Train to Gain, Not Remain

"Train to Gain, Not Remain: is a comprehensive "how-to" guide explaining exactly how to navigate through the decisions surrounding employee training, skill development, competency enhancement, and delivering business relevant results through appropriate ROI measures. Starting from the decision of whether training is even needed or an appropriate intervention; all the way through to the specifics of how to best deliver training, ways to measure and evaluate it, and even how to reinforce it and ensure the trained skills are transferred back on to the job.

Written by a training guru, author, speaker, consultant, and business executive, David Zahn; this 100 page guide provides all of the elements needed to complete a training project successfully. Zahn uses his nearly three decades of experience working with some of the most progressive and sophisticated clients doing business both domestically globally, and melds it with real-world and practical examples that are equally appropriate for small businesses operating on Main Street as well as in corporate boardrooms of Fortune 50 companties.

Written in a very accessible way, with graphics, charts, tables, and other elements to help demonstrate or explain concepts, this guide also includes links to videos, short quizzes for self-assessment after each topic to ensure that the reader understood the important concepts and knows how to best apply them to their own jobs.

The topics covered in this book include:

1) When is Training the Appropriate Response
2) Strategic Direction
3) Analysis
4) Curriculum Design
5) Product Design
6) Product Development
7) Product Implementation
8) Follow-Up/Reinforcement
9) Evaluation

This book guides the reader through the ways to avoid the various potholes and landmines that often trip up training interventions:

When do I rely on training to improve a business opportunity, and when will it be less effective?
Who is responsible for training?
What should the training cover?
How is it best developed?
What options exist for delivery? When is it appropriate to use each of the delivery methodologies?
How can one be certain that trainees have learned what was intended?
What tips exist for working with internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and outside consultants in building, developing, delivering, and evaluating training?
What role do supervisors and managers have in ensuring that training is successful?
How can training be evaluated? What ways exist to determine the ROI or "value" of the training?

This manual can be referred to over and over again to address issues that range from the training complexities surrounding the introduction of new computer applications, the need to improve sales close rates, managerial skill development, communication, or any other behavioral need that the company may identify as a strategic need. The process for training provided allows the reader to determine how to best apply it and determine suitability or fit for their local needs based on the concerns of:

Budget
Competence
Resources
Time available
Competing priorities

While this book is a terrific reference too and will provide the reader with assistance in meeting the majority of their training design, development, and delivery needs; ZAHN Consulting, LLC is always available to provide additional guidance and contribution to your training needs. Contact ZAHN Consulting, LLC through our website at http://www.zahnconsulting.com to discuss your specific training needs.