Category Archives: Management

#38 The life cycle of a training program: preparation

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A training program is divided into 3 parts:

  • The preparation phase.
  • The execution phase.
  • The reinforcement phase.
  • All phases are important, but the preparation phase is the most important of all. In this phase, you set the success criteria, goals, select participants, and the curriculum. This is followed by selection of the method of delivery. Some choices are self-learning, on the job learning, elearning, and instructor led courses.

    Your choice will be governed by the triage of the following:

  • The size of the Learning Gaps.
  • The budget at your disposal.
  • The business benefits and risk.
  • Level of customization required.
  • Feel free to pick a different set of topics you will use to triage to your choice.

    For “standard” training, this is straightforward. E.g., these days, compliance training is web based, and can be monitored and measured with minimal cost. Most leadership training that will drive transformation will most likely be instructor led. Such training will have “standard” components, but the real value add will come from the “customization” to your organization. Customization at the individual level will be “high cost, high benefit.”

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    #37 Time spent on POTD

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    Time is a scarce resource and your leaders can never have enough of it. Now that does not mean they use their time wisely. Everyone gets 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days in a year.

    How much of their time goes on solving the “problem of the day” or POTD? This refers to problems that arise and are solved seemingly at random, without a pattern or rhyme or reason. Either the dots don’t connect or no one bothers to connect them. Needless to say, this is frustrating and unproductive for all.

    A certain amount of fire fighting is to be expected, but if it gets to a point where their effectiveness is compromised, it is time to take a good look at your planning and work assignment practices.

    If leaders spend more than a small percentage of their time on POTDs, no amount of leadership training is going to help. It’s like planting an exotic plant in soil that is devoid of water and fertilizer, not really conducive to growth.

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