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Keys to Success
Train the Trainer: Effectively Reaching Today�s Adult Learners
by John Hogan,
July 23, 2010
While the US unemployment rate dipped to 9.5 percent in June 2010 (the lowest level since July 2009 compared to 9.7 percent in May 2010), the report showed 125,000 jobs were lost during the month, driven by the end of temporary census positions. The June figures estimated private sector job creation was 83,0001, marking the sixth-straight month of job growth among private firms, but government and financial market expectations.. In the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, job numbers began to rebound in the spring, but have since flattened. Financial markets around the world continue to jitter over concerns that the recession may return and only get worse. The oil leaks in the Gulf of Mexico and China are prompting major stock market fluctuations. Analysts are not consistent in their projections and many still say it could be late 2010 or early 2011 before businesses will once again be adding 200,000 jobs in a month in the US, a figure that is considered a positive growth. A upbeat sign that our hospitality industry does appear to be rebounding was the posting of 20+ senior training positions I noted on one of the industry leading employment sites on July 16. With listings globally in hospitality businesses of varying sizes, the emergence of recovery levels of business means that hotels and hospitality businesses must re-hire the training positions they either eliminated or left vacant. Organizational Development and Associate Training are increasingly complex areas in the global hospitality field, and this is becoming more dramatic with four generations now working together. Many industries in developed countries have permanently shut down job categories and will not likely replace them, which means additional people of all ages will be entering our industry for the first time. This article addresses the professionals who will be influencing those people entering our job markets and it offers some of what I call �hotel common sense� in effectively reaching the adult learners of today. When we were in school, from elementary to university levels, many of us tended to have similar characteristics with most of our classmates. We were likely to be comparable in age, socio-economic background, physical characteristics and other similarities that might have included religion, political persuasion and many attitudes and life experiences. We have learned in the past twenty years of the needs for continuous education. Today, �relearning� skills and developing new competencies regardless of age or past successes has become the norm and is expected. The �adult� student of 2011 can range dramatically in many of these former shared attributes. As an employer, manager or trainer, we need to stop and recognize the differences of today�s �student� attending a public workshop or a company sponsored training seminar. As someone who has conducted an estimated 3,200 classes and/or workshops in my career to date, I am offering some characteristics that I have found in many of the programs I have facilitated. Understanding the �adult� learner�s perspective in recent years means using caution, as today�s diverse work force is not the same as it was less than a generation ago. Some Principles of Adult Learning Definition: �Adult� can be defined from mature to experienced to fully developed or in their prime 1. Adult learners tend to pursue accuracy rather than speed.Unique Attributes and Characteristics of Workshops or Seminar Attendees 1. They have varied reasons for attending this session; not all want to be here.Helpful Hints � for experienced trainers and newcomers To set a positive environment for your individual presentation: 1. Watch the choice of language��Not just what you say, but how you say it.� Be careful of acronyms that are not universally understood, such as CRO, CRM, QA, etc. Many companies have their own brand descriptors and codes and these need to be communicated clearly.CLOSING THOUGHTS We have all listened to people who read an entire speech or presentation. While we may expect certain entertainers and newscasters to read a script, we usually do not appreciate most other speakers who do so. We should NOT read every word on power points, as that insults everyone Keep in mind that each of us can be an authority in our particular expertise and we should know more about our topic than the audience should. Using the FAQ sheet, reasonable handouts in workbooks and appropriate audio-visuals usually makes our presentations more concise, complete and comfortable for both listening and presenting. It is acceptable and actually preferable to work from an outline that highlights what is most important in your presentation. 1 http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/07/02/4601578-obama-stresses-private-sector-job-growth REMEMBER- EXCELLENCE COMES FROM PRACTICE! �If you don�t do your homework, you won�t make your free throws.�
All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management. John J Hogan, Ph D, CHE, CHA, MHS 602-799-5375 [email protected]
KEYS TO SUCCESS is the umbrella title for my 2010 programs, hospitality services and columns. This year�s writings focus on a wide variety of topics for hotel owners, managers and professionals including both my "HOW TO" articles and HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS. My segments Lessons from the Field, Hotel Common Sense and Principles for Success will be featured at appropriate times as well. Feel free to share an idea for a column at [email protected]
anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops, speaking
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Autographed copies of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD � a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES are available from THE ROOMS CHRONICLE www.roomschronicle.com, www.smartbizzonline.com and other industry sources. John Hogan is a successful hospitality executive, educator, author and consultant and is a frequent keynote speaker and seminar leader at many hospitality industry events. He is Co-Founder of www.HospitalityEducators.com , a consortium of successful corporate and academic mentors delivering focused and affordable counsel in solving specific challenges facing the hospitality industry. Services are designed to help individual hoteliers and hospitality businesses improve their market penetration, deliver service excellence and increase their profitability. Hogan Consulting Expertise and Research Interest
If you need assistance in any of these areas or simply an independent review or opinion on a hospitality challenge, contact me directly for a prompt response and very personalized attention. www.HoganHospitality.com
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Also See: | The Changing Landscape in Global Hospitality Education and Training / John Hogan / June 2010 |
An Open Letter to Hospitality Students in their Junior Year / John Hogan / April 2010 |