Over the past few months, the team has been taking advantage of
conferences happening around the state. At the center of all of these
conferences were knowledgeable experts speaking and providing training.
However, upon examining the materials our team brought back, we found the
training was not always up-to-date and usually did not cover new, relevant
practices or sources of information. Everything changes quickly on the
Internet, whether it is changes in privacy law, new best practices, or the
popularity of social media platforms. As investigators and researchers, it is
important we budget our time and ensure we are spending our funds wisely to
keep abreast of these changes.
Here are some quick easy tips on how to make the most of your training
experience.
Vet the Trainer
Beware of
self-proclaimed experts. Many individuals actually work in areas tangentially
related to the subject of the training. Learning the perspective of the trainer
can greatly inform you about what to expect to learn from a training session. In
order to ensure the trainer has working knowledge of the subject, research their
biographies appearing on websites, news sources, and social media profiles. You
can also use information present on conference websites and in related training
files (see below) to see if trainers cover material from an angle that matches
your needs. Additionally, these sources can give you an idea of when the trainer
worked in this field, whether or not they are using up-to-date information and
techniques, and if they routinely update materials or simply recycle the same information.
Get Free Materials Using Internet
Searches
Many trainers and conferences post documents and videos online which are
readily available for use. All you have to do is leverage Internet-based
searches to your advantage. Good places to start looking for information are on
websites of companies and individuals which provide training, conference
websites, and document and video sharing websites. However, sometimes the information
is not always easy to find. As training materials are most often posted in
.pdf, .ppt, and .pptx formats, using a filetype search on Google can
often make all of the difference. While free materials are not always the best
materials, finding this information before you purchase training sessions can
save you time and money by allowing you to explore your options and vet
trainers.
Plan and Engage
The true key to getting the most out of your training experience is
planning and preparation. Before you schedule your training regimen, you have
to set your goals and measurable outcomes. There are many questions you should
ask yourself before you register:
- What skills do you want to work during the training period?
- How will this training help you enhance these skills?
- Are there others in your office that could also benefit from this kind of training?
- What is your expense budget?
- Do you want in-person or webinar training?
- What questions might you have for the trainer on this subject?
Once you find the answers to these questions, you will have a better
idea of how you and others in your organization can benefit from training. To
enhance your experience at the training session, be attentive, take notes, form
questions as issues arise, and ask those questions to the trainer during the
session.
Conclusion
In business, you cannot afford to waste time or money. We can use the
same skills utilized during investigations to vet out the other areas of
business we encounter on a routine basis. All business intelligence is built
upon a solid foundation of relevant, up-to-date knowledge and clear objectives.
Who you select to teach you these skills can make all of the difference to your
long-term success.
