This is an article that one of our writers recently put together for us, would love to get some feedback from the HR community. How much research is put into getting managers on the right management training course?

As the corporate world emerges from a tricky period in terms of business growth, recruitment and profit, many companies across the globe are finding value in a management training course investment that has the sole aim of bolstering management level employees, preparing them for a steadier and more productive future.

There is a wealth of choice when it comes to finding a management training course to suit a particular company, and the trick it would seem, is finding the right course for the right management team. Typically, a training course would consist of a group of employees at management level, either from the same business or from a range of business.

Karen Murphy, expert trainer from Muika Leadership, explains that research and a bit of internet-based work will soon help a company to invest in the right training company.

She says: “Any leadership or business training company will have a website with information on their credibility and experience, and it is important to read this before making a selection. Videos can also help, so search for trainers on YouTube or watch testimonials on their website to make sure they are the type of trainers that your management team will respond to.”

However, it would appear that is actually a strategy that businesses can adopt to ensure their investment into a management training course offers the return needed in what is still a somewhat gloomy global economy. Get this right, and the returns can help catapult business back to their pre-recession best, and beyond.

Ask yourself these three key questions before making a decision:

1.       What am we trying to achieve as a business? Are you trying to develop your leaders of tomorrow, or simply try to keep hold of the managers you have today? Either way, talk to some different management training companies, you should be able to have direct conversations with them and work out whether they will be able to help you meet your set objectives – whatever they may be for management.

2.       Who would my management team respond to? Crucially, the delivery of a one or two-day training course has to be done in a way that your manager or management team will respond to. Watching videos of trainers will help, and so will talking to your management team. What sort of training would inspire them to work, think and act differently?

3.       What kind of returns are we looking for as a business? Any training company offering management training courses should be able to quantify their service, whether that is through case studies (ie, “we went along to this training course and won 20% more business a month later…”) or via money back guarantees. It is crucial that you know what kind of a return you will be getting on your investment for management.