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Try Before You Buy: A Great Way to Test a Training Provider

Oct 08, 2021

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Whether it's legally mandated training or professional development to boost people's capabilities, more and more businesses are turning to external training providers. That's because theycan offer various advantages; they manage certification, organize course materials, and communicate throughout the process. But how do you know where to find a good provider?

Try Before You Buy

This option gives you free access to limited resources so you can evaluate what’s provided. So naturally, this has to be the lowest risk option of all, because it has no financial cost. Of course, you need to confirm that the content matches what you need, and the company looks capable of delivering the material. But the fact that the provider is offering something free of charge speaks volumes about their confidence in being able to impress.  One that I’ve seen is provided by an online provider called ZandaX, with a Setting SMART Goals course that surely appeals to anyone who needs to achieve targets – especially through teams of people.

But if you have a specific need, and there are no free options available in the market, a closer look is needed.  Here are my top tips to assist you in finding a reputable training provider for your company.

Examine their Previous Performance

The track record of an external training provider is a solid indicator of their suitability. Have they already worked with a company like yours? Find out how the training went by contacting that company. You should also evaluate their trainers' credentials, looking for appropriate experience and customer references. Any supplier worth your time will appreciate the importance of this information and will gladly share it with you.

Examine whether they Provide Customized or Off-the-Shelf Training.

A training program that's tailored to a company's specific business needs is known as customized training. An effective customized training program must have specific learning objectives and a clear plan for how the program will be organized and delivered to meet those objectives.

Off-the-shelf, or ready-made, courses are pre-designed to address generic topics that are important to mostpeople in that field. These classes will address a variety of topics, including industry knowledge, skill development, and compliance.

For reasons of cost or convenience, a provider who exclusively offers off-the-shelf training coursescould be the ideal choice for your company. Small companies, for example, often lump training in with the general responsibilities of the Office Manager, and it can be a relief to have low-cost, proven courses at your disposal that are provided by specialists who have expertise you could never hope to acquire.  On the other hand, some of your employees may need customized or personalized training. Many providers recognize the importance of providing both and are often willing and able to tailor training to your specific needs.

Examine their Financial Position

This is a delicate subject, but it's critical to safeguard your business. You can verify that a training provider will not steal your money and disappear by checking their financial background and history. You should inquire about a provider's financial position and what would happen if their organization could notprovide the training before spending any money.

Inquire about Assistance

The benefits from training do not end when the courses are over. After the training, you want to ensure that your employees receive ongoing support to confirm that they have properly grasped the key knowledge. A reputable training provider will have clearly defined support terms and maybe even add-on packages to ensure that your employees are satisfied after the training.

Examine their Instruction Techniques

People learn in a variety of ways, which a smart external training provider will recognize and accommodate. Inquire about a potential provider's training methods and check whether they are effective and research-based. A good provider will be able to describe their training approaches and how they aid in achieving the intended learning goals.

Furthermore, the following questions also can be included, where relevant to you, in the criteria when deciding on a training provider:

  • Do they have a working knowledge of your industry and "day-to-day reality"?

  • Is their content personalized?

  • Do they offer a learning path?

  • Is there a multi-channel, hybrid learning solution available?

  • Do they keep track of progress?


 

Wrapping up

External training and development programs have many advantages. Employee performance improves, productivity increases, employee turnover is reduced, and company culture is often improved. All without a dedicated in-house training resource.  So whether you conduct a thorough research program like the one above, or try a free sample like the one from ZandaX, it’s worth serious consideration in order to reap the benefits that are available.