Management & Supervision
Management and Supervision courses offered by TVPPA are listed below. For more information about TVPPA Education & Training programs or to add your name to our mailing list, send e-mail to training@tvppa.com or complete our online request form.

Best Practices in Collections Management
Each utility has its own approach to collections management. In isolation a utility's choices might seem appropriate. But, how does a utility determine if the results it achieves are better or worse than what could be obtained? This unique workshop provides attendees with information and resources acquired from utilities demonstrating best practices in collections activities. Based on the material distributed during the workshop, participants have the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of their own organization's practices. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non-members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Basic




Business & Financial Applications
This two-day course is intended to provide the student with a general manager’s perspective and understanding of the business issues associated with running a electric distribution utility. The course will provide a basis for developing a managerial accounting system and approach to determining the financial health of the utility. The student will also come away with concepts that will allow them to better interface with governing bodies, employees and the community on the financial issues and standing of the utility. Typical financing options for cooperatives and municipals will also be covered. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Case Studies in Leadership
This workshop offers a unique approach to improving leadership skills through the analysis and debate of real-life case studies from the utility industry. Participants have the opportunity to review proven leadership principles and apply these to the cases introduced in class as well as their own experiences. Topics include communications, dealing with unproductive attitudes or behavior, training and development, and motivation. Instruction Method: $390 (Non- members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: AdvCPE



Communicating with the Media
Whether you’re introducing a new tree-trimming program, dealing with a major ice storm or responding to questions about rates, local electric systems are often in the media spotlight. Your ability to communicate effectively with reporters will shape public opinion of your utility. The session will include videotaped role play interviews. Participants would learn how to: · Understand how reporters do their jobs and what that means for you · Use a pro-active media strategy · Develop a clear, concise and compelling message · Anticipate and prepare for questions · Project a positive image in broadcast, online and print media · Reduce the chances of being misquoted/taken out of context · Maximize opportunities for positive media coverage Instruction Method: $325 (Non-members: $475 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: • Level:




Components of Strategic Planning
Change can be planned or unplanned. Strategic planning is a planned change process designed for creating desired, future results, typically within 3 to 5 years. The design of this workshop focuses on preparing departments/organizations to initiate a strategic planning process and assess their readiness for strategic change. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Conducting Effective Performance Appraisals
This workshop presents a proven, effective process for providing meaningful, formal feedback to your employees on their job performance. Planning the assessment session and conducting the interview are both covered. Special emphasis is placed on specific skills for managing difficult situations, handling problems with performance or work habits, and avoiding mistakes that can affect employee morale or cause legal problems. Participants have the opportunity to practice the principle-based skills of establishing performance standards, setting objectives, and contracting for future performance. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: 7 • Level: Basic




Conflict Mediation
According to the American Management Association (AMA), supervisors/managers spend about 24% of their time addressing conflict issues in the workplace. Conflict can be both positive and negative; unaddressed conflict frequently escalates, resulting in additional loss of productivity. Proper diagnosis and evaluation of conflict can result in a 25% reduction in time required to reach resolution. This course teaches participants the skills to proactively address conflict and use the appropriate mediation style to achieve resolution. Instruction Method: $395 (Non-members: $545 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Creating Desirable Outcomes for Your Utility
(This course replaces The Utility Industry: A Changing Environment as a core course in the AdvCPE, BTC, and CCS curriculums; either course will satisfy the curriculum requirements) Participants will exercise strategic thinking skills to create their utility's future vs. reacting to marketplace changes. Participants will apply their specific internal and market conditions to evaluate strategic alternatives using tools specifically developed for this course. Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CCS, BTC



Designing & Implementing Organizational Change
Change happens. You can plan it and facilitate it, or potentially become the victim of those that do. One of the key roles of executives is to plan organizational change; one of the key challenges of management is to design and implement those changes in a way to achieve the desired outcomes. The most common barrier that must be overcome is the emotional reactions to those affected by change. Participants will identify a real, pending organizational change, define their role(s), identify specific activities and design a comprehensive implementation plan. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: AdvCPE



Developing a Team-Based Environment
Participants are introduced to the methods of developing teamwork and synergy among employees, the concept of empowerment and how to use it effectively, ways of developing trust in the workplace and among employees, and methods for operating team-based meetings. In addition, participants discuss quality issues, such as quality circles, business units, self-directed work teams, task teams, and cross-functional teams. The seminar concludes with methods for sustaining continuous quality improvement. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $265 (Non- members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: 7 • Level: Basic




Developing a Theft of Service Program
Participants learn to estimate the extent of the theft of service (TOS) problem in their area; prepare policies, procedures and other TOS program document; initiate preventive action; train personnel in detection; and conduct a complete investigation including revenue recovery. This program is appropriate for every employee involved in the organization and operation of a TOS program. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $495 (Non-members: $725 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Basic




Developing a Values-Based Workforce
A values system is at the core of every organization. Each employee comes to the job with personal values. If these two sets of values are incongruent, it impacts the quality of an employee's work, as well as profitability of the organization. This one-day seminar examines and helps clarify the core values of your organization, then compares these with employees' values systems. Participants learn how to build a common-values foundation to increase efficiency, raise morale, and improve quality. The result is employees who are more committed, empowered, productive, and who feel like valued team members. Instruction Method: $265 (Non- members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: • Level:




Dynamics of Change
The environment of the utility industry is one of constant change further challenged by significant pending regulatory change. Utility managers are challenged by responding to those changes and implementing strategies for the future. This highly interactive workshop describes the various types of change, roles in the change process, and methods for planning/implementing strategic changes. Participants will create an “on-the-job” change strategy application. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Effective Public Speaking Skills
Research indicates that one of the key skills that differentiate successful leaders from competent managers is their ability to interact with the public. A core skill set of every leader should have includes the design, preparation, and delivery of a public presentation. This course addresses the fundamentals of audience assessment, topic selection, presentation design, and delivery skills. Participants will design and deliver a presentation for evaluation and feedback. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Executive Leadership
What makes leaders effective? What are their roles and responsibilities? What are the attributes of being an executive? The primary role of a leader is to attract and retain followers. That requires the combination of a variety of various roles and the application of a broad range of skills. This seminar will focus on the roles, skills and techniques required of the executive leader. Participants will develop a personal portfolio of “on-the-job” applications for each of the following competencies: developing and communicating vision (personal/organizational), facilitating problem identification and resolution, strategic goal setting and business planning, planning change, futuring, distributing organizational power and the role of corporate liaison. Instruction Method: $575 (Non-members: $845 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: AdvCPE



Exploring Organizational Culture
Whether implementing a particular change or undertaking a full scale culture change, an understanding of culture and how to manage it is essential for an organization’s success. This workshop provides key leaders and managers an overview of organizational culture and change. Participants will learn how to identify important characteristics of their own culture, how culture influences and “explains” people’s actions and attitudes, and what it takes to change culture. Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: .7 • CPEs: • Level:




Facilitating Effective Meetings
Not all meetings are the same. Just as they have different purposes, they need different facilitation styles. This workshop helps participants to analyze meeting types, determine appropriate meeting design and apply targeted facilitation skills to improve meeting efficiency (time) and effectiveness(outcomes). Instruction Method: $395 (Non-members: $545 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Foreman Supervisory Skills
Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:




Fundamental Meeting Management
Meetings (two or more people engaged in a communication process) consume 60% to 85% of a manager’s time. However, most people do not properly prepare to either lead or participate in such meetings. This workshop is designed to define different meeting types and build fundamental skills to design, participate, and/or facilitate meetings. Participants will practice core skills and techniques of meeting management. Required reading: Death by Meeting Instruction Method: $395 (Non-members: $545 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Fundamental Supervisory Skills
This workshop consists of two modules. Managing People stresses the importance of individual self- esteem in the workplace and shows how to give clear instructions, achieve consensus, and encourage others to commit to common goals. Communicating with People demonstrates active listening techniques, effective communication, and ways to recognize another person's understanding of the issues. Instructional methods include presentation, videos, group discussion, and skill building exercises. Pre-work required: Online DiSC profile. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non- members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Basic
Required course: CPSv



Fundamentals of Communication
This two-day class will explore individual styles of communication to help attendees better understand themselves and each other. The first day will focus on the DiSC profile of behavioral styles to increase understanding about different communication types. The second day will focus on listening for effectiveness to enhance communication skills. Instruction Method: $390 (Non-members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: • Level:




Interpersonal Supervisory Skills I
This seminar includes three modules: Getting Employee Commitment provides training on how to establish specific and measurable objectives which will gain employee acceptance; Giving Orders & Instructions shows trainees, step-by- step, how to issue orders and instructions effectively; and Delegating Effectively explores the æwhen, whom and what' of delegating and how to use delegation as a motivational tool. This course requires completion of prerequisite courses. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non-members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Intermediate
Required course: CPSv



Interpersonal Supervisory Skills II
This seminar includes three modules: Positive Reinforcement for Improved Performance illustrates how to make employees more productive through positive supervision; Assessing Employee Performance demonstrates the most effective techniques for measuring results against actual performance; and Using Positive Discipline gives specific guidelines and standards for changing unacceptable behavior without adverse consequences. This course requires completion of prerequisite courses. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non-members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Intermediate
Required course: CPSv



Interpersonal Supervisory Skills III
Participants will build on the principles and techniques learned in Interpersonal Supervisory Skills I and II. The course consists of three modules. Improving Employee Work Habits covers difficult employee situations, and offers techniques for enforcing company policies and regulations in a non-threatening or confrontational way. Dealing with Employee Conflicts shows how to identify employee conflicts and teaches methods of conflict resolution, resolving misunderstandings, and avoiding negative interactions. Communicating with Your Boss teaches specific techniques for framing' communications with superiors. This course requires completion of prerequisite courses. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non- members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Intermediate
Required course: CPSv



Introduction to Personnel Management
An overview of the definition and roles of strategic partner, administrative expert, employee champion and change agent in the utility industry. The class will explore how to prepare for and perform the functions required for a human resource professional. Each participant will complete an assessment and gap analysis to develop a curriculum plan based on his/her current needs. Instructions for development of the UHR portfolio will be included as well as introduction to resources for HR professionals. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $390 (Non- members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Basic
Required course: UHR



Introduction to Utility Communications
(Formerly titled Telecommunications Applications for Utilities) In a changing and increasingly competitive electric utility industry, information has become a vital commodity in ensuring efficient operation, customer attraction and retention, profitability, and growth. Utility operational and commercial needs mandate the use of information systems to perform many traditional command and control functions. This course addresses the utilization of telecommunications systems for such utility-specific functions as SCADA, outage detection, automated meter reading, and power system monitoring. Specific emphasis will be placed on the central role that these functions play in prompting utilities to enter the telecommunications business. Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 Day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: TSA



Leadership Bridge
There have often been situations where a management approach was used with someone that didn't get the desired results. This happens because most leadership training programs don't take the personalities of the leaders, or the people they manage, into account. The Leadership Bridge teaches leaders how to use four leadership styles to manage more flexibly. In addition, it provides a method for integrating these leadership styles with DiSC model behavioral styles to help participants focus on self-awareness by analyzing their personality in relation to their leadership style, and develop a personal growth plan to expand their range of behaviors. Participants learn how to diagnose the development level and personal preference of the people they manage as well. Instruction Method: $795 (Non-members: $1095 ) • Length: 3 days • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Long-Range Strategic Planning
In order to effectively position ourselves, our employees, and our organization for the future, a formal long-range strategic plan is a must for every organization. This workshop highlights and discusses the primary areas to be included in a long-range plan: mission statement, goals, objectives, and action plans. Participants gain an understanding of the process and climate needed to effectively develop an organizational long-range strategic plan, how to set the organization on the planning course, and how to develop a mission statement, goals, objectives, and action plans. Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: AdvCPE



Managing Change
It's important to understand that change is inevitable and an integral part of an organization, particularly in today's rapidly changing electric utility environment. The key to effective change is learning how to manage change correctly and how to be a change activist within the organization. This one-day seminar is intended to provide participants with a clearer understanding of how to help employees and organizations not only cope with change, but embrace change as a normal course of business. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: 0.7 • CPEs: 7 • Level: Basic




Personnel Law
This seminar addresses significant employment law issues including such vital areas as policies, procedures, principles, and management practices. Participants learn a step-by-step approach on how to prevent costly work disruptions, employee unrest, and government inquiries. Topics covered include record keeping requirements, discrimination law, and a 1-2-3 approach to understanding lawful practices under state and federal requirements. Participants also receive legal information regarding age, race, gender, pregnancy, equal pay, drugs in the workplace, workers' compensation, employee privacy, performance appraisals, discipline, equity in employee recognition systems, diversity and overtime rules. Instruction Method: $390 (Non- members: $625 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: • Level:




Time Management
Managing time is more than effective scheduling. The ultimate strategic question is, “What is the best use of my time, right now?” This workshop teaches participants how to choose, prioritize, and schedule daily events and activities to maximize effectiveness, increase productivity and reduce personal stress. Techniques will be presented for using calendar based day-planners and computer- based schedulers/calendars. Instruction Method: $395 (Non-members: $545 ) • Length: 1 day • CEUs: • CPEs: • Level:
Required course: CPE



Utility Law
This course reviews the legal problems that can occur in electric utility system management. Participants study issues related to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), TVA and government regulations, system design, contract use and negotiation, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and employee benefits, billing, collections and energy diversion, purchasing practices and procedures, vehicle operation, easement and property acquisitions, and the operations and liabilities of a utility's governing board. No prerequisites required. Instruction Method: Live $795 (Non-members: $1195 ) • Length: 2 days • CEUs: 1.4 • CPEs: 14 • Level: Advanced
Required course: CPE



Workplace Violence: Predicting and Preparing
This course will explore the warning signs of workplace violence and how to prevent and prepare for incidents if they occur. Instruction Method: $265 (Non-members: $445 ) • Length: 6 hours • CEUs: .6 • CPEs: • Level: