For centuries humans have used their hands to build things and shape their environment, from creating a simple wheel to constructing giant sky scrapers. As our skills and the complexity of our tasks develop so do the tools we use. But no matter how big the job or how complex the task, many of the basic hand tools we use have remained the same. This program introduces us to a range of basic hand tools covering their uses, tips, and possible pitfalls. A full demonstration of how to safely and effectively use a range of saws, planes, and chisels is provided.
Grade levels: Senior High (10-12)
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Safety First: OH&S in the Office
Many Americans spend a large portion of their working lives in an office. Although most of us wouldn’t consider this a workplace of high risk, we must not assume that safety in an office is a given. In this program we’ll consider the reasons for conducting work safely, and look at how to implement workplace safety requirements. We’ll also talk about participating in the OH&S consultative process and following safety procedures. Occupational health and safety is everybody’s responsibility, not just the employer’s. Employees can and should take a hands-on approach to improving the safety of their workplace.
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What Drives Phenomenal Success?
Southwest Airlines started with a simple idea, and managed to stick with it through decades of unprecedented growth. Many have tried (but failed) to emulate their success. According to Colleen Barrett, the idea is so simple, nobody quite believes it: customers return because they like the experience and they like the way they are treated. But how do you keep your customers this satisfied? By keeping your employees satisfied. Barrett spends 70-80% of her time assuring that her employees are valued as people, and encouraged to do the right thing rather than doing things right. She acknowledges that you can’t expect employees to be saints, but you can expect integrity and commitment to the team. Her guiding rule is to hire on attitude and then train for skills, seeking individuals who will take the business-but not themselves-seriously.
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Balancing the Books: Understanding Financial Reporting
Balancing the books is an essential part of business. Accounting methods help businesses collect, record and analyze financial data. Follow trainee accountant Calvin Clegg, a contestant on the quiz show “Who Wants to Make a Million” as he is quizzed with accounting questions that take him back to his accounting traineeship. His supervisor Dianne teaches him how to balance the books and how to evaluate business performance using financial records. Areas covered include accounting information and tools, the balance sheet, calculating profit and loss, cash control, and assessing financial performance. With Dianne’s help, Calvin is poised to “make a million”.
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Don’t Hesitate Communicate: Effective Communication in the Office
Employees in an office often come from different walks of life and different cultures. Their personalities are unique, their expectations diverse. But how can we ensure communication in the office is as effective as possible? This program explores the fundamental business skill of communication in the workplace. The many forms of verbal communication are covered, including oral and written methods such as meetings, speeches, letters and presentations. Similarly, the increasing importance of effective electronic communication is presented. Nonverbal cues such as body language are explored and in summary, the program discusses strategies for overcoming the barriers to workplace communication.
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Design: A Team Approach
In this program students apply techniques and processes to design, manufacture and assemble a product as a team, and then apply evaluation principles to assess the overall exercise. They examine how design teams and individual designers evaluate their use of materials, techniques and processes in transforming design options into a product range or team-designed product. Design: A Team Approach seeks to show how a team works towards a common goal beginning with a client interview through to the design stage, the planning and communicating of ideas, through to the actual production. The program concludes by demonstrating how evaluation can be a useful tool to monitor a team’s progress towards their common goal.
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Dave Hitz – Boom and Bust: Thriving through Major Business Cycles
NetApp has successfully navigated through every major cycle in business: from the frenetic mentality of a startup, through the tumultuous period of the dot-com boom and bust, and finally to the relative stability of a mature enterprise organization. Core values of candor, integrity, teamwork, and simplicity helped the company transition through these growth phases-and thrive.
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Chris Capossela – Driving Innovation in a Tough Economy
Microsoft is now in the midst of a multi-year initiative to transform itself once again-to a software-plus-internet-services provider. Despite the global economic downturn it sees opportunity in rallying all parts of the company behind “big, big bets” for the next five to ten years.
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Built to Change: How to Achieve Sustained Organizational Effectiveness
Organizations are built for stability, not for change. But in today’s highly competitive business environment, organizations must be ready to change-and change frequently. They need to replace long-term planning with a succession of short-term advantages. They must increase their “surface area” with the outside world; drive leadership to lower levels in the company; and reward decision makers for change management as well as results. Lawler and Worley discuss methods for creating strategies, structures, communication processes, and human resource management practices that are designed to facilitate an organization’s ability to change.