Why Training Teams Are A Waste! with Ian Crook

In this TLDCast, Ian Crook joins us and argues that having dedicated training teams within an organization is often a waste of resources. Or maybe not... if you have an Operational Mindset. He suggests that training should be integrated into the work itself, with managers and senior employees taking responsibility for coaching and mentoring their team members. Crook believes that this approach can lead to more effective learning and development, as well as greater collaboration and accountability within the organization.

Summary of Discussion

  • Ian Crook's Perspective: Training teams may not add direct value to the end customer; rather, they can be seen as indirect contributors.
  • Operational Thinking: Training should align with organizational goals by minimizing waste and maximizing value in processes.
  • Key Issues in Training: Some wastes identified in training include unnecessary content, redundant material, and inefficient delivery methods. The focus should be on identifying specific behavior changes that drive value.

Waste in Training

  1. Logistics of Knowledge Transfer: Training teams facilitate the logistics of knowledge transfer within organizations, impacting efficiency.
  2. Behavioral Focus: Rather than general curriculum, target specific knowledge gaps and align training with the skills necessary for roles (e.g., sales negotiating skills).
  3. Measure Training Effectiveness: The value of training should be assessed based on operational KPIs, demonstrating impact on the organization’s bottom line.

Conclusion

Ian Crook emphasizes the need for instructional designers to partner with operational stakeholders to ensure training initiatives support overall business objectives. Understanding operational language and metrics is crucial for training professionals to effectively communicate their value proposition.