Training & Developement

SCENARIO
You have just been hired as the "training department of one" for Go Live Systems, Inc. Go Live is a small company that is poised to grow quickly over the next six months. They have just patented an application that will greatly improve usability and compatibility of the two largest ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems. They are forming partnerships with the two larger companies, and making sales and license renewal calls together.

Go Live needs to hire at least 10 consultant/programmers, people who can work with the ERP vendors and clients to determine needs, tailor the application, and train the clients on how to use the enhancements. In other words, Go Live needs people with both technical and interpersonal skills. Go Live's CEO, Jane Smith, has directed you to "hire the best people you can and train them to do what we need them to do".

In working with an external recruiter, you realize that it will be difficult to hire people with both excellent technical skills and interpersonal skills. Therefore, you decide to start from scratch - with the business strategy -and work your way through hiring and training from there.

PROBLEM
Your manager has allowed you to hire a few consultants to assist you in pulling together the training plan. Research the Internet for examples of training plans. There are several elements of a training plan that need to be specified. Your training plan should include several different course types, addressing the needs you uncovered in your needs analysis. Research your course.. Develop a list of requirements for your course, focusing more on adherence to learning theory than on content. Support your requirements list with information you found from outside sources

MY PROBLEM
I have done the prior needs analysis, my employees need "soft skills". The only training I can think of is Effective Communication Skills. I can think of elements to this type of training, but then I am stuck. Can you help?? Even if you point me to a different type of "soft skill". But I do need to back up with resources and citations.