D353 Strategic Training and Development Task 1:
Training Needs Assessment and Development Strategy
Western Governors University
1. To properly access the company’s training needs, I would start by meeting
with the executives to get calibrated on the company's exact goals and visions for
the position these new agents will be hired into. This would include getting a
detailed outline of the goals with timeframes and the ideal results. Next, I need to
understand how these agents were previously trained and functioned versus what
will be expected of them now. To do this, I would do a job observation to identify
how the sales agents are currently operating and record all my observations. Then, I
would begin interviewing the agents and their direct management to learn more
about their current structure, training, goals, daily duties, and benefits and collect
their thoughts on improving this role. Getting the information directly from the
source will be a good way to ensure the accuracy of the overall assessment. I may
even learn ways to improve our training and benefits packages to ensure longevity
and reduce turnover.
2. One strength is the longevity of the company. They have operated for 30
years and have much experience in this industry. They trained hundreds of
employees at that time and currently have successful employees. We can utilize
their expertise and work with their high-performing employees to strategize for the
training program.
b. A weakness of the company is that it is new to being a nationwide business.
Therefore, they do not have much experience operating outside their community or
training many employees in different areas. This means that we will need to take
time and resources to incorporate teaching these skills into our program. The ability
to have consistent countrywide training and sell to all types of consumers is
essential to a nationwide brand.
c. The opportunity for the company is getting to expand its customer base and
grow outside of the community where it started. The demographic differences will
impact training and learning how to change sales techniques to appeal to this new
market.
d. A threat to the company is that the competitor still has stores operating in
the same area.
Training Needs Assessment and Development Strategy
Western Governors University
1. To properly access the company’s training needs, I would start by meeting
with the executives to get calibrated on the company's exact goals and visions for
the position these new agents will be hired into. This would include getting a
detailed outline of the goals with timeframes and the ideal results. Next, I need to
understand how these agents were previously trained and functioned versus what
will be expected of them now. To do this, I would do a job observation to identify
how the sales agents are currently operating and record all my observations. Then, I
would begin interviewing the agents and their direct management to learn more
about their current structure, training, goals, daily duties, and benefits and collect
their thoughts on improving this role. Getting the information directly from the
source will be a good way to ensure the accuracy of the overall assessment. I may
even learn ways to improve our training and benefits packages to ensure longevity
and reduce turnover.
2. One strength is the longevity of the company. They have operated for 30
years and have much experience in this industry. They trained hundreds of
employees at that time and currently have successful employees. We can utilize
their expertise and work with their high-performing employees to strategize for the
training program.
b. A weakness of the company is that it is new to being a nationwide business.
Therefore, they do not have much experience operating outside their community or
training many employees in different areas. This means that we will need to take
time and resources to incorporate teaching these skills into our program. The ability
to have consistent countrywide training and sell to all types of consumers is
essential to a nationwide brand.
c. The opportunity for the company is getting to expand its customer base and
grow outside of the community where it started. The demographic differences will
impact training and learning how to change sales techniques to appeal to this new
market.
d. A threat to the company is that the competitor still has stores operating in
the same area.
