ABA E-LEARNING

ABBREVIATED COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BASIC BANKING KNOWLEDGE

Banking Today

Banking Today introduces new employees to the essential principles, concepts and operations of banking. Students will learn the impact of banking on the economy, as well as the trends, business and environment of commercial banking today. By the end of the course, students will have a "big picture" perspective of the financial services industry and banking.

Audience

Bank personnel new to the banking industry at all levels, specialists in non-banking functions such as marketing, information systems and human resources.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the US banking industry and its relation to the US economy
• Explain how banks operate as a business
• Define the administrative and functional lines for most banks
• Interpret bank financial statements
• Summarize important federal laws and regulations affecting bank operations and practices
• Describe bank competitors in the financial marketplace and trends likely to affect the future of banking

FUNDAMENTAL BUSINESS SKILLS

Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette introduces new employees to the four guiding principles of business etiquette. Students will learn to introduce themselves or others appropriately to reflect professional hierarchy, describe professional dress code and the effect of not following the code, explain how workplace behavior can affect others, and finally, understand how the rules of business etiquette apply to work situations out of the office.

Audience

Bank personnel in the branch and administrative office environments.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define the four guiding principles of business etiquette
• Introduce themselves or others appropriately to reflect professional hierarchy
• Describe professional dress code and the effect of not following the code
• Explain how workplace behavior can affect others
• Explain how the rules of business etiquette apply to work situations out of the office

Dealing Effectively with Co-Workers

Dealing Effectively with Co-Workers focuses primarily on behavior among co-workers. This course introduces information about social behavioral styles and how the different styles affect communication among co-workers. Students will identify their own base preference group and learn what creates the challenges with his/her behavioral opposite. Students will also learn strategies and guidelines for dealing with difficult co-workers and the resulting conflict.

Audience

Bank personnel at all levels.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify elements that contribute to individual perspective
• Describe how perspective drives actions and behaviors
• Describe how behavior choices impact the work environment
• Describe the characteristics and behaviors of the four base preference groups
• Explain the differences found in the same base preference group
• Describe how to look at things from a different perspective
• Describe the benefits and challenges of working with behavioral opposites
• Use the five steps to enhance the working relationship with a difficult co-worker
• Describe the benefits of focusing on what someone else finds important

Ethical Issues for Bankers

Ethical Issues for Bankers prepares students to meet the ethical standards expected of financial services professionals. Students will learn the general guidelines that determine banking ethics, gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform ethical decision-making, and be prepared to observe their institution's code of conduct and Federal laws.

Students will also explore typical ethical dilemmas that tend to occur in financial institutions, and learn how to apply a thoughtful three-step approach to such dilemmas.

Audience

Bank personnel at all levels.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the importance of ethical practices in banking
• Define the nature and elements of ethical dilemmas
• Describe business practices commonly covered in financial institutions' codes of conduct
• Identify the regulations prohibiting unethical practices in banking
• Use the three-step approach to determine appropriate action in situations that could lead to ethical violations

Managing Time at Work

Managing Time at Work teaches students how to effectively manage their time to be more productive during the workday. Students will learn to create daily plans, as well as manage work areas, interruptions, phone calls, and other daily activities that take valuable time. Through scenario-based examples, students will be able to customize these techniques into a daily planning system that works specifically for them.

Audience

Bank personnel who are not currently using an organized method to plan and manage their time or who want a refresher. This includes any bank employees who are responsible for completing varied tasks in a typical day.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Plan your time effectively
• Create a task management plan
• Organize the workspace
• Manage interruptions and daily activities

Meetings That Work

Meetings That Work focuses on how to effectively lead meetings and use them as productive methods to communicate, solve problems, and make decisions. It covers the appropriate reasons for holding meetings; the characteristics and typical structure of meetings; principles and tools for planning, leading, and participating in meetings; and how to handle distracting problem behaviors.

Audience

Anyone who leads or participates in meetings within or outside an organization.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the benefits, risks, and costs of business meetings
• List valid purposes for holding meetings
• Evaluate a group meeting against other methods of achieving a stated purpose
• Determine the appropriate type and number of participants to include in a meeting
• Complete detailed steps to prepare an effective agenda
• Evaluate alternative meeting room set-ups
• Use key principles and specific techniques to effectively lead and participate in meetings

Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills covers the basics of planning an organized, audience-focused oral presentation. The course covers the physical aspects of presenting, such as body language, voice and gestures, handling nervousness, and dealing with disruptive audience members.

Audience

Any bank employee who makes stand-up, verbal presentations to schools, community groups, business prospects, staff, senior management, and so on.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Write a purpose statement for their presentation topics
• Write an opening statement that catches the audience's attention
• Identify components of a presentation that gain attention and keep interest
• Describe effective uses of visual aids (flipcharts and overheads)
• Define and demonstrate the benefits of using open-ended and closed-ended questions
• Develop a closing statement that calls the audience to action
• List methods for dealing with disruptive audience members
• Identify ways to control nervousness
• Demonstrate appropriate body language
• Deliver a presentation that meets the needs of the audience

Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills covers the basics of planning an organized, audience-focused oral presentation. The course covers the physical aspects of presenting, such as body language, voice and gestures, handling nervousness, and dealing with disruptive audience members.

Audience

Any bank employee who makes stand-up, verbal presentations to schools, community groups, business prospects, staff, senior management, and so on.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Write a purpose statement for their presentation topics
• Write an opening statement that catches the audience's attention
• Identify components of a presentation that gain attention and keep interest
• Describe effective uses of visual aids (flipcharts and overheads)
• Define and demonstrate the benefits of using open-ended and closed-ended questions
• Develop a closing statement that calls the audience to action
• List methods for dealing with disruptive audience members
• Identify ways to control nervousness
• Demonstrate appropriate body language
• Deliver a presentation that meets the needs of the audience

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, behavior awareness is the focus of the course. Students will learn how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 defines sexual harassment. Through a series of scenario examples, students will be engaged in identifying conduct that could be considered unwelcome or inappropriate. Two forms of harassment will be explained: quid pro quo and hostile environment. Students will be given some steps they should follow if they feel they are victims of sexual harassment. They will also be encouraged to focus on their own actions and consider how those actions may be perceived by others.

Audience

All employees

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define sexual harassment
• Describe types of sexual harassment
• Discuss behavior that crosses the line of appropriate conduct

Writing Bank Correspondence

Writing Bank Correspondence provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate in writing with peers and managers within their bank, and with their clients. Students will learn how to use a written document as a tool for achieving a specific goal through a four-step process: planning, drafting, revising, and polishing.

Audience

Anyone who writes business correspondence such as letters to customers, memos, faxes, or e-mail messages.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Plan for a written document
• Draft a document that achieves a planned objective
• Revise a document to maximize clarity and conciseness
• Choose a format that is appropriate to the content and to the audience

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Coaching for Success

Coaching for Success provides managers, supervisors, team leads and mentors with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, plan, and carry out a performance coaching dialogue with an employee or person being mentored. Additionally, this course provides techniques for ongoing performance feedback and skills for recognizing a coaching opportunity. It will encourage students to become involved, on an ongoing basis, with the performance growth of other employees to develop and enhance their skills. At the end of the course, students will participate in a simulated coaching dialogue to practice applying these skills in a typical coaching situation.

Audience

Bank personnel responsible for coaching others with or without a reporting relationship. This could include managers, supervisors, team leaders and mentors.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Differentiate coaching, by goals and methodology, from corrective feedback
• Explain the benefits of coaching and the potential consequences of not coaching
• Recognize a coaching opportunity
• Describe resources and processes that your employer provides in support of coaching
• Prepare a plan for a coaching session
• Demonstrate listening skills appropriate to a coaching dialogue
• Perform a coaching dialogue

Corrective Action

In Corrective Action, students will learn how to facilitate their employees' improvement, instead of merely disciplining them. The course covers when and how to apply corrective action, and provides strategies for motivating employees to improve. Students will learn to use a range of corrective modes in a balanced and objective manner, including applying the progressive disciplinary model, documenting corrective action through a standard documentation template, and counseling employees towards improvement in a professional manner.

Audience

Any supervisor or manager who has responsibility for evaluating and documenting employee performance.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define corrective action and its significance
• Describe an employee's performance or behavior gap specifically and objectively
• Identify the steps of the progressive disciplinary model
• Apply the progressive disciplinary process to disciplinary situations
• Document corrective action completely by including the standard elements
• Prepare for a corrective counseling session with an employee
• Conduct a corrective counseling discussion with an employee
• Take appropriate corrective action based on an employee performance or behavior issue

Hiring the Best

Hiring the Best presents employees who participate in the hiring process with a structured process for identifying, evaluating and hiring the best candidate for a job. Students learn to identify job requirements, measure and rate skills, and conduct an interview that is legal and useful. Students will also learn to identify potential interview pitfalls, evaluate candidates and use reference checks. At the end of the course, students have an opportunity to apply what they've learned in a course project.

Audience

Any supervisor or manager who participates in the position analysis and selection and hiring of employees.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the job tasks, skills, and proficiency levels that make up a job analysis
• Prepare effective interview questions to conduct a legal, thorough interview
• Follow proper guidelines for conducting an interview and pre-employment tests
• Evaluate and select the best candidate for a position in a legal manner
• Select the most qualified candidate for an open position in the course project

Improving Productivity

Improving Productivity teaches students how to evaluate and improve productivity in the workplace. Students will learn how to consistently and systematically apply a six-step process to resolving productivity problems in the work environment. These steps will keep students focused on what needs to be done to resolve the problem and enhance current productivity levels.

Audience

Any employee that leads a work team on a full or part-time basis.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the manager's role in productivity challenges for banks
• Identify the three elements of productivity
• Pinpoint the production problems in problem in everyday scenarios
• Identify obstacles that are keeping your their work group from reaching optimal performance levels
• Determine the best method to identify potential productivity obstacles through the use of interviewing, fishbone diagrams and flow charts
• Use rating, ranking and matrix screening methods for evaluating productivity solutions
• Describe the steps for implementing productivity solutions

Managing Change

Managing Change covers the typical effects that change events can have on individuals and organizations. This course will teach students strategies for demonstrating change leadership. Through honing communication skills and applying them to a four-step change communication process, students will be prepared to manage the effects of the change. Throughout the course, students will have several opportunities to observe effective and ineffective change communication techniques. These examples are set in real-world change scenarios and offer solutions that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

Audience

Any employee who is leading a group in a changing environment.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Distinguish between change and transition
• Identify seven typical effects of change
• Describe the primary reactions employees have to change events
• Examine the three stages of change
• Identify possible reactions to each stage of change
• Identify the seven strategies to demonstrate change leadership
• Identify the influence and action you can take in change situations
• Describe the key elements of effective communication
• Identify the four steps to communicating change effectively
• Describe the impact of the four-step communication approach on a change event

Managing Employee Relations

Managing Employee Relations provides managers and supervisors with a four-step strategy for managing employee relations --compliance with legislation, managing diversity, handling work and personal issues and fostering open communications. After an overview of the importance of employee relations and their impact on the workplace, the course reviews the legislation that protects employees from discriminatory and unfair practices. Students will learn how to identify diversity issues in a team, how to respond to personal issues that affect the work environment, how to promote open communications and how to establish formal and informal problem resolution processes.

Audience

Any manager or team leader with one or more reporting relationships.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the impact of a manager's role in establishing and maintaining sound employee relations in an organization
• Identify four management strategies that support positive employee relations
• Describe the purpose and intent of employment legislation governing workplace supervision
• Identify diversity issues in a team and overcome related barriers to productive employee relations
• Use effective guidelines for handling work and personal issues in a team
• Implement management activities that facilitate open communications

Performance Management

Performance Management provides supervisors and managers with a proactive approach to performance management through a process called the Performance Management Cycle. Managers will learn to set clear expectations with employees, as well as deliver performance feedback and objective evaluations through the three stages of the Performance Management Cycle: Planning, Feedback, and Evaluation.

Audience

Any supervisor or manager who has responsibility for direction, documenting and evaluating employee performance.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the stages of the Performance Management Cycle
• Write clear, concise performance objectives
• Communicate expectations and monitor employee progress
• Provide timely formal and informal employee feedback
• Write fair and effective performance evaluations

Project Management Fundamentals, Part One

Project Management Fundamentals, Part One examines the phases of the Project Management Life Cycle, and a project manager's role in each phase. It defines basic project success criteria and common reasons for project failure. Finally, it describes techniques for setting up a strong project team and determining the elements of a Risk Management Plan.

Audience

Those with project management responsibilities or who are part of a project team.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the differences between project management and regular management
• Identify the major phases in a project
• Identify criteria for a successful project
• Describe the major elements that define all projects
• Construct useful project goals and objectives
• Identify the elements to be included in a statement of work
• Describe the purpose and key elements of a project charter
• List the basic approaches to handling risk
• Identify the components of risk assessment
• Select appropriate tools for analyzing risk

Project Management Fundamentals, Part Two

Project Management Fundamentals, Part Two describes techniques for planning and sequencing project activities. It describes how to identify the Critical Path for completing a project on schedule. It identifies the cost elements that should be included in a project budget and describes techniques for managing deviations from budgets and schedules. Finally, it describes key elements of project management communications and reporting tools and the key activities of project close-out.

Audience

Those with project management responsibilities or who are part of a project team.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Organize a project into sub-projects
• Identify dependencies between work projects and use those dependencies to establish a logical order for work projects
• Calculate the Critical Path, or set of activities which cannot be delayed, in order to accomplish project work on time
• Identify the cost elements to be included in a budget
• Describe the key tools for monitoring progress on a project
• Identify variances in the schedule and budget
• List the types of information that should be included in a communications plan

Rewards and Recognition

Rewards and Recognition provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, reward, and motivate employees toward continued and improved performance.

Students will learn the core principles and characteristics of recognition, and understand the benefits that giving rewards and recognition can bring to individual employees, departments and the institution. The course covers how to choose and convey effective rewards and recognition, including selecting an appropriate reward and the time and place to communicate recognition to employee. Students will get hands-on practice in planning a rewards and recognition program using planning and recording forms included in the course.

Audience

Any employee responsible for motivating, staff regardless of the specific reporting relationships. This could include managers, supervisors, team leaders and mentors.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define the terms reward and recognition
• Identify the elements of rewarding and recognizing employees
• Describe the consequences of failing to reward and recognize employees
• Describe how to link a specific company value to specific employee behaviors
• Determine a reward/recognition that is appropriate to the individual
• Communicate the reward/recognition effectively
• Describe the steps in creating a recognition plan
• Create a recognition plan for employees

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace for Managers

In Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, behavior awareness is the focus of the course. Students will learn how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 defines sexual harassment. Through a series of scenario examples, students will be engaged in identifying conduct that could be considered unwelcome or inappropriate. Two forms of harassment will be explained: quid pro quo and hostile environment. Students will be given some steps they should follow if they feel they are victims of sexual harassment. They will also be encouraged to focus on their own actions and consider how those actions may be perceived by others.

Audience

All employees with supervisory responsibilities

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define sexual harassment
• Describe types of sexual harassment
• Discuss behavior that crosses the line of appropriate conduct
• Discuss actions to take if an action is viewed as sexual harassment
• Use guidelines to discuss sexual harassment conduct with employees

MICROSOFT OFFICE COURSES

Microsoft Access 2000: Level 1

Microsoft Access 2000: Level 1 provides the basic skills necessary to begin using Access 2000 including the design and creation of databases, tables, queries, forms, and reports.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the key steps in database planning and design
• Create and work with tables
• Find and edit records
• Sort and filter records
• Create a query
• Create and use forms
• Create and use reports

Microsoft Access 2000: Level 2

Microsoft Access 2000: Level 2 focuses on more advanced database management skills, including analysis, data validation, and multi-table queries.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Query multiple tables for data used in customized forms and reports
• Analyze table relationships
• Establish and test referential integrity
• Use data validation techniques
• Use indexing techniques
• Customize form designs by performing calculations and adding combo boxes
• Create data access pages

Microsoft Access 2000: Advanced

Microsoft Access 2000: Advanced covers more advanced Access topics including complex query techniques, table joins, and more efficient forms and reports,. In addition, it covers how macros can enhance you database and user input interfaces.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Create parameter queries
• Create action queries
• Join tables and work with join properties
• Create cross-tab queries
• Use functions to control data entry
• Use a form as the user interface
• Create a form that contains a sub-form
• Create and use macros
• Attach a macro to a command button
• Use macros to provide user interaction and automate data entry

Microsoft Excel 2000: Level 1

Microsoft Excel 2000: Level 1 provides the basic skills needed to work with an Excel spreadsheet. The procedures you will learn include navigating, entering data, using formulas, moving and copying data, and formatting and printing a worksheet.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Navigate around an Excel spreadsheet
• Enter and correct data
• Create and enter formulas
• Work with ranges and functions
• Move and copy data
• Format and print a worksheet

Microsoft Excel 2000: Level 2

Microsoft Excel 2000: Level 2 covers the use of electronic charts, chart items, and graphics to enhance worksheet data reports in Excel. It covers procedures for creating, modifying and formatting charts, adding graphic objects to charts, and sorting and filtering data.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Create a chart sheet
• Add and delete chart items
• Move and size chart items
• Format labels and chart text
• Sort data at both single and multiple levels
• Filter lists

Microsoft Excel 2000: Advanced

Microsoft Excel 2000: Advanced covers the more advanced features of Excel 2000 and various advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data in Excel. The topics include customizing the work area, advanced formula construction, pivot tables, multiple worksheets, and macros.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Work with built-in and custom toolbars
• Create and use styles and templates
• Construct and use more advanced formulas like IF and VLOOKUP
• Link cells in different worksheets
• Protect workbooks
• Create and use macros
• View and edit VBA code
• Save an Excel worksheet as a web document

Microsoft Outlook 2000: Introduction

Microsoft Outlook 2000: Introduction covers the fundamentals of using Outlook 2000 to coordinate mail, appointments, events, meetings, tasks, and contacts.

Additional Notes

Please note: If you do not currently have Shockwave 8.0.1 or higher on your system you will need to download it which you can do for free from the following site. If you are taking the course at your place of business, please check with your IT Department before downloading Shockwave.

This course has a pre-assessment that will help you identify those portions of the course on which you should focus your time. You may retake the pre-assessment when you finish the course. The score on most recent taking of the pre-assessment will be recorded in your transcript. There is narration supplied with the course if your computer has sound capabilities. However, the narration is not necessary to successfully complete the course.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Send and receive e-mail
• Schedule appointments
• Insert events
• Schedule meetings
• Create and manage tasks
• Organize contacts

Microsoft Outlook 2000: Advanced

Microsoft Outlook 2000: Advanced covers the more advanced features of Outlook 2000, including integrating Outlook components, creating custom forms, importing and exporting data, and creating messages in HTML mail format.