By: Cathie Ericson
In today’s ongoing “war for talent” one surefire way to attract and retain employees is to provide robust training. In fact, a survey from PwC found that training and development is the No. 1 benefit most desired by millennials, the largest group in the workforce today, even above financial incentives.
Companies have multiple opportunities to provide training, whether it’s for new employees, teams or even product or sales training for the entire workforce. And while online training might seem to be the budget-friendly answer, in-person training has a number of benefits, such as building camaraderie and encouraging focus and participation.
Here are five steps to seamless, effective training that will allow you to maximize your participants’ time and your investment.
Prepare the Agenda
Some of the best trainings are those that are interactive so create your agenda with participation in mind. That might take the form of brainstorming sessions, interactive exercises, periods of Q&A or best practice sharing.
Consider adding in ample opportunities for breaks which can help keep attendees focused on the material at hand, knowing they’ll have time to check their messages and respond to everyday work needs.
In order to mentally prepare attendees for the material that will be covered, send out a comprehensive agenda a week or so before the training.
Create Compelling Materials
No one likes to be “talked at” so mix in various types of content — interactive opportunities; video clips; role playing and other elements that will keep the attendees involved.
Nothing can derail a training faster than a room full of disengaged (read: bored) attendees. Work with your presenters to develop some tips and tricks that will get employees back on board if weariness sets in, such as taking questions or spot giveaways of company-branded products.
Design the Room for Success
Whether it’s a five-person training or a full auditorium, the physical ambiance can play a large role in the success of the event. Make sure that there is adequate seating and that everyone can clearly see the presenter and screens. Monitor the room temperature so it’s not too cold or warm since either uncomfortable extreme can distract participants from the task at hand. Of course, consider providing beverages, such as bottled water, coffee and tea; with snacks or meals, as needed.
Have all the supplies you require on hand at the ready, such as white boards for brainstorming, plenty of erasable markers and adequate A/V and screens for video accompaniments.
Think about supplying custom-printed writing pads and pens, since research shows that users who take notes longhand rather than typing retain the information better and are less likely to be distracted.
Evaluate the Training
The training isn’t over when it’s over: To make each training session better than the last, it’s crucial to build on successes and seek input on what could be improved. However, asking attendees to fill out evaluations as they walk out the door probably won’t yield the significant, authentic feedback you are hoping for as they race out to get on with their day.
Instead, consider a short, anonymous survey emailed a day or so after the event, while the particulars are still fresh. Include both closed (yes/no or scale rating) and open-ended (for example, “Tell us what you liked best,” or “Tell us what could be improved”) questions for the most comprehensive feedback.
About the Author
Cathie Ericson is a freelance writer who specializes in small business, finance, and real estate.
All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.
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