Picture: The Company

“P”icture: Look at the big picture; the context; the overarching objectives; the who’s who in the company, trainer, learner triumvirate

When you look at your organization, what do you see? Do you see a culture where the leaders not only talk high principles but also live them? Do you see people who make noises about their teams needing certain skill sets and leadership philosophies not drinking from the same cup? In short, do you see an organization that walks the talk? Having and demonstrating a learning culture means that organizational leaders walk the talk, clearly value their people, and demonstrate this through investing in them, and consequently in the future success of the organization.

Knowing the history of the organization is important also. Where the organization has come from and understanding the challenges that it has faced and overcome will help you to develop an appreciation for the culture that exists today. Are the company’s mission, vision, and values congruent with where the organization has been, where it is, and where it wants to go? As a developer of training, being clear about the organization’s raison d’être will be a key component of any program. The company’s cultural milieu should be integral to every training initiative developed internally (and should be customized into any external or off-the-shelf initiatives brought inside).

If these key pieces (mission, vision, values) are not readily apparent, or even if they are, being clear about who’s who in the organization is also necessary. Reviewing the org-chart will help any developer to identify the structure and resources available, and if necessary, to develop a picture of any constraints that you may be working with.