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Where are we now? Where are we going?
Training & Organizational Development
Where are we now? Where are we going?
A forum for exchanging ideas about skills training, leadership training, management training, compliance training, e-learning, as well as organizational development and effectiveness.
In my sixteen plus years in the organization and management development profession, I have never witnessed as severe a decline in corporate training as I do now. Granted, there will always be companie
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Forums » Topic Forums » Training & Organizational Development » Where are we now? Where are we going?
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 11/20/2009 2:04 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 11/16/2009 Last: 6/23/2010 |
In my sixteen plus years in the organization and management development profession, I have never witnessed as severe a decline in corporate training as I do now. Granted, there will always be companies who grow and some who thrive in tough economic times, but the scenario I see and hear most often, from organizations large and small, is one of a struggle to maintain what has taken years to build.
I think we can all agree on the importance of training to organizational success, but the bottom line is, businesses in this economy are struggling. Financial institutions, industry giants, organizations of all types have failed or are teetering on the edge of failure, unemployment is at record highs, teh US national debt is over 12 trillion dollars, and the list goes on and on. So what do you do? What is your next step? Where will that step lead you? Here are some questions I have been asking myself. I would encourage you to ask them of yourself as well… • What am I doing right that keeps my clients coming back? • What more can I offer them to add value to our relationship? • What other strategies or tactics can I implement to gain new clients? • Are there opportunities for alliances that I have overlooked or set aside? I am sure there are many of you with suggestions, questions, and comments of your own. I would ask you to share them so we all may learn. Thank you! Bob Blake TrainersDirect www.trainersdirect.com blake@trainersdirect.com |
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 11/20/2009 4:37 AM EST
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
As someone who is responsible for conducting training needs analyses for my organization and for then purchasing training to meet the determined needs, and who now has to tell my training providers that I won't be purchasing nearly as much training now as I have been in the past, I can confidently say that it all boils down to the bottom line.
Organizations nowadays are totally freaked out about money. They are not buying ANYTHING unless it can be shown, in hard numbers, that whatever it is that's for sale will increase their revenues, and soon. In the past, when I purchased training, all I had to do was give senior management a general sketch about the "large amounts" of money that training would benefit the company. Now, however, I have to tell them exactly how many dollars (and cents) + when (the exact date) those dollars will come in. And this is hard to do. Any outside training vendor who can help me do this/do this for me is more likely to get my business. |
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 11/20/2009 7:06 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 11/16/2009 Last: 6/23/2010 |
We have an instrument that, when used together with your needs analysis, will help measure the transfer of training rate from the classroom to the job. While it does not give hard $$ numbers it will provide information on what is working, what needs to be enhanced, and what should be dropped from your training program.
If you would like a copy let me know and I will email it to you. Bob Blake blake@trainersdirect.com |
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 12/29/2009 12:35 PM EST
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Posts: 544
First: 9/27/2004 Last: 9/13/2011 |
I'm curious hrbth, are your decision makers able to tell you the exact ROI they expect to see and when they expect to see change? Are they able to tell you what the skill gaps are and what the value of a particular skill set is?
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 1/19/2010 6:29 AM EST
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Posts: 23
First: 11/28/2006 Last: 11/26/2010 |
Let's face it. Right now training is not valued by the typical corporate entity. Compliance training will be conducted but only when the "sheriff is at the door". Even IT training re the use of new software is on the rocks because new software has been postponed. Training that improves productivity (aka layoffs have reduced the staff headcount and maybe people have more work to do) is not even be considered. If the training will bring in more revenue it is given a fighting chance but better call it something other than training. About all we can hope for is an improvement in the economy that leads to better business conditions and profits. Our training business is surviving based on our work with the military and our public, open enrollment workshops and classes. |
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Where are we now? Where are we going?
posted at 1/19/2010 6:31 AM EST
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Posts: 23
First: 11/28/2006 Last: 11/26/2010 |
Let's face it. Right now training is not valued by the typical corporate entity. Compliance training will be conducted but only when the "sheriff is at the door". Even IT training re the use of new software is on the rocks because new software has been postponed. Training that improves productivity (aka layoffs have reduced the staff headcount and maybe people have more work to do) is not even being considered. If the training will bring in more revenue it is given a fighting chance but better call it something other than training. About all we can hope for is an improvement in the economy that leads to better business conditions and profits. Our training business is surviving based on our work with the military and our public, open enrollment workshops and classes. |
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