_  Proverbs 6:10-11
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest--
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
NIV

  “Proverbs 6:10-11”
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest--
and summer camp will come on you like a bandit
and stress like an armed man.
CAMPV


Here are some timely tips to help you innovate and orchestrate a successful staff training experience today. 


Staff  Training  Tips

 

Planning

• Assemble a team – God said it was not good for man to be alone. So don’t try to plan a great training experience in isolation.  A team approach will get better buy in from the rest of the staff as well as you will benefit from their added perspective. 
• Accommodate different learning styles- Assuming that you hired the right staff everyone will be able to get it.  That being said not everyone will get it in the same way.  Some staff will need to read it, others will need to hear it and still others will need to see it.  So make sure you are using a good combination of staff manual, discussion and hands on trainings.
• Identify your customers- Most staff trainings deal with two sets of staff; new and returning staff.  New and returning staff have different needs and expectations from your organization.  Gather your planning team and brainstorm the needs, feelings and expectations for each staff.
• Set goals- After you have brainstormed the list of needs, feelings and expectations for the staff develop 2-4 goals that will guide everyone involved with the planning of a training element provide a better goal oriented training experience.
• Develop a need to know experience- It makes no sense to cover staff discipline or staff roles when staff don’t even know who they are reporting to and if you try you will only frustrate your staff.  So develop a list of every subject that you plan to train staff on.  From there look at what subjects would be best at the beginning of the experience, then the middle and the end. Remember to take into account the needs of your staff when developing a staff training experience.

 

Implementation

• Integrate your trainings- Build one training on to the other.  The difference between a good staff and a great staff is how well they are able to use integrate the knowledge of what they learned with each new situation they encounter.  When your trainings build on other sessions, and the trainers make reference to other trainings, your staff will be able to see how everything relates to their role.  Ultimately this will help your staff have better judgment because they will have been taught the big picture as well as the details.
• Involve the staff- Staff that are involved are more likely to be learning rather than ones that are bored.  So use role plays, discussions, and hands on experiences as much as possible. 
• Make sure each sheep has a shepherd- staff have needs and if those needs aren’t addressed they will impede the staff member from fully engaging in the training experience.  Assign each staff person a shepherd who will connect with them on a daily basis to make sure that; their needs are being met, their questions are answered, and their concerns are addressed.  In short that they are fitting in with your team.
• Allow staff time to reflect- Adults learn best through reflection so facilitate a number of experiences in your training for staff to reflect.  Notice I used the word facilitate rather than allow.  Solo experiences and small groups are two of the most effective tools to facilitate reflection but both need to be given structure or they will fail.  Give the staff clear instructions and tools to use to get the most out of their reflection times. These won’t just happen it is up to you to set staff up for success.

 

Some things are better caught than taught

• Staff training starts at the first interview- From the very beginning use every opportunity to inspire your staff. Paint a picture of what you want from them and what you want for them this will motivate them to be the staff you need them to be.  Describe how they will be invested in and help them see how to be a good return on that investment. 
• Staff training never ends- Ok this may sound self defeating but it is a reality.  Staff need on going coaching, correction, investing and training.  Look for opportunities to everyday to help your staff grow.
• You can’t be the expert on everything- Most people in charge of staff training are also in charge of everything else.  If this is true for you get help.  Sometimes a new voice that says the same thing as you lends validity to your leadership.  Plus a professional trainer has the luxury of spending more time creating trainings than you will ever have in the thick of things.