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Training? Just ASK
Change in Attitude, Skills & Knowledge
How do you know if the training you get is effective? The purpose of training is to create change. Change results from people doing things differently.
Effective training should provide changes in attitude, skills and knowledge. Like three sides to a triangle - all must be present to form the triangle. The greatest obstacle to change is individuals' perceptions based on what they think they know. Remember when everyone knew that the earth was flat?
Attitude
In a triangle how can one side be more important? When it is the base. You cannot pour information into a closed mind. It is easiest to train people who are begging for it. It is most difficult when they think, "We don't need this crap." When this happens it is even more important that the training address the change in attitude. When your child comes home with a bad mark they excuse it by saying, "I don't like the teacher." When you announce the training program to your staff - you must sell them on the need as much as you sell your customers on the need for your products. The trainer must reinforce that need during the program. You must follow-up after the training to further emphasize the value of the training.
Skills
The success of training will be noticed by the change in skills. The skill doesn't end with the conclusion of the training session. Never be fooled and believe that training is a pill - it is a skill that needs practice. I was once proficient with my high school French but I let that skill rust by not using it. Training must be accompanied by exercises that retain and improve performance. Learning a new skill will cause mistakes. Don't obsess when your staff makes mistakes while practising their new skills. Acknowledge the error and find how to correct and prevent it. Remind them that they are moving in the right direction.
Knowledge
In the information age we are tempted to emphasize knowledge. Don't get me wrong; knowledge is important - but only in the application of that knowledge.
One error in training is to overload people with information. This only creates frustration - not the desire for growth. Acquiring knowledge is like eating an elephant - take it one bite at a time. It is always better to give people three keys bits of knowledge that they will use rather than a list of 27 points that are quickly forgotten.
For your training to be effective insist on all three sides of the triangle - Attitude, Skills and Knowledge. To remember that formula - just ASK.
© George Torok offers training programs in Presentation skills, Creative Problem Solving and Personal Marketing. He delivers high-energy keynotes and practical seminars. You can reach him at www.Torok.com or 800-304-1861