I learned the difference between “training” and “teaching” years ago. Teaching is about getting knowledge, and training focuses on developing practical skills.  At that time, I was working as a training manager for the World Bank. I created and delivered multiple workshops in the areas of a company’s restructuring, business planning, financial, business, and marketing strategies. I trained businesspeople and other trainers. Later, I applied this experience to develop a training academy for an international ERP company. This experience led me to formulate several “golden” rules for practical training.

Rule 1: Training must lead to the development of skills that trainees can apply in their practice.

Knowledge is useless if trainees can’t apply and elaborate on it in their daily jobs. To enable it, a practical training session should include little theory and many practical exercises. The more participants work, the better results they gain.

Rule 2: Trainees must use a business case during the training session.

It is preferable if participants explore their real business cases. Otherwise, participants can use a realistic business case to develop skills.

Rule 3: Training materials must include models, methods, and templates that participants can use later in their practices.

Reusable templates are a key deliverable of an effective workshop: participants must be able to apply new knowledge and skills in practice.

Data management is a multidisciplinary and evolving business area. So, the Data Crossroads Academy will develop itself and assist its participants in their professional growth.