Organizing Training Programmes

Training practicing managers of small and medium enterprises (SME) and of programmes developing value chains requires attending to both the content and learning methods. Because the trainees are unlikely to be prepared for traditional classroom teaching methods, in which concepts are presented to them in an abstract manner, using cases to demonstrate the utility of taught principles in real-life settings offers a way to enhance their learning. But to make case method effective, organizers must attend to many issues. The trainees must have the time and incentives to read the cases before discussion. The trainees selected need to have the capacity to participate in discussions and be in a position within organizations to apply their learning. The training may need to be done in parts to ensure that they are not kept away from their work for too long. The chapter offers guidance for making training effective.