Apply Learning to the Workplace Automatically

With government giving 60% cashback or 400% tax deduction under the PIC (Productivity and Innovation Credit), it is a no brainer to send your staff for training.  However, many people are holding back not because they don't see the value in training, but they are afraid that the staff will not apply the learning in the workplace.  In short, they still can't see the tangible benefits of training. 

Truth be told, unless you do the right steps, most staff will not apply learning to the workplace.  This is because most people see training as a welfare and not a part and parcel of their work.  In fact many bosses do not even do post-training review, and if there is no such review, why would the staff bother to apply the learning?  The following are the 4 Right Steps to Apply Learning in the Workplace:

1. Before the training, let the staff know that the training is intended to make their life better, not just life at work.  Let them be aware that what they learn will benefit them for a lifetime, and your objective is to develop them through such training
2. During the training, ensure that they ask good questions from the trainer and also take down notes that may not be in the handouts.  I always enjoy questions from trainees, they make the training session livelier and time passes very fast when there is fun and life
3. After the training, ask them what are the top 3 points that they will apply.  Most trainers will have a segment for application, and for us, we even include a one-page '30-Day Action Plan' and inspire our trainees to complete that during the class
4. One month after the training date, check with the staff again to see what are the learnings they have applied and the benefits.  If there are no benefits, it means that what they learn is not useful and please check with the trainer to see what went wrong

By Andy Ng of Asia Trainers, details of management and sales courses are at here.  Related articles:

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• The 6 things that everyone must be doing