1. Madison Connection should conduct a needs assessment before they start their training each semester.

• Best Practice: An effective training process starts with a needs assessment. This determines who needs to be trained, what they need to be trained on, and how the training objectives will be supported and aligned with strategic objectives. Analyze needs to make a clear training plan. You should make sure to state what your going to cover by introducing a overview with main points.

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2. There should be a clear, day-to-day, hour-to-hour outline of the training complete with goals for each hour. Training without goals in mind is redundant and a waste of time for both the trainer and the trainee.

• Best Practice: Goals are also an important part of the training. Training goals should go directly with the company’s strategic and financial goals. Don't just analyze in the beginning, analyze throughout the whole process by always looking for new ways to determine what's working and what isn't.

 

3. Have intermittent quizzes (not for a grade) incorporated into the training sessions to test employee knowledge and keep them engaged.

• Best Practice: To determine if training goals are met, keep track of variables before and after training to measure improvements. When measuring this you should also be giving regular feedback when they are practicing. There should be lots of opportunities to practice. Practice should start with basics before moving onto application.

 

4. Change up methods of training. Not all groups are the same.

• Best Practice: Marriott International uses multiple training methods when conducting career development training. They use a mix of virtual and in person methods to ensure every type of learner can benefit from their training sessions. Some methods may work well for some students and another method may work better for others. Some other methods include: one on one, group sessions and online learning. Hands on training has shown to be an effective training technique because it uses multiple sense. Repetition is another important method. Once you have already taught them it's important to tell them again by summarizing.

 

5. Train employees to be on the other end of the phone.

• Best Practice: Bonobos, a retail company, insists on the benefits of putting yourself in the shoes of the other before asking for money. If you were getting the call from JMU asking to donate, what would sell you? Employees should think about this before getting on the phone.