IRI’s training capabilities, whether focused on classic training, instruction or education, begin in partnership with our clients to identify business needs and determine if the needs are best met through a training solution. If they are appropriate for training, we create specific learning objectives to address the business needs.

Our training solutions have four main components:

1. Experienced instructional design to lay out a roadmap for training tailored to an organization’s needs
2. Training developers to create programs in the format, method and media that best fit the organization’s culture
3. Facilitators to work with the client to deliver the training and/or train client facilitators in a way that maintains the integrity of the design
4. Program evaluation to determine the extent to which the training meets the business needs and learning objectives

This approach is based on the body of experience and research that has led to new thinking about the learning process. Effective training focuses on employee behaviors that need to be discouraged, encouraged, or changed to better contribute to business objectives. It incorporates the principles of adult learning in everything it delivers and is learner-centered, performance-based and offered in the context of practical application.

Successful training begins with a rationale (why the training matters), describes learning objectives (what the learner will know or be able to do as a result of the training), details specific activities (what will the learner hear, see or do to understand the material) and describes specific evaluation strategies to measure whether learners correctly understand the material and provide them with confirmation or correction.

Overview

IRI delivers options in eLearning, virtual classroom learning, on-the-job self-directed learning or instructor-led learning environments. We use one of three approaches to support client training and development needs.

1. Custom design and development – client owns the output

IRI follows the ADDIE model of instructional design (Assess, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) to create learning solutions that are uniquely oriented to meet specific client needs. Working in partnership with the client, IRI will:

Assess – Identify the needs in the organization that will best be addressed by a training solution. Describe the target population and the learning objectives that apply in the given environment. (What are learners expected to know, do, think and feel; and why does it matter? Should the solution be instructor-controlled or learner-controlled?) If the identified need requires organizational adjustments, IRI will work with the client to address them.

Design – Based on learning objectives, create a design document that describes specifically what the participants will experience in order to learn the required information and demonstrate the identified skills. The design will reflect the nuances inherent in instructor-led versus learned-controlled experiences.

Develop – Draft learner materials and implement a pilot. Feedback from the pilot leads to revisions to the materials and the creation of final materials. Materials will vary based on whether the solution is a classroom experience requiring instructor’s materials or learner-controlled experience requiring either eLearning development or the development of on-the-job learning experiences.

Implement – Make available to the learning population the solution as designed and developed.  Evaluate – Test the effectiveness of the learning solution based on the extent to which the need identified in the assessment is fully addressed and create measurement tools based on Kilpatrick’s four levels:

• Level 1 – Did they like it?
• Level 2 – How much did they learn?
• Level 3 – Are they using what they learned on the job?
• Level 4 – What are the real results?

2. Tailored courseware using “learning objects” from IRI market-proven training materials – client purchases a license and can use the output in any way

IRI offers more than 140 Training Programs, the components of which can be used to teach a specific skill, behavior, or concept. Components can be tailored to meet client needs, with programs ranging from 10 minutes to four hours, depending on the desired outcome and the complexity of the objective. Learning objects typically consist of the following sections:

• Purpose and desired outcomes
• Graphic (Model) and Narrative Description
• Optional/Potential Applications that outline how the objects can be used in various situations
• Interactive Activity for group instruction or Think/Do Activity for individualized instruction, or both
• Worksheet or application guide (if appropriate)

IRI’s learning object materials have been used in a wide range of industries and professional groups, including:

• Instructional Designers and Developers who want to speed up their output with market-tested content focused on observable and measurable behaviors
• Academics who want to enrich their courses with practical material about human performance that reflects the world of business
• Internal and External Consultants who want to quickly respond to client needs with content that is aligned with other organizational initiatives
• Coaches who are looking for content that will supplement their client relationships with rational cognitive content
• Counselors and Therapists who want to expand their practice with market-tested content, examples, and metaphors that reflect the real world of work and relationships
• Directors, Managers and Supervisors who have responsibility for training their employees and need to do it in ways that are specific to their organization

3. Off-the-shelf courseware – client can use IRI facilitators or certify their own; client purchases IRI course materials or licenses them for internal reproduction

For more than two decades, IRI has been designing, developing and delivering classroom training for clients who want effective learning experiences. Our courses can be easily adapted for the culture and learning needs of specific target audiences.

Training Programs include:

• Business Writing
• Change Management
• Coaching Skills
• Communication Skills
• Conflict Management
• Consulting Skills
• Customer Relations
• Diversity And Sensitivity Training
• Employee Relations
• Ethics
• Finance For The Non-Financial Manager
• Global Business – Cultural Differences
• Influence/Negotiation
• Interview Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Meetings Effectiveness
• Performance Management
• Problem Solving / Decision Making
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Sales Training
• Team Development
• Time Management
  
  

Logistics and Options

Training can be custom-designed and developed based on the unique needs of the client, can be tailored from existing courseware, or can be used as-is.

Training is offered through eLearning, virtual classroom learning, on-the-job self-directed learning, or instructor-led classroom programs.

Classroom training can be delivered by experienced IRI facilitators and instructors or client facilitators and instructors can be certified.

Classroom materials can be purchased or can be licensed for reproduction by the client.

Classroom training can be delivered at the client site or IRI can arrange off-site logistics.

For more information about IRI’s Training Programs, contact IRI Consultants at info@iriconsultants.com or by calling (313) 965-0350.

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