect the business of the meeting or the outcomes of what is to be discussed?
  3. Create an agenda with time lines and responsibilities. Clearly outline the purpose of the meeting, the issues and expected outcomes. Distribute it to all attendees before the meeting.
  4. In the agenda make it clear (in big, bold, attention-grabbing letters) what homework or materials need to be brought to the meeting. Then follow-up with another email a day or two before the meeting reminding them to have their stuff done and ready.
  5. Give people plenty of notice about the meeting and then send a reminder a couple of days before the meeting actually takes place. Be persuasive when you write the memo inviting the attendees, so that they understand the importance of being there.
  6. Create an expectation that everyone attends the meeting on time.
  7. Schedule meetings only if absolutely necessary and select only those who need to attend.
  8. Start the meeting on time. Don't cater to those who show up late or not at all. Press ahead and make the decision without them.
  9. Establish ground rules before you start: No laptops open, all cell phones off oron silent, anyone who is expecting an urgent call let me know now, listen attentively, and don't interrupt one another are some key ground rules that make a world of difference.
  10. End the meeting on time. If you didn't accomplish what you wanted, then you need to have another meeting. It's vital that you respectyour participants'time as much as you expect them to respect yours. Otherwise they won't want to come to your next meeting.

Strange but True

Police had no trouble tracking down a woman after a shoplifting incident in Barrie, Ontario. She allegedly lifted items immediately after meeting the store manager and leaving her résumé.

Taken from Strange but true: Snapshots from the 2010 workplace by Douglas McArthur, Globe and Mail

About Dave

A Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Dave draws on his 30 years of experience in union and union-free private sector businesses across Canada to conceive and deliver value-added outcomes that elevate human resource capital and maximize operational results.

Dave has combined his passion for training and development with public speaking to design and deliver thousands of hours of training. He currently teaches the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) preparation workshop for the CHRP designation exams and is tracking toward become a Certified Accelerated Learning Trainer. Dave is also a certified trainer with Development Dimensions International and Achieve Global. He has also achieved the designations of Competent Toastmaster and Competent Leader.

Dave has completed the Co-Active Coaching program offered by the Coaches Training Institute and the certificate program in Conflict Management Studies Program through Conrad Grebel College at the University of Waterloo.  He also has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours. 

Dave's media credits include co-hosting Main Street, a cable television news program focused on current and community events, and Business Network News.  He has published numerous articles in Enterprise Magazine, Biz Magazine, Canada's SOHO Magazine, Canadian Manager and The Bottom Line and has been quoted in the Globe & Mail. 

Contact Us

High Performance Human Resources
1327 Treeland Street
Burlington, ON L7R 3T5

Phone:  (905) 637-5673
Toll Free:  1-866-878-4134
Fax:  905-631-2383
E-mail:  dave@highperformancehr.ca
Website:  http://www.highperformancehr.ca/