Companies that want to survive continue training because they know the benefits it can bring, but they are doing it differently. Instead of bringing in external consultants, they use in-house trainers and individuals with a flair for teaching and training to help staff develop. To support training, they make use of 'ready-made' programmes that are downloadable online. These programmes provide an easily accessible resource that can include full lesson plans and instructions, slides, and can often be tailored to a company's own branding.


Carolyn Sheppard, Director of the online training company The Complete Trainer says: "We've seen a huge surge in the purchase of downloadable training materials. The main growth area since the beginning of the credit crunch has been in-house training from employers. In-house training is also expanding from traditional trainers and HR managers, with companies running events such as team development days facilitated by heads of department and managers."

By providing everything the trainer needs, including detailed instructions on activities, games, academic models, and research etc., these tools enable companies to take on the role of the trainer themselves at a more manageable cost.

But there is also the risk of not getting the desired results if you don't understand what it is you are delivering. Though many organisations have in-house trainers, even more do not. Those who rely on line managers or the 'performers' in their organisation to train, not just entertain, must be sure that clear objectives are set.


Carolyn Sheppard says in this regard: "Certainly just buying an off-the-shelf product and expecting everything to be perfect is unrealistic. When running a training game or a team event, or even a workshop on appraisals, the trainer must make sure that required actions as a result of the training are clear."


Companies need to ensure that leadership is authentic and sensitive to both the needs of their employees and the economic climate. The Complete Trainer will therefore be launching a unique leadership suite shortly that will fill a gap in the market for leadership-training materials. Finding the right person in your organisation to deliver training or to run a team game is almost as essential as the training itself - and in leadership it's certainly an area where you need to make sure your delegates respect the authority and integrity of your trainer.


"Whether you use your HR exec, the MD, an in-house trainer, or an external facilitator, the success of your training programme will be hugely influenced by that person's ability to communicate." Your training stars may be hidden in your organisation; they may be well known, but however you choose to deliver training, using quality, researched, and robust materials is certainly an essential ingredient in the mix.