B.E. rates the nation's top management training programs

Black Enterprise, Feb, 1995 by Iris Randall

A look at what national, low-priced career development and management training programs really have to offer

LOOKING FOR A TRAINING program to help build assertiveness? Or one that will give your receptionist an "ah-ha" experience that will result in better customer service? Then read on. These training programs are designed to give you the results you want at a price you can afford. To develop this list, BLACK ENTERPRISE contracted one of the nation's leading African-American management training consultants to canvass the offerings of the top low-cost training and development programs. What we found was a variety of offerings for one-day workshops and seminars, starting as low as $49. Programs offered by the American Management Association, Toastmasters or Dale Carnegie were not reviewed because they cost more and the sessions usually run at least three days.

One-day, low-cost seminars, with their "hit them hard and leave them wanting more" approach, are designed to empower employees by providing them with solid skills and career enhancement advice. A good instructor can help you identify and even modify unproductive behaviors in just one day. The benefit of these inexpensive programs is obvious: a low-cost outlay with a high return on investment.

The challenge in sending employees to a one-day public seminar is following up on what they've learned. Managers must be aware that with little or no back-on-the-job coaching, a one-day seminar is like a hot shower; it won't be long until you need another one.

Seminar trainers are chosen for their ability to connect quickly with the audience, make entertaining presentations and leave you wanting more, which you can have by buying the books or tapes in the back of the room. Trainers are usually seasoned professionals contracted to do a set number of classes per year. Unfortunately, few programs would say what percentage of their trainers are African-American. However, most of the companies we surveyed do employ or contract minorities.

In reviewing the programs, we noted each company's specialty. Market recognition is more easily obtained in the longer-running programs. In one-day seminars the connection is more elusive. However, many of these programs are gaining immediate name recognition by developing a focus and an audience.

Not all the programs offer seminars directly targeted to minorities or focused on diversity issues. Since many of them are just beginning to look at these types of courses, contact the company directly to request more information.

In terms of price, we stayed in the more affordable range of $49 to $195 a day. Then we considered what each company felt was its competitive advantage. Here is what we found:

Fred Pryor Seminars 2000 Shawnee Mission Parkway Shawnee Mission, KS 66205 800-255-6139

FPS trains 550,000 people annually, focusing on business training for entry- and middle-level managers. And, it's the only program in its niche that offers a 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee. FPS feels comfortable with the offer because its presenters are carefully handpicked from the most accomplished professional speakers and trainers. Its programs are action focused; most of the titles start out with a "how to" statement. "How to Supervise People," "How to Manage Priorities and Meet Deadlines," "How to Enroll for Success," for example.

Another seminar, "Evelyn Wood's Reading Dynamics for Business Professionals," promises to teach you four basic concepts for "unlearning" your old reading habits. The $195 program will train you to read vertically, thereby eliminating slow, unproductive "line reading."

FPS promotional materials have impact. Easy to read and attractively presented, with quotes from satisfied participants, the multipage brochures list seminar dates and locations for six-month periods. During one six-month span, seminars were offered in 46 states (with up to 11 cities per state) and Puerto Rico.

Creative Training Techninues Seminars 7620 W. 78th St. Edina, MN 55439 800-383-9210

If you have trainers in your organization who require a refresher course, or who need to learn how to deliver training that "sticks," send them to Bob Pike's Creative Training Techniques Seminars.

The small, dedicated staff of instructors, who are chosen only after a series of auditions, help to develop the country's leading trainers.

Public seminars and in-house programs and consulting services, customized to meet the needs of clients, are offered. Reference materials and informational books are also sold.

Creative Training Techniques is dedicated to helping trainers achieve better results from every presentation. Products such as Trainer's Bingo also address the human side of business; the game helps people unwind at the end of the day. Tricks for Trainers (in two volumes) offers brain twisters, early-bird exercises and easy tricks to teach participants.

This program is fun and instructors learn a variety of exciting and engaging techniques. Because only 200 seminars are offered each year, you'll have to arrange your calendar to attend the event closest to you.