DataDome Blog

Marriott International has expanded their Data Dome, Inc. DISC certification training to include sales and leadership trainers from Europe, the U.K. and Asia.

As part of Marriott International’s Train the Trainer for Impact Leadership program, US sales and leadership trainers are already certified in Behavioral Style Analysis by Data Dome. Behavioral Style Analysis Certification is a behaviorally-based communication course using the DISC language to create win/win relationships for optimal effectiveness. Participants learn how to communicate and train using the DISC language and assessments. They come away with a more complete understanding of what DISC is and how to use it to interact with others and to appreciate others’ behavioral styles. The camaraderie that results from this appreciation produces better productivity. Additional applications of DISC include leadership development, time management, conflict resolution, change management, and enhanced sales, team building and engagement.

Data Dome currently provides the same certification services for Arby’s Restaurant Group and also recently trained the staff of the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Schoeck has now personally trained over 17,000 executives, managers and employees in DISC, and clients often refer to Art Schoeck as the “DISC Guru.”

Chris Gilmore, Marriott Learning Services Director of National Programs, who will oversee Data Dome’s new role, says that they have received excellent feedback from participants in the Impact Leadership class and stand alone team building sessions.

“We are very excited to add more DISC certified trainers to our cadre,” Gilmore adds.

Nancy Curtin Morris, Senior Director of Training Delivery Operations in North America, has been extremely pleased with Data Dome’s products, level of service, and the consultative relationship. “We have instituted the DISC tool into one of our leadership programs and it has met with great success,” says Morris.

While the certification process was quite rigorous, Data Dome worked with us to ensure that each of our trainers had a full understanding of the tool and how to best deliver it in the classroom, including one-on-one review and coaching with the attendees. Subsequently, we have conducted a webinar as a follow up to the certification to continue the ongoing learning of the assessment with our team of trainers. This webinar was invaluable to all that participated.

Data Dome Inc.’s products and training offer practical, effective solutions to such common problems as high turnover, personality conflicts and poor communication. In addition to the most advanced employee profiling, assessment, integrity and surveying tools available, the company provides strategic training and seminars, as well as objective executive coaching. Data Dome customizes seminars for companies to improve internal strategic planning, assist in implementing and coping with change, enhance interactions between management and support staff, boost sales and productivity, and build project-oriented teams. To learn more, visit www.datadome.com or call 404-814-0739.

Unscheduled absenteeism can be very expensive. According to the 16th annual CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey, it costs some large employers “an estimated $850,000 per year in direct payroll costs, and even more when lost productivity, morale and temporary labor costs are considered.”

This year’s unscheduled absenteeism rate is 2.5 percent – the highest since 1999 (at 2.7).

2 out of 3 employees are absent for reasons other than personal illness.

Key findings:

Employees aren’t coming to work because of family issues and personal needs, more than any other single factor.

Morale continues to have a big impact on absenteeism. Companies reporting poor/fair morale have a 2.9 percent absence rate compared to a rate of just 2.2 percent at organizations with good/very good morale.

The most utilized absence control programs are disciplinary action and yearly reviews. But flexible work-life programs are also popular. Common programs are an employee assistance plan, wellness programs, leave for school functions, and flu-shot programs.

Why are your employees not coming to work? Overall, the findings are:

• Family issues – 24 percent
• Personal needs – 18 percent
• Stress/burnout – 12 percent
• Entitlement mentality – 11 percent

With unscheduled absences trending upward this decade, companies need to understand why employees are calling in at the last minute and what impact this has on other employees, productivity and the bottom line. Employers that take the time to gather this information will find themselves more able to assess both the hard and hidden costs of absenteeism effectively and to better identify what programs can be used to keep employees on the job.

(16th annual CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey)

Action Plan:

1. Ask your employees about their reasons for unexcused absences. Use anonymous surveys and an outside-the-company surveyor so that employees feel safe to honestly express their opinions, experiences, and suggestions.
2. Use the survey as a diagnostic tool. Be open to hear the bad news that you need to know!
3. Don’t stop there! You must show that you take the information seriously. Follow-through to real and meaningful action. Address the reasons for stress and burnout. Mismatches between the behaviors required for the job and the style of the person in the job? Communication breakdowns? Lack of effective management? Task distribution problems? Interdepartmental breakdowns? Create specific plans and implement them as soon as possible.
4. Then, assess yourself. Follow-up with another survey in six months – to see if your actions have changed the work environment, and to find which changes have been successful.

We offer a range of tools and processes to help you reduce absenteeism and turnover. Call today at 404-814-0739.

Technology companies worldwide are still struggling to find and retain talent. They have a ways to go to truly develop the capabilities needed to ensure continued success in human capital management.

A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers warns of a looming talent shortage, and calls attention to the need for more effective management strategies.

Graham Wyllie, director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, comments on the report:

Technology companies have always had to compete for the best and the brightest, but with an industry boom they are faced with a looming talent shortage. It is no longer adequate for technology employees to have an advanced degree in mathematics and sciences. They need a strong drive to succeed, a willingness to learn, collaborate and innovate, and the capacity to manage change. … It’s no longer a mere battle for talent. The real contest will be won through the development of superior tools and strategies for managing human capital across the enterprise.

Data Dome’s strategies and tools create a win-win situation for organizations and individuals. We apply processes that maximize everyone’s potential – matching personal strengths and preferences to job requirements, uncovering
blind spots/challenges, optimizing teams, and improving the quality of the work environment.

Our assessments and processes have application for the lifetime of the employee, from job definition and pre-employment to team optimization, better management and leadership development.

We are THE Workplace Assessment Experts. Call us for your workforce optimization consultation at 404-814-0739.