The speed of business: new economy, new methods for training - Training 101

T+D, July, 2002 by Joe DiSabatino, Janet Oliver

Assume that business is the top priority. Most managers have demanding jobs. They're juggling a million and one priorities, and your session is merely one of the balls they're trying to keep in the air. When managers express their frustration about having to attend training, try not to feel defensive or cynical. Make the training worth their time by relating it to real business demands. Help managers see the relationship between training and ROT rather than thinking they're not committed to the training.

Training and development professionals can have a powerful influence on the leadership of a business. By helping build and develop leadership and management skills, we help transform the business. Formal classroom training is but one of the methods by which we do this. It's our responsibility to make it a business experience worth the time and money it costs for highly paid professionals to be sitting in that room.

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Joe DiSabatino and Janet Oliver are senior partners at Phoenix Consulting Associates in Vienna, Virginia; phoenixca@cox.rr.com.

Training 101 contributor Joe DiSabatino advises, "To strike water, you have to keep digging your well deeper rather than start a new well."

Training 101 co-author Janet Oliver assures us about her claim to fame: "It's coming. I'll keep you posted."