Will Kenny
"Think Pieces"
(free articles)
Best Training Practices
Will Kenny
3927 York Ave N
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
612-978-3050
Reprints from
The Training Tipsheet
Past articles from my free biweekly e-zine, The Training Tipsheet, are listed here, in reverse chronological order, that is, oldest articles first. If you see something you enjoy, and are not yet a subscriber, why not use the box at right to start getting your free tips and ideas, every two weeks?
Starbucks, Nike, and the Race for Results
When I recently picked up a "bookmark" of tips to prepare to a 10K race, I recognized a lot of good advice for the corporate training function. First in a series of "back to the basics" from a different perspective . . .
Send the Boss to Training
This true case study of a bank CEO points to the way to true support and real leadership for training and employee communications. Giving up the separate track to train alongside frontline employees brings a range of benefits to top management . . .
Realism About Resources
My recent survey of corporate training leaders about how they plan to respond to broad, external change drivers led me to wonder how their responses would be received by the leaders of other functions in their own organizations. Truly managing resources is an important step in earning the respect and support of your colleagues . . .
A Seat on the Bench Beats a Seat at the Table
Leaders of corporate training functions are fond of talking about how much they want "a seat at the table," to be welcomed at the highest levels of the organization. While it's great to be a starting player, it might be even better to be on the bench, playing a supporting role . . .
Training Evaluation, Enhanced Impact, and a Hint from my Dental Hygienist
Replacing your evaluation questionnaire with a much simpler format can not only give you good information, it can enhance the impact of your training . . . especially if you take a tip fro my dental hygienist!
Are You an Efficionado?
If you could reach maximum possible efficiency in delivery of training and employee communications, in terms of costs and speed, would you be doing a good job for your organization?
Win More Friends with Bite-Size Morsels
Delivering training and employee communications in more frequent, smaller chunks can not only more effectively deliver a message that "sticks," it can help operating units be more efficient. But old habits die hard . . .
What Do You Do?
Seems like a simple question, but your routine answer may mean you are contributing less to your organization than you could be . . .
Time is Money . . . More or Less
Tough economic times make it hard to set aside funds for the training projects that are commonly handled, not by a training department, but by front line managers. But a small additional investment of time, staying connected with employees, can outperform even a large injection of money . . .
Timing Is Everything
A management consultant recently suggested that training was a great last step, but lousy first step, in producing change. He is often right, because too many companies try to plant and sustain best practices through "events" . . .
Training in Tough Times, Part III:
A Better Way to Develop "Communication Products"
Developing training and employee communications the way other functions in your company develop their products and services may not only produce better results, it can help you weather tough times when competition for resources is high.
Training in Tough Times, Part II:
When a "Pilot" Hurts Your Credibility
Competition for internal resources in tough times make it tougher to launch new, but valuable, training and employee communication projects. If you think that proposing a "pilot" will get you the ROI evidence you need, I hope you're doing a better job of piloting than most companies . . .
Training in Tough Times, Part I:
Embrace ROI or Become Irrelevant
A slowing economy unleashes internal competition for resources that you must be prepared to face. You can either work to show other members of your organization the real contribution derived from training and employee communications . . .or you can accept some of the responsibility when your efforts get the ax.
Your Free Employee Communications Tutor
Most of us trying to enhance employee performance can always learn more about more effective ways to craft employee communications and training. Why not take full advantage of the highly researched communication tutor, developed at great expense, that arrives free of charge at your home every day?
Same Old, Same Old Can Be Good!
When a company builds a core curriculum, orientation, or required training, they get input as they design it. But once they start delivery, they often let their input streams dry up. Ongoing design and development is a key protection against waking up one day, labeled as irrelevant . . ..
How To Be Dumb
Fortune magazine published their annual list of "Dumbest Moments in Business," notable and amusing gaffes. But in employee communications, it is the quietly dumb thing we do over and over that kill us.
Getting Better Quality Feedback
Collecting "feedback" from "evaluation forms" is common in training & employee communications, but you need ask the right people the right questions at the right timing to truly measure your effectiveness
Best Practices = Lifestyle Challenge
We know that crash diets and binge exercise efforts don't produce long-term results. The same principles apply when spreading best practices . . .
Where Does Effective Training Start?
A nice case study from the real world, in which our heroes look at what they are trying to accomplish before looking at what tools most people are using.
How Much Do You Pay Your Spectators?
It's nice to get money for watching things, but frankly, I'd rather work for it.
Replacing that Dripping Faucet?
Replacing behaviors -- a common goal in business -- takes planning and patience, not fads and hasty reactions
You Need More Thoughtless Employees!
What employees do when they don't have time to think about it reveals your true culture, and the impact of your training efforts
The Uncompetitive Advantage
Working with your competitors, and learning from your noncompetitors, can stretch your training and communication budget
Courage and Credibility
Are you willing to mention the Emperor's New Clothes if it will make a difference to the success of your organization?
"Best Practices": Gain, or Just Pain?
Do your employees roll their eyes or hide under their desks every time they get something that refers to "best practices"?
Could You Have a Friend in Marketing?
Spreading best practices requires persuasion and effective, efficient communication. Who does that in your company?
Talking About Talking About Change
When you change the way things work, do you help your employees talk about those changes with customers, suppliers . . .
Audience, Audience, Audience . . .
Location, location, location, they say in retail. Understand your audience before you make decisions about how to reach them, and with what
Who ya gonna call?
You're used to calling for technical help, or expertise on procedures or products . . . but what about help in communicating?
You Need an Ignoramus
Better communication of best practices might benefit from one less "expert" and one more ignoramus on your team
Your Job Description
I don't even know you, but I do know the most important part of your job
Where's the Bun?
What comes before and after the "beef" can greatly enhance your impact for little additional investment
Shovel your way to Lasting Change
A neighbor in a snowstorm provides lessons for organizational change
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