Could You Be Replaced By An App? – Part 2
Kirkpatrick Quick Tip Vol. 2 #21
Missed Part 1? Read it here.
Training professionals need to do more than deliver a great training class. They need to give their internal or external customers the tools they need to contribute to the bottom line or organizational mission.
The role of the training professional starts with building a “bridge” to the business or organization to create an ongoing dialogue and understanding of their needs. This creates a relationship with two-way communication and avoids blind training requests. Instead, the training professional acts as a strategic business partner that is a member of the team that plans for and maximizes business results.
The business partner relationship prevents the training department from developing or delivering training that is disconnected from business needs or unsupported by the business units. When the training professional becomes part of the business team, the entire dynamic is different and more effective.
Here are some tactics for building the bridge to your business or organizational units:
- Find out if you can get invited to team or strategic meetings.
- Ask line managers or supervisors to join you for breakfast or lunch.
- Show an interest in the business and their challenges. Learn to understand and speak their language.
- Obtain copies of annual reports, strategy documents, team meeting minutes or notes, and any other documents that can give you a sense of what is important to the business.
- Walk around the floor of the areas your training serves and informally chat with people who have taken or would take your programs to find out their priorities.
The key to building bridges is to discuss what is important to the business and avoid the word training. Find out their priorities and what they need to accomplish. Discuss any missing tools or skills to meet those goals, and then you will know what training, if any, is required.
Additional resources:
Training on Trial
Kirkpatrick Business Partnership Certificate Program
Could You Be Replaced By An App? – Part 1
