Assessments Today

Updates and New Feature with The Platinum Rule

I will be launching a new feature with a special introductory offer available throughout February for those of you who have taken The Platinum Rule Behavoral Style Assessment. (In fact, I am almost giving it away for those who respond in the first 24 hours SO if you have taken it through Assessments Now wait for the notice next Monday or Tuesday.)

The Platinum Rule Behavioral Style Assessment as set up and offered by me through Assessments Now is to my knowledge the ONLY site that has the following features:

• Multiple languages (Besides English, the assessment is available in French and French reports, German and Swedish.)
• Observer categories SPECIFICALLY set up for the organizational context and not just personal
• Lower costs for smaller quantities purchased by Associates
• Authorized training for coaches who wish to become properly skilled
• AND NOW follow-up capacity

Clients and members who have taken the Platinum Rule have always had the option of extending their 30 day observer timeframe as well as adding 60 days at some future date.  However, there has been no way to get observer feedback separated in two time frames WITHOUT purchasing the profile a second time. That has now changed. I have added a fourth category for observers entitled: For Follow-up Data Only. That means that a user can go back into their personal member site and send out requests to new or old observers and get the results tabulated into a different category. The new results can be compared to previous feedback to see if the behavior has shifted.

A sample explanation for past users can be found here.

Case Study - The Assessment Junkies

I have been toying with the idea of how to get the input from you the readers on your suggestions and ideas. As a long time teleclass leader with Coach Inc and often doing their Assessments Module, I have developed a few case studies. All of which are based on real clients but with changes to protect confidentiality. They are short and sweet. I am more than willing to share my own thoughts and what I did do --- but only after some comments from others. I hope that you will go to the first case, read it and give us all your own “two cents” worth. I have included some questions to stimulate discussion.  Thanks. This one is the first that I wrote for the module.

Case Study One - Joan, The Assessment Junkie

You have just started working with a new corporate client. Joan works in strategic planning for a major retail firm and has recently moved into her first formal role as a manager of professionals. Her goal for coaching is to learn how to bring build a high performance team. Joan goes on to suggest that some personality testing might be something she wants to do with the team members. You ask her if she has taken any types of assessments in the past and what has her experience been. Joan tells you that she loves personality tests and has completed many through the various organizations with which she has worked. You ask her if she remembers any specifically. Joan says, “ I’ve taken the MPDI and another one that has four types – driver, analytic and two others. Oh yes, then there was this color one. I’m a red. I know that I am an extrovert, if that helps. They all seem to say the same thing. Hey, but they are fun and a good way for my team to get to know each other better. Maybe you could tell me how they are all connected and recommend which one I should use with my team.”

Questions for your comments:    

1. What are the ‘red flags’ for you?    
2. How would you approach this request?    
3. If Joan insists on using an assessment tool, how would you respond?

Coaching Report powered by The Birkman Method®

I believe that value for money and flexibility, The Platinum Rule is the assessment of “generic” choice. However, there are other choices out there and a new one has recently come on the market.   Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a Teleconference offer sponsored by Coach Inc with a representative from Birkman (one of the Cadillac of assessments providers – using their words). They are now offering a Coaching Report powered by The Birkman Method®.  I was impressed. It is the ONLY assessment of Birkman that does NOT require certification or a big investment.  This is definitely a one-on-one tool and Birkman provides a bit of assistance in the form of using the GROW model of coaching with this tool.

There is a set up charge (unless you are a graduate of Coach Inc.) and the cost for the profile for users is $49.95 I get no benefit from this announcement.  For more information on the next information teleclass, contact: MWickliffe@birkman.com

Mark Wickliffe
VP Sales & Marketing
Birkman International, Inc.
Direct: 713-331-5583
Main: 800-215-2760