Streamlining Your Training Process

There are certain basic concepts to consider when training any individual or group in any area of knowledge.  Please consider the following tips:

1. Are you training children or adults?  Please remember that as children, many of us have had negative experiences in classes conducted by incompetent trainers/teachers.  We will tend to resist being treated like children in any training situation.  

2. Adults require different attitudes and treatment if they are to be receptive to the trainer’s information.

3. Adults require respect and recognition that they are not children and bring knowledge and experience to the table.  Unfortunately, some of that knowledge and experience may be dated or incorrect which can be a barrier within itself.  

4. Do you use the “5-7 Rule” which means you repeat the same concept in different ways up to 5-7 times during the presentation?  In our TV sound bite age it helps to repeat basic concepts more than on by using slides, handouts, responses, etc. to set the information.

5. Do you “connect the dots” by allowing trainees to understand cause and effect and the relationships of various products and systems?  A good example is to explain the necessity of allowing 10 minutes dwell time for certain disinfectants.

6. Do you allow and even encourage discussion by asking open ended questions?  Some times you may get more than you bargained for in your response but you will find that people learn better when they are actively engaged.

7. Do you allow everyone the chance to respond without being set apart from the rest?  This means that you also have to balance some attendees who seem determined to take over the class which can be frustrating to the shy ones.

8. Do you test for knowledge?  This means that a test at the end is necessary but also short mini-reviews can be a big help for retention.

Remember that a test should be to verify whether you did your job or not.  

Your comments and questions are always welcome. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678.314.2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.