Blogs

Blogs

Meirc’s blogs are meant to be fat-free write-ups on topics which are of interest to our clients and web-site visitors. These blogs are useful when you wish to get an update on a field you follow or when you are looking for a bite-sized article that you would like to refer to or learn from. If you wish to enquire about our products and services, please visit our Contact Us page

Building an All-Star Credit and Collections Team

Sep 18 2018

Accounting and Finance

Training opportunities, in less enlightened organizations, are handed around like chocolates in a box. In some instances, they are often chosen with only as much consideration. This approach is mostly the preserve of the well-intentioned organization, eager to show a willingness to spend on staff and management learning. Commendable though the intent might be, it is inevitably doom...;

The Formula for a Successful Team

Sep 18 2018

Human Resources and Training

I admit to having a personal fascination with teams. This started at the tender age of 7 as a player on the under 8s basketball team at my local school, and continues to this day in my corporate role as partner at Meirc Training and Consulting. Throughout the years my fascination centered on the perennial question: “What makes teams successful?”. My experience on teams, whether in ...;

The Future of Artificial Intelligence depends on trust

Sep 9 2018

Data Management and Business Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is wildly popular, and it seems as if it is omnipresent applied. It is the foundation for your social media timeline, and with almost every interaction online follows an AI implementation providing you with more relevant suggestions based on your interaction. But useful applications that go beyond simple recommendations are hard to find. ...;

On Strategic Human Resources Management

Sep 5 2018

Human Resources and Training

In the world of Human Resources (HR), strategically partnering with the management team has been a hot topic for the past two decades. The goal of this partnership is to provide the organization, represented by its top management team, with properly analyzed HR data and propose well-designed HR solutions that will aid the organization in making sound strategic business decisions. How...;

On Employee Relations

Aug 14 2018

Human Resources and Training

Do you feel you fit in? Do you feel you belong? These are two very important questions that organizations should ask their employees. But what does it mean to fit in? How is it different from belonging and why is it important for organizations to ask their employees these questions? Fitting in means a person modifying his/her behavior to satisfy the perceived norms or culture in a cer...;

Leadership Read

Aug 13 2018

Human Resources and Training

Lately, I read a leadership book talking about two dramatically different types of managers. The first type drains intelligence, energy and capabilities from the ones around them. They always need to be the smartest ones in the room. These are the idea killers, the energy stealers and the talent assassins. Those managers are trapped in their own ego, overpowering others and reducing the organizat...;

What is Machine Learning?

Aug 13 2018

Digital Innovation and Transformation

There is often is a lot of confusion surrounding the term ‘Machine Learning’. To clear it up, we asked one of our Machine Learning experts to define the term for us. Here is a succinct overview of the fundamentals of Machine Learning and a run-down of the solutions available within the subject area. ...;

What are you planning for? Surviving or thriving?

Aug 5 2018

Maintenance Planning and Asset Management

We have done a lot of maintenance reviews over the years and one of the key areas we check is how maintenance work is planned and managed. Most people recognise that good planning is essential for successful to good performance, but that doesn’t mean everyone has implemented effective planning processes. We generally see 5 levels: ...;

On Organizational Leadership

Jul 22 2018

Leadership and Management

Should you ask anyone about the characteristics of an effective leader, chances are you will get heartwarming answers such as: visionary, good communicator, inspiring, knowledgeable, experienced, supportive and honest. Most people would probably agree with this list and maybe add other qualities that have affected them when they interacted with a favorite leader. I can almost guarantee that ...;

Adult Learning Principles in Action

Jul 12 2018

Human Resources and Training

Complying with adult learning principles while facilitating a learning experience is one of the puzzle pieces for a successful course. The other pieces of this puzzle are competence of facilitator, engagement of participants, quality of content, venue and tools used. The focus of this blog is to provide examples of the application of adult learning principles during a training course. The ex...;