A proven framework to fill the gap between "knowing" and "doing"

Training Reinforcement offers expert guidance for more effective training outcomes. Last year, US companies spent over $165 Billion on training; while many training programs themselves provide valuable skills and concepts, even the best-designed programs are ineffective because the learned behaviors are not reinforced. Without reinforcement, learned information gets shuffled to the back of the mind in the "nice to know" file, never again to see the light of day. This book bridges the canyon between learning and doing by providing solid reinforcement strategies. Written by a former Olympic athlete and corporate training guru, this methodology works with human behavior rather than against it; you'll learn where traditional training methods fail, and how to fill those gaps with proven techniques that help training "stick."

There's a difference between "telling" and "teaching," and that difference is reinforcement. Learned skills and behaviors cannot be truly effective until they are engrained, and they can only become engrained through use, encouragement, and measureable progress. This book provides a robust reinforcement framework that adds long-term value to any training program.

• Close the 5 Reinforcement Gaps and master the 3 Phases for results
• Create friction and direction while providing the perfect Push-Pull
• Follow the Reinforcement Flow to maintain consistency and effectiveness
• Create measureable behavior change by placing the participant central to the process

Reinforcing training means more than simple repetition and reminders, and effective reinforcement requires a careful balance of independence and oversight. Training Reinforcement provides a ready-made blueprint with proven results, giving trainers and managers an invaluable resource for leading behavioral change.

ANTHONIE WURTH is Dutch and the founder of Mindmarker, the world leader in training reinforcement. He won the European Judo championship in 1991 and competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Since 1993 he has become active and well known in the learning industry. He is the author of Locked in Shanghai.

KEES WURTH is CEO of Mindmarker. A former national Judo champion in the Netherlands, he immigrated to the United States in 1993 and has since become an entrepreneur who has successfully started and sold numerous companies.

Introduction xi

We Did It! xv

PART 1 Understanding Reinforcement to Reach Behavior Change 1

Chapter 1 Eyeing Gold 3

Chapter 2 What Is Reinforcement? 11

Chapter 3 Behavior Change Is Critical 21

Chapter 4 Influencing  Behavior  Change 35

PART 2 Building the Foundation 43

Chapter 5 An Overview of The 7 Principles of Reinforcement 45

Chapter 6 Principle 1: Master the 3 Phases for Results 53

Chapter 7 Principle 2: Close the 5 Reinforcement Gaps 65

Chapter 8 Principle 3: Create Measurable Behavior Change 75

Chapter 9 Recap of Building the Foundation 89

PART 3 Engagement 93

Chapter 10 Principle 4: Provide the Perfect Push and Pull 95

Chapter 11 Principle 5: Create Friction and Direction 107

Chapter 12 Principle 6: Follow the Reinforcement Flow 117

Chapter 13 Recap of Engagement 129

Chapter 14 Principle 7: Place the Learner in the Center 133

PART 4 Analyzing Your Reinforcement Program 141

Chapter 15 Finding Balance with the Reinforcement Lever 143

Chapter 16 Crafting Reinforcement Messages 157

Chapter 17 Reinforcement for Different Training Types 175

Chapter 18 Introducing Your Reinforcement Program 185

Chapter 19 Sore Made 189

Appendix: Tools for Building a Reinforcement Program 193

Resources 207

About the Authors 215

About Mindmarker 217

Index 219