17 Mar How to get maximum benefit from external training

Investing in leadership development training is a smart move for any hospitality business. However, to ensure the best return on investment, you must take a structured approach before, during, and after the training occurs. Let’s explore best practices for briefing employees before they attend, debriefing them afterward, and maximising the practical application of their learning.

The Importance of Leadership Training

Effective managers directly influence staff morale, product and service quality, and operational efficiency. Leadership training equips key staff with the skills needed to handle challenges, foster a positive team environment, and drive business success. However, simply enrolling employees in training does not guarantee improvement—businesses must actively support their learning journey.

Pre-Training Briefing: Setting the Stage for Success

A well-structured briefing ensures that employees attending Evolve3’s leadership training have clear expectations and objectives. Here are best practices for a successful pre-training briefing:

Clarify Learning Goals

• • Define specific learning objectives relevant to the business’s needs. For example, if a business struggles with high turnover, a key objective might be improving recruitment interview techniques.
  • Align individual learning objectives with the company’s broader goals, ensuring that the training has a strategic purpose.

Discuss Expected Outcomes

• • Explain how the training will contribute to the participant’s professional development and the company’s success.
  • Set expectations that employees will implement key learnings with their team upon returning.

Encourage a Growth Mindset

• • Emphasise the importance of active participation and applying new skills in real-world scenarios.
  • Reassure employees that mistakes and challenges are part of the learning process.

Provide Context on Evolve3’s Training Approach

• • If the employee is unfamiliar with Evolve3, provide an overview of the training structure and key topics covered.
  • Highlight how past participants have benefited from similar training programs.

Learning Objectives: Key Practical Leadership Skills

For maximum return on investment, participants should focus on developing skills that will have a tangible impact on their roles. Evolve3’s leadership training covers various areas, but businesses should prioritise:

Conducting Effective Recruitment Interviews

• • Learning structured interview techniques to assess candidates’ competencies.
  • Developing behavioural interview skills to predict job performance.
  • Understanding legal and ethical considerations in the hiring process.

Facilitating Staff Onboarding and Skills Training

• • Implementing structured training plans for new and existing staff
  • Utilizing training lesson plans
  • Delivering skills training that follows best practice methodology

Facilitating Staff Coaching Sessions and Monthly Check-ins

1. • Implementing active listening and effective questioning techniques.
   • Providing constructive feedback to encourage staff growth.
   • Managing difficult conversations with professionalism and empathy.

Post-Training Debriefing: Reinforcing Learning and Ensuring Application

A structured debriefing process is critical to ensure that newly acquired skills translate into improved productivity. Best practices include:

Immediate Reflection

• • Schedule a debriefing session within a week of training completion.
  • Ask employees to summarize key lessons learned and insights gained.

Action Planning

• • Encourage employees to outline how they plan to implement their learning.
  • Develop a 30-60-90 day action plan detailing specific strategies for applying skills.

Team Knowledge Sharing

• • Have employees conduct a short presentation or workshop for colleagues.
  • Encourage peer discussions to reinforce learning across the team.

Ongoing Coaching and Support

• • Assign a mentor or manager to check in on progress.
  • Provide opportunities for employees to practice skills, such as leading recruitment interviews or coaching team members.

The takeaway

Sending key staff to external leadership training, such as Evolve3, can deliver significant benefits to hospitality businesses. However, it requires a structured approach, including pre-training briefings, focused learning objectives, effective debriefing, and ongoing application of new skills. By investing in leadership development, businesses can cultivate a high-performing workforce, reduce staff turnover, and improve overall operational success.

Learn more about Evolve3 training workshops and masterclasses here.