Time Challenged

T+D, Jan, 2003 by Bill Ellet

Time Challenged is a good example of how the art of the training video has changed for the better in the past five years. This video has the production values of a high-quality television series. The color is sumptuous and the lighting dramatic. Even the onscreen text is cool.

The topic is time management, and, in truth, that topic doesn't enable much differentiation between one producer and another. There are only about nine or 10 key points in any competent treatment of the subject. So, what's a training producer to do? Make the content interesting, and provide the trainer with plenty of support to run a successful live event.

That's exactly what CRM Learning does in this video-based package.

The dramatic visual presentation feeds the humor, which goofs on 12-step groups and a semiclueless "nice guy" at work. Kent, the time-challenged section manager, is getting closer to being fired every day. He has little discipline in the way he expends his time. This guy has no boundaries. When his best friend at work drops in, it doesn't matter that Kent is working on a critical report; he shoots the breeze as if he had all the time in the world, though none of us does, particularly not Kent, who can't find anything in his rat's nest of an office. So he joins Time Wasters Anonymous, and starts his progress towards a cure.

First step: Fess up. The problem is yours. We all get the same 24 hours a day; the difference is in how we use them, The subsequent steps include imposing limits on chats, meetings, the phone, email, and so forth, and watching out for time-wasting habits such as never filing anything and double handling documents. But a big one is prioritizing tasks on the basis of our work goals. Similarly, for supervisors, it's delegating tasks. Yes, it takes more time at first, but in the long run delegation saves time.

CRM Learning has always provided more support for trainers than most video producers. Its Website asks if customers rely primarily on the company's support materials or create their own.

The leader guide has a lot to recommend it. It has a detailed timeline for a four-hour or half-day session, but gives you the flexibility of breaking the training into shorter segments. The one limitation time-wise is the video, which is best viewed all at once.

The leader guide also provides scripted remarks, objectives, discussion questions, and exercises. The participant workbook 110 copies are included) contains only activities, a quiz, and follow-up material. It doesn't duplicate the teaching content of the leader guide, which trainers can study in order to gain more credibility.

The PowerPoint slides are a great time-saver. They're professional and cover the points you'd want to emphasize in a class. The reminder cards are particularly relevant in this type of training.

Recommendation

CRM Learning consistently markets trainer-friendly packages. Time Challenged is a good example. The video will captivate your viewers for its duration. The support materials will help you improve their time-management skills. I'm not sure what else you can ask of a training program.

Course Details

Time Challenged, video, 2002, 20 minutes, CRM Learning: 800.421.0833, www.crmlearning.com. Purchase: US$795. Other materials: leader guide, participant workbook, PowerPoint slides.

Time Challenged


****     Holds viewer interest
****         Acting/Presenting
***                  Diversity
****        Production quality
***           Value of content
****       Instructional value
*** 1/2    Value for the money
***             Overall rating

RATINGS KEY


****       Outstanding
*** 1/2      Very good
***               Good
** 1/2   Above average
**             Average
* 1/2    Below average
*                 Poor

Bill Ellet is editor and principal of Training Media Review; wellet@tmreview com.

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