How do you choose a training company?

 

All training and development companies will tell you how good they are so how can you judge if a  training company fits your requirement? 

Introduction

Training is about causing people to do things differently so we would recommend looking at these key areas:-

 

Experience

 

You are really looking to see if the company has some experience in your industry because the more the trainer knows about the langague and processes in your industry, the greater the credibility he or she will have with the delegates.

 

Trainers experienced in your market may spark some good ideas and discussions that could be useful to you, if they are particularly experienced you may be able to use them for consultancy.

 

Action: Look at the web site for their client list and any testimonials for names you recognise.

Action: Why not ask for a reference with whom you can speak within your industry.

 

Methodology

 

The training company will have its framework for development but it is worth exploring its methodology for transmitting this framework to delegates.

 

Action : Ask for the typical development process (research, development, managerial involvement, review etc)

Action: Ask how a session is typically managed by the trainer (what happens, what tools / games are used etc).

Action: Ask how the training company ensure that the learning practices are embedded into the organisation in to long term.

 

Culture

 

This is perhaps the hardest to understand, but the most important. It is important that the values and approach that you have within your organisation is broadly in line with the training company.

 

Action: Give the training company one or two scenarios and ask how they would typically train their delegates to manage those situations.

Action : Ask about the size and location of the training business as it will need to be of a size that suits your business (internationally locations with multi-lingual capability through to a one man operation).

 

Personality

 

First of all, find out if the person that is selling the training will be doing the actual training. If not, at a minimum we would recommend a telephone call with the prospective trainer and if possible a face to face meeting would be preferable.

 

Action: Consider if the personalities in the team to be trained with gel with this person.

 

Effectiveness

 

You do not want your people to go on training courses, you want them to do things differently following an effective training course. This would include immediate improvements that stuck long into the future.

 

Action : Ask how the training company measures and rates its effectiveness.

 

Timescales

 

If the trainer has lots of availability does this mean that not many clients use the services:-

 

Action : Ask for a series of potential start dates from the trainer as you will have a number of delegates to schedule into one date.

 

 

We are happy when prospective clients ask us these questions because it shows that they are serious about developing their personnel and spending the development budget wisely.

 

Mark Jacobs

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