This book presents time saving strategies, tactics, and a host of job aids to get the best result from the corporate learning function. It will serve both as a must-have reference tool and as a practical survival guide for workplace learning professionals who face unique challenges in accomplishing their responsibilities. Several strategies and tactics are offered to organize the roles and responsibilities of the training function. There's authoritative advice, too, for managing the function including staff management, communicating expectations, setting the learning agenda, coaching subject matter experts, hiring consultants and vendors, managing content, working with learning portals, setting up and managing a learning resource center, marketing and building internal support for training, and integrating learning into the business.

Table of Contents:
Case Studies, Tools, and Exhibits xiii Contents of the CD-ROM xix Acknowledgments xxiii Introduction xxv Chapter 1 Training Function Systems Audit 1 Define a Training Function 2 Clarify Which Roles and Responsibilities Apply to Ten Key Areas of Your Current Function 2 Interpretation of Training Function Systems Audit 43 Chapter 2 Prioritize Training Responsibilities 47 Identify Key Duties and Responsibilities for the Training Function 49 Develop Priorities Consistent with the Business Plan 51 Link Assessments to Vision, Mission, and Business Plan 52 Develop a Training Department “Mission Statement” 52 Anticipate Future Needs and Use Short-Term and Long-Term Planning 56 Develop Your Own Job Description 56 Prepare, Monitor, and Modify a Budget 76 Ensure Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Compliance 81 Participate in Outside Professional Organizations 83 Keep Up-to-Date with Training Trends 84 Chapter 3 The Performance Consulting Approach to Managing a Training Function 85 What a Performance Consulting Approach Is 87 Benefits of a Performance Consulting Approach 87 Performance Consulting Roles, Multiple Roles of a Trainer 88 Performance Consulting Role Choices 100 Eight-Step Performance Consulting Process 100 Strategies in Transitioning to a Performance Consulting Approach 109 Chapter 4 Gain Support for the Training Function 115 Identify the Benefits of Building a Partnership Between Managers/ Supervisors and the Training Function 116 Identify Tactics to Build the Partnership Before Performance Interventions 116 Identify Tactics to Build the Partnership During Performance Interventions 118 Identify Tactics to Build the Partnership Following Performance Interventions 118 A Final Strategy 129 Chapter 5 Project Management Skills for Training Managers 131 Project Management and the Eight-Step Consulting Process 132 Initiate a Project by Assessing the Need to Create a Project Team and Gain Authorization 133 Plan the Project 133 Use Project Management Tools Appropriately to Execute the Project 134 Use Project Management Tools to Control the Project 134 Close Projects Appropriately 135 Chapter 6 Select Training Programs and Packages 141 Identify Essential Elements of the Buying Process 142 Write a Request for Proposal (RFP) 147 Identify External Resources 149 Set Criteria to Review Training Program Proposals 149 Determine Lessons Learned from Purchasing Pitfalls 150 Chapter 7 How to Hire a Consultant or External Trainer 159 Select a Consultant or External Trainer 160 Find the Right Kind of Consulting Help 160 Interview a Consultant 165 Monitor the Consultant’s Work 172 Chapter 8 How to Manage a Training Staff 177 Make Staffing Choices 178 Select Internal Trainers 178 Give Feedback to Internal Trainers 203 Improve Internal Trainer Skills 203 Use Different Types of Training Methodologies 203 Use a Variety of Trainer Roles 204 Maintain Courses 205 Develop a Leader’s Guide 206 Use Competencies to Supervise, Coach, and Develop Trainers and Course Designers 206 Appreciate the Benefits of Certification Programs 206 Chapter 9 Select and Coach Subject-Matter Experts as Internal Trainers 241 Select Subject-Matter Experts as Internal Trainers 242 Establish an Internal Trainer Selection Process 245 Chapter 10 Successful Strategies for Marketing Training Internally 265 Define Marketing 266 Identify Successful Techniques to Market the Training Function 267 Create a Partnership with Supervisors to Avoid “No Shows” at Training Events 270 Chapter 11 Publicize Training Events 277 Publicize a Variety of Training Services 278 Prepare Training Announcements, Course Catalogues, and Brochures 283 Write Training Announcements 290 Publicize Training Results 290 Use Recognition Tools 293 Use Brown Bag Seminars 295 Decide the Type of Information to Put on Your Web Page 295 Decide How Often to Maintain the Website 298 Chapter 12 Smoothly Administer Training Events 299 Plan Training Events 300 Scheduling Training Events 305 Workshop Registration Process 308 Common Features of Software 310 Workshop Confirmation Process 311 Final Workshop Preparation 322 Workshop Follow-Up 329 Chapter 13 Set Up Off-Site Training Events 343 Negotiate and Coordinate with Hotels for Off-Site Meeting Rooms 344 Make Travel Arrangements for Instructors and Training Participants 350 Chapter 14 Set Up and Run a Corporate Resource Center 355 Maintain a Corporate Library and Resource Center 356 Purchase Audiovisual Equipment 359 Maintain Equipment and Inventory 359 Order Training Materials and Supplies 363 Produce Audiovisual and Written Materials 366 Monitor Tuition Reimbursement Programs 367 Appendix A Bibliography 369 Appendix B Training Resources 371 Websites 371 Workshop Listing and Registration Services 372 Professional Training Organizations 372 Appendix C Five Steps of Adult Learning 375 Index 379 About the Author 385 How to Use the CD-ROM 387