Training best practices are key to Organisational Success
Among several other aspects, training has been identified as indispensable in the growth and success story of any organization. Since employees are regarded as representatives of the company in a market full of competition, there is a need to align employees with the organization in order to achieve pre-established goals. Training is regarded as the most effective means of achieving this daunting challenge. Hence, its role in any organization in undisputed and irreplaceable.
Training employees in an organization is no easy task. The process needs to be thought through and established with a clear objective in mind. Training involves various aspects. From technical knowledge to inert skills and abilities, from team building to organizational representation — training can cover it all. As such, it becomes a process that requires impeccable planning and implementation. All organisations can vouch for the fact that a training program of uncompromised quality is the only way to ensure excellence in performance. Here is a listicle of the best practices in training that must be taken into consideration.
1. Training should be a continuous process
If training is intended to make a difference to employees’ productivity, it cannot be designed as a one-time event. Training is a continual process that seeks to alter the understanding, thought process and thereby, the performance of employees. Depending on changes required in performance, training sessions have to be organized on a regular basis in order to ensure complete understanding and gradual change in behaviour.
2. Training programs must be based on strategy
Training is undertaken to align employees with the company goal, irrespective of levels and profiles. As such, it is imperative that the training sessions be planned in line with the company goal and objective. Strategic planning will require the business to assess current standing of various teams with reference to its role in the organization. Having identified areas that require improvement, training sessions must be then planned to work towards the desired goal. Strategic training will help provide a clear-cut process in the difficult task of training employees.
3. Training effectiveness should be measurable
More often than not, training is undertaken as a routine process. With no pre and post-training assessments, it becomes difficult to measure the relevance and impact of a training session. In such a scenario, there is a possibility that training becomes an unnecessary exercise and expense within the organization. Training when conducted in the right manner can make a drastic change in the overall performance of an organization. Hence, it becomes important to be able to measure the impact of any training session. When this is a possibility, trainers are more adept at creating better and more effective sessions. Any shortcomings can be identified and addressed only with a well-established system of measurement.
4. Training program must be supported by the organization
Training is not an independent activity in the organization. Considering it is part of a company’s strategy to grow, improve and achieve, it is an aspect that needs to be coordinated and supported by various activities and structures within the organization. This includes the company’s key strategies, organizational structure s, lines of authority and organizational values among others. It is only when all elements in an organisation work in tandem that the company can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. Training is no exception to this rule.
5. Training should be undertaken through various channels
Employees in an organization come from an array of backgrounds. With different skill sets, experience and knowledge base, each comes with personal behavioural patterns and goals. It is no wonder then that training is indispensable in bringing all these employees together with one common cause. However, training as a means of altering behaviour cannot be subscribed to one single method. There are various means of training that range from classroom sessions to online courses and even outdoor exercises. Depending on the subject of learning and the nature of trainees, a mode of teaching must be adopted that best suits the situation. While there is no one definite way of deciding, trainers should be able to develop a module that is best suited to the team and its objective. For example, a team building session when taught as theory in a classroom can be quite ineffective. A fun outdoor session is more likely to get team members to bond on a personal and therefore, professional level.
When the best practices in training are adopted, it can qualify as a sure shot way of enhancing a company’s performance. Any compromise on training will have a direct impact on the organization as a whole. The best practices in training are often simple steps that require detailing and patience. Many a company that have adopted these practices stand proof to the effectiveness of these simple steps.
We from Trebound have delivered over 800+ successful programs in last 10 years.
