The Learning MatchMaker

Giving Feedback on Trainers Performance is Absolutely Important for their Growth.

“Feedback is the breakfast of Champions” – by Ken Blanchard

My first task as a MatchMaking Consultant is to provide feedback to customers on why the trainer is good for the InHouse or Public Training.  

It is written that about 1,700 years ago, the Chinese philosopher Sin Yu remarked:  “The Imperial Rate of Nine Grades seldom rates men according to their merits, but always according to his likes and dislikes”  Fast forward to the future…little has changed in nearly 2,000 years – people still complain about bias, inappropriate content, unprofessional conduct by trainer, and so and so forth.

The truth is, very often when a trainer trains participants, on his or her evaluation sheets will always be written either average to excellent remarks, however when you confront the participants personally and ask them about the training, the participants will have a whole bag of complains until you as the Training Manager will not understand how to make it better. The only way is not to use the trainer again.   At the heart of this dilemma is this simple yet brutal truth.  Nobody tells you what you want to hear.  If feedback is not given to improve ones growth, the likelihood of this trainer repeting his or her mistakes who very likely stronger to another company.

Therefore here are some “should do’s” on how to avoid getting complains from participants after the training is completed.

• Before confirming the trainer of your choice, constant communication with clients who have been in contact with the trainer that you are going to select. Ensure that you not only receive testimonials on paper but also make a phone call to these clients and seek their feedback on the performance of the trainer.

• When seeking feedback about this trainer, be positive, be descriptive rather than evaluative, specific rather than general.

• You must be well prepared for the feedback.  You need to collect a factual historical record, particularly when dealing with difficult feedback.

If you have done this 3 areas, give me a call and let me know how it went when you have successfully selected your trainer for the In-House or Public Training you are seeking.