I am going to take one tiny moment and NO pleasure in saying:
Yes, all caps and in red. I TOLD YOU SO. There are only a handful of you whose faces and names I can remember, but the rest of you, you know who you are...
And you there, you look familiar...ahhhh yes, now I remember you. You are that firm administrator that looked me in the eye at last years Central Florida ALA Partner Expo and said "Oh, we don't need training."
As a trainer (I'm more than "just a trainer" btw) I face these people every day. I'm always amazed at the number of people who turn - if not RUN away from training. In this case, I'm of course, I'm referring to computer and legal technology training but certainly the thought can be applied more broadly.
I'm contracted by a large firm with several offices in two states to provide their new-hire training as well as to offer regularly scheduled and varied monthly training sessions. At first, attendance in those sessions (which are webinars kept to 30, 45 or 60 mins) was sparse. Just a few of those types who actually chase after these opportunities would loyally attend. But little by little as the word got out from them to their peers and to their office administrators about how useful the sessions have been, I've seen a steady growth in attendance. Hmmm, am I that good or the economy that scary?
What can you do to promote training and attendance in your firm? Well, here are a few things to consider:
- Keep sessions short and relevant. Don't offer a 3-hour "Word for Lawyers" session, instead offer a 45 minute session like "Top Ten Things Every Attorney Should Know About Word".
- If your state requires CLE, look into applying and getting it for your technology sessions. Most states offer it and it's pretty easy to qualify.
- Be sure you have a likable and trusted trainer in front of your attorneys and staff. Not every Help Desk tech is right for a training job. See my old post about this topic.
- If a billable hour is to be lost, make it worthwhile. Be sure they walk away satisfied - no THRILLED that they attended and with some new skills that they can use the minute they get back.


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