Let’s face it. We’ve all taken bad training. You know, the kind...the "hold-your-nose-and-get-through-it-as-fast-as-you-can" training. What happens when you’re the one tasked with learning and development in your organization? How do you really know if your training programs measure up? Here are six mistakes to avoid to ensure your training programs don’t stink.

1. When Training Smells

2. Let’s face it. We’ve all taken bad training.

3. Let’s face it. We’ve all taken bad training. What’s worse is when the one creating bad training is YOU.

4. No matter how hard you work at it – Haphazardly piling courses, information, tools and resources together does not equal training.

5. Maybe it’s time to rethink your approach.

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7. “Traditional ways of training are obsolete.” ~ The Peanut Gallery

8. “Traditional ways of training are obsolete.” ~ The Peanut Gallery Well, you can’t relycompletely on informallearning either.

9. Formal InFormal “When you dig down into the details, you’ll find that all learning is part formal and part informal. The only thing worth discussing is the degree of formality or informality, for it’s never either/or.” Source: Jay Cross

10. You’ll find lots of information available from experts in the field. But to get you started, here are the…

12. Low or no quality training content

13. If you’re a slave to the latest fashions in technology and design or you’re simply impressed more with quantity over quality in your efforts to build training, you need to stop what you’re doing and step away from the computer right now.

14. Offering loads of random, outdated training content (even if it’s stylish) STINKS.

15. Instead, you must target, target, target: The objectives The audience The needs

16. This does not mean you should make it simplistic. Simplistic Ignorance Inattention Laziness Deception Easy for us SIMPLICITY Awareness Knowledge Spirit of helping Honesty, Sincerity Easy for them Source: Garr Reynolds

17. “Just say No!” to tired training. Solid training programs are key to company performance.

18. “Just say No!” to tired training. Solid training programs are key to company performance. Studies show companies that choose to make larger investments in their employees have higher customer retention rates and are better positioned for success. Source: Laurie Bassi http://www.mcbassi.com

19. Sears has demonstrated that, when employee satisfaction levels rise by 5%

20. Sears has demonstrated that, when employee satisfaction levels rise by 5% that leads to a 3.5% increase in sales. Source: Wharton University of Pennsylvania

21. Look ahead without looking behind

22. Acknowledge their knowledge.

23. Acknowledge their knowledge. Provide the proper prerequisite training to appropriate members of your audience to ensure everyone starts off on the right foot.

24. Embrace familiarity. Once you have the content mastered, build using the tools and networks your audience already knows.

25. Learners must know how to walk before they can run.

26. One size fits all

27. Make it personal. Whenever possible, tell stories, make connections, trigger positive associations to create compelling training content that is varied and interactive.

28. Then, shake it up.

29. Then, shake it up. In the delivery of your training program, don’t be afraid to break habits, patterns and ruts. Include as many senses and avenues for learning possible.

30. Variety is the spice of life! Consider what learning styles your audience has and offer training that meets their needs. Assess learning styles with this free test. Memletics Learning Styles Inventory Quiz

31. Flying by the seat of your pants

32. Don’t touch anything until you know where it’s been – or where it’s going.

33. Don’t touch anything until you know where it’s been – or where it’s going. In other words…

34. Plan ahead. Well-designed training is much more efficient to develop, implement and managefor the long term.

35. No time? No resources? No budget?

36. No time? No resources? No budget? Get creative. Break things into smaller, more manageable chunks. Shorter training modules are easier to plan, develop and manage. Learners are much more able to absorb what they have learned.

37. Constraints are not always a bad thing… “Constraints focus our energy. They concentrate our creativity and make us think in new, more exciting ways.” Source: Cathy Moore

39. Business and training outta sync

40. Keep the bigger picture in sight. Ooh, this is a tough one. But it can and must be done to ensure a rewarding training program.

42. Ensure all of the right people are onboard Cruise Director

43. Create plans and accommodate the right training infrastructure Builder Cruise Director

44. Collect and evaluate strategies, data, training content, results, etc. Builder Analyst Cruise Director

45. Acquire the right financial resources for the project’s scope Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor

46. Encourage communication efforts and market new training initiatives Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter

47. Facilitate transition of training cycles Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Tour Guide

48. Provide help where and when it’s needed Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Super Hero Tour Guide

49. Support trainees back on the job and reinforce new skills Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Super Hero Mentor Tour Guide

50. Encourage learners to participate and guide their own learning Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Coach Super Hero Mentor Tour Guide

51. Collect learner participation data, progress, scores and other training results Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Coach Super Hero Mentor Researcher Tour Guide

52. Take action on the outcomes that measure success Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Coach Super Hero Mentor Researcher Catalyst Tour Guide

53. Builder Analyst Cruise Director Investor Promoter Coach Super Hero Mentor Researcher Catalyst Tour Guide

55. Remember, failure is always an option. Learn to be flexible. If the training fails, tweak it. Re-evaluate the strategy and don’t be afraid to change it up.

56. Don’t leave it to chance. “Unless you align corporate training to organizational goals, any returns you realize from the training investment will be by chance alone.” Align Training to Business Results PDF Source: Ruth Clark and Ann Kwinn

57. No follow-through and training support

58. In case of emergency, Break glass. Now. Don’t wait for learners to ask for help.Be proactive. As soon as the training program launches, have a designated team for back-up and support at the ready. You may be intimately familiar with your training program, but your learners won’t be.

59. All done. So what’s next?

60. All done. So what’s next? Be attentive. Learners will likely need ongoing feedback after training as they apply their new skills.

61. Huzzah! Evaluate results, acknowledge team efforts and reward each learner’s new level of comprehension.

62. The top five non-monetary rewards in the workplace that employees want are: Opportunity to learn Flexible hours Recognition Opportunity to contribute Independence and autonomy Source: Recognition Rewards Enterprises

64. For more resources on creating great training check out:

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