Skip to content

Achievers Achievers

  • Platform
    • Achievers Employee Experience Platform™
      For culture builders, Achievers is an employee voice and recognition solution that builds engagement and sustainable performance in organizations.
    • Recognize™
      Activate real-time employee engagement with Achievers Recognize, the platform that delivers sustainable performance and Culture Continuity™.
    • Listen™
      Use data science to help you build a better company by unlocking insights into improving the performance and engagement of your people.
  • Why us
  • Company
    • About us
      Achievers’ mission is to change the way the world works. Our Employee Success Platform is specifically designed to drive higher levels of employee engagement.
    • Careers
      We’re a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organization. Explore opportunities at Achievers and join our team of A-Players.
    • Awards
      We are an industry leader in all things engagement. Discover why organizations love Achievers.
    • Contact Us
      We’re here to help! Get in touch with us.
  • Customers
  • Resources
    • Featured content
      Publishing white papers, research reports, and more to help organizations move forward in their employee engagement journey.
    • Webinars
      Watch our webinars featuring workforce science experts and HR thought leaders live and on-demand.
    • Engage Blog
      Stay up to date on the latest employee engagement trends and access guest commentary from HR thought leaders.
    • Workforce Institute
      Get research and insights on employee engagement, recognition, culture, and more — all backed by workforce science.
  • Demo
  • Platform
    • Achievers Employee Experience Platform™
    • Recognize™
    • Listen™
  • Why us
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Awards
    • Contact Us
  • Customers
  • Resources
    • Featured content
    • Webinars
    • Engage Blog
    • Workforce Institute
  • Request a demo
  • US
    • UK
    • AU
    • NL
    • DE
    • SG
  • Featured Content
  • Achievers Workforce Institute
  • Engage Blog
  • Browse By Blog Category
    • Achievers Exclusives
    • Achievers Tech
    • Culture
    • Employee Engagement
    • Employee Feedback
    • Employee Retention
    • Engage Blog
    • HR Technology
    • Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Onboarding and Hiring
    • Recognition and Rewards
Go to homepage Up Your Professional Development Training with This Pro Tip

Up Your Professional Development Training with This Pro Tip

Profile image of author: Janet Hueglin Hartwick

by Janet Hueglin Hartwick

October 1, 2019

Professional development training is a need that’s talked about more often than it happens. Since it’s not usually urgent, when an organization decides to “go for it”, they want something they can rely on. But how does a leader know if their professional development training initiative will make a lasting impression? How will they engage their senior leadership? How will they get the most value for their time and money? The answer is easy: give prospective professional development trainers an outline of what you need.

The training brief: A one-pager that can elevate your professional development from good to great 

It’s standard practice in marketing and communications to ask for a brief: a one-page document that covers the highlights of an assignment and gives the context of what is expected and other pertinent information. I think it’s time HR professionals give themselves permission to use this trick (in case they don’t already). Sure, you can go with the flow and offer professional development training based on a discussion. This can work well. But why not expect your professional development provider to really customize the session to what would be most helpful to your organization. Need a little more encouragement? Here are four reasons to embrace the brief.

1. It can double the effectiveness of your training

Every organization is different. Its culture, leaders, communication challenges are all unique. Knowing this intel gives a provider the tools they need to maximize the persuasiveness of their approach. Share highlights of your strategic plan, outline comments you have heard from management, and give the keys to the kingdom on how the professional development training can be the most beneficial. All aspects of your training session, from exercise scenarios to do’s and don’ts, should be tailored to you and your organization. Your session should feel specific to your business because your trainer took the time to make it that way. This will go a long way to boost the engagement and participation of your team.

2. It helps you figure out what you want

A good brief asks thought provoking questions so you can get to the heart of what you really need. Questions could include “How would you know this training was successful?”, “What would a homerun for you look like?” or “Six months from now, you’ll know this training had an impact because….”  When I query a client to understand their professional development training needs, it’s common to hear several different ideas which can lead down different paths. Ultimately, there is usually one true goal that comes forward as the most important. If a prospective trainer doesn’t ask these questions (or you are mandated to use pre-existing training modules) completing a brief will be a great way to zoom in on what you want to pursue. 

3. It’s a tool to get internal buy-in

It’s with good reason many senior leaders are jaded about corporate training, especially when more important priorities are “on fire”. Some trainers over promise and under deliver. It can be hard for staff to shut off their phones and give their attention. This is where a brief comes in handy. It you think training is needed ask a potential trainer how they work around these challenges. Invite them to help you craft the pitch you will take to your senior leader to get approval. Ask for references to prove they are as awesome as they say they are. Providing this additional detail can help you get buy-in for more professional development training.

4. It separates the good trainers from the great

Any provider you work with should welcome a training brief with open arms. It’s ideal to know exactly how to meet a client’s needs. Too busy to fill out a brief? See if a potential vendor asks you the questions outlined in this article and more. You want to have confidence they are your partner as well as your service provider. If you hear someone say, “I have the perfect thing for you. I used it with a client just last month,” tread lightly. Reusing content makes sense but your training session should be customized to your specific challenge. If you’re not sure exactly what you need, your trainer should be asking you the right questions to help you figure it out. Don’t settle for good when you deserve great.

Your time and money are precious. I hope I have convinced you to embrace the brief and make your trainers work a little harder to earn (and maintain) your business. As an HR professional, it’s important to make sure you’re investing in the rights areas and with the right providers. The next time you decide to start a new professional development training, consider my pro communication tip and create a training brief.

Are you looking for new ways to enhance the employee experience? Access Achievers’ webinar: “Hack HR to Create Best-In-Class Employee Experiences.”

Learn More Red CTA Button

 

Do you have any thoughts on this article? Share your comments below.

Profile image of author: Janet Hueglin Hartwick

by Janet Hueglin Hartwick

Janet Hueglin Hartwick is a conversation coach and trainer. She is the founder of Conversations At Work, an evidence-based training program that helps leaders and reforms “cranky communicators” into self-aware conversationalists.

STAY ENGAGED

Join our email alert list so you never miss a post.

AWARDS


SnackNation : Top 30 HR Blogs

Best of HR Blogs

Feedspot: Top 100 HR Blogs

Feedspot: Top 30 Employee Engagement Blogs and Websites

Proven: Best 75+ HR Blogs

Actimo Top 50 HR Blogs

Coburgbanks: 10 Employee Engagement Blogs That All Managers Should Know About

HR West: Human Resource Award

FOLLOW US

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RSS Feed

YouTube
Instagram
Slideshare

HUMAN RESOURCES TODAY

Human Resources Today

Stay engaged

Join our mailing list so you never miss a post.

Subscribe
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
  • Platform
    • Our Platform
    • Recognize
    • Listen
  • Company
    • About us
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • Featured content
    • Webinars
    • Engage Blog
    • Workforce Institute
    • Events
    • Appreciation cards
    • News

© 2023 Achievers Solutions Inc.
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Modern Slavery Statement

For an accessible version of this (page/site), please contact us by phone at 1-888-622-3343