There’s no doubt that hiring the wrong training development firm can cost you time and money.  And the most difficult part is, it is often not enough to simply hire a firm with a good reputation and good references. The bigger question is whether the company you are considering is the right one for your current training needs.

Here are some questions to ask that will dramatically increase the likelihood that you will retain the right firm on your first try.

Question One:  “Do you understand our audience of trainees?”

Effective training begins with understanding who your learners are – are they salespeople, customer service representatives, technicians, or something else? So be sure to ask lots of questions to be sure your potential partner can provide the tools, knowledge, and support to get the results you want your training to achieve.

Question Two: “Are your training methods current?”

Remember, there are many types of training. Do you plan to use e-learning, live training sessions, video tutorials, or some combination of those forms of training? One of the benefits of working with an experienced partner is that they have learned from all of their experiences — both good and bad — and know what works and what doesn’t. If the company points back to training that it conducted four or more years ago, be sure to ask why. It could be that the methods they employed are still the best for today, but they should be able to explain why older approaches to training are still the best for your training needs.

Question Three: “How big are the companies you’ve worked for in the past?”

This is an interesting question to ask. Notice, we didn’t recommend asking, “How big is your organization?” If the firm has designed and delivered training at big corporations, that could be an indicator that they have the ability to meet your needs. If the firm has worked with companies that are similar in size to yours, that can also be a positive.

Question Four: “Will you continue to be our strategic partner?”

There can be times when you have a simple production issue that requires straightforward training. But if the business problems you’re trying to solve require more than quick fixes, then you want a strategic long-term partnership. You want someone who is an expert at getting your audience to learn, who understands training strategies and design, and who is invested in helping you see ongoing results from your investment.

Question Five: “Do you work with other companies in your space?”

In a training field driven by knowledge and scientific advances in understanding, no single expert can have all the answers. That explains why it is often best to partner with companies that work with other training companies and expertise-providers; it is a good indication that technical and other resources will be available if needed.

Question Six “Are you learning and evolving?”

Is your potential training partner evolving as an organization? How much has the company changed in the last 12- 24 months? It’s important to consider how your strategic partner maintains its relevance, because it indicates what it can (or can’t) deliver to you.