Online Resource Centre

Online Resource Centre

Books

For new employee orientation resources, visit All About Orientation

For e-learning resources, visit E-Learning Central

To read Roberta's articles, visit Articles by Roberta

Learning & Development Books

	Included in this section are books we have found to be particularly valuable in the learning and development fields. Some are new finds, and others are the most dog-eared favourites from our bookshelves. For books on new employee orientation, please visit: All About Orientation For books on e-learning, please visit: E-Learning Central

	The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development Malcolm S. Knowles, Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A. Swanson, Gulf Publishing Company, 1998 This is the definitive classic in adult education and human resource development! Great for both comprehensive theory and practical considerations for training design and delivery. A must read!

	The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization Peter Senge, Currency/Doubleday, 1994 A great reference and an easier read than Senge's original work, The Fifth Discipline. The definitive guide to creating learning organizations into practical terms.

	The Corporate University Handbook: Designing, Managing, and Growing a Successful Program Mark Allen (editor), AMACOM, 2002 The world of corporate universities was sorely in need of another guide, and Allen's collection of contributions from thought leaders in the field is truly refreshing.

	Corporate Universities: Lessons in Building a World Class Work Force Jeanne C. Meister, McGraw Hill, 1998 Is your organization is considering a corporate university? If so, then you may want to read this book of early best practices in the field by Jeanne Meister.

	Dealing with Difficult Participants: 127 Practical Strategies for Minimizing Resistance and Maximizing Results for Your Presentations Bob Pike, CSP, and Dave Arch, Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 1997 Whether you are faced with "the domineering", "the prisoner" or "the introvert", you will find practical tips you can use immediately. A quick read and a handy reference.

	The Learning Paradox: Gaining Security by Rediscovering the Joy of Learning Jim Harris, Macmillan Canada, 1998 Business is being rewritten every day and we need to be constantly learning and adapting. Canadian-based international speaker Jim Harris tells you how. Filled with thought-provoking quotes.

	Telling Ain't Training Harold D. Stolovitch, et al, ASTD, 2002 The name says it all. Training is a process that results in a skills transfer and/or behaviour change. Stolovitch, a recognized thought leader and always worth a read, shows how.

	Evaluating Training Programs: The Four Levels Donald L. Kirkpatrick, Berrett-Koehler, 1998 Kirkpatrick created the four levels of evaluation used widely by training specialists everywhere. A solid and practical reference for every trainer's bookshelf.

	Training On the Job Diane Walter, ASTD, 2001 This is quite a comprehensive guide to on-the-job training, from needs identification and task analysis through training design, implementation and evaluation. Lots of examples.

	Structured On-The-Job Training: Unleashing Employee Expertise in the Workplace Ronald L. Jacobs and Michael J. Jones, Berrett-Koehler, 1995 Presents on-the-job training as a planned process. Provides practical strategies for ensuring trainers are well prepared to deliver and are able to make appropriate coaching interventions.

	Hands-On Training: A Simple and Effective Method for On-the-Job Training Gary R. Sisson, Berrett-Koehler, 2001 Easy to read and highly practical. Contains good info on how to create instructor guides for on-the-job training.

	Planning and Marketing Conferences and Workshops: Tips, Tools, and Techniques Robert G. Simerly, Jossey-Bass, 1990 This is a helpful guide to review if you are planning a corporate training conference, especially the first time around.

	Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used Peter Block, Jossey-Bass, 1999 A great guide for both internal training training specialists and external consultants. Block actually penned this exceptional book with the internal consultant in mind.

	The Legal Handbook for Trainers, Speakers and Consultants: The Essential Guide to Keeping Your Company and Clients Out of Court Patricia Eyres, McGraw Hill, 1998 Whether you are a corporate trainer or a consultant, you will find this book both fascinating and valuable. While based on US law, as a Canadian I still find many of the principles relevant.

	Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change William Bridges, Addison-Wesley, 1991 This book is my favourite of William Bridges' many books as it is very practical in its application to organizations. An easy read filled with tips and checklists for every step of the journey.

	The Team Handbook Peter R. Scholtes, Brian L. Joiner and Barbara J. Streibel, Oriel Inc., 1996 One of the most dog-eared books on my bookshelf. This juicy handbook begins with basic team tools, then deals with more complex issues such as team conflict. Super-friendly, easy-reference format.

	Corporate Tides: The Inescapable Laws of Organizational Structure Robert Fritz, Berrett-Koeler, 1996 Ever wonder organizations "oscillate"? Here you'll learn why. I am a big fan of the structural tension model introduced in this book and use it when facilitating strategic planning sessions.

	The Facilitator Excellence Handbook: Helping People Work Creatively and Productively Together Fran Rees, Jossey-Bass / Pfeiffer, 1998 From brainstorming to force-field analysis, this well organized reference guide starts from the basics and includes practical step-by-step instructions. A fabulous resource.

	Mining Group Gold: How to Cash In On the Collaborative Brain Power of a Group Thomas A. Kayser, McGraw-Hill, 1995 If you lead a team, facilitate group meetings or need to build a more collaborative environment in your organization, pick up this book to mine the gold in the minds of your team.

	The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith, Harvard Business School Press, 1993 Today's more collaborative team-based environments require a new set of skills. This is a must-read classic that belongs on any leader's bookshelf.