INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS SERIES

Becoming a Progressive Employer

Setting Trends Instead of Following Them
Becoming a Progressive Employer 1

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

PREFACE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRAINING PACKAGE

Your Velsoft training package contains the following items:

• Instructor Guide: Contains all textbook information plus this preface, icebreakers,
activities, delivery tips, and more!

• Student Manual: Contains textbook information as well as areas to take notes. Each
manual also includes an evaluation form, action plan, and recommended reading list.

• Handouts: Contains pre- and post-class answer keys as well as any additional
information or activity resources.

• Pre-Assignment: Task for participants to complete before the workshop to get them
thinking about the learning that will take place.

• PowerPoint Slides: PowerPoint presentation highlighting talking points in the course.

• Quick Reference Guide: Two-page cheat sheet of tips and facts covered in the
course.

• Outline: Word document that outlines the overview and objectives of the course and
summarizes each session to be covered.

• Advertorial: Pre-made flyer that you can customize and distribute.

Look what you get!

Fully customizable Word and PowerPoint files!
✓Instructor Guide ✓PowerPoint Slides
✓Student Manual ✓Quick Reference Guide
✓Handouts ✓Outline
✓Pre-assignment ✓Advertorial

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 2

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

Preparing for Training

To begin, read through this Instructor Guide. This is intended to be a guide and not
absolute! Be guided by your experience, the needs of the participants, and your own
common sense, as well as the information in here. Most of the suggestions and all of the
information have been developed through research and hands-on, classroom experience,
but you will want to customize the material for your particular audience.

Practice writing on flip chart paper before the workshop. You may want to draw lines on
the paper (lightly, in pencil) to help you. As well, many of the flip charts suggested in this
course can be prepared ahead of time. The first page should be set up like this:

• Name of Workshop

• Facilitated by < Your Name>

• Your Organization’s Name

For an extra touch, include sheets with the words Courtesy, Participation, and
Confidentiality written on them and post them around the room. You might also want to
add the words Exercises, Role Play, Learning, and Fun.

Have an emergency kit ready with the following items:

• Extra markers

• Tape and sticky putty

• Adhesive bandages

• An extension cord

• Safety pins

• Tissues

• A bottle of water

• A fuzzy toy (which can be used for many activities and to spice up any lecture)

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 3

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

Arrive at least one hour before the start of the session to ensure that:

• Signs are placed directing trainees to your room.

• The classroom is set up as desired.

• You know where washrooms, break facilities, smoking areas, and fire exits are
located.

• You have all necessary resources for the day.

• Materials for the morning are laid out, particularly for the icebreaker.

• Pens, sticky notes, and scrap paper are placed at every table.

• If you are using a laptop, it should be connected to the projector and both items
should be turned on.

OUR TOP 10 TRAINING TIPS

Although we will provide advice throughout the workshop, there are a few tips that we
think every trainer should know.

1. Always shake hands with each participant and introduce yourself as they come into
the classroom. This breaks the ice and sets the type of friendly atmosphere that is
conducive to learning.

2. Always practice before the big day, even if you have delivered the course
beforehand.

3. Bring extra activities with you, such as a list of children’s games that is adjusted for
adults.

4. Always have a backup plan! For example, if you plan to use PowerPoint slides, make
sure you have a copy of the Instructor Guide, which includes the information to be
covered.

5. It is a good idea to print the instructor guide and place it in a three-ring binder,
including any customized information. Also, during the workshop make notes about

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 4

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

what worked and what did not. This will be a resource that you can build on in the
future too!

6. Things will go wrong during your workshop. If you are well prepared and confident,
you should be able to resolve most situations quickly and easily. Try not to let
participants see you stressed!

7. Involve participants as much as you can. Have them help you set the agenda, guide
activities (by passing out or collecting forms, for example), lead discussions, and
improve the course. The more participants put into it, the more they will get out of
it.

8. Be ready to learn. Often, workshop instructors learn something during the sessions.
Challenge yourself!

9. Tie everything back to the workplace. It is no good knowing information unless

participants know how to use it.

10. And finally… do not be afraid to have fun! Bring a few fuzzy toys and use them as a
speaking hat during discussions – whoever is speaking has the toy. Plus, it sparks
creativity and keeps participants interested.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
• Flip chart paper

• Markers

• Soft ball or object

• Instructor access to the Internet for demonstration purposes (optional)

• Sheets of blank paper

• Newspapers and magazines

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 5

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

RELATED COURSES
• Creative Thinking and Innovation

• Business Succession Planning – Developing and Maintaining a Succession Plan

• Process Improvement with Gap Analysis

• Employee Recognition: Appreciating Your Workforce

• Code of Conduct: Setting the Tone for Your Workplace

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
If you would like more information on training, Velsoft offers Train-the-Trainer courses at
several different levels. We also like the following books:

• The Trainer’s Tool Kit, by Cy Charney and Kathy Conway

• Diversity Training, by Cris Wildermuth

• Games that Teach, by Steve Sugar

• Sivasailam Thiagarajan’s books on games and activities

If you have a favorite resource, please share it with us!

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 6

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

AGENDA
8 AGENDA

8:30-8:45 Icebreaker: Give Me a 'P', Give Me an 'R'...

8:45-9:00 Session One: Course Overview

9:00-9:30 Session Two: What Does Progressive Mean?

9:30-10:00 Session Three: Getting From Here to There

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:00 Session Four: Progressive Mindset

11:00-11:45 Session Five: The Good and Not So Good

11:45-12:00 Morning Wrap-Up

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1:15 Energizer: On the Hot Seat

1:15-2:00 Session Six: It Can Come From Within

2:00-3:00 Session Seven: Workers Matter

3:00-3:15 Break

3:15-4:15 Session Eight: As the Curtain Comes Down

4:15-4:30 Workshop Wrap-Up

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 11

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

SESSION ONE: COURSE OVERVIEW

Ask students to turn to Session One in their workbooks. Read the introduction below.

 Workbook Material

Many people like to think of themselves as progressive in some fashion, but is this usually
the case? Employers can be considered progressive for numerous reasons, from the way
they treat their staff to their approach to technology. This one-day course will point the way
towards being a progressive employer for those who wish to be on the forefront of
employee relations and develop an innovative stance on business.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand what being progressive means

• See the process for getting from the status quo to being progressive

• Develop or enhance a progressive mindset

• Truly examine what it means to be progressive

• Develop innovative ideas

• Understand the importance of a succession plan

Give participants a moment to write down their own learning objectives in their workbook.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 12

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

ACTION PLANS AND EVALUATIONS

Next, pass out evaluations and action plans. (Both of these items are in the Handouts folder
and the Student Manual.) Ask participants to work on these throughout the day. They will
also have a few minutes at the end of the workshop to finalize their ideas.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 13

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

SESSION TWO: WHAT DOES

PROGRESSIVE MEAN?
(9:00-9:30)

A DEFINITION
First things first, when you are talking about becoming a progressive employer you had
better be sure what exactly you are talking about. What better place to start than by having
a definition of ‘progressive’ to build upon?

“Favoring change or innovation”

According to the good folks at Oxford Dictionary, one of the many definitions of progressive
is: “favoring change or innovation.” That is the definition you, as an employer, want to
embrace. Progression is moving from one thing to another and that entails change, and
usually along with change comes innovation, or vice versa.

So now that we have that out of the way, what is next?

You have a definition and now it is time for an example.

EXAMPLES OF PROGRESSIVE COMPANIES

Having the word progressive in your name does not automatically make you progressive,
whether you are a political party or a company. When thinking of progressive companies,
those that first come to mind are the big tech businesses such as Apple, Microsoft, Google,
and Tesla.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 14

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

But not all companies have to be tech giants to be considered progressive employers. A look
at list of ‘top companies’ finds firms with just a few hundred employees nestled right
alongside giant companies with tens of thousands of workers.

These lists can run from banks to airlines to universities and car manufacturers. This just
shows that any company — big or small, regardless of field — can be considered
progressive.

What sets them apart?

Well, going back to our definition for a second, they are innovators. They are always moving
ahead on the edge of new technologies and products, and, this is the really important part,
they are progressive when it comes to their employees.

CASE STUDY: EYES ON THE SKIES

In 1996 transfer of the Canadian air traffic control system was handed over from Transport
Canada to a completely new, not-for-profit entity: Nav Canada.

This new organization, headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, assumed responsibility for all
civilian air traffic in Canadian airspace and into a section of the North Atlantic, under the
regulatory watchfulness of Transport Canada.

With more than 4,800 employees at facilities in every corner of the country, Nav Canada is
at the forefront of the air traffic control industry, at home and abroad.

On the technical side, it has spent more than $2 billion on technology and infrastructure
since 1996 and continues to upgrade, improve, and develop in those areas.

The organization is a leader in worldwide air traffic management (ATM), selling its training,
equipment, and services to more than 100 sites around the globe.

Nav Canada takes a progressive approach to technology, as is evidenced by the previous

information, but also has as part of its mission a commitment to being one of the best
employers in Canada, as well as developing ways to benefit the environment through
improving aviation.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 15

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

Nav Canada has been named one of the top employers in the country for both 2017 and
2018.

Employees are represented by several different unions and those groups are routinely
presented with contract offers before labor disruptions can become an issue. Not only does
the company offer competitive salaries and benefits, it is noted for programs that offer
professional growth, personal development, and leadership opportunities to its employees,
including offering tuition subsidies for job-related courses. Nav Canada also developed a
peer support program called Thrive to help reduce stress during training, part of its
comprehensive approach to health and well-being for employees. An onboarding program
called Accelerate demonstrates the organization’s commitment to preparing employees for
success.

As well, the organization backs national award programs and involvement in community
activities and charities. Nav Canada supports a number of local, national and international
charitable organizations, with an annual spend of about $380,000. In 2017, approximately
300 charitable and community organizations were assisted, including Children’s Wish
Foundation and Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society. Every year Nav Canada and its employees
host an annual fundraising initiative for the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and cancer
research.

It also offers a corporate discount program that includes such products and services as gym
membership, computer software and hardware, travel and car rentals.

From the standpoint of being a progressive employer, Nav Canada fits the bill through
treatment of its workers, to its participation in the development of the latest technology to
use satellites for air traffic surveillance.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 16

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

 Activity Ideas

Progressive Patterns

Split the class into small groups and have them brainstorm examples of businesses they
consider to be progressive employers. Ask them to make a list of examples that illustrate
how the companies they have chosen are progressive. Bring the entire group back
together and discuss their answers, noting similarities and differences. How well known
are these companies, how big, are they truly progressive or just financially successful?
Have the students use their pre-assignments in this activity by relating their definitions
to examples the group comes up with.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.

Becoming a Progressive Employer 43

This is a sample. The number of pages is limited.

WORKSHOP WRAP-UP
(4:15-4:30)

Take the last 15 minutes for a quick review and to answer any questions the class may have.

In closing:

• “Success is the progressive realization of predetermined, worthwhile, personal

goals.” - Paul J. Meyer

• “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an
about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back
soonest is the most progressive.” - C.S. Lewis

This is also a good time to help participants wrap up their action plans, collect evaluations,
and to pass out certificates.

 Trainer’s Tip

If you have not provided students with the Student Manual, print out the Recommended
Reading List and give it to participants as a bonus.

 2005-2018, Velsoft Training Materials Inc.