Congrats to ASTD Central Iowa Chapter!

ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world's largest association for training and development professionals.

This month ASTD recognized the 60-year-old Central Iowa Chapter as ASTD Chapter of the Month.

To join ASTD Central Iowa, visit http://www.astdiowa.org.


-Barbara Stennes, Resouces Unlimited President and CEO
ASTD Iowa Chapter Past-President and Board Member for 5 years

New DiSC Profile Helps Managers Bring Out the Best in Every Employee

We're very excited about the latest DiSC training program from Inscape Publishing's "Everything DiSC" series.

The Everything DiSC Management Profile provides a 26-page report that helps managers understand themselves, their employees, and their own bosses.

Everything DiSC Management focuses on 5 important areas of management:

1. Your DiSC Management Style


2. Directing and Delegating


3. Motivation


4. Developing Others


5. Working with YOUR Manager

Clients are raving about the customization options Everything DiSC Management offers.

The profile itself is EPIC-based so you can run it right from your own EPIC Account. This allows you to remove or rearrange pages, print only selected sections, or customize the report title.

For example, you could alter the report cover to say, "XYZ Company Management Report" rather than the default title "Everything DiSC Management."

The Everything DiSC Management Facilitation System includes 6 one-hour modules, fully-scripted facilitation with interactive learning activities, facilitator notes, participant handouts, research information, and engaging video built right into the PowerPoint presentation.

Get the full details about Everything DiSC Management at http://www.resourcesunlimited.com/.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

A DiSC Question - I'm Stumped!!

Last week I had a great question about the DiSC Profile, specifically the word version. Here is the DiSC question I received:

When looking at the DiSC report on the page with the graph that shows the tally box scoring, what does the column “N” mean? Here is an example of what I am asking to learn more about:

			D	I	S	C	N
DiSC Tally Box		Most	12	6	4	5	1
		Least	2	5	12	9	0
		Different	10	1	-8	-4

This DiSC question stumped me! I had never heard it before in my 5 ½ years with Resources Unlimited! After some research and a conversation with the publisher, I had an answer. I decided that it is definitely one to be shared. Here is the response I sent:

In all psychological assessments, the null value is used to “level the playing field” for all of the scales. The values that are null (N) do not get measured by any of the scales. An example of this could be the word “happy.” Let’s say that happy would be an “i” word. Well, just because “unhappy” is the opposite, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a characteristic of a high “C.” In other words, the word might fit in a “most” category, but not in a “least.” They recommended that you review the research report below. Page 13 was specifically noted…

http://www.resourcesunlimited.com/images/DiSC_Validation_Research_Report.pdf

Has anyone else ever received this DiSC question? If so, how did you respond?

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

Bring DiSC to a Broader Range of Learners

Did you know there are two response style options for the Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profile for those who have an EPIC Account?

1. DiSC Word Version—The respondent is presented with four words from which he/she chooses one that is "Most Like Me" and one that is "Least Like Me."

2. DiSC Phrase Version—The respondent is presented with four phrases from which he/she chooses one that is "Most Like Me" and one that is "Least Like Me."

The phrase option allows you to bring DiSC to a broader range of learners as the responses are written at a sixth-grade reading level. It's a great option to use with learners who speak English as a second language.

Both the word and phrase response versions produce the same DiSC Classic 2.0 Report and both response style reports may be used when generating DiSC Group Culture Reports.

Visit the EPIC Account Help section or call 800.278.1292 to learn how to select the DiSC Phrase response style for your Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profiles.

Note: The Phrase Response version is also available for the DiSC General Characteristics Report.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

Everything DiSC Sales Profile

One of the first things I learned when I started working at Resources Unlimited is that not everyone responds the same way to a sales pitch. While it was very enlightening and extremely helpful to learn the processes of selling to our customers, I had a personal experience, where I was the customer, that made me have one of those, “a-ha!” moments. It was then that I truly realized how different each person is and how every sales person needs DiSC training!

Recently, a new sales assessment was released called the Everything DiSC Sales Profile. This new DiSC profile is a 22-page report that uses a circular graph to show your location within the DiSC model. It was designed to help salespeople learn to communicate more effectively and improve their sales relationships by covering three main objectives:

1. Understanding their own DiSC Sales Style
2. Identifying and understanding their customer’s DiSC buying styles
3. Adapting their DiSC Sales Style to meet their customer’s needs

Additionally, the Everything DiSC Sales Profile also includes post-training reinforcement with five personalized Customer Interaction Maps.

To enhance the DiSC assessment, an entire sales training program was developed. The Everything DiSC Sales Program provides everything necessary to deliver valuable DiSC Sales Training using the Everything DiSC Sales Profile.

Have YOU tried the new Everything DiSC Sales Report and/or Sales Program? If so, we would love to hear about your success stories. Please comment below or contact us at 515/278.1292 or info@ResourcesUnlimited.com.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

Resources Unlimited's Helpful Audio Descriptions For Inscape Publishing's Products and Services

Recently we have been experimenting with new ways to enhance the visitor experience on our website. We chose a couple of topics that are frequently questioned and recorded some helpful audio descriptions. We know that you don’t always have time to attend a webinar on a specific topic of interest. These descriptions were designed with respect of your time in mind, as the longest one is 4:19 in run time. Currently, we have three topics posted. I have included short description of each below:

1. EPIC – How to assign an access code – Click here to log in to your EPIC Account and follow along!
2. EPIC – Learn about how an EPIC Account can benefit you
3. DiSC Certification – Learn about your options for becoming a certified DiSC Trainer

Are there any specific topics that YOU think would be helpful to cover in an audio description? If so, please leave your request in a comment, or feel free to contact us using the information below:

Phone: 515.278.1292
Email: Info@ResourcesUnlimited.com\

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

DiSC Action Planners

Would you like a unique DiSC-based tool to keep DiSC alive in your organization? If so, use the DiSC Action Planners to Extend the Power of DiSC.

All of the action planners are available in a paper format or an online format. If you choose to use the online action planners, you can send them electronically through your EPIC Account!

DiSC Action Planners help people take the insights gained from DiSC and apply them to specific business applications. These concise, four- to six-page action planners provide a simple, cost-effective way to help employees focus on DiSC behaviors to learn how to interact more effectively with others and develop plans for achieving their goals. Choose from any of the following action planners:

DiSC Sales Action Planners are used to help sales people recognize potential customers' styles and choose the right selling strategy. They can also be used as a guide when preparing for a sales presentation.

DiSC Management Action Planners can be used to help managers recognize the styles of the people they manage and choose the right management strategy. They help managers plan actions to direct and support others. Additionally, they can be used whenever a manager prepares for interacting with an employee.

DiSC Customer Service Action Planners can be used to help customer service professionals recognize their customers' styles, choose the right servicing strategy, and adapt to the customer's style. They include tips on how to plan, initiate, and interact with the customer.

DiSC Managing Performance Action Planners are used to help managers recognize others' styles and choose the right management approach for managing performance. They help managers plan actions to direct and support another's performance. Additionally, they can be used whenever a manager prepares for interacting with a subordinate about his or her performance.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

Top 5 Things to Ask When Choosing a DiSC Profile

It’s common for people to have lots of DiSC questions when choosing a DiSC assessment to use. Below you will find a short list of some of the most important questions to ask.

1. Is it an Inscape Publishing assessment? – Inscape Publishing is the pioneer and leading provider of assessment-driven classroom learning solutions that develop interpersonal skills such as:

• Communication
• Teambuilding
• Time Management
• Conflict management
• Sales
• Leadership

Every year, more than a million people worldwide learn how to work more effectively with others by using Inscape products. Their solution-focused programs, based on DiSC® and other recognized learning models, are used in thousands of organizations, large and small, including major government agencies and more than 135 of the Fortune 500. Our products have been translated into 24 different languages and are used in 50 countries.

2. Is it valid & reliable? – Resources Unlimited and Inscape Publishing are committed to maintaining the highest standards of instrument development and application through careful research and development processes. We ensure all of our DiSC® instruments offer valid scores and accurate feedback to the respondent. Each DiSC instrument is designed to provide reasonably accurate interpretations or feedback based on your scores. We have numerous research reports available for your review.

3. Is it backed by the power of EPIC? - EPIC is your virtual warehouse of over 40 online learning assessments including our best-seller, the Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profile from Inscape Publishing! EPIC is an easy-to-use, password-protected, secure, web-based platform that allows you to assign access codes anytime of day or night to your participants for Inscape Publishing's online learning assessments.

4. Is customer service & staff readily available? – Our Customer Service Team is committed to helping you align training with your organization's strategy. We are eager to provide highly-qualified advice and support about our paper and online learning and training assessments, customized training and facilitation services, and certification programs. You'll feel relieved to hear our friendly voices each time you call. Our representatives are available from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Central Time, Monday - Friday. Call us at 515.278.1292 or toll-free at 800.278.1292.

5. Does it come in different formats & offer other report options? – Most all of our assessments are available in both a paper and an online format. Additionally, many assessments have group and/or facilitator’s reports available, along with supplemental reports for advanced learning.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

DiSC Exercises

I had an interesting call with a client a couple of weeks ago about DiSC exercises and training tools. She was preparing to do a teambuilding session with a group of high level managers in a well-known construction company. She explained to me that she had been struggling with this group because collectively, they could not come up with a single idea that everyone agreed on. Each individual believed that his or her idea was best and no one was interested in compromise. While I was 99% sure that I already knew the answer, I asked her what the group culture was. Not surprisingly, she told me the 100% of the group had a primary or secondary D. We started to discuss some options for exercises that this group would open communication lines. We settled on two main exercises and I have attached instructions for each of them.

• QuikDiSC Exercise
• DiSC Sales Action Planner Exercise

One of my favorite things about DiSC is its versatility. You can create your own exercises or mold existing ones to suit your needs, and it’s helpful in essentially any situation.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.resourcesunlimited.com/ or call us at 515.278.1292.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

How Can The Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profile Save You Time?

Have your DiSC participants complete the Online DiSC 2.0 Profile BEFORE your DiSC training or coaching sessions to save valuable time. The DiSC Classic 2.0 is sent out and scored electronically, so you won't need to administer and score a paper assessment during your DiSC session.

Right after you place your DiSC 2.0 order with Resources Unlimited, we'll send you an email(s) containing your access code(s) and link to the DiSC 2.0 response form.

You'll just need to forward one email to each participant. They'll click the link and complete the 28-response profile online in about 10 minutes. The DiSC 2.0 Profile is generated instantly so participants can print out their DiSC Profile, save it on their computer, or forward their DiSC 2.0 to someone else.

If you don't want participants to view their DiSC 2.0 before your DiSC session, you'll want to order an EPIC Account, which lets you print DiSC reports to hand out. EPIC Accounts are so popular with our clients because EPIC is easy to use and gives administrators more control.

The DiSC Experts at Resources Unlimited

Customize Your DiSC Training With Six Supplemental Reports

Make your DiSC initiatives even more effective by using one or more of the six supplemental DiSC Classic 2 Plus Reports with the tried-and-true Online DiSC Classic 2.0.

The 6 supplemental reports include:

1. Strategies for Creating a Positive Relationship - This report describes how to establish a relationship with the respondent that is based upon trust and mutual respect.
2. Relating to People and the Environment - This report explains how the respondent interacts with peers and interprets his or her environment.
3. Strategies for Managing - This report looks at ways in which people can most effectively manage the respondent.
4. Approach to Managing Others - This report analyzes the respondent's management style and behavior toward subordinates.
5. Strategies for Sales Management - This report examines the methods that people can best use to manage the respondent in a sales environment.
6. Approach to Selling - This report describes how the respondent performs essential steps in the sales process.

These reports can be used a la carte based on your particular needs. Simply select one or more of the supplemental reports within your EPIC Account while assigning Online DiSC Classic 2.0 access codes. Resources Unlimited can also add these supplemental reports to any Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profiles we generate for you. Questions? Call 515.278.1292 for more information.

Why An EPIC Account Is A Must-Have For DiSC Trainers

An EPIC Account gives DiSC trainers, coaches, consultants, and other busy professionals a simple way to deliver DiSC and other online EPIC profiles right on the Internet.

With EPIC you'll have access to the Online DiSC Classic 2.0 and all of Inscape Publishing's online learning assessments through your own secure EPIC Account. From your computer you can administer access codes that allow people to complete their DiSC assessments online.

Once a respondent completes their profile, the report is generated automatically and goes to the respondent or to you—you decide!

You'll also have access to group reports and can brand all reports with your own logo, company name, and contact information.

Resources Unlimited offers new EPIC clients a FREE EPIC Account with the purchase of just 300 EPIC Credits, and our customer service team will walk you through the features of your new EPIC Account by phone to get you started quickly.

Visit the EPIC Account page on the Resources Unlimited website where you'll find a list of the EPIC online assessments with samples you can download. You'll also be able to listen to an audio description of EPIC, and can order your new EPIC Account online.

How Can DiSC Help Your Organization?

With 30 years of proven reliability and over 40 million users worldwide, the original DiSC Classic Profile is the most trusted learning assessment in the industry. Designed to complement and supplement existing training programs, DiSC Classic can help you bring out the best in your employees.

DiSC Solutions help employees at all levels:

• Understand their own behavior and learn how and when to adapt their behavior
• Improve communication and reduce conflict
• Promote appreciation of differences
• Enhance individual and team performances

Our interactive two-day DiSC Certification, December 5-6 in San Diego, will immerse you in the newest DiSC research and provides a way for you to demonstrate your commitment to employee performance and productivity.

DiSC Trainers will receive over $1,900 in DiSC training materials including ready-to-use, fully-scripted course outlines to create solutions for teambuilding, communication, conflict, interpersonal effectiveness, management, and sales.

You’ll also learn how to customize your own training, coaching, and consulting solutions based on the unique needs of your organization or clients.

Visit the Resources Unlimited website to learn more about DiSC Certification and checkout all of our upcoming dates and locations.

Train Frontline Managers More Effectively Using The Power of DiSC

idXready DiSC Frontline Management is a new, innovative training program from Inscape Publishing. DiSC Frontline Management provides DiSC trainers with a fully-scripted half-day training program that is perfect for those who are in a supervisory role or first-level management role. Trainers will also receive cutting-edge video that's built right into the PowerPoint presentation.

DiSC Frontline Management Video Sample

Click the image for Sample PowerPoint, Leaders's Guide, Workbook, & Video (See slide 7 for video sample)

DiSC Frontline Management Participants Will:

• Learn four different approaches to management
• Discover their own unique management style
• Understand their unique strengths and challenges as managers
• Recognize how they manage when communicating, delegating, directing people, developing people, decision-making, managing time, problem-solving, motivating others
• Identify different responses to their management strengths and understand how strengths can be overused
• Create individual action plans based on their unique management strengths and challenges to aid them in managing productively and effectively

Visit the Resources Unlimited site for information on idXready DiSC Frontline Management and to order this powerful facilitation package today!

What's In The Online DiSC Classic 2.0?

We're often asked what's included in the Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profile. The following describes the four different sections that you'll receive with your own personalized DiSC 2.0 report.

Section 1 of the Online DiSC Profile is devoted to your unique behavioral style and contains your DiSC Graph.

In Stage 1, you'll see an in-depth, personalized narrative of your highest DiSC Dimension(s). The narrative describes patterns of interpersonal preferences, behaviors, and emotional reactions.

In Stage 2 you'll explore your Intensity Index to become more aware of your potential strengths and weaknesses.

Stage 3 will help you discover how the D, i, S, and C dimensions combine to form your unique DiSC Classical Profile Pattern. This section includes:

• Your Motivation: A description of the basic incentives and personal goals that drive you to interact with other people the way you do. Also describes the patterns of behavior that result from your unique motivations.
  
• Your Work Habits: A description of your behavioral tendencies at work, including how you get things done, how you influence others, goals that are important to you, and what situations you tend to avoid.
  
• Insights for You: Tips for maximizing your personal and interpersonal effectiveness.

Section 2 covers the DiSC model and includes descriptions of the four DiSC Dimensions with corresponding tendencies, needs, preferred environments, and effectiveness strategies for each.

Section 3 of the Online DiSC 2.0 gives an overview of all 15 of the DiSC Classical Profile Patterns. Read descriptions of the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors associated with different interpersonal styles.

Section 4 provides the technical information used to score your responses and generate DiSC feedback.

Learn more about the DiSC 2.0, view a sample Online DiSC Classic 2.0 Profile, and purchase the DiSC 2.0 Profile in our online store.

idXready Video Reduces Prep Time For Trainers

One of the most popular features of the 6 new idXready training programs from Inscape Publishing is the video, which is built right into the PowerPoint presentation. Trainers no longer need to toggle between their PowerPoint and video—the right video clip is shown with the click of your mouse. This reduces prep time and eliminates the need to for VHS or DVD equipment.

The contemporary idXready video is edgy, memorable, and sets the stage for turning training into action when participants return to work.

Get more information and check out samples of each idXready video, PowerPoint, participant workbook, and leader's guide on the Resources Unlimited website:

• idXready DiSC Frontline Management
• idXready DiSC Conflict Management
• idXready DiSC-Powered Selling
• idXready Capitalizing on Team Talents
• idXready Collaborative Skills for Teams
• idXready Improving Your Listening Skills

Close More Sales Using a DiSC-Based Approach

Resources Unlimited President, Barbara Stennes, attended ASTD with Inscape Publishing in June to help promote Inscape's newest training programs, idXready. The feedback they received was amazing. Visitors to the booth were impressed by the outstanding quality of the materials, the contemporary video, and the fact that the training program is ready for DiSC trainers to use immediately.

Using DiSC to identify and adapt to the differences in customers can help reduce the likelihood of miscommunication and lost sales, and can help your salesforce develop positive relationships with all types of customers.

DiSC-Powered Selling from Inscape Publishing is the newest and most innovative DiSC sales training program on the market. DiSC-Powered Selling helps participants understand their own selling tendencies and their customers’ needs so they can adapt when needed for better results.

DiSC-Powered Selling integrates and synchronizes all aspects of the DiSC learning experience, from participant pre-work to individualized workbooks; from video embedded right into PowerPoint to proven learning activities.

Visit the Resources Unlimited site for information on DiSC-Powered Selling.

DiSC Phone Coaching Sessions

Our personalized DiSC phone coaching sessions are customized to address your specific organizational objectives. One-on-one DiSC phone coaching will provide you with the assistance you need to design an effective DiSC training program, and will strengthen your investment in DiSC learning assessments.

DiSC phone coaching will give you the opportunity to speak one-on-one with one of our DiSC Certified Master Trainers with 20+ years of DiSC training experience.

DiSC phone coaching is available in one-hour sessions.

Whether you are a first-time user of DiSC learning assessments and need more in-depth information to learn how to interpret your results and incorporate the DiSC profile into your organization, or a DiSC trainer looking for additional DiSC activities, our DiSC Master Trainers will give you the information and confidence you need to achieve your organization’s learning objectives.

Our DiSC clients use DiSC phone coaching to take advantage of:

• A professional opinion to learn the best way to achieve your training goals
• A sounding board for your training ideas, which will ensure you are using the most effective DiSC exercises
• An experienced trainer to coach you during and after your purchase of DiSC assessments to ensure you use them most effectively

After your DiSC phone coaching session you'll feel better prepared to integrate DiSC learning assessments into your organization, and will have the information necessary to carry out your next steps.

Call 515.278.1292 for DiSC phone coaching information.

New Tutorial: Use the DiSC Role Behavior Analysis to Identify Job Fit

You can now view a movie tutorial about the DiSC Role Behavior Analysis on our website. Just click "DiSC Role Behavior Analysis Tutorial" at the top of the page.

By viewing the tutorial, you will learn:

• What is the DiSC Role Behavior Analysis Profile
• When to use the DiSC Role Behavior Analysis
• The What of the Job
• The How of the Job
• Explanation of the Button, Banner and Brochure ideal
• Conflicting Role Expectations
• How to use the DiSC Role Behavior Analysis
• Your Position and Roles Within
• Examples of Roles in a Position
• What you should do before responding
• After responding - what is learned
• Matching Style and Role Expectation
• Conflicting expectations
• Consensus Role Behavior Analysis Process

The DiSC Role Behavior Analysis was designed to identify role fit, identify training and development needs, and create a plan for stretching and redirecting for a better fit. This DiSC-based assessment is available in both online and paper formats. To compare results to the DiSC General Characteristics profile, the online format is required.

Questions? Call our DiSC Experts at 800.278.1292.

Choosing the DiSC Facilitator Report and/or DiSC Group Culture Report

Would you like to compile the DiSC results of your team?

Inscape Publishing has developed two DiSC Group Reports to help you analyze your team. These reports can be created after two or more people have completed the DiSC Classic 2.0 Online Report or the DiSC General Characteristics Online Report. Use the contents below to determine which report best suits the purpose of your upcoming DiSC session.

DiSC Group Culture Report

The DiSC Group Culture Report was developed to help you explore the DiSC style, or culture, of a group. Once you know the culture — its characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks — you're better prepared to open meaningful discussions with group members in a group setting or one-on-one.

The DiSC Group Culture Report provides a breakdown of your group members by DiSC style and Classical Pattern distribution, advantages and drawbacks of the culture in your group, and other issues to consider.

Unique Characteristics:

• The DiSC Group Culture Report was designed for beginner DiSC learners.
• This DiSC report does not include participant names, which allows for a safe jumping-off point to discuss your group’s culture.

DiSC Facilitator Report

The DiSC Facilitator Report is designed to help you better understand the diversity of interpersonal styles within your group so that you can help participants use their DiSC knowledge most effectively. The DiSC Facilitator Report provides a composite of your group's DiSC styles, allowing you to quickly and easily build customized group reports using data from DiSC Classic 2.0 or DiSC General Characteristics.

The DiSC Facilitator Report helps you identify the DiSC styles of both individual group members and the group itself.

Unique Characteristics:

• The DiSC Facilitator Report was designed with the DiSC Trainer in mind. Language style and report contents are written for someone who is more familiar with DiSC.
• This DiSC report includes names and each group members' DiSC Graph to help you facilitate your DiSC training session.
• This report allows you to compare your group distribution in the four styles against the general population.

When to Use DiSC Group Reports:

• When your focus is team development
• When you want to see the similarities and differences of group members' styles
• When you want to improve the group's understanding of each other, address conflicts in the group, or examine the group culture
• When you want to help group members understand how they fit into the culture of the group

Note: The DiSC Group Reports can include an unlimited number of participants.