Training sessions are an important part of personal and professional development. They provide us with new knowledge, skills, and perspectives. However, the effectiveness of these sessions can vary greatly. In this blog, I will delve into what makes a training program effective by drawing from my personal experience of two sessions I recently attended and articles by Corkery (2017) and Ellis et al. (2017).
I recently attended a workshop on preventing COVID-19 and flu this season. However, I did not benefit much from it due to a passive presentation style, insufficient visual aids, and an ineffective approach to addressing participant questions and concerns. Drawing parallels with the Walmart Academy training program, it seems that both suffered from a lack of engagement and practical application. The passive presentation style led to information being poorly retained, and the lack of practical application made it difficult for us to understand how to implement the preventive measures in their daily lives.
On the other hand, the academic integrity training I also recently attended was effective and beneficial. It was interactive, engaging, and provided practical tools for success. This aligns with the insights of Ellis et al. (2017). The authors emphasize the importance of a well-structured onboarding process, where managers play a critical role in ensuring their new recruits feel supported and enthusiastic about their roles.
Key Takeaways
Reflecting on these experiences, it is therefore clear that the effectiveness of a training session largely depends on its delivery and content. For a training program to be effective, it must also be interactive and engaging, have practical applications, and address participant concerns effectively.
References
Corkery, M. (2017, August 8). At Walmart Academy, Training Better Managers. But With a Better Future? New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/business/walmart-academy-employee-training.html
Ellis, A. M., Nifadkar, S. S., Bauer, T. N., & Erdogan, B. (2017, June 20). Your new hires won’t succeed unless you onboard them properly. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from https://hbr.org/2017/06/your-new-hires-wont-succeed-unless-you-onboard-them-properly
