Training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching practical skills and knowledge that relates to specific useful skills.

The methodologies for training have been carefully developed to make training an experiential two-way process and more effective, lively and enjoyable. There are different training methodologies that are used:

In order to facilitate knowledge transfer, it is important to acknowledge the specific needs of adult learners. With respect to adult learning, the following principles holds true: Adults must have a reason to learn and a meaningful program.

Dr. William Glasser has established that when a person hears an idea once, he/she forgets 68% of it in 48 hours and more than 90% of it in 30 days. He outlined the percentages of information that we retain from the various inputs.
Lindsay Smith

The top 15 Training & Development companies have delivered training to almost 50 million learners last year. The next 30 T&D companies have churned as many learners globally. Not only have the number of learners increased but also the areas of training. For instance, one of the world’s largest service providers has shifted focus from traditional concepts and stand alone technical expertise to integrated learning solutions that deliver results in support of specific strategic business initiatives.

India has been a technical resource pool for more than two decades now. Most of this talent has only benefited then developed countries like Japan and USA, which have sustained on the influx of the Indian brain drain.

Now, with domestic companies taking on global incumbents in their strongholds like Iron & Steel, Consultancy Services, Textiles, Banking and Manufacturing, the technical talent has found scope within the country. However, there is a gap between the technical know-how and the communication skills required to apply this knowledge.

Companies with support functions and service providers in India are now focusing on Training & Development to bridge this gap. A global provider of customer care, billing and HR services now helps clients speaking more than 35 languages gain more value from their everyday relationships with clients and employees. Competition, globally and locally, has led to diversification and integration. Excellence and innovation are no longer pinnacles one aims for; they are the cornerstones of the T&D industry.
Rajesh Sampath

Contrary to popular belief, business outsourcing is now no longer a ‘trend’ but a full fledged business strategy. The current BPO executives are now beginning to recognize the advantages of outsourcing peripheral functions that are good revenue generators.

Training outsourcing provides both parties (BPOs and Vendors) many financial benefits. It helps management focus on core business without getting distracted from the peripheral functions. It increases sales to customers outside the current distribution channels, and it provides greater scalability of overhead costs.
 
It is imperative that the Training- Outsourcing relationship is securely structured and the fundamental strategies are strongly in place. Failing which there have been many documented letdowns.
Let us look at a few successful strategies to get started.

Talk to the Experts: Outsourcing is risky business for which you need to get to know the business facilitators who are regarded as experts in training outsourcing.

Understand Your Business Drivers: Now that you know about the industry, make sure you understand your organization. Put into perspective the place where you are and where you want to be in a few years or months from now and get down to strategizing accordingly.

Appoint a Champion: The process of outsourcing requires strong leadership and attention to detail. The most successful engagements have an appointed, central leader with decision-making authority.

Create a Plan: All successful projects have clear vision and defined objectives and responsibilities. A well-conceived plan helps keep things moving on track.

Build Your Team: Cross-functional expertise reduces the risks and increases the probability of success. A project team made up of seasoned professionals who understand your business is essential for growth.

Commit to a Partnership: In an outsourcing partnership, you share access to valuable proprietary information. Both parties are mutually responsible for success.

Value Your People: Outsourcing is a services business. High quality, low-cost processes are best performed by motivated employees who buy into the plan and deliver accordingly.

Measure Results: Knowing the return on your investment is fundamental. Create a partnership that clearly defines the business requirements, articulates service level metrics, rewards parties for successes above standards, and holds parties accountable for failure to meet targets.

Expect the Unexpected: When creating the contractual terms of a relationship, make certain that contingencies are in place to deal with occurrences that seem unlikely or impossible. When creating the contractual terms of a relationship, make certain that contingencies are in place to deal with occurrences that seem unlikely or impossible. Do your best to plan for scenarios that involve 100% of the probabilities.

These are just few of the strategies that are employed by BPOs to enhance their focus on core areas.
Eva D’silva

The Inscrutable Americans' by Anurag Mathur is a fresh look at the traditional Indian mind transported to the American honey pot. The protagonist is Gopal, a brilliant country bumpkin who could not have been more out of his element, a true Zebra among Horses. He charms the reader with his hilarious naivety as well as his startling positiveness. The transition of this sheltered lad from Jajau (the Paris of Madhya Pradesh) to a worldly wise man in America is reflected succinctly in his letters to his family.

Naturally, the American experience is not without its potholes. Most of the experiences are pleasantly humorous whether it be Gopal's bargaining at the mall, the strange tribal experience of American football, negotiating the social labyrinth of parties and not the least - his encounters with that unfathomable species - the American woman.   Of course, the dark side of the American dream is also bought into stark focus with Gopal's introduction to the true meaning of being coloured at knifepoint, as well as his peek at the not so beautiful lives of the have- The coup de grace is when we have-nots. Not to mention, an overbearing philosophy of 'we know what's` best for the world'. The quixotic Gopal and his friend Randy still make the experience a truly special one. Contempt or postcolonial blues, our hero fittingly end the tale by ending his quest Miles High above in the sky. To know - I suggest   you pick up this delightful read .
Noel George