A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

Leverage Video Games In Your Knowledge Management Plan

If the workplace can leverage quality video game technology, customize it for their mission, and intertwine it with their current development programs and training methodology, they will be able to bring the huge influx of Millennial Generation workers up to speed more quickly and with increase enthusiasm. Another strategy to consider for those tasked with employing suitable replacements for their aging and retiring workforce.

Additionally, by using this strategy with careful planning, workplaces may even be able to bring some excitement into the often static routine of their current, long-time employees. Tie this in with knowledge management to link skills and experience building with invaluable knowledge sharing and retention, and we’ve got a winner.

 

Video Games: A Creative Learning Solution For the Changing, Global Marketplace

In the July 2010 article, How playing video games can boost your career, Oliver Chiang of Forbes.com advocates one of the concepts that I’ve been teaching in my Career Management for Geeks workshops since its inception, that  skills learned by playing videos are transferable and valuable in the workplace.  

Those who have participated in my Career Management for Geeks workshops have done nothing but sing its praises, however I’ve received a significant amount of disbelief from those who haven’t attended and who aren’t willing to consider that video games can have any sort of benefit to those seeking employment (and who are currently employed). Although I disagree with the belief that videos games are little more than a waste of time and entertainment, I understand where this opinion comes from and the negative stereotype placed on video games and those who play them.

If the workplace can re-evaluate video games from a new, open-minded perspective there may be a new strategy to consider in the search for creative solutions to bringing new and current employees up to speed with the changing, global marketplace.

Learning From Video Games Saves Time & Money

Who says that the only place to secure valuable skills is in “real-life”? The fact that companies in America invest millions in simulation, e-learning, and technological enhancements for training and development demonstrate the belief that on the job training and books is not the only source for knowledge, skills, and abilities. Learning from game-play is no different than the average e-learning software at most organizations except that video games tend to have better graphics, be more engaging, have better storylines, and are likely to be more violence inclined; a small caveat that can be easily remedied.

Gaming systems such as the Nintendo Wii and others have already branched out from gaming-entertainment to gaming-health (Wii Fit) and gaming for mental enhancement (Big Brain Academy).  When will the workplace step out of its comfort zone and preconceived notions and expand its horizons on where skills and valuable skills at that…can originate from? There are few things more powerful then hands-on experience in the workplace. That said, experience gained from gaming simulations can serve the same or similar purpose; in less time.

And guess what? Saving time saves money.

Use Work Groups to Achieve Your Big-picture Goals

If you work in a corporate-type of environment, you’ll probably find yourself being asked by your boss to serve on a “volunteer” workgroup or committee. There are pros and cons to this. Some of the pros are your opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people and network, especially when the committee extends beyond your immediate office. My point is that if you join one of these types of workgroups, don’t get yourself into the hole of taking meeting minutes and scheduling rooms. Make sure that the role you take on the team and those duties or projects you volunteer for align with your future goals.

If you want to shift from your Admin Assistant role to Information Technology, volunteer to maintain the intranet website or volunteer to do something IT related. Be more deliberate about what you volunteer for and the projects you lead when the choice is yours. Don’t be on an extra work group just because management will give you a cookie. Leverage your membership in as many ways as possible. Target what committees you volunteer for and the duties you complete to your big-picture goal so you’ll be more competitive when you’re ready to take on your big-picture goal.

Just Because You're Necessary Doesn't Mean You're Important

Have you ever received career advice along the lines of "Make yourself invaluable so you can get a promotion or be too valuable to ever get fired!" or "distinguish yourself as an outstanding employee your company can't do without!"

Well, this is all fine and dandy. It's a good concept if implemented strategically. Just to 'shoot off the hip' and implement this common advice at face value could actually put you in a rut. As you manage your talent - be proactive about keeping potentially self-sabotaging decisions to a minimum.

If you follow this common advice without keeping tabs on yourself - you can make yourself so invaluable you'll be too valuable to not just get fired, but to valuable to get promoted, reassigned, or otherwise be afforded the opportunity for career building assignments. Case-in-point: In the August issue of Talent Management author Kate DCamp, a senior executive adviser at Cisco wrote an article in which she confessed:

I was very guilty of this career-limiting thinking for some 15 years early in my career. I loved the work. Like many others, I became protective of it, believing it was always faster and better to do work myself than to let others in. Only after I lost the opportunity for an international assignment because I was too necessary in my then-current role, did I realize the trap I had set for myself."

Ask yourself: Are you setting a trap for yourself or building the foundation for future opportunities? Are you 'letting others in'?

So go ahead and be invaluable, but don't lose sight of your importance. Or, as DESPAIR, INC., (developers of "soul-crushingly depressing Demotivators" designed to skip delusions and be realistic) tell us, Just because you're necessary doesn't mean you're important.

Food for thought, eh?

~ Ebony