THE RIGHT TRAINING PARTNER

We place so much emphasis on finding the right courseware for our employees — and, we should. But, I would suggest that it is nearly as important to partner with the right courseware supplier. Why? Because you will discover that the support you receive will be critical in determining the continuing success of your training initiatives.

This blog is going to deal with what I consider the ideal courseware vendor. And, yes, you can find one or more vendors-of-excellence in Regulatory Training, Industrial Skills Training, HR Training, Microsoft Office Training, Simulation & Games, etc.

You should be looking for a supplier that is dedicated to providing total training solutions, whether your challenge requires training management expertise; training program design or implementation; custom applications; off-the-shelf applications; or an overall strategy to incorporate performance-based training — and, its measurable rewards — into your corporate culture.

The vendor should appreciate the value of performance-based training. They must understand (and, be able to demonstrate) the critical links between measurable objectives, proper training design and implementation, improved performance, and return on investment.

Your chosen vendor-partner should be a “user-friendly” company. It’s commitment to its customers must be two-fold: strong customer assurance and quality training solutions. That vendor must be committed to the belief that customer relationships are built through attention to detail, kept promises, and immediate access to their professional staff. The best courseware suppliers know that the relationship does not end when the courseware is delivered to the customer. Customer assurance must be the cornerstone of your chosen supplier.

Your job is to find just such a vendor-partner. On-line catalogs with their typical puffery plus the empty boasting on myriad websites will tell you little. Find the companies that are customer focused – and, truly practice it.

“Talking the Talk” is easy. “Walking the Walk” is the key. Find that partner-provider you can walk with! Your decision will, ultimately, prove critical to the success or failure of your training initiatives.