News Briefs
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb057243 |
| Pages | 27-27 |
| Published date | 01 March 1982 |
| Date | 01 March 1982 |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
News Briefs
Two New Industrial Relations Training Packages
Employment Relations have launched two major new
training packages: Collective Bargaining — designed to
help negotiators improve their bargaining effectiveness —
and Grievance Handling which gives supervisors and
managers a systematic approach to handling the com-
plaints of employees. Employment Relations, previously
known as the Industrial Relations Training Resource Cen-
tre,
was formed in 1977. The NEDO report which recom-
mended its establishment highlighted "the identification of
industrial relations training needs, and the development of
programmes to meet them", as one of the organisation's
prime responsibilities.
The packages were developed through funding from the
Manpower Services Commision, who also receive all
receipts from their sale. Several major companies and
organisations helped with the testing and refinement — in-
cluding Woolworth, ICI, Talbot Motor Company, the
Department of National Savings, Cummins Engines,
United Biscuits and ITT Components Ltd. Both packages
are designed for in-house training or the provision of public
courses. Each provides the trainer with a structured course
which may be adopted in its entirety, or modified as
necessary to suit either the experience of participants, or
the practices specific to a company or industry sector. The
packages contain tape-slide programmes and all the aids a
tutor needs to run a course professionally — including
handout notes, working documents, case study materials
and overhead projector transparency masters.
Further details may be obtained from Employment
Relations Ltd, 62 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1LA.
New Security and Time Recording System
A new computer-based security and time recording system
has been developed to provide high security, commercial
and economic benefits to large-scale users. Operating on a
powerful Sperry Univac V77 minicomputer, the new
system, which is called VORTACS, has been introduced by
Systemsolve and Photo-Scan, who specialise respectively
in software/computer services, and security surveillance
systems. VORTACS uses information received in coded
real-time format, from special "pocket passes" which are
carried by all authorised staff and visitors on site
—
to pro-
vide the highest possible level of access and security con-
trol. In addition, the system can provide automatic time
recording as well as flexitime and shift time recording for
simultaneous input to payroll systems; movement registra-
tion; personnel location; and a wide range of office
management functions.
Further information from Derek Williams, Systemsolve
Computer Services (Ltd), 42-50 Hersham Road, Walton-
on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1RY (Tel: Walton-on-Thames
(09322) 46601).
What Do You Say After You Say Hello?
The telephone is generally the most powerful communica-
tions tool in business today; it is the most immediate
method of communication with anyone anywhere in the
world. "Communication," says Eva Roman, who heads
Evro Management Skills, "requires the creation of
understanding in the minds of others — bad communica-
tion goes from the mouth of one person to the ears of
another without much impact on the mind of either". How
then can one be sure of creating that understanding and of
exploiting the full potential of the telephone in pursuit of
daily business transactions? Evro have introduced a two-
day telephone/human relations course designed to develop
the practical techniques of speech, expression and listening
which create the receptive rapport so vital for good com-
munication. The course, entitled What Do You Say After
You Say
Hello?,
is held in-company and examines in detail
the do's, don'ts, how's and why's of telephone usage. In
addition to lectures and films, the course provides ample
opportunity for discussion and feed-back. Delegates exer-
cise and work in groups and, using telephone training
equipment, participate in role-playing devised to bring out
their strength and their problem areas. Course Leaders
then help by analysis and suggest improvements. For fur-
ther details contact: Evro Management Skills, 20 Sylvan
Way, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9HB (Tel: 01-462 5030).
Tomorrow's Managers for Tomorrow's World
Home study management training up to degree level is
planned by Henley, the Management College, for those
too busy to attend residential courses. It is believed that
this is the first time such courses, using advanced distance
learning techniques, will be available in the UK. Henley is
using its long experience in training middle and senior
managers from Britain and many overseas countries, to
devise suitable courses of study which can be undertaken at
home or in the workplace. The first foundation courses of
what will be a major study programme will be launched
early next year. These will include integrated packages of
texts,
video and audio cassettes, computer based support
and limited tutorial backup.
Professor Tom Kempner, Principal of Henley, explains:
"We have long been aware that there is a considerable
body of managers who would like to attend, and would
benefit from, the types of courses which Henley offers, but
who are unable to do so for a variety of
reasons.
The main
cause of inadequate management training is rarely finan-
cial; it is because many managers cannot be released for
the necessary time, particularly in smaller companies. The
programme will be particularly attractive to the woman
manager who has interrupted her career to raise a family.
For further information telephone Mr J W Seabright,
Managing Director, or Dr Aldwyn Cooper, Education
Director of Henley Distance Learning Ltd on Hambleden
(049 166) 552.
Silent Thermal Printer
An inexpensive desktop printer claimed to be totally silent
when on standby and practically inaudible when printing is
announced by Philips. It employs a new solid-state prin-
ting technique based on the momentary heating of tiny
resistors, which means that the only moving part required
is the platen that advances the heat-sensitive paper. The
Philips COPY 80 printer is a microcomputer-controlled
line-printer intended primarily as a high-speed hard-copy
device for visual display terminals. Used by financial
dealers or the travel industry, for example; it provides an
instant, silent means of confirming and recording informa-
tion called up on a screen. The machine may also be con-
nected directly to a private telex exchange as a "receive on-
ly" terminal, or via a modem to a telephone line for use in
news rooms and elsewhere.
Further information from: Mr Kurt Furubom, Philips
Elektronikindustrier AB, S-175 88 Järfälla, Sweden.
MARCH/APRIL 1982 27
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