Can anyone offer any direction on selling the ROI of a potential technical training program?

I'm finishing a performance assessment and preparing to make recommendations for a global technnical training program (SAP system) that wil benefit supply chain and finance staff. The ultimate decision factor is the bottom line and training is viewed as an expense on the books.

Hi Stephanie,

Try looking at the ROI Institute at http://www.roiinstitute.com

Here is an article on ROI for eLearning:

http://www.learningcircuits.org/2003/feb2003/roi.html

Feel free to drop me a line at stetsonbu@hotmail.com!

Thanks!
Jason

Well... I would imagine that you are proposing this program in order to address a specific performance gap (or gaps) that has an identifiable impact on a business goal (or goals). In other words, the learning links directly to performance which links directly to business goals, yes? That's your ROI right there. You're proposing that by helping fill this knowledge/skill gap, you will help performance that impacts business goals. Be sure, though, that you present this with the entire performance picture. You do not want to perpetuate the incorrect assumption that skill/knowledge of a particular task or set of tasks is the only factor that impacts performance.

Perhaps you have obtained the answer to your question already. It would appear to me that it would have been identified in your assessment.
However , in concert with the finance and the other departments, identify and prioritize the challenge/pain and link to the company's goals in the way they understand money. The individual departments hold the key here.

Nero