Episode 84: 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues

Episode 84: 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues

Say goodbye to eye-roll-worthy icebreakers. In this episode of the HRDQ-U In Review Podcast, host Sarah sits down with Lenn Millbower — the Mouse Man™, Learnertainment® trainer, and former Walt Disney World training team member — to unpack the highlights from his popular webinar, 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues. Lenn shares why most training activities fall flat (hint: it's not the activity itself, it's where and how you use it), and how trainers can design experiences that learners actually want to engage with — even when the sun is shining and everyone's mentally halfway out the door. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why icebreakers create resistance — and why Lenn calls them "ice melters" instead * The Disney leadership philosophy that shaped his entire approach to training design * The four "E-z" placement spots — Engage, Explain, Explore, and Embrace — and why putting the right activity in the right spot makes all the difference * How to open a program with a strong content hook that pulls learners in before you've said a single instructional word * The "New Door" activity you can literally use next week * Why orientation programs are broken — and what they should actually be about * The one thing Lenn wants every trainer to ask themselves before their next session Whether you attended the live webinar or are discovering Lenn's work for the first time, this episode is packed with creative, practical ideas you can bring back to your training room right away. 🎧 Watch the full webinar recording at HRDQU.com [https://hrdqu.com/webinar/25-training-activity-ideas-to-beat-the-summer-blues/] — available exclusively for HRDQ-U members.

Episode 83: Make More Money at Work: How to Ask for a Raise or Negotiate a Higher Starting Salary at a New Job

In this episode of HRDQ-U in Review, host Sarah sits down with negotiation expert Laura Browne to talk about one of the toughest, and most important,career skills: asking for more money. Laura shares the story of her first, unsuccessful attempt at requesting a raise—an experience that sparked her mission to help others confidently advocate for their worth. Since then, she’s authored Increase Your Income and A Salary Cinderella Story, guiding professionals (especially women) to approach salary conversations strategically and fearlessly. Together, Sarah and Laura unpack the key principles behind effective salary negotiations, including how to research market rates, build a solid business case, and understand the timing of company raise cycles. Laura also offers practical advice for keeping the conversation professional, even when the answer is “not yet,” and explains how to turn that into a roadmap for future success. Key Takeaways: * Why you can’t assume good performance alone will earn you a raise * How to prepare months in advance for salary discussions * Tips for framing negotiation as collaboration, not confrontation * Steps for researching pay ranges and company priorities * What to do after a “no” to set up your next opportunity Action Items: * Listen to the webinar on hrdqu.com [https://hrdqu.com/webinar/make-more-money-at-work/]. * Start sending weekly updates to your manager summarizing your accomplishments and results. * Research salary data using salary.com and Indeed to understand your market value. * Confirm your company’s priorities and performance expectations regularly with your manager. * Begin preparing for raise discussions at least four months before formal review cycles. * Use code HRDQU for 25% off Laura’s classes and coaching at careercoffeebreak.com [https://careercoffeebreak.com]. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to confidently ask for what you deserve—and get it. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ [https://hrdqstore.com/]: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com [http://hrdqstore.com/].

Episode 82: Gossip in the Workplace: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Shift Culture

In this episode of HRDQ in Review, host Sarah, Learning Events Manager at HRDQ, sits down with Marsha King to discuss one of the most relatable workplace challenges—gossip. Based on her webinar “Gossip in the Workplace: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Shift Culture,” Marsha shares insights into how gossip starts, why it spreads, and how leaders can take steps to shift workplace culture. She also opens up about her own experiences with gossip—why it can feel good in the moment but ultimately harms trust, morale, and mental health. Drawing on her background in human resource and organization development, Marsha explains how emotions and communication dynamics drive gossip behavior and what organizations can do to address it effectively. Action Items: * Subscribe to the HRDQ-U [http://hrdqu.com/] newsletter for exclusive updates and resources. * Follow and review the HRDQ-U in Review podcast on your preferred platform. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ [https://hrdqstore.com/]: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com [http://hrdqstore.com/].

Episode 81: Coaching for Accountability: Beyond Discipline and Compliance

In this episode of HRDQ In Review, host Sarah sits down with leadership expert Guy Harris to explore coaching for accountability beyond discipline and compliance. Guy shares his journey from chemical engineering and naval nuclear service to a 24-year career in leadership development, focusing on conflict resolution, communication skills, and coaching new frontline leaders. Together, Sarah and Guy dive into the challenges leaders face with negativity bias—why we often notice what’s going wrong before what’s going right—and how shifting to a positive, future-focused coaching approach can create more accountable, high-performing teams. This conversation is full of practical tools and quick wins, from recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors to building coaching strategies that inspire growth and engagement. Guy emphasizes that effective coaching goes beyond correcting mistakes—it encourages behaviors that drive success and fosters stronger team dynamics. Whether you’re a manager, team leader, or aspiring coach, this episode will help you guide your team toward accountability and performance without relying on discipline alone. Chapters ‎00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background ‎00:00:45 – Guy’s Career Journey and Leadership Insights ‎00:01:44 – Understanding Negativity Bias in Leadership ‎00:03:12 – Coaching Beyond Discipline: Key Strategies ‎00:07:30 – Actionable Tips for Positive Reinforcement ‎00:10:55 – Closing and Resources Action Items for Listeners * Subscribe to the HRDQU.com [http://hrdqu.com/] newsletter for exclusive updates and upcoming webinars. * Follow and review the HRDQ In Review podcast on your preferred platform. * Focus on identifying and encouraging positive behaviors in your team rather than just correcting mistakes. * Watch the webinar here [https://hrdqu.com/webinar/coaching-for-accountability-beyond-discipline-and-compliance/]. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ [https://hrdqstore.com/]: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com [http://hrdqstore.com/].

Episode 80: Quickly Create Clear and Professional Slide Layouts in PowerPoint

In this episode of HRDQ-U In Review, host Sarah sits down with Richard Goring, a presentation design expert from BrightCarbon, to explore what makes professional PowerPoint slides effective and engaging. Richard shares how presentation expectations have evolved since COVID-19, with audiences demanding higher-quality visual storytelling and the growing role of AI in content creation. Together, Sarah and Richard dive into the core principles of great slide design—avoiding bullet-point overload, creating clear visual hierarchy, using contrast effectively, and placing images with intention. This conversation is full of practical tools and quick wins, from using PowerPoint’s Convert to SmartArt and morph transition features to leveraging branding tools for consistency. Richard emphasizes that slides shouldn’t just decorate—they should tell a story, meet clear objectives, and keep the audience focused. Whether you’re preparing for a big pitch, training, or executive presentation, this episode will help you design slides that stand out and connect. Special Offer! [https://www.brightcarbon.com/brandin/brandin-insider-programme-sign-up/] Sick of off-brand slides and wasted time on content creation? Meet BrandIn—a tool that puts your brand kit, templates, and image libraries right inside PowerPoint and Word via SharePoint. No third-party hosting, no delays—just fast, on-brand content at everyone’s fingertips. As a bonus, get 10 months free in the BrandIn Insider Programme with exclusive training, early feature releases, and special product drops. Learn more here [https://www.brightcarbon.com/brandin/brandin-insider-programme-sign-up/], Chapters ‎00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background ‎00:02:57 – Evolution of Presentation Expectations ‎00:04:45 – Key Presentation Design Principles ‎00:09:32 – Professional Slide Creation Tips ‎00:13:03 – Time Management and Efficiency ‎00:15:57 – Closing and Resources Action Items for Listeners * Subscribe to the HRDQU.com [http://hrdqu.com/] newsletter for exclusive updates and resources. (00:00:17) * Explore the Convert to SmartArt feature for quick slide improvements. (00:07:24) * Try the morph transition in PowerPoint for seamless slide movement. (00:08:52) * Watch the webinar recording [https://hrdqu.com/webinar/quickly-create-professional-slides-in-powerpoint/] for detailed animation techniques. (00:15:57) * Visit brightcarbon.com [https://brightcarbon.com] for free resources and weekly masterclasses. (00:23:28) Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com [https://hrdqu.com/membership-pricing-plans/] to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ [https://hrdqstore.com/]: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com [http://hrdqstore.com/].