Even though we provide you with everything you need to run a comprehensive training program to companies and organizations, you might encounter a group that wants particular outcomes designed and incorporated into the training. Most companies reach out to corporate trainers because they don’t have the skills in-house to deliver that kind of training, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know what they want or need out of their training. As a professional trainer, you will be able to adjust your training materials to meet the needs of many different organizations, and we’re here to show you how to achieve organizational objectives with your training sessions.
Meet with Your Clients
Before you begin planning any training for an organization, take 30 minutes to meet with the person requesting the training. This can be done over the phone or in-person. Have a list of questions ready to facilitate the discussion to make sure you understand what they need:
● How long do they want/need the training to be?
● How many participants are they expecting to attend?
● How does this training fit into the strategic plan for the company or organization?
● What do they hope participants will get out of the training?
● Are there any specific requirements that need to be met for employee jobs? (i.e. safety training)
● Do employees require written record or certification following training?
Review Your Materials
After you have met with the contact who hired you to conduct the training, take some time to review your materials for the specific course to see how they line up with their organization’s objectives. If they want to run a course on problem-solving, for example, you might want to adjust your exercises to reflect the type of problems those employees encounter. You might need to do a bit of research to learn more about their organization and what they do there, or you can ask for some clarification during your meeting. If you are delivering a problem-solving skills course to maids at a hotel, consider the kinds of problems they might run into and incorporate those concepts into your training.
Get Participants Involved
When you arrive for training, be sure to communicate to your audience that the course was tailored just for them and that you are happy to discuss any situation/problem/circumstance that could be applied to the training to further the learning. Encourage participants to ask questions, provide anecdotes and stories, and to problem solve with each other throughout the course.
Reporting Back to your Client
Throughout the training session, make notes of how the training you provided met the organization’s needs and record outcomes that were met. Depending on the client, they may need a record of the training or a certificate for their employees, but usually, a follow-up email, phone call or quick meeting is enough to satisfy that the topics have been covered and learning has taken place.
Whenever possible, meet with your clients to discuss their needs. You’ll find that more often than not our training materials provide more than enough information and guidance to deliver a training program without adjustment. Offering a customized training experience helps you get ahead as a corporate trainer, and helps you grow your business and reputation in the industry. Consider tailoring your courses to meet the needs of your clients, and you’ll be running a successful training business in no time.
