I'm trying to create a very brief statement for non-Instructional Designers and those unfamiliar with instructional design that explains the importance of instructional design not just to learning, but to the business. Any ideas how to explain this in non-ID and wiifm (what's in it for me) terms?

I think one of the problems is that most non-trainers really don't know what instructional design is.

A good analogy is in order. Ask, would you build a house without a blueprint?

Katica, instructional design allows you to accurately determine if training is appropriate, and if so, who the audience is and the best methods of transfering knowledge to the students so that their job-related abilities are most positively affected to impact the bottom line through more efficient, more knowledgeable, and happier employees.

That's just something I've written off the cuff, but you may find it a suitable starting point.

Del Laughery
President, Instructional Dynamics

I would use an analogy/simile... most business people know and appreciate process models, strategic planning models, etc... They'll understand ISD if you show how it is like whatever processes they already know/use.

I describe instructional design as taking raw content and shaping it into easily digestible, relevant learning.