Effective Training : Systems, Strategies and Practices

This practical, reader-friendly book discusses training and how it relates to business objectives and strategies. Using a model of the training process to assist readers in understanding the training process, it emphasizes the value of developing training programs, with examples provided for both large and small organizations, relating training to the overall strategy of a firm. This book provides comprehensive coverage of such topics as the role of training in organizations; training in large and small businesses; strategic planning; human resources departments and their role in supporting strategy; theories of learning and their application; needs analysis; training design; training methods; training development and implementation; and training evaluation. For Human Resources Department managers and staff, trainers, project managers, business strategists, and team trainers and team developers.

Nick Blanchard completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at UCLA and his doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology at Wayne State University. He has served as head of the Management Department, Associate Dean, and is currently interim Dean and Professor of Management at Eastern Michigan University's College of Business. Among his accomplishments is the development, management, and continuous improvement of the on-site MBA program with corporate partner, Masco Corp. Nick's writings appear in both scholarly and applied publications. His earlier training text, Toward a More Organizationally Effective Training Strategy and Practice, was also published by Prentice Hall in 1986. He served as consultant and trainer to many organizations including Bethlehem Steel, Chrysler Corporation, Domtar Gypsum, Ford Motor Company, and various local and state government agencies.

Jim Thacker received an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and his doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Wayne State University. He is currently a professor at the University of Windsor's Odette School of Business. His research has been published in both academic (Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, Academy of Management Journal) and practitioner (Journal of Managerial Psychology The Human Resource Consultation: An International Journal) journals. He also coauthored the first Canadian edition of the text Managing Human Resources with Wayne Cascio, published in 1994. He has been a consultant and trainer in the private sector (Michigan Bell, Ford, Hiram Walker's, Navistar, H.J. Heinz) and public sector (Revenue Canada, CanAm Friendship Center). Prior to obtaining his doctorate, Jim worked for a gas utility as a tradesman and served as vice president of his local union (Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers) for a number of years. This firsthand experience as a tradesman and union official combined with his consulting and academic credentials provides Jim with a unique combination of perspectives and skills.