Private Training versus Public Classroom Training
Private Training versus Public Classroom Training
The time has come for employee development and instruction, but you cannot decide between private training or using publicly scheduled off site classroom training. There are pros and cons to both types of training and making a decision will be based on a number of criteria. Cost of training being one of the most important – or is it? Remarkably in some cases, for example Microsoft Office Skills Training, private training can be more cost effective than attending a classroom session. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between private or external classroom based instruction.
Time Away From the Office.
Most desktop skills courses are scheduled to last one or two days. Private one on one training can teach the same curriculum in approximately half the time it takes to learn in a classroom. For classroom training the employee leaves the office, for private training the trainer can come to them. So instead of being gone for an entire day, the employee is able to get the same learning opportunity but will not need to leave the office and will still have a half day of productivity. This is ideal for small business. Additionally there is no need for travel time for the employee.
Curriculum Can be Focused on Business Needs.
Most classroom instruction follows a set curriculum. In the case of Microsoft Office skills training that often means learning skills you already possess. It also requires the use of common sample data and exercises that may or may not be relevant to the tasks required by an employee. Private training on the other hand, can be modified to fit the exact needs of the student. A quick review of the course outline before hand can identify the skills that are already known and allow for time to be spent only learning skills that are needed. Instead of generic sample files, instructors and students can work on scenarios and actual files that a relevant to the business’s needs.
It’s About the Student not the Curriculum.
In a classroom setting, students are responsible for asking for assistance when they need it. If a student is confused and too shy to ask for assistance in front of their peers, they might not get the maximum benefit from the learning situation. With private training the instructor is right there beside the student, witnessing the learning and is more able to ensure that the proper skills are being garnered.
Cost.
At first glance, private training may seem more expensive. And, if looked at on a cost per hour basis alone, classroom training will appear to be less expensive. An employer must be cautious not to fall into the trap of thinking more training hours means more training. Three hours of private training is often more effective than 6 hours classroom training. Based on this, the private training would need to be more than double the hourly cost of attending a classroom session before it becomes more costly. And that is before considering the productivity gains associated with the focus learning, company specific samples and having the employee only miss half a day of work.
Ultimately choosing to use private training versus classroom training will depend on the topic and the student. For some topics one on one private training makes the most sense, for others the interaction they receive by participating in group exercises is an invaluable part of the learning experience. Look at all the variable to choose accordingly. In either case improving the skills of your employees is a smart investment.
Private Training versus Public Classroom Training - To learn more about this author, visit Louis Trahan's Website.
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Private Training vs. Classroom Instruction
The time has come for employee development and instruction, but you cannot decide between private training or using publicly scheduled off site classroom training. There are pros and cons to both types of training and making a decision will be based on a number of criteria. Cost of training being one of the most important – or is it? Remarkably in some cases, for example Microsoft Office Skills Training, private training can be more cost effective than attending a classroom session. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between private or external classroom based instruction.
Time Away From the Office.
Most desktop skills courses are scheduled to last one or two days. Private one on one training can teach the same curriculum in approximately half the time it takes to learn in a classroom. For classroom training the employee leaves the office, for private training the trainer can come to them. So instead of being gone for an entire day, the employee is able to get the same learning opportunity but will not need to leave the office and will still have a half day of productivity. This is ideal for small business. Additionally there is no need for travel time for the employee.
Curriculum Can be Focused on Business Needs.
Most classroom instruction follows a set curriculum. In the case of Microsoft Office skills training that often means learning skills you already possess. It also requires the use of common sample data and exercises that may or may not be relevant to the tasks required by an employee. Private training on the other hand, can be modified to fit the exact needs of the student. A quick review of the course outline before hand can identify the skills that are already known and allow for time to be spent only learning skills that are needed. Instead of generic sample files, instructors and students can work on scenarios and actual files that a relevant to the business’s needs.
It’s About the Student not the Curriculum.
In a classroom setting, students are responsible for asking for assistance when they need it. If a student is confused and too shy to ask for assistance in front of their peers, they might not get the maximum benefit from the learning situation. With private training the instructor is right there beside the student, witnessing the learning and is more able to ensure that the proper skills are being garnered.
Cost.
At first glance, private training may seem more expensive. And, if looked at on a cost per hour basis alone, classroom training will appear to be less expensive. An employer must be cautious not to fall into the trap of thinking more training hours means more training. Three hours of private training is often more effective than 6 hours classroom training. Based on this, the private training would need to be more than double the hourly cost of attending a classroom session before it becomes more costly. And that is before considering the productivity gains associated with the focus learning, company specific samples and having the employee only miss half a day of work.
Ultimately choosing to use private training versus classroom training will depend on the topic and the student. For some topics one on one private training makes the most sense, for others the interaction they receive by participating in group exercises is an invaluable part of the learning experience. Look at all the variable to choose accordingly. In either case improving the skills of your employees is a smart investment.
Private Training versus Public Classroom Training - To learn more about this author, visit Louis Trahan's Website.
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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John AlexanderJohn has taught keyword research and SEO skills to small groups of business owners and Webmasters from over 80 different countries world wide since 2002. John is also the Director of Search Engine Academy ; Co-director of Training at Search Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first comprehensive online search engine marketing courses at SEO Training Online and the SEO Workshop Resource Center. I look forward to hearing from you! - Visit John Alexander's Website |
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Staging DivaDebra Gould, aka The Staging Diva®, is President of Six Elements Inc., an internationally recognized home staging company. Inspired by many requests from aspiring home stagers wanting to start similar businesses, Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Gould has trained over 1000 Staging Diva Graduates worldwide to start staging businesses. Buying decorating and selling six of her own homes in four years lead to an interest in real estate staging which she turned into a career with the launch of sixelements.com in 2002. Since then she has staged hundreds of homes in addition to teaching home staging training. Gould is the author of several home staging resources including a series of popular ebooks made up of a Design Guide, Color Guide and Portfolio Guide. For more information about Debra Gould visit stagingdiva.com. - Visit Staging Diva's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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