Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Supervisory Skills Training Program Proposal
Employee Development has been conducting an in-house supervisory course that focuses primarily on theory and information about management concepts and company policies. We would like to propose additional training for first- and second-line supervisors, focusing on skills only—specific behavioral guidance in supervising and motivating employees to increase productivity.
The program would be administered with the help of TAG Consulting, Inc., a Phoenix firm. The total cost of $52,000 will cover customized behavior models, videotaped introductory and practice sessions, six line managers and/or staff certified by TAG as qualified trainers, two classes (20 participants each) of trained supervisors, and trainer manual and participant workbook for reproduction.
Program Objectives
Research shows attempts to change attitudes of supervisors by logical presentation of theory rarely succeed. Therefore, this program focuses on changing on-the-job behavior. The training will focus on skills such as active listening, self-esteem, reinforcement techniques, goal-setting, and other concerns identified by a needs-analysis questionnaire administered to our supervisors.
The actual design will involve videotaping company supervisors as they effectively model the desired behavioral skills. These tapes will provide positive models to use in later training sessions. Supervisors will then practice the specific behaviors demonstrated by the videotape models until they gain confidence in their ability to handle the same situations on the job. Both participants and trainers provide critiques during the practice sessions. Follow-up sessions will allow “report back” time in which participants report on success, problems, and questions arising from on-the-job application.
A schedule of actual consultant-led meetings for needs analysis, program design, and videoscripting and -taping is attached. Also, I’ve attached a sample format for a “typical” session, along with probable topics for all sessions.
Cost Breakdown
• Production costs $20,000
• Actual training costs 18,500
• Travel and miscellaneous consultant expenses 8,200
• Written materials 5,300
$52,000
Of this fee, $20,000 (production costs payable after videoscripting) will come out of our 19— budget allocations for equipment. The remaining $32,000 (payable as training expenses occur) will come from the 19— budget.
Research on Effectiveness and Acceptance of Program
Research has been extensive, involving 18 firms and their accompanying methodology, client references, and TAG’s self-reported results. After narrowing the programs down to three for careful examination, we observed various phases of the TAG program as it was being implemented in other companies (Howell, Inc., Allied, and Cascade Corporation) and made our selection on TAG’s own records and their clients’ records of success.
Further, we have verbally presented the program to key executives in our own company to ask for their insight on possible problems of implementation and about their willingness to help with the planning and scripting. A. B. White, C. T. Smith, R. J. Young, and V. B. Brown all enthusiastically support the program and have given us suggestions for scheduling participants from their particular divisions. D. E. Clung has expressed concern that supervisors may be unwilling to be videotaped in practice sessions; however, we feel his concerns will not materialize with the skillful handling of TAG consultants.
Finally, of course, our prime impetus has come from participants in past in-house supervisory courses. Their repeated comments have been they need “something practical to really use back on the job.” These concerns from supervisors again surfaced in the 19— needs-analysis survey conducted in February.
Confidently, we suggest this supervisory-skills program will produce the results our personnel have requested. Immediate approval of this proposal will enable us to use the start-up money from our 19— funds and schedule our first TAG planning consultation in December.
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