Top 10 Training Tips - Performance Advantage Inc

Top 10 Training TipsHow To Be a Better Leader

Summer Leadership Series Session # 7 of 8

© 2011 Performance Advantage Inc

http://www.anditsonlytuesday.com/

Top 10 Training Tips

Welcome to Session 7 of the 8-week Summer Leadership Series by

Performance Advantage Inc., a learning and OD firm

Each week covers an essential management function

This week brings you the Top 10 Training Tips

for training new or current employees

©2011 Performance Advantage Inc 2

http://bit.ly/njhDGy

Training Tip # 1

Don't send employees to a training program without knowing how the program will

solve the problem

– Training doesn't change people– Training doesn't fix people– Training costs money– Training isn't the same as learning

3©2011 Performance Advantage Inc

Training Tip # 2

Don't ask for a training program without having a "needs assessment”

conducted first

– Training will not fix performance if the person knows how to perform but will not

– Training will not change attitudes or instill motivation

– Training can address needs if it knows what they are


Training Tip # 3

Don't expect to know what a"needs assessment" is

– A needs assessment identifies a performance problem and its causes

– A needs assessment determines the scope of the problem

– A needs assessment describes the issues that training can, and cannot, address


Training Tip # 4

Don't let an employee go to a training program

if you don't know anything about its goals, objectives, and expected outcomes

– Ask for a copy of the program's syllabus

– Meet the trainer

– Talk to other managers who have sent employees

– Read course evaluations from previous sessions


Training Tip # 5

Don't expect your employee to

remember what was taught

– Ask about the learning methods used in the program

– Find out what is covered and emphasized– Determine your role in the process BEFORE

the training occurs


Training Tip # 6

Don't expect your employee to use what was taught

– Is the training aligned with your policies and procedures?

– Does your trainer know your issues and expectations?

– What is your role in the process AFTER the training occurs?


Training Tip # 7

Don't think you can outsource the responsibility for training your staff to a trainer

– Be accountable for training your staff– Realize the trainer has a finite role and serves to

support you– Prepare your employees for training BEFORE

they go– Meet with your employees AFTER they go to

support what they have learned


Training Tip # 8

Don't think that new employeeslearn best on-the-job

– Know the limitations of learning in the workplace

– Realize that new employees are nervous about the job and you

– Search for programs, in-house and beyond, that will help develop your staff


Training Tip # 9

Don't expect that once trained, learning stops

– Know that things change and employees need to update knowledge and skills

– Manage your expectations about what staff can learn at training programs

– Encourage staff to advance their formal education as a career goal


Training Tip # 10

Don't neglect your own training needs

– Seek out programs that can improve you– Ask for programs to be developed that can

help you and other managers– Advance your own formal education as a

career goal to give you options and improve your performance


HOMEWORK

– Think about these tips and make notes in your journal about what you need to check into

– Schedule a meeting with your training director to learn more about the needs assessment process

– Meet the trainers who will be conducting classes for your employees

– Review the materials that will be used to train your staff– Inform the trainers of areas needing emphasis to ensure

"learning transfer" to the workplace– Ask your staff about the value of the training they receive– Ask your staff what they think they need to learn


Business

Top 10 Training Tips - Performance Advantage Inc