Train for Results: Maximize the Impact of training Through Review

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Summary: Train for Results Maximise the impact of training Through Re
Review: I have been a training professional for over 15 years and have trained across many different industries. The biggest challange trainers face is sustainable results after candidates leave the training room. This book gives a new and insightful dimension on how to produce continous results through review. For any one sick of the same old same old ideas, this book is a must have in any trainers or managers toolkit.

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Summary: Excellent resource after attending training
Review: I recently attended an advanced trainer development workshop put on by the author, Catherine Mattiske and this book has been a great way for me to take more of her ideas back to my training job. In the workshop, I was able to experience Catherine's high energy level with continual review activities first hand. Her approach is seamless - - and you really don't realize how much she has you review throughout the day because it's woven into the program and all done in a fun way. However, in looking back, I know our group was able to get through more content because of her approach to reviews - - and it ensured everyone was on board the whole time.

She has some great course models in the book that I'm finding useful as I re-work many of my programs to include more reviews. I was guilty of saying 'yes, I do reviews in my class' when I really only did them at the end of the day. Catherine's approach makes for much more robust training design to ensure participants know! A simple, straightforward approach to higher retention in the training room.

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Summary: Engaging, Easy to Use, Effective
Review: I've also attended several in-person workshops with the author, and her book is as approachable and effective as she is. As the head of training for my company, I can attest to the fact that most often, only student reaction is measured after training, i.e., "Did you like the training?" That's not the point. Training isn't entertainment (though it's nice when you enjoy it!) The point of training is to ensure your students learn something, especially when the company has invested a good deal of money in the cost of the training, the cost of having students away from their regular jobs, and often the cost of flying them out and housing them during a longer course. Review activities are absolutely essential to "bed down" what's been taught, and Mattiske gives literally dozens of ways to do this WITHOUT resorting to multiple choice or other written exams. The review activities she teaches in this book are fun but more importantly, they actually are effective and require only a little preparation on the part of the trainer.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource after attending training
Review: With more and more pressure on training departments to perform, we are always looking for ways to make our training more effective - and looking for ways to measure its effectiveness. I found this book helped me really focus on the true measure -- did my participants learn the material they came to learn and are they ready to apply it. The author gives tips on using interactive reviews throughout a training course so the participants are continually showing their understanding of the content - and building up their confidence in using it.

While there are a lot of 'trainer games' books out there, I found the approach taken in this book really helped to use activities and 'games' in the overall design of a course and to support training objectives rather than just use games for games sake. The book offers a good balance between theory and tips. The chapter on A-Z of Training Reviews is sure to give any new or seasoned trainer some valuable ideas to put to use.

I found the approach is practical and easy to put to use right away. I've just purchased copies for all of the trainers on my team.