An effective training program is a powerful way to align employees with your company’s goals, expectations, and objectives. If you don’t have a training program in place, or your current program needs some work, we recommend conducting a thoughtful Training Needs Assessment before investing any more valuable time and resources.

1. Training Needs Assessment
PEOPLE. PERFORMANCE. PROFITABILITY.
All too often there are gaps between management’s expectations and the actual performance levels of employees. In
order to improve performance it is imperative that you assess the current status quo and create a plan that will enable
your team to perform at their optimal level. Frequently it is determined that “More Training” is the answer.
Analyzing or assessing the knowledge and skills that are essential to quality performance is a logical step prior to
investing in the design and implementation of a training initiative. Needs assessments should include a variety of
methods including one-on-one interviews, observations, consultation with clients, knowledge and skill tests, review
of performance criteria and industry resources. Here are a series of questions/issues to consider when developing a
company specific training strategy.
Management
‰‰ Do your employees understand the primary goals and objectives of your organization?
‰‰ Do your employees have a clear understanding how they can contribute to the organization’s
success?
‰‰ What changes in performance or behavior are you looking to achieve?
‰‰ Are performance issues specific to individuals or broad based?
‰‰ Is poor performance the result of a lack of knowledge/information?
‰‰ Is poor performance the result of a lack of skill or competence?
‰‰ Is poor performance the result of attitudinal issues?
‰‰ If additional training is the answer do you have staff that could design and deliver the necessary
training?
‰‰ Do you have a budget allocated for training?
‰‰ How best do your employees learn new skills and knowledge?
Employees
‰‰ What information (i.e. company, product(s), industry, clients) do you need that will assist you in
improving your performance?
‰‰ What assistance do you need to improve the specific skills that are crucial to your job performance?
‰‰ What type of training programs do you prefer?
‰‰ Describe your optimal learning environment.
‰‰ Describe the obstacles that keep you from improving your performance.
‰‰ If you’re in sales, what skills do you believe your clients /prospects want you to possess?
‰‰ How important is your ability to communicate with internal and external clients?
‰‰ How would you rate your communications skills?
‰‰ In what areas of technology do you require assistance?
‰‰ Do you feel you have the tools and knowledge needed to do your part to enable us to achieve our
green and sustainability goals? If not, what do you need to add?
‰‰ Describe what training programs you have participated in during the past twelve months that were
not company sponsored.
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Peak Focus LLC © 2008-2012 • All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

2. PEOPLE. PERFORMANCE. PROFITABILITY.
About Peak Focus, LLC
People. Performance. Profitability.
Peak Focus gives you the tools to grow, develop and strengthen your team. With
a mix of resources that we’ve created ourselves, as well as several powerful tools
we’ve carefully assessed and believe in, we combine our passion and experience to
guide companies and individuals toward optimized performance. Select your team
members with confidence, help your key players develop their soft skills, and learn
how to coach your entire team more effectively by engaging the experts at Peak
Focus.
For more information and access to free resources, please visit our website at
www.peakfocuscoach.com
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www.peakfocuscoach.com
Peak Focus LLC © 2008-2012 • All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.