The Training Cycle: Why You Can't Skip Steps

Scott Asai
April 22, 2025

If there were a magic fix for business, we’d all be doing it.

But there’s not.

As a speaker, I get hired mostly to do one-off talks.

I enjoy doing them, but the impact is short lived.

Now why would I say that as a professional speaker?

Because it’s true.

Most of the time the outcome is:

But after a week or so it fades…

So when I follow up with clients and recommend a workshop, then coaching it’s not just because I’m trying to up sell here.

Individuals increase their productivity by an average of 86% when training is combined with coaching, compared to just 22% with training alone.

The above is just addressing workshops and coaching.

Hearing a talk only holds a lower retention rate.

Of course I’m not saying hiring a speaker is a waste of money (that would be a death wish for my business 🤣)

But what I am saying is follow it up with training and coaching for optimal results.

Talking to HR folks the chatter goes like this:

“I have a L&D budget and as long as you, the speaker, fits inside it, I’ll hire you.”

That’s great and all, but what happened to measuring impact?

You wouldn’t purchase a new car, then ignore the service appointments and warning lights.

The #2 desire for employees behind salary is career development.

Providing a training cycle ensures better retention rates/less turnover, more engagement and increased productivity.

It’s not my opinion, it’s a fact.

When I’ve provided a talk, training and coaching for clients they see results quickly.

It’s also a myth that it takes a while to do all 3.

They can be done almost simultaneously, as long as your calendar is cleared for it.

Conferences pay big bucks for keynote speakers to address a crowd, but as an attendee how much can you actually bring back your company?

The better value is to hire someone like me who can do all 3 for less and cater it to your specific company culture.

Quickly, let me show you an example of how they build off each other.

Talk - our company’s people managers lack soft skills and keep chasing talent out of the door
Workshop - hands on discussions, role playing and demonstrations on active listening, relational leadership and empathy
Coaching - 1:1 weekly sessions to check on progress, set goals and hold leaders accountable for making positive changes

This is an actual case study from a past client.

Here’s the process:

Choose the topic, based on a challenge you’re facing.
Attend a training where employees can practice the tools needed for improvement.
Meet with a coach to measure, evaluate and track their progress.

It’s tempting to think you can skip steps, but you can’t.

The training cycle is a proven method that works for companies no matter the size.

So if you truly value your people as the greatest asset at your company, what are you waiting for?

Reply to this email, let me custom a program for you and get to work!

God Bless,

P.S. The first step is a talk, like the one below!