Individuals tasked with finding and implementing training solutions want them to be practical. Practical training solutions engage employees, build their competency, are relevant and applicable, and support the ever-evolving needs of business today. Though if this is the case, then why do so many training efforts fall short in the eyes of participants and stakeholders?
As written in one Forbes article, “Some studies have shown that only 10% of corporate training is effective. It is not that the content of the training programs is necessarily bad; rather, it is that companies are not laying the proper groundwork to get the most out of what is being taught.” There is no time like the present to begin doing exactly that for the benefit of any upcoming training and development initiatives. To help you achieve your goal of implementing a practical training solution, the groundwork matters, and here are three ways to do it:
1. Conduct an Insights Discovery
An Insights Discovery provides an authentic picture of the current state of the organization so you can confidently build a plan of action moving forward. Before you focus on changing an aspect of your organization through training and development, you have to understand the current reality and determine how a shift in employee behavior will achieve your defined goals. At this stage, it is also important to understand employee attitudes because knowing how to address employee mindset and conviction through training is a prerequisite for changing actions and behaviors.
2. Create or Update Competency Models
Competency models are maps of the most critical skills required for success in any job throughout the organization. Each competency is defined and broken down into observable behaviors, which can then be separated by function, specialty, or level of responsibility. When taken together, the competency models act as an organization-wide playbook that can be used to address needed skills and behaviors for corporate success, and ensure that the skills and behaviors you are providing training for support the achievement of the goals.
When creating practical training solutions, organizations will greatly benefit from creating or updating competency models for the participants of training to the current state and needs of the business. Doing so also allows for targeted training and development plans by measuring gaps and providing a baseline that can be used to provide coaching that improves results.
3. Find a Training Partner Who Will Customize Training Content
Training is an undertaking for any team, regardless of the size of the initiative. Many companies realize tremendous value by enlisting the help of a trusted partner who can guide them through the process of developing and implementing a practical training solution. A strategic advisor will guide the development, measurement, and retention strategies of training, which enables internal departments to focus on the daily work that keeps the company running. Even companies within the same industry face unique challenges, making it worthwhile to seek out a partner whose proven approach ensures that the content is customized to your strategic goals, and your corporate uniqueness is accounted for at every step.
The importance of customized content cannot be overstated. Training must be relevant in order to engage your audience and inspire them to change their behaviors. Whether they are pursuing professional development opportunities or using new techniques to keep track of day-to-day accountabilities, employees will be more convinced to change when they can see the value of their efforts. Therefore, integrating business relevance, corporate uniqueness, and pragmatic content into any training solution is the only way to truly bring learning to life and make a meaningful, measurable difference.
Customization can take a number of forms and will depend on many factors, but when seeking out a training partner who can provide customization, look for one who offers:
- Content creation, selection, and adaptation
- Engaging training approach and methodology
- Variety of delivery options
- Customization of look and feel of materials
- A variety of reinforcement strategies
Conclusion
According to Training Industry’s 2019 Report, the highest priorities for training in terms of allocating resources in 2020 are: increasing the effectiveness of training programs, measuring the impact of training programs, reducing costs/improving efficiency, and increasing learner usage of training programs among learners. All of which is to say, organizations implementing training want practical training solutions. If your goals are similar, put the time into laying the appropriate groundwork so you can move forward with confidence in your selected training solution.
