Dear readers,

I saw a T-Shirt recently. It said, "The Hokey Pokey - What if that is what it is all about?"

This month's article selections answer the question what is training all about? More and more, based on what I have heard from trainers, as well as seen in magazines, blogs, journals, etc. generating an Return On Investment (ROI) is how success is measured.

This month, we viewed it as so important we begin and end with the topic. In between, we feature outstanding articles on Leadership Development, Developing an RFP Process and Performance Improvement.

Getting ROI From Follow-Through: The Missing Link
By Richard Flanagan
 
As simplistic as it sounds, action plans only produce results when they are effectively put into action. Or, as Peter Drucker said, "Unless objectives are converted into action, they are not objectives; they are dreams." And, unless you are Carl Jung, the ROI on dreams is not very high. More and more of our clients are being asked by management to produce what Jack Phillips has called Level 5 measurement-ROI evidence of the effectiveness of their programs. We strongly support the move to greater accountability for results, which in the end will strengthen the training profession.
 
We are concerned, however, that in the rush to measure ROI, some steps are being missed, especially in the area of follow-through management. Following through on goals and action plans is necessary to ensure the behavioral change (Level 3) and business results (Level 4)) that are needed to produce the much-desired Level 5 (ROI). Learn More

Winning Strategies for Leadership Development
By Michael Andrew

If every company develops a winning strategy, then why doesn't every company win? The differentiator is in the execution. The same applies to best practices in the field of leadership development & education. It is all in the execution. Every best practice I am aware of has/had designs that are straightforward and consistent with other leadership education/development designs. But, it is all about execution. When leadership and executive education initiatives are executed well, it increases the chances of creating business impact. Learn More

Ten Rules for a Smooth, Efficient E-Learning RFP Process
By Karl M. Kapp

Many clients receive an e-learning proposal and complain about its condition: vague...unclear...unfocused. The client quickly blames the vendor, but sometimes, it is not the vendor's fault; instead it is the fault of a poor Request for Proposal (RFP). Learn More

Upgrading Performance and Targeting Learning
By Irving H. Buchen

Business as usual no longer applies. The routine is now the exception to the norm, and the familiar has become almost exotic. In short, the workplace is in a constant state of flux and stretch. What is perhaps startling is that it is nevertheless succeeding: Steady increases in productivity, profitability and quality are being achieved. Why? Basically, there are two reasons: the sharp edge of global competition and performance improvement training. Learn More

Return On Investment (ROI) - Three Words that Strike Fear in Trainers: They Don't Have to if You Have the Right Skills

Training directors don't just train anymore.  They are now also required to document and communicate in business terms the return on investment (ROI) of the dollars spent by their organization on training.  This can be an intimidating task requiring skills that not every training director has.  Learn More 

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