Discusses the six cycles of training: (1) identification of training as a solution, (2) allocation of resources, (3) building expertise, (4) demonstration of success, (5) withdrawal of support, and (6) groping for survival. (JOW)

Twelve training experts discuss their views on the efficacy of sales training in relation to organizational budget and sales success. (WL)

The reason for the failure of a training program was the lack of a clear definition of the trainee's needs. The following goals were formulated for a new training program: regroup, identify needs, set objectives, general alternatives, evaluate alternatives, design and develop the program, and test the program. (EC)

Describes learning objects, also known as granules, chunks, or information nuggets, and likens them to help screens. Discusses concerns about how they can go wrong: (1) faulty pretest questions; (2) missing links in the learning object chain; (3) poor frames of reference; and (4) lack of customization. (JOW)

The training departments that need consultant help the most often are the least likely to hire it, because they do not realize the time and money outside consultants can save. Training directors are advised on how to increase training value by effective management of the relationship with outside consultants. (Author/AJ)

TRAINS (Training, Resource, Assessment, Intervention, and Network System), which can assist trainers in developing programs with transfer elements in them, is described. It enables trainees to do what they were trained to do, when they are supposed to do it, and where they are supposed to do it through generalized training. (CT)

The author discusses the need to select, assign, train, and develop people on the basis of the life stages in which they find themselves, holding that management development should take into account the psychology of leadership. (LAS)

Provides advice on determining how much centralization is desirable and how to achieve it. Presents advantages of centralization. Suggests beginning centralization with a top executive mandate. Discusses the first meeting to define common objectives. (CSS)

The Nominal Group Technique uses a group of people who nominate problems and issues that deserve attention and combines the ideas from several individuals with an effective method for consolidating and prioritizing them. (JOW)

Presents guidelines for starting a training department including reasons why corporations decide to establish one. Includes examples from many companies. (JOW)

Presents simple methods for calculating the costs and benefits of training, consulting, and other human resource development interventions in a variety of settings. (JOW)

Revisits an April 2000 article questioning the relevance and efficacy of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and comes back to the question of whether ISD is flawed or is the manner in which people are putting ISD into practice the problem. (JOW)

Discusses how to select the best training program for your needs. Includes information on deciding whether to develop your own program or buy one; identifying the kind of program you need; examining what is available; networking; choosing a supplier; and evaluating programs. (JOW)

The types of packaging and packaging materials to use for training materials should be determined during the planning of the training programs, according to the packaging market. Five steps to follow in shopping for packaging are presented, along with a list of packaging manufacturers. (MF)

Mission statements, operating principles, and general philosophy statements for a human resources development department were drafted and readers asked to tell which of these philosophies, mission statements, and operating principles come closest to describing the way their training and development departments work. Results are presented and…