"Training- the act, process, or method of one that trains; the skill, knowledge, or experience acquired by one that trains" (Merriam-Webster). Interesting how this is all that is said in the all-knowing dictionary (emphasis added); training is such a big word for something that encompasses so much. We have "regular" training that shows a person what is required as a new hire in a job or position, or technical training that generally shows more towards a vocation, such as engineering or welding (Lecture outline, "Training & Development").
What exactly though, does "training" encompass? Firstly, I think it deals with some key points learned in our book First, Break All the Rules - selecting for talent, defining the right outcomes, and focusing on strengths (Buckingham & Coffman). These are defined as "keys" in our book that each manager should do to manage well and get to that point of having a great team. These are all keys that are important to managing and by default, hiring and training as well. I can't think of a training that went that particularly well; alas, the negative always stands out more. The not-so-useful trainings I think about are from my times in customer service call centers- felt like test after test, simulation after simulation, or simply watching from a chair while a "supervisor" told us about things we could have easily gained from reading a book, or presenting the material in engaging ways that didn't put me to sleep. The only part that had me engaged was practicing taking real calls while having an experienced person next to me to help. I can contrast this with a more recent job training I had- for my current job, actually. The manager emailed me about HR policies to go over myself, on my own time, and after the first day of onboarding with HR itself and "getting in the system," I was able to start training - following other employees, being mentored- the very next day. I found it to be effective- short and to the point of what we needed, and was able to start with slowly being acclimated to the rest of the way things worked around the store and the company. Training can be very effective, in taking care of employees, and making sure they stay employees, but it has to be done the right way.
Buckingham, Marcus, and Curt Coffman. First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently. Simon & Schuster, 1999.
"Training.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/training. Accessed 4 Nov. 2022.
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