The Well-Read Trainer

As a learning community, there are plenty of ways trainers can help each other. So, today, I'm wondering: What book has been most helpful to you as a trainer? What book or books would you recommend to a colleague, and more importantly, why? It doesn't have to be new or old—just something that shaped how you view your work and do your job.

By the way, if you're looking to find out more about new management releases, check out ManageSmarter.com's bookstore, which gets updated all the time.

Comments

[David Strum]

I manage a large sales team in the insurance and benefits industry. Finding qualified prospects is always an issue, so, I'm always on the lookout for top notch help in the area of lead generation. I've found a newly released book, Creating a Million Dollar a Year Sales Income: Sales Success through Client Referrals, written by Paul McCord and published by Wiley Publishing that has really been an eye-opener for me and many on my team about how to establish a relationship with clients and prospects that will generate a large number of high quality referrals. I think I've read everything that has been written about prospecting, but this really is different. Very detailed and specific about how to create and manage the referral process with a client. I'm recommending it not only to my team, but the other managers and salespeople in the company.

[Karl Kapp]

One of the most helpful books in terms of applying instructional strategies is "Development Technical Training: A Structured Approach for Developing Classroom and Computer-based Instructional Materials" written by Ruth Colvin Clark. It shows how to apply proven instructional strategies to both print and computer-based instruction. I have found it to be very helpful.

[Mr. Tracy Rascoe]

As a person with sales experience combined with years of training & adult learning principles, methodology, and experience from the US Navy, US Army and civilian sector. I've utilized ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement & Evaluate) principles, Rapid Development, and ISD. In addition; as a Jr. Trainer, Senior Trainer and Training Manager, I believe it is very important we keep KISS in our frontal lobes at all times; however, we should first consider consider the following:
A. What is the trainers role? This may differ from organization to organization.
B. What is the Trainers level of experience? *New/Jr, **Senior, ***Training Manager
C. There is so much information and just as many opinions of training approaches...it can be overwhelming at times.

Bottom line, I've found these books helpful to me and have included asterics for recommended levels:
1. **?/***"The ASTD Training & Development Handook" - is the training bible and is available from American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).
2. */**/***"The Trainers Support Handbook" - a timesaving, simple and practical guide (A-Z)- for stepping into a Manager role or someone starting a training department in an oranization - Jean Barbazette.
3. */**/***"Training Program Workbook & Kit" - provides good information based on sound training principles and includes worksheets, checklist and guidelines - Carolyn Nilson.
4. **/***"Flawless Consulting" - a guide to getting your expertise used. This book has helped me understand, expect and handle various corporate & PEOPLE issues in business when selling my training ideas. Love this book - Peter Block. Since all trainers are consultants and selling thier ideas...this book & item #5 also make great reading for salespersons.
5. */**/***"Getting to YES" & "Who Move My Cheese" - are both mandatory reading for any of my trainers. These help a trainer with the PEOPLE & CHANGE issues.

I maintain these to refer and refresh myself when needed. Karl, I like your recommendation - will look into it! Thanks