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Letter from the Editor
 At the Training 125 Conference in Atlanta a month ago, I was somewhat shocked when 1500 audience members answered a live poll question: “How will the economy affect your training budget this year? None, Little, Some, A Lot, What Budget?” Audience members – trainers, training managers, etc. – overwhelmingly indicated that the economy will have little or no effect on their training budget.
Seriously?
I’ve been in training and in the corporate world long enough to know that training budgets are often considered more discretionary than, say, salaries or equipment, and are the
first to be cut, are cut the deepest, and are the
last to recover.
So, let me ask YOU gentle reader, what effect has the economy had on your training budget? And how are you coping? Share your responses with me by writing to me at
ttraut@unlockit.com and I’ll publish them in the next issue of
The Key.
This issue is dedicated to dealing with these challenging times. And since it’s also St. Patrick’s Day, may the luck of the Irish be with us all as we move forward and through these challenging times.
Terry
Training in Tough Times
 Support functions like training often are the first to feel the impact of difficult times. Ironically, the crunch comes at a time when many businesses may benefit from their services.
Let me be clear at the outset, during lean times especially, employees should be focused on business activities that directly impact sales, service, generating revenue activities. Many training-related efforts that don’t directly support these activities SHOULD be curtailed or eliminated (in fact, a strong case can be made to eliminate these efforts in GOOD times as well!).
In lean times, training professionals should immediately call out their business-based performance consulting techniques. Roll up your sleeves and let’s get dirty!
As a performance consultant, you become a critical link between the employee and management. By talking to and observing both, you will be able to identify things impacting performance. These usually are:
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Clear expectations, feedback against those expectations — Defines what the work is.
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Resources, tools, information, or access when needed — Things needed to do the work.
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Work design — How the work is performed.
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Recognition, motivation, self confidence — Things that make people want to do the work including rewards and punishments.
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Skills and knowledge — Knowledge refers to the application of information: do people know what to do with the information they have? Skills refer to specific behaviors that require demonstration and feedback to perfect.
When addressing performance needs, the simplest solution is often the best solution – and most often the quickest and least expensive solution. Let’s look at some quick and dirty solutions that – while not the optimal solution – may suffice in these lean times.
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Send a memo to explain something; include what, when, where, who, and why.
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Hold a short meeting; provide an agenda ahead of time.
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Work one-on-one with an employee.
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Have one employee mentor another.
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Write a procedure; include specific steps and the results of each step.
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Conduct a teleconference; provide an agenda and materials in advance.
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Share tips and techniques in a newsletter format that can be read as needed by employees.
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Conduct training during non-business hours or during off-peak hours.
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Focus all training; cover only essential elements and ensure that specific outcomes are achieved.
Do you want YOUR trainers and managers to double their effectiveness in these economically difficult times? Can’t afford to send your trainers and managers to training? Contact Entelechy at 603-424-1237 or
info@unlockit.com to purchase the source files to
Analyzing Performance or
Performance Consulting. For a single low price, you get everything you need to create your own program!
Training’s Role in These Tough Times: Reader’s
Response Needed
 How has the economy affected your organization’s training and development efforts? Is training and development MORE important, LESS important? Have you changed your focus? How?
Briefly share how the economy has affected the role of training and development in your organization by writing to me at
ttraut@unlockit.com. If your response is published in the next issue of
The Key, you will receive a free copy of Entelechy’s Approach to Performance
eGuide. (If you don’t want to wait or don’t want to submit, you can pay the $19 and order the eGuide NOW at
http://unlockit.com/eGuide-HPT-PC-EG.htm.)
Entelechy’s Approach to Performance
 Entelechy’s Approach to Performance eGuide provides the fundamental information and techniques to help you begin your exciting journey as a performance consultant. Performance consultants have an impact on business and are treated as business partners as a result.
Changing your business card to read Performance Consultant is not enough; you must broaden your own knowledge of business and performance to gain the credibility you will need as
a performance consultant. And get ready to get dirty; messing around with the many variables impacting performance is messy and extremely rewarding!
Entelechy’s Approach to Performance eGuide uses simple language to walk you through the process of performance consulting. Data gathering techniques are featured enabling you to apply specific performance consulting techniques immediately!
Comments from users include:
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“The Performance Consulting Self-Assessment helped me identify where I needed to focus my efforts.” Corporate trainer
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“Entelechy’s performance consulting model is so simple, I use it all the time. And my internal clients understand it!” Corporate trainer
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“This has helped me become a better trainer; my training has come alive!” Corporate trainer
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“This eGuide is clearly underpriced.” Independent training consultant
Order it NOW risk free at http://unlockit.com/eGuide-HPT-PC-EG.htm. You can download and print the eGuide today. Take it with you to the beach, the campground, or on the trip and return from the holiday with new, fresh, powerful techniques for improving the performance of your organization!
Entelechy ensures your satisfaction with a 30-day 100% money back guarantee.
And Now, for Something Completely Different
Lost Generation - Reversed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
How the Logos will Look after the Crisis
Okay, it’s a bit on the dark side, but sometimes you need to laugh or you’ll cry…
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to be removed immediately from our mailing database with our apologies. (If you have trouble with the optout link, please reply to this email directly and I'll personally remove your name.)
Send this email to your friends and colleagues who may be involved in training and the performance of others and could benefit from FREE performance tips, tools, and techniques.
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Terence Traut, President of Entelechy "unlocking potential"
ttraut@unlockit.com
phone: 603-424-1237
fax: 603-424-6361
http://www.unlockit.com
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