Many companies will choose to buy seminars where the main concern is the speaker and audience entertainment-style evaluations, for example, 'This was the best seminar that I ever attended.'

While managers get a "feel good," there are other alternatives for those who believe that employee performance is a basis for competitive advantage. Seminars are not designed for behavior modification. They must be supported by follow-up training, coaching and mentoring dependent upon individual employee circumstance.

Training is designed to improve specific skills; education is designed to teach knowledge. Consequently, it's important to know when to train and when to educate, and timing is important.

When Should I Train and When Should I Educate?

Leadership carries a responsibility to release the greatness in others. The ability to recognize potential in others is important in determining the type of support an employee may need. 

Actually, training is the easy part because most training is job-specific. However, internships are often initiated by progressive companies for high-potential employees.  Such internships should include training, education and coaching and mentoring. 

In fact, training should be given to all employees to improve specific job performance. But, if you're going to build bench strength and create effective succession planning then the prerequisites for success are training, education and coaching and mentoring.

Training alone can be effective when:

• New skills are required due to job requirement changes.
• Performance levels are not acceptable.
• Task related issues are identified.
• New employees are hired.

Education can be effective when:

• Employees seek additional responsibility.
• Employees seek more challenge.
• Employees demonstrate potential for future development.
• Needs for bench strength and leadership voids are identified.

Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com.  Don't forget to check out the Lead Wolf Series that can help you put more profit into your business.

And check out Rick's new CD and workbook Real World Leadership Kit --- "Learning to Lead So Others Will Follow"

www.ceostrategist.com/resources-store/real-world-leadership.html