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In this Issue: volume 11, no. 5
How to Avoid Wasting your Training Money
Susan Cain's Case against Teamwork
 
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Welcome to our June issue! We're focusing on maximizing your training dollars as well as on balancing teamwork with alone-work. Please send us your comments and let us know what else you'd like to read about. - Diana

6 Ways to Avoid Wasting Training Money 
Have you ever heard this sentence? "We did some training last year and it was a complete waste of time!"

In my line of work I run into a lot of people who've spent money on professional development training (done by others, I hope) that was forgotten within 24 hours. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this disaster. Here are six tips for decision-makers: 

 

How to Avoid a Training Fiasco

 

1. Do your research. Talk to managers about the skills and behaviors they want to see changed, and speak with two or three consultants about meeting those learning needs. Listen.

 

2. Take advantage of free consultations. Most consultants offer a phone call or visit during which you can really pick their brains. This pays off in a more informed choice and a better fit. Skipping this opportunity to "save time" by only asking for a phone quote is a recipe for substandard results.

 

3. Don't delegate the search to an inexperienced subordinate. You'll wind up with a choice based on insecurity--overly reliant on fancy marketing materials and short on real information about how the training experience will play out.

  

Read the other three tips here.

 

Teamwork or Alone-work: What's Best?
 
Take a look at what Susan Cain says about working alone vs. working on a team. It's just the opposite of what most workplaces are emphasizing these days, and legendary Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak agrees:


And finally...

Diana Brooks Associates helps people and organizations improve leadership, communication and teamwork.

A speaker, trainer and coach, Diana provides free initial consultations. Contact her at 413.458.8263 or at www.dianabrooksassociates.com.