How do I select the best training for my company?
First and foremost, determine your budget limitations. General business training can be achieved at a fairly moderate price, however more specific training can come with a very hefty price tag. Oftentimes, in-house training can be a cheaper alternative. Rather than sending 35 customer service agents to training, it is usually quite cheaper to have customized in-house training brought in. Many companies fail to realize that within training, there’s often room for negotiating on price as well.
Secondly, make sure the training you are seeking addresses a specific need. You want it to be relevant, and you want your employees to see that it is relevant. Nothing will squelch their attention span quicker than forcing them to sit through training they feel has no benefit to them. With that said, take a good, analytical look at the needs in your company. Are you dealing with an administrative assistant who needs hands-on help? Or maybe a computer programmer who goes at his own pace? Training solutions are not one-size-fits-all…the best are customized. Determine if the topic offered is specific in nature or general. It it’s too general, there’s no takeaway.
Another useful tip is to include your employees in the selection of the training topic. They can give you good feedback as to the relevance and usefulness of the proposed training. This input is needed not only to keep the training relevant, but also to ensure some level of employee "buy-in" to the issues and the training.