What Smart Trainers Know: The Secrets of Success from the World's Foremost Experts [Paperback]

Lorraine L. Ukens (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2001

Learn from the best of the best!

Written by highly regarded experts in the field--including Zane L. Berge, Jay A. Conger, Robert Hargrove, James M. Kouzes, Julie O'Mara, Barry Z. Posner, Fran Rees, William J. Rothwell, and Edgar H. Schein--What Smart Trainers Know offers you a comprehensive guide to the HRD profession's most critical issues. In thirty-five mini-chapters (each of which can be read in approximately fifteen minutes) the book provides a handy resource for new practitioners who want to develop a broad working knowledge of the field. The book also offers seasoned professionals the opportunity to examine the latest thinking from a wide range of noted experts.

Emphasizing practical applications of theory, this collection covers all the basic needs of HRD practitioners in five key categories:
* Strategic training and development
* Employee and organizational development
* Assessment and evaluation
* Training and development design
* Training and development methods

"Whether you're new to training or a seasoned pro, looking for theory or practical application or needing to be revitalized or reconfirmed, What Smart Trainers Know has been written by the best-of-the-best to deliver what you need."
--Elaine Biech, ebb associates inc., and author, The Business of Consulting

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What Smart Trainers Know provides a wealth of critical and practical references from some of the most acclaimed thought leaders in the HRD profession. Lorraine L. Ukens' book will provide all trainers with a 'one-stop' resource for expanding their expertise." --Richard Chang, CEO, Richard Chang Associates, and author, The Passion Plan and Performance Scorecards

"Whether you're new to training or a seasoned pro, looking for theory or practical application or needing to be revitalized or reconfirmed, What Smart Trainers Know has been written by the best-of-the-best to deliver what you need." --Elaine Biech, Ebb Associates Inc., and author, The Business of Consulting

From the Inside Flap

The field of human resource development (HRD) is multidisciplinary. If practitioners are to succeed, they must have a working knowledge of a variety of topics. However, most trainers have expertise in specific subject matter and many of the professionals currently performing training and development functions do not have formal preparation to meet the complex demands of the profession. The question is how can trainers find the help they need to develop a working knowledge of the most pertinent HRD topics? Written by highly regarded experts in the field?including Zane L. Berge, Jay A. Conger, Robert Hargrove, James M. Kouzes, Julie O'Mara, Barry Z. Posner, Fran Rees, William J. Rothwell, and Edgar H. Schein?What Smart Trainers Know offers you a comprehensive guide to the HRD profession's most critical issues. In thirty-five mini-chapters (each of which can be read in approximately fifteen minutes) the book provides a handy resource for new practitioners who want to develop a broad working knowledge of the field. The book also offers seasoned professionals the opportunity to examine the latest thinking from a wide range of noted experts. The user-friendly chapters translate important theoretical research into practical applications for the workplace and cover the essential subjects of assessment, evaluation, and employee and organizational development. Within these pages, the authors examine aspects of the training and development field such as instructional design, learning styles, and the role of motivation. They offer you specific advice on training methods such as games and activities, self-directed learning, and distance learning. The book looks at the emerging trends driving the future of HRD, such as the effect of the Internet. In addition, every chapter has a recommended further reading resource to assist you in locating more information on a topic. Sure to become a well-thumbed resource in your library, What Smart Trainers Know is an invaluable development tool for HRD professionals at all levels. The EditorLorraine L. Ukens is the owner of Team-ing with Success, a training and consulting firm that provides assessment, training, and evaluation services to businesses and government organizations. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Towson University in Maryland and the author of several training books and games, including Energize Your Audience! (Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2000).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer; 1 edition (June 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787953865
• ISBN-13: 978-0787953867
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lorraine Ukens is the owner of Team-ing With Success, which specializes in team building and experiential learning. Her wide range of business experience is applied in designing, facilitating, and evaluating programs in a variety of human resource development areas. She is the author of activity-oriented books and games, as well as the editor and contributor to the highly acclaimed "What Smart Trainers Know" book. Lorraine received her M.S. degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University in Maryland, where she taught as a graduate-level adjunct faculty member from 1997 until 2005. She currently lives in central Florida and enjoys traveling with her husband, Leon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Contemporary Advice for Trainers, August 2, 2002

By 

Les Lauber (Lawrence, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Smart Trainers Know: The Secrets of Success from the World's Foremost Experts (Paperback)

Wow! This book is a Who's Who of the training and development world. Each chapter is written by a leading contributor on the parts of the field they know best. Furthermore, each chapter is practical and accessible to the training practitioner.

This book guides the reader through the very best current thinking in training and development practice. Each chapter is skillfully written and edited to focus on delivering ideas that can --and should-- be applied and used.

For example, Chapter 9 is Judy Hale's Intervention Questionnaire. *NOT* a chapter about why you should use one--in this chapter get the actual questionnaire. Wm. Rothwell's Chapter 16, "The Future of Instructional Design," ends with a worksheet to encourage you to prepare for the changes described in the chapter. Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan in chapter 25 on "Training Games and Activities" includes descriptions of almost 40 types of activities, checklists for game design and evaluation, and tips for facilitation and debriefing. James Kouzes and Barry Posner provide 12 tips to practitioners who help others "Learn to Lead." Rob't Hargrove describes transformational learning in chapter 23 in clear and dynamic terms. Don Kirkpatrick summarizes his 4-level evaluation process, and Jack and Patricia Phillips share their work on Return on Investment.

I'm only hitting the tip of the iceberg. I could easily select seven different chapters, and write how they are just as good as the seven above. There is not a single weak chapter, not a wasted word. I recommend it without reservation.

0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Received hardcover when description clearly said paperback, June 11, 2007

By 

Kristen M. Muehlfeld - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Smart Trainers Know: The Secrets of Success from the World's Foremost Experts (Paperback)

I purchased this book from Amazon because it was cheaper to purchase a paperback through here than from my school bookstore. I was very disappointed to receive a hardcover book. The description of the book I was ordering clearly stated that it was paperback. Had I wanted a hardcover edition, I could have purchased a used one in mint condition for half the price from the bookstore. It was too late to return the book for the correct one (because I received the book right before the class began), so I had to keep it.

The book itself is great.