As the CEO of Carew, I’ve seen firsthand how the right training partner and program can be the catalyst for transformational growth within an organization. However, finding the perfect fit can be daunting and isn’t always straightforward. It’s a strategic decision – one that requires foresight, alignment with core values, a clear understanding of your team’s unique needs, and continuous reassessment.
Needs are Ever-Evolving:
Acknowledge that the landscape of your organization is ever-evolving – the capabilities and focus that defined you last year have now shifted. Embrace this dynamic nature to ensure that your training programs are not just fitting but also forward-thinking and fully aligned with your team’s evolving journey toward excellence.
The bedrock of any training initiative must be a deep understanding of your team’s current competencies and where they aspire to be. It’s not just about where the Gaps lie but also about where the untapped potential waits.
Aligning with Organizational Goals:
Training should be a lever that propels you toward your broader organizational objectives. Whether it’s about refining the consultative selling approach or mastering the art of customer success, the training program must translate to tangible business outcomes. It’s about reinforcing the behaviors that drive these outcomes and ensuring the training partner understands your end game.
Cultural Fit is Key:
Culture eats strategy for breakfast, and this holds true in training as well. The right partner doesn’t just teach techniques; they change behaviors. This cultural alignment means looking for partners who practice what they preach, integrating their methodologies with the values you uphold.
The Consultative Approach:
A training partner approaches their service as a consultative sale. They ask the right questions, uncover your true Gaps, listen to your needs, and tailor their offerings accordingly. They don’t just sell a program; they provide a solution that is unique and specific to your organization.
Commitment to Reinforcement:
Training isn’t a one-time event; it must be integrated into your culture as a sustained way of conducting business. The decay of knowledge is inevitable without reinforcement. Seek out partners who offer ongoing support, coaching, and resources that ensure the longevity of the training impact. The right fit will be a true strategic ongoing partner.
Tracking Progress and ROI:
The ideal training partner helps you define success metrics from the get-go and has mechanisms in place to track and report on these metrics. For ROI to be realized and sustained, your organization must have in place a viable environment for complete implementation and adaptation. You want to see quantifiable improvements in performance and customer engagement.
The Most Effective Training Initiatives Provide:
- Experiential learning components to gain active participation from your team from the beginning
- Content customized to your organization’s reality and culture
- A coaching or leadership component that gives your managers a key role in leading the performance improvement
- An internal trainer certification program
- Methodology that is unique and creates a competitive advantage
- New skills and processes that can be used in all customer contact points to improve the customer experience
- Provision for all adult learning styles
- A comprehensive and prescriptive reinforcement system that ensures full implementation and sustained improvement
- Talent assessment
Remember, training is not an expense; it’s an investment in your people and, by extension, the future of your business.
At Carew, we are a true strategic partner for sales, customer service, and leadership professional development and training. Our programs inspire dramatic, lasting performance improvement, instill agility to successfully navigate dynamic environments, and create competitive advantage.
Have questions? Want to learn more? Ready to build your training plan? Our team is here to help!
