The Hub of the Wheel: Training the Office Professional (video series)

Key Features

10-part VHS or DVD-R video series

Prices include public performance rights.

Only available in the US and Canada.

ISBN Number: 0-89113-219-8

Student handbooks are also available for purchase.

This series teaches the interpersonal skills necessary to succeed as an office professional. It focuses on the human side of the office environment, and in clear, believable demonstrations, offers workable solutions to common office challenges.

This 10-part series includes these titles:

• Projecting a Professional Image
• Listening to Others
• Expressing Yourself
• Coping with Conflict
• Managing Your Time
• Problem Solving
• Dealing with Stress
• Making Your Voice Heard
• Charting a Career Course
• A Changing Workplace

Projecting a Professional Image

Projecting a professional image promotes and supports success. Clerical personnel are members of an important segment of the office "team," and the level at which these people function can have a great impact on the success of any organization. Because this is true, secretaries must view themselves as professionals and demand that their work meet the standards expected of professionals. This program focuses on the physical and mental aspects of a professional image and encourages viewers to begin thinking about the images they project. (15 minutes, ISBN Number: 1-56950-926-3)

Listening to Others

Two of the most important skills anyone can develop are listening and communicating effectively. When a competent, caring listener allows another person to hear and understand what he is saying, genuine communication takes place. Under these circumstances, open, direct, and honest relationships can be established, based on mutual respect. When this atmosphere prevails, problems can be solved, good decisions can be made, and good working relationships can be developed. This program addresses the importance of listening and investigates some useful techniques for developing listening skills. (14 minutes, ISBN Number: 0-89113-791-2)

Expressing Yourself

True communication, a real exchange between people, provides an arena for the expression of ideas and an opportunity to create a positive perception of one’s self in the minds of others. This program discusses some methods for achieving good communication. Suggested techniques include using the listener’s frame of reference, acknowledging the listener’s reactions, and adjusting style of delivery. (20 minutes,  ISBN Number:  0-89113-485-9)

Coping with Conflict

Conflict—differences between people caused by differing values, goals, or a variety of other circumstances—is a natural part of life. This program focuses on the ways in which conflict can be used for positive outcomes. (13 minutes,  ISBN Number:  0-89113-288-0)

Managing Your Time

Because office support personnel often work for several people, their time management responsibilities and problems are complicated. And because time is the future, finding a workable management scheme is a must. This program highlights the importance of time planning and provides details for developing a proactive time plan. This program also describes techniques for protecting the plan once it is established. (18 minutes,  ISBN Number:  0-89113-865-X )

Problem Solving

We make plans based on events proceeding as they should, but, in reality, problems arise more often than not. One of the most important sets of skills, in or out of the office, is problem solving. This program, presented in seminar format, addresses the creative and efficient channeling of energy to resolve problems. A unique five-step method for solving problems is described, and detailed exercises are presented. (31 minutes, ISBN Number:  1-56950-922-0)

Dealing with Stress

Office support has been identified as one of the five most stressful occupations. Factors in other areas of our lives can produce stress as well. And all this stress affects how and how well we do our jobs. This program assists viewers in handling stress in a way that does not interfere with the ability to be productive, and suggests techniques for turning stress into motivation for positive achievement. (39 minutes, ISBN Number:  0-89113-337-2)

Making Your Voice Heard

The telephone is a unique medium with its own requirements for maximizing communication. When used properly, the telephone can be an effective tool for managing time, information, and problem solving. A business’s public image begins with the telephone, and is communicated every time an employee makes or receives a phone call. This program discusses telephone techniques designed to enhance your and your company’s telephone image. (10 minutes, ISBN Number:  0-89113-854-4)

Charting a Career Course

Success in a career as an office professional requires that the phrase "only a secretary" disappear from the minds of those training to be office workers. The realization that opportunities are limitless requires that individuals recognize their own power and take control of themselves, their jobs, and their lives. This program presents two panels of women: one group, made up of secretaries and administrative assistants, find their jobs rewarding and satisfying; the second panel consists of three women who were secretaries and have moved into management positions. (19 minutes, ISBN Number:  0-89113-227-9)

A Changing Workplace

The workplace changes in response to changes in society and technology, and the office reflects the larger environment in which it exists.   This program recounts the history of the secretary and provides pointed discussion about the future of office professionals. (10 minutes, ISBN Number:  0-89113-219-8)

The Hub of the Wheel Workbook

This 160-page workbook was specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the 10-program The Hub of the Wheel video series. It contains exercises, suggestions, group activities, and checklists to assist those training for careers as office professionals in achieving their goals. Discussed in a clear, straightforward manner are topics such as creating a professional image, coping with stress, managing conflict situations, nurturing and achieving career goals, active listening, and effective communication.  (Paperback, 160 pp, ISBN 0-89113-428-X, $14.95 each)

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