The Corporate Training Trap: One Size Fits None
Every organization is unique. Yet, many training vendors still operate on a one-size-fits-all model, delivering templated workshops and rigid frameworks that overlook the cultural and operational nuances that truly drive performance.
At TrainSMART, we take a different approach.
“We don’t force-feed a solution,” says Leslie Ciborowski, CEO of TrainSMART. “We listen, we learn, and only then do we recommend. That approach isn’t just thoughtful—it’s strategic.”
This commitment to listening first resonates deeply with our clients—especially those who’ve already encountered vendors offering shiny brochures and pre-built learning tables without regard for what’s actually happening inside their teams.
The Pitfalls of Pre-Packaged Learning
Training shouldn’t be about checking boxes. Yet, many vendors sell their programs like off-the-shelf software—plug, play, and hope for results. But real development doesn’t work that way.
Why? Because:
- Learning needs differ across industries, departments, and generations
- Team cultures vary from collaborative to competitive
- Leadership styles range from top-down to flat and agile
- The language, norms, and expectations in one organization rarely match another
When a “training table” or a “learning journey” is dropped in front of a client without context, it signals that the vendor is more focused on what they’ve built than what the client needs.
“We’ve had clients come to us after meeting with other vendors,” Leslie explains. “They’re frustrated because it feels like they’re being sold to—not heard.”
TrainSMART’s Custom Approach: Listen, Learn, Recommend
At TrainSMART, practical training starts with discovery, not delivery. Before we ever propose a program, we:
- Instructional design consulting process
- Conduct listening sessions with stakeholders
- Identify current performance gaps and learning opportunities
- Evaluate how those gaps align (or misalign) with company values
- Review existing training content, if any
- Study the internal culture to inform design tone and delivery style
“Every organization has hidden strengths and unseen challenges,” says Leslie. “Our job is to uncover those, then build training that amplifies what’s working and resolves what’s not.”
A Client’s Perspective: When Customization Matters Most
A prospective client shared that she had been pitched a pre-packaged program by another vendor—just a spreadsheet of topics and no meaningful conversation about her organization’s needs.
When she met with TrainSMART, the tone shifted. Leslie spent time understanding her values, goals, and internal tone. The client later said she felt “seen, heard, and respected.”
Tailored Training = Better ROI
Whether it’s trainer development or leadership training, customization delivers a more substantial ROI.
Generic training often results in:
- Low engagement
- Poor retention of knowledge
- No visible behavior change
- Wasted budgets
- Frustrated employees who feel the training didn’t apply to them
Meanwhile, tailored training can:
- Improve learning retention by 60%+
- Increase team engagement and performance
- Reduce turnover by up to 40% when aligned with values
- Create measurable behavior change tied to KPIs
Building Solutions Around Culture and Values
Our training isn’t just custom—it’s culture-aligned. We ask:
- What leadership behaviors are rewarded here?
- How do teams typically communicate?
- What’s the internal language of feedback and accountability?
- What has worked in the past—and what hasn’t?
“Culture matters,” Leslie emphasizes. “You can’t build leadership in a vacuum.”
The TrainSMART Method: Consult, Collaborate, Customize
Here’s what our process typically includes:
- Discovery & Listening: Stakeholder interviews, surveys, and discussions
- Gap Analysis: Identify gaps in skills, behaviors, or mindset
- Collaborative Design: Co-create goals and learning outcomes
- Customization: Content tailored with your internal tone, examples, and needs
- Coaching & Reinforcement: Tools, sessions, and follow-up to ensure adoption
- Measurement: Track what matters—engagement, retention, KPIs
Real Training for Real People
Every program is built for the audience it serves. Whether for supervisors, senior leaders, or cross-functional teams, we tailor:
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- Delivery format (virtual, in-person, blended)
- Language and tone
- Timing and pacing
- Level of interactivity
- Job-specific examples
“Training should feel like it was made for you,” Leslie says. “Because it was.”
Don’t Buy Training—Build a Partnership
At TrainSMART, we’re not here to sell you content—we’re here to help you build capability, drive performance, and align learning to your business reality.
If you’ve been burned by templated programs or want a more thoughtful approach, we’d love to talk.
The right training isn’t the one on the shelf—it’s the one that works for you.
Contact us today or explore our custom learning solutions.