Training Without Reinforcement Is Just Not Effective By Jack Cullen & Len D’Innocenzo Copyright © 2005 A good friend and CRKInteractive Associate is Bob Mann with ALD Inc. based in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Bob recently brought an interesting point to our attention. Bob told us that study after study indicates that a training event is not enough to achieve the behavioral changes desired. These studies consistently indicate that without reinforcement and practice after the training event, that less than 15% of the students introduced to a new concept successfully integrate the new behavior into their interpersonal practices. The reason is pretty simple; there is no vehicle for reinforcing the learning in the classroom after the training. Bob went on to tell us that the Research Institute of America found that 33 minutes after completion of a course, students retain only 58 percent of the material covered in the class. By the second day, 33 percent is retained, and three weeks after the course, only 15 percent of the knowledge delivered is retained.

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We certainly agree with this research. Our experience in the training field for over 16 years clearly indicates that without a review and reinforcement program, the effect of the training doesn’t last.

And yet why do so many companies fail to offer review and reinforcement programs to protect their training investment? There are many reasons but the one most often heard is lack of money or lack of time. This really is a shame because so many great training initiatives are wasted. Companies would be wise to look for the greatest return on their training investment dollars.

We believe there is a solution that is both cost effective and can save time. That solution is online self-paced learning. Take for example our course “Reinforcing Your Understanding of Behavioral Styles” – or as we call it RUBS. RUBS deals with the DISC model of human behavior. It is highly interactive and can be completed in only 45 minutes.

Many companies have literally spent millions of dollars teaching the DISC model to their people. Most of these sessions are considered to be a valuable and fun learning experience. People love learning about their behavioral style and how they compare to other people in their lives at work and outside of work. Comments we hear is that DISC training is a meaningful way to enhance interpersonal relationships, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, increase productivity and team building, and generally making the workplace better for everyone.

However, getting people to take this training to the next level by really understanding how to adapt their behavioral style to specific situations, can be a challenge. This is where a tool like RUBS can be effective. To address this, many clients have found that including the RUBS course as an integral part of a review and reinforcement program can greatly enhance the retention of the original training investment. Blending RUBS with an additional classroom session or a webinar allows people to apply what they learned and share their experiences with others.

If you use the DISC model but haven’t thought an online reinforcement course was practical or affordable – think again. The investment can be less than $2 a month for one year unlimited individual access and the benefits are numerous. There are five versions of RUBS for just in time reference: managers, teams, sales, customer service and individuals.

Protect your investment in DISC training. Contact your CRKInteractive Associate for more details. If you‘d like to see a demonstration of the RUBS course(s) – click here and let us know what you think.

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About Len D'Innocenzo - A co-founder of CRKInteractive, Len D'Innocenzo has also founded and sold two successful businesses - Information Technology, Inc. (a computer and micrographic distributor) and Micro-Rep, Inc. (a manufacturer's representative firm). Len adds his real world experiences and extensive training expertise to each and every CRKInteractive course.

About Jack Cullen - A co-founder of CRKInteractive, Jack Cullen also has over twenty years of senior sales and administrative management experience. He was Vice President of Sales for Okidata Corporation and Zenith Data Systems prior to starting in the sales training business. Jack adds his real world experiences and extensive training expertise to each and every CRKInteractive course.

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About CRKInteractive, Inc. - CRKInteractive is devoted to helping its clients realize employee potential through tailored learning experiences. CRKInteractive offers diverse training courses and professional services for companies that want to dramatically improve productivity, customer satisfaction and employee retention.

Our curriculum focuses on these critical skill areas designed for business:

• Sales Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Leadership Skills

Our Professional Services group specializes in website and course development for online corporate learning.

We deliver our curricula via flexible delivery formats, including traditional classroom; live instructor-led training over the Internet or corporate Intranet; and self-paced Web-based courses. For more information please contact us at (978) 474-8657 or visit us on the web at www.crkinteractive.com.