Data AQ1 X410 Units Cost Rev Profit ✓ Solved

Data AQ1 X410 Units [x] Cost [C] Rev [R] Profit [P]

Training can simply be defined as a process of teaching a human being or an animal a set of skills to improve their way of life. Business organizations have embarked on training for their different stakeholders to ensure that they remain relevant in the market. Stiff competition has forced many organizations out of the market making the few that are remaining spend a fortune on training. ABC is one organization that is willing to go all the way regarding training. This paper will focus on how ABC plans to train their customers and the different strategies that they plan to use.

There are several elements that the customers need to be trained on to ensure that they remain loyal to ABC products. The main reasons for the training are to cement the position of ABC in the minds of the customers. One of the elements that can be used is training on the differentiation of ABC beverages from the competitors’ products. A customer’s ability to know the products from ABC will strengthen and stabilize ABC’s market share (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2012). According to Andragogy, Knowles outlines clearly that as a person ages, their self-concept matures from one of being a dependent personality toward one of being a self-directed person.

This tool is a crucial aspect of adult customer training. The training will focus on coaching the customers to be self-directed towards buying ABC products. Once this level of maturity is achieved, then ABC will not need much effort to compete in the market. ABC has been in the market for a long time. Over the years, the company has managed to build trust with the customers through the production of quality and refreshing products.

The experience that the customers have had with the company has built a relationship that is mutually beneficial. However, this is another element that the training needs to focus on to gain an advantage over the competitors (Wlodkowski, 2013). It is human nature to feel good when appreciated by a person or organization. The training needs to remind the customers of how important they are to ABC and reward them for their continued support.

Knowles clearly states in his theory that the experience gained over the years by an individual becomes a great learning reservoir. ABC is lucky enough to have been a key player in the market for many years. The customers have had their experience with the organization, and they can use that to determine their future relationship with the company (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2012). The training will use this experience to maintain the faith of the customers in their products while upholding a good market.

Most of the organizations competing with ABC in the market remain new to the customers. This feature means that the customers are figuring out if their products are good enough (Salas & Bowers, 2003). The long working relationship that ABC has had with its customers has instilled in them the urge to learn more about ABC products. This tool can be used to ABC’s advantage and help plan a perfect training. It also is a weapon to build the market share and manage the threat from the competition.

Instructional Settings

Training and learning can take place in a wide variety of environments. This training will be used in both controlled and uncontrolled environments (Salas & Bowers, 2003). For the controlled environment, ABC will organize a training that will take place at a physical location and the customers will be invited to attend the training. The method of contact will be through advertisements that will begin several weeks before the actual training to inform as many customers as possible. An instructor will conduct the training on the material as the customers will listen and ask questions later.

The training will focus on the features that are meant to distinguish ABC products from the competitors. There will also be discussions on the health aspect, and the use of the customer’s long-lasting relationship with ABC. The online platform will also be used since ABC customers have matured to the level of self-directedness. Social media will be used to train customers and remind them that they are a core part of the business.

Online platforms are very crucial since ABC is a global organization making it almost impossible to reach all customers for training in a controlled environment (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2012). However, ABC plans to have as many controlled room trainings as possible all over the world.

Instructional Activities

Several instructional activities will be used in training to ensure that the customers achieve the target goal. Reciprocal teaching is one of the most relevant methods that should be used to train the customers. This method is very crucial since it instructs the customers on the major strengths of ABC’s products. The best thing about this method is that it equips the customers with the relevant skills to teach other customers wherever they go (Leberman, McDonald & Doyle, 2016).

Elaboration and sequence strategy can also be used. Meanwhile, this is a good strategy because it uses past-experience to help the customers relate to the present and the future. The long-term relationship between ABC and their customers provides a good pool of experience to use in training customers.

Fliers, booklets, and magazines are some of the materials that can be used in training. Social media and the internet are some of the technological strategies that can be used to reach those who are not available in person.

Technology Components

Technology is a very important part of this training. It will assist in reaching different cultures, people, and ages that might never attend any training. This plan will use the internet as a key training channel. With the rise in technology and smart phones, the internet is one of the ways to reach millions of people at affordable rates. It brings together people from all parts of the world which creates a good target market for ABC to achieve (Morgan, Ponticell & Gordon, 1998).

Social media, Google, and other famous search engines are some of the platforms that could be used. For the areas that are not tech savvy, there will be trainings in person at a specified location in the local languages to allow the clients to connect well with the products.

Implementation and Development Timeline

The training should be conducted over a period of twelve months. For starters, the training is to be global and is supposed to get the same message to every part of the world. It would be nice if the training started internally. Top management should be given the training materials then the same information is passed down to the lower employee (Salas & Bowers, 2003).

From there the training can be organized at different regions and be overseen by the regional managers. It would take time to reach different cultures, languages, ages, and genders. A lot of logistics are involved, and it could take time to get the facilitators for each targeted group. The theoretical model also needs a person who is well trained and aware of the needs and experiences of the audience.

This method will allow him or her to use their experiences to win the customer trust (Wlodkowski, 2013). This means that the company will take the necessary time to identify the right people to reach the target group hence the twelve-month timeline.

Evaluation Strategies

Before the training, questionnaires can be used to ask the customers what they like and dislike about ABC products. From the answers given, the training can be prepared in a way that will address most of the issues. During the training, enough time should be given for customers to interact with the facilitator and other ABC employees (Salas & Bowers, 2003). The main purpose of the interaction is to become acquainted with the customers, explore their understanding of the training and ensure they receive the correct message.

After the training, follow-ups can be made at local branches to get additional feedback.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is very clear that the training focuses on the customers. It is also important to ensure that all employees are well equipped and aware of the training. This uniformity will ensure that they address the same message to the customers all with the aim of expanding the market share.

References

• Leberman, S., McDonald, L., & Doyle, S. (2016). The Transfer of Learning. Abingdon, Oxon: Taylor and Francis.
• Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L. (2012). Learning in Adulthood. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
• Morgan, R., Ponticell, J., & Gordon, E. (1998). Enhancing learning in training and adult education. Westport, Conn.: Praeger.
• Salas, E., & Bowers, C. (2003). Training evaluation. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Wlodkowski, R. (2013). Enhancing adult motivation to learn. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.