Lauren Schoon

Training is Essential to Successful Business Cycles

Biography: Lauren Schoon

I have worked for over 20 years to help leaders and employees improve their performance. I currently work for Administaff, Inc. in McLean, Virginia as a Performance Specialist. In this position I consult with small and mid-sized business owners to address gaps in workplace performance that impact the organization’s objectives. I am also a coach and mentor for new hires in the department and a member of Administaff’s Process Improvement team for Client Training & Development.

Prior to joining Administaff, I led the implementation of a nationwide development program for mid-level managers and designed professional development programs for executives and high potential managers at a Fortune 500 company. My experience also includes HR Manager for a mid-sized telecommunications company, university instructor and consultant.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Wayne State University, a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development from Marymount University, and am a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). I am an active member of the American Society of Training & Development (ASTD) and a past President of the Northern Virginia chapter of SHRM.

In my spare time I like to be outdoors gardening and bicycling. I also like spending time with my family, which includes my husband, Frank, and my two grown children, Michael and Sarah. Frank and I enjoy taking a two week bicycling tour of the Netherlands in the summer, which we have done every year for the past 15 years. In our opinion, Holland is made for bicycles!

All Insights by Lauren Schoon

Eight Robust Steps for Maximizing Employee Training and Learning

What should supervisors remember or do so that employee training and learning is a valuable experience and one that gives employers a return on their investment?

Tags: Lauren Schoon, maximizing employee training and learning

Good Management Skills Can Be Taught

There are three good management skills all your new managers should have.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, good management skills, management skills, manager training, training new managers

Good Management Skills are Necessary for New Manager Success

I see some common mistakes employers make with employees who are new to a managerial role. Here are three I’ve seen most often.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, good management skills, good management skills for new managers, new manager training

An Example of Effective High Team Performance

Here is an example of a company that became a high performing team.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, high team performance, examples of high team performance, how to achieve high team performance, improving team performance

Mistakes that Prevent High Team Performance

There are some common mistakes that managers often make which can prevent high team performance from occurring.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, high team performance, mistakes that prevent high team performance, team performance, improving team performance

Communication and Trust are Two Important Characteristics of High Team Performance

Team leaders and members are all responsible for making sure the five characteristics of high team performance are in place.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, high team performance, characteristics of high team performance, team performance, communication and trust in teams

There are Five Characteristics of High Team Performance

High team-performance can serve to help employees regain the work-life balance they so desperately yearn for.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, high team performance, team work

Good Listening Skills Can Be Taught

Good listening skills are very important in the workplace. The bad news is, most people don’t have them. The good news is, good listening skills can be learned.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, good listening skills, employee communication, training

Good Listening Skills Are Very Important in the Workplace

Poor listening can lead to many problems in the workplace.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, good listening skills, employee training, developing listening skills, employee communication

Steps to Implementing Effective Team Communication

All business owners and managers want to have effective team communication at their company.

Tags: Lauren Schoon, effective team communication, teamwork, employee communication

Fortifying Effective Team Communication: Two Valuable Techniques

I agree with the author Patrick Lencioni: "It is teamwork that remains the competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare."

Tags: Lauren Schoon, Improving Team Communications, Team Action Items, Teamwork, Effective Teamwork