In virtually all areas of human endeavor, it’s simply easier to go with the crowd.
Why do pharma companies target thought leaders? Simple – most of us are followers. Since we don’t all have the time, expertise, or clout to forge new paths, the safest route is typically to do what everyone else is doing.
And that’s one way that bad training gets started.
- Home Study is (2 / 3 / 4) weeks long.
- Initial Sales Training classes begin with 3 days of lectures.
- We test every week, with a passing score of 85.
- We use (Company X) to do this set of workshops.
- Etc., etc., etc.
The one question you should ask is, “Why”? And the second question you should ask, on a periodic basis, is “Is this training method the best way to meet our goals”?
Continuous improvement means continuous re-analysis. It means getting fresh ideas. It means swimming against the current of inertia. It means having the boldness to say that, no matter what everyone is else doing, and no matter what we have done in the past, maybe there is a better way.
Apple Computer has built their business on the motto, “Think Different“. They don’t settle for the status quo, but seek to break through pre-conceptions and lead the market.
Is is safe to follow the crowd? Sure, to some extent. But should we aspire to just be one more part of the “everybody” group, when training can be made better and better?
The first step toward fulfilling a “No Bad Training” resolution is: question stuff. It something doesn’t really seem to be effective, ask why. Seek out alternatives. Maybe it’s been dragging on like this because nobody, in 4 years, simply asked: Why?
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