QUESTION: Our department is starting a new program in which all trainers provide a fresh training tip each month. Where can I find new ideas?

Sharing tips is a great method for putting lessons learned into action. It's also a good way to chunk information in useable forms for busy colleagues.

Have you found a new timesaving gadget, software tool, or book that your co-workers should know about? How about a terrific newspaper article? They're great sources for tips, but staying on top of current information is difficult.

First thing, jot down the great ideas you already have. Reflecting on your own training career, what bits of wisdom would you share with a new hire? Combine thoughts and rank your ideas. You probably have 12 tips already! Summarize the main--or selling--point in a sentence or two and provide a Website address for further topic exploration, if possible.

Still think your ideas need zip? Let your mouse do the work for you: Browse your Web bookmarks or favorites list for relevant sites. Better yet, sign up for an online information news service (broadcast-only email groups). Your email colleagues can also provide tip sources. When you spot a hot trend, a URL for an interesting article, or useful training wisdom, check it out and share the wealth.

Still need some inspiration? Here are some Websites to bookmark and use.

• Discussion group databases: Topica, Liszt, and eGroups
  Find a list about training, such as WBTOLL (Topica) or CorpEd (Egroups), or in a content area, such as computers or business. Be sure to filter and sort your email, check subject headers, and use the delete key often.
  

• Learning Circuits Website
  Don't forget to turn your colleagues on to this source for training articles and news.
  

• Overview of Training and Development Website
  Old is new again; Carter MacNamara offers t&d resources from the Free Management Library.
  

• TRDEV-L discussion group summaries
  No time for a discussion group? From Accelerated Learning to Year 2000, browse this site for a wealth of training topics.
  

Published: April 2000