Category: Development and Training

Most of us have no idea how vulnerable we are on our smartphones. We keep our firewalls and virus protection up-to-date on our computers but many may not even think about it on a phone. Our phones are very compact computers now and require the same safeguards as a computer.

The simplest step is to add a passcode that only you know. Most phones will allow you to set a password or ‘swipe’ pattern that you use to unlock your phone.  Make the passcode or swipe pattern hard to guess, meaning no simple shapes, birthdays, addresses or anniversaries that can be connected to you. You’ll find these options under Settings on most phones.Continue Reading… How Secure is Your Smartphone?

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford

Teamwork is a necessary part of the workplace. Tenacity, energy and assertiveness are some of the key components for creating successful teams. Watch this video by HRD facilitator Rosemary Ward and learn the four essential elements of effective teamwork.

Join in group discussions, walk away with new ideas and enhance your skills this summer by enrolling in one of several upcoming HRD course offerings.

June is a big month for EBS forms improvement.  New Faculty and Academic Staff, Undergraduate and Professorial Assistant and Graduate Assistant forms are all launching in the month of June.

Faculty and academic staff reappointment, rehire and enhanced hire forms went live on June 17.  The reappointment form was completely redesigned into two new forms; the reappointment form and the rehire form.   The release also includes one streamlined entry point which directs form initiators to the appropriate HR form.  Also included were changes to the waiver process.  Details about these changes can be found here.Continue Reading… EBS Forms Improvements

Successful coaching requires a variety of techniques, such as good listening skills and the acknowledgement of high-quality work. Watch this video by HRD facilitator Susan Combs on how you can develop effective coaching skills.

Advance your skills this summer by enrolling in one of several upcoming HRD course offerings, such as “Leading by Delegating” and “Essentials of Employee Relations.”

Sometimes giving a presentation can be difficult. To ensure a presentation is effective, it requires preparation and practice. Watch this video by HRD facilitator April Callis on how you can create stellar and effective presentation skills.

This summer, build additional valuable skills, such as presenting yourself effectively during an interview. To learn more, check out HRD’s upcoming course offerings, including April’s class “Professional Presence in Interviewing” in July.

It’s that time of the year, when you may think about clearing out your home or office. Sometimes “spring cleaning” can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Watch this video by HRD facilitator Randy Dean on how you can remove clutter and simplify the task of organizing and cleaning your office.

When eliminating office waste, take advantage of the recycle and shredding bins provided by the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus Store and delivered to your office for free by filling out a service request form on their website. Visit recycle.msu.edu/about/services/office-clean-out/ for more information. Remember this spring: Be Spartan Green!

Other Useful Links:

University Archives, Record Management

10-Steps Record Management Plan

Great customer service skills can be developed with time and practice. HRD Facilitator Todd E. Bradley explains how to provide better customer service to internal and external customers of MSU and why providing good customer service is so crucial.Continue Reading… Customer Service at MSU Tips

Everyone needs a résumé—it’s an essential quick-summary of your work experience.  Here are some tips on making a top-notch résumé.

Use bullets

Résumés are skimmed. Using bullets with short descriptions of your skills will work better than a large body of text that may not get read.Continue Reading… Tips on Making a Great Résumé

Our jobs seem to only get busier and our job responsibilities seem to only get longer. It’s also true with our demands at home. With both work and home lives being so busy, it’s easy to get sucked into negative thinking. Watch this video by HRD facilitator Lois Wolfe-Morgan on how you can stop the negative thinking and start thinking positively, one sentence at a time! Check out the video here.

To learn more, check out HRD’s upcoming course offerings, including Lois’sHarnessing the Power of Office Politics course on March 15.