The Three Problems Training can Actually Help Solve.

Mike White

Aug 3, 2022 — 1 min read

Training is one tool that organizations immediately reach for whenever they have a problem with their people. But unfortunately, this training can solve everything approach makes several assumptions about the real problem.

Is customer service getting too many complaints? Please send them to customer service training.
Are sales folks not closing enough sales? Please send them to a new workshop for closing.
Are engineers not delivering features on time? Train them on the latest workflow optimization trends.

We assume training will solve the problem, but it's a bit like grabbing a hammer to drive a screw. If you're lucky, it may work a little, but you're more likely to waste a bunch of time and money with the possibility you'll make things worse. So training may be the solution, but before we commit the resources and time, let's make sure.

So, what type of problems can training solve?

Lack of knowledge: this is usually the case when people don't have the information they need to solve a problem or make a decision. Training for this problem provides the learner with a bridge between what they already know and what they need to know to carry out a specific task successfully.
Lack of skill: to reach the level of proficiency required to complete specific tasks. Training for skill gaps provides the learner with well-structured exercises designed to take them from their current skill level to the skill level needed to meet the organization's performance goals.
Attitude correction: when we talk about attitude in training, we're talking about helping the learner reach "a mental state that predisposes them to choose to behave in a certain way." This training should influence or persuade the learner to choose to do something under certain circumstances.

Summary

Before you assume you have a Training Issue, take the time to understand the real issues. Then, if you've identified a lack of knowledge, skill, or proper attitude after careful analysis, proceed with training. In most cases, training will be at least part of the solution.

Apps without Developers

Imagine an app that launches perfectly on day one, but over time, small cracks begin to show: customer complaints increase, compliance issues arise, and security concerns escalate. Could this all have been avoided? With all these innovations around AI and coding, there are more conversations in non-tech companies about how

Getting Mentally Prepared for Learning

The learning process and the pursuit of mastery aren’t linear. It can go sideways, up, down, and all over. The downs tend to feel way down, especially early on. In this “valley of despair,” as it’s sometimes called, many of us quit. We stop for all sorts of

How to Read Code

Some advice floating around the internet says learning to read code is one of the best things you can do to improve your code. So I took some time to explore the subject to get a feel for approaching code that I didn't write. When I first started

Writing Simple Programs

One of the best approaches I've found while learning is to write simple programs. I'm using the word simple, in this case, to mean the programming problems will have a minimal number of inputs, a linear process, and a limited number of outputs. Starting with simple

Summary

Read more

Apps without Developers

Getting Mentally Prepared for Learning

How to Read Code

Writing Simple Programs