SPHR and PHR Prep Course Starts Week of September 13th, 2010

It is that time again to think about and then decide whether or not to study for the SPHR/PHR exam. The classes I offer in the Seattle area start the week of September 13th. This will be the last "round" before the testing requirement change and become more stringent.
Here is a link to a summary of the changes:2011 SPHR/PHR eligibility changes

To find out more about the course I offer: Take the SPHR/PHR Course

What a recent student had to say about the course:
"I just wanted to say thank you for your PHR/SPHR prep course. I passed the PHR, which was a huge relief! Your questions and material covered in class were the perfect combination of learning for this type of exam. I found that after re-reading all the material, listening to the lectures, and doing the HRCP flashcards that the exam was not near as difficult or detailed as the questions in class."

HR Conference, See You There!

Hope to see at the San Diego SHRM conference! I will be spending most of my time at the exhibitor hall at booth #1550 (HRCP booth.) Stop by and enter to win a free online course offered through the Close Group!!!! Get those strategic recertification hours.

Made the decision to take the SPHR/PHR exam before the 2011 certification requirements kick-in? With Fall right around the corner, this is the last round of HR Mgt course offering/testing window before the 2011 certification requirements come into affect. Sign up now to take the classroom version offered in the Seattle, WA area or an online self-paced offering.

Take advantage of the new referral program and accumulate credits towards a free online course preapproved for HRCI recertification hours for yourself. Visit: Close Group HR Mgt Course

See you in San Diego

I will be down at the SHRM Conference in San Diego at the HRCP (Human Resource Certification Program)booth in the exhibitor area. Stop by and say "Hi!" I will be there sharing success stories using the HRCP materials as well as showcasing the online SPHR/PHR prep course and recertification approved courses offered by the Close Group.

Bring your friends to the booth and get them signed up to take the SPHR/PHR prep course offered through the Close Group and start accumulating credits toward a free course for yourself! Stop by the booth and find out more.

Sign up to take the course yourself and receive a 3-month WellMeals4U membership.

Looking forward to seeing you at the conference.

SPHR/PHR Prep Course Fall 2010 Special Offers

I know, summer will not have officially started until June 21st and here I am talking about Fall Course offerings. Time absolutely flies and I wanted to let people know of some special offers that are tied with the upcoming Fall SPHR/PHR prep course. Visit the website: Close Group HR Mgt Course.

The first special offering:Sign up to take the SPHR/PHR prep course offered through the Close Group and receive a 3-month membership to WellMeals4U! Studying eats up all of your precious spare time and requires carving away at other areas. Don't let eating healthy meals get put on the back burner. Utilize WellMeals4U and "stockpile" healthy meals in your freezer. WellMeals4U. http://www.wellmeals4u.com. This offer expires September 12, 2010.

The second special offering:Accumulate credits toward online courses offered by the Close Group just by referring students to the SPHR/PHR courses offered by the Close Group. Receive a $59credit for each full paying referral. Refer 10 people and take a 15 hour course for FREE. Online courses are all preapproved by HRCI to receive 15 strategic recertification hours!!!

Sign up today and take advantage of the special WellMeals4U offer.
Refer students and start accumulating credits toward a free course for yourself!

HR PHR/SPHR Courses for Fall 2010?

It's not too soon to be thinking about the next round of SPHR/PHR certification testing. The next round of "live" course offerings through the Close Group will begin in September in the Seattle area. For those of you who want to take advantage of the online offering, get signed up as soon as you like. The books are dropped shipped directly to your home and the self-paced online lectures available upon demand. Super easy! Sign up today and save your spot. Visit http://www.closegroup.org

PHR Course in Seattle

The Close Group offers a PHR/SPHR certification prep course twice in 2010. Both offered in Seattle, Washington. http://www.closegroup.org/

• The Winter/Spring offering will start February 15th and continue each Monday evening from 6-9 pm for eleven weeks.
• The Fall course offering will start September 13th and continue each Monday evening from 6-9pm for eleven weeks.

I will be the instructor for both of these offerings. Here is the link for the course and enrollment information. http://www.closegroup.org/

Come join the fun and get the test out of the way before the 2011 certification requirements change! Still time to enroll for the February 15th course.

Cheers,
Amanda

2010 Trends:

I was reading the January 5th, 2010 Journal and ran across some 2010 trends as predicted by Glen Hiemstra http://www.futurist.com/. and thought I would make mention since it jibes with what I have been seeing as well.

In a nutshell:

1. The economic recovery is underway due in large part to high levels of entrepreneurial activity. "Once the economy starts moving again we will see an uptick in jobs", says Mr. Hiemstra.
2. Entrepreneurial activity is trending towards "new green economy".
3. "Retail sales will come back, but we may have entered into a prolonged trend toward more frugal lifestyles" he feels.
4. States that rely on sales tax and property tax revenue based upon "housing peak projections" may likely see long term structural difficulties.
5. Professions/education/services that support an aging population is a good bet.
6. Shortage of disigners and scientists. We need to encourage kids towards education in science, technology and engineering. We need designers and scientists to remain internationally competitive.

To take advantage of these trends, Hiemstra recommends "deciding what you want to happen, then figure out what to do to make it happen."

• Don't ignore your entrepreneurial ideas. If you really think it will make this world a better place, work to make it happen.
• Never stop learning and look for ways to contribute, look for ways to make a difference.
• Create your own strategic plan! Strategic Coaching

The Close Group offers courses, coaching, team facilitation and strategic planning that helps individuals and organizations leverage trends. http://www.closegroup.org/

SPHR/PHR Prep Course through the Close Group starts February 15, 2010

Registration now open!
Visit Close Group website for details

Strategic Coaching: Become a Goal Expert

In the Seattle Sunday Times Parade (January 3, 2010) there was an article about understanding how your mind works to make changes that last. In the article they used the analogy of an elephant and the rider. The elephant represents the emotional side of our brain and the rider the rational side. Together they make an amazing team, but change can be difficult. The elephant is the drive and the power is also the emotional instant gratification that dislikes missing out on short term gratification. The rider is rational and sets the direction and pace and can be easily overwhelmed by the elephants need for instant gratification. In a nutshell, for lasting change to occur, both sides of the brain must be engaged. Enter Strategic Coaching. A method for getting that elephant and rider working together to achieve long term change.

For more information: visit the Close Group website. Strategic Coaching is a 15-hour online course that has been approved for 15 "strategic" SPHR recertification hours.