On top of regular training to stay on track in the franchise, franchisees can look to their own development through external learning opportunities, suggest Corina Vucic. Here she offers some guidance on what a good training program looks like.
Great training programs require three equally-important factors: compelling content, inspirational delivery and engaged learners.
The content and delivery is effective only if the learners are prepared to be challenged by new ideas and new concepts, and have the willingness to adopt new ways when they get back to the workplace.There’s no point to setting aside time to participate in professional development programs if the only satisfaction you aim to receive is crossing off the PD hours from your to-do list.
Most of us invest in planning well deserved holidays. We invest in our health and bodies via good clean eating and fitness activities. But how many of us really sit down and plan the ‘professional’ time we will invest to keep ahead of today’s fast paced business environment? Not many.
Most of the formal and informal training programs we attend as professionals happen on the fly and often when we do show up we arrive with little preparation and thinking on what we want to learn and what we can contribute to the forum.
Perhaps the first responsibility we have is to take charge of setting aside learning goals to further develop ourselves and to be a more productive asset to our businesses.
WHY ARE YOU TRAINING?
Learners need to know why they are training. Is it to improve life? Is it to improve or increase skills? Is it just to gain greater industry knowledge?
The learner needs to own their leaning. Nothing is gained by a group of people who come together into a training forum then spend their time watching the time tick away and using their phone as a distraction.
The preparation by the facilitator includes screening the reasons why a learner is investing time and money into a training program. The healthy discussion amongst like-minded people in a training environment is priceless when they share with purpose, conviction and passion.
BE PREPARED
A great training program will eliminate those that have no real purpose by setting pre-reading/ preparation objectives.
This will set apart those that that have real intent and want to come along to advance their knowledge. Exceptional training programs will expect a level of knowledge of the pre material reading before the attendance day.
IDENTIFY LEARNING OUTCOMES
The training program overall must be able to clearly articulate the learning outcomes of the investment.
A course needs to be accredited by the right people. If it is an industry related course it should be approved by the relevant body.
At the conclusion of the session there must be tangible new skills acquired, and business tools obtained from the learning environment.
These skills and business tools includes checklists, templates and thought provoking ideas which are taken back by the learner and applied in their portfolio of responsibility back on the job.
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
A well- structured course gives learners, as well as facilitators, a chance to plan properly and learn more efficiently.
Structure includes:
• sessional plans which consist of discussion groups
• case studies which empower the learner to apply their life experiences
• action learning for adults who best learn when doing, sharing and applying
• models and theories which provide the learner an understanding of modern thoughts and how they are paving the future
• industry experience from real life examples which enable those who have been a part of change or projects to share their tips and mistakes that best are not repeated
A training program should be something that can be built upon and expanded if needed in the future. This provides the opportunity for planned development which will harness the learner’s appetite and keep them re -inventing themselves as a professional.
A good facilitator is nothing without a well written, resourced and accredited program. It is not enough to have good course content, a program really needs outcomes, goals and set assessments in order to give those participating in the sessions boundaries they can understand.
A well- defined program will begin with foundational material and grow from there to extend a learner’s knowledge.
GREAT TRAINERS
Theknowledgeable facilitator will make or break the learning environment. Their role is to bring to life the experiences of all learners and provide a passionate forum which builds the knowledge of all in attendance by sharing these experiences. A well placed facilitator will get to know their participants before the training program, understand what their individual needs are, what their expectations are and meet these at the end of the program.
The facilitator will create a fun environment which encourages learning and sharing. Under the guidance of an inspirational facilitator, the learners leave behind their businesses and their positions and truly immerse themselves in learning new skills, from the syllabus and others.
Finally a great training program will build a pathway between the training program and the tools which are given to take back to the business or workplace. The learners will walk away with how-to guides, how-to plans and a tool kit of new business connections which enables them to apply and make a difference in the workplace.