How to Stop Wasting Time on Training That Doesn’t Stick

If you spent $100,000 on training last year, I’ve got news for you: only about $12,000 of that investment actually moved the needle. 

That’s not a guess. In 2023 alone, U.S. companies dropped over $101 billion on training initiatives—and yet only 12% of learners applied what they learned on the job. The rest? It faded fast, buried under deadlines, distractions, and business-as-usual. 

Here’s the truth most companies don’t want to admit: training isn’t broken because people aren’t smart—it’s broken because we’re designing it for information transfer, not business transformation. 

In this episode of the PMO Strategies Podcast, we’re walking through how you can get real ROI for your training budget. 

1. Application Is Everything

Knowledge isn’t power. Application is. 

We see it every day—smart, motivated professionals who sit through training, nod their heads, maybe pass an exam… and then go right back to the way things were. That’s because behavior doesn’t change in a classroom. It changes when people have the chance to practice in a safe space, get feedback, and integrate new skills into their real-world work. 

That’s why every one of our programs—whether it’s project leadership, portfolio strategy, or executive coaching—builds in time for reflection, application, and feedback from day one. 

One client told us, “I’ve never been this energized about applying what I just learned—and I didn’t feel behind when I got back to work.” That’s the difference between a training event and a training experience. 

2. Break the Bootcamp Myth

Bootcamps sound efficient. But fast, cram-style training isn’t just ineffective—it’s dangerous. 

Yes, your team might pass the test. But they won’t know how to use those skills in the complex, unpredictable world of real project delivery. We’ve interviewed hundreds of project managers for clients, and I can spot the difference in five minutes: memorizer vs. multiplier. One recites the textbook. The other creates real business value. 

Certification without capability is a waste of everyone’s time and money. If you want your team to deliver outcomes, not just credentials, skip the bootcamp and build a development journey instead. 

3. Create a Distraction-Free Learning Experience

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: technology is killing your training investment. 

Every ping, ding, and ring steals attention—and with it, your ROI. That’s why we ban tech in our live workshops and coach our clients to set up distraction-free environments, even for virtual sessions. Want your team to retain what they learn? Give them the mental space to absorb it. 

And for the record, being “on-call” during training isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a productivity killer. Protect their time. Or don’t bother training them at all. 

4. Build a Learning Ecosystem

Training shouldn’t be a one-and-done event. It should be the entry point into a continuous development experience.

We’ve seen 100% adoption rates when learners are supported by coaches, mentors, and accountability groups who reinforce application long after the training ends. Microlearning, cohort sessions, peer reviews, role plays—these are the tools of transformation. 

Want training that sticks? Build a culture that rewards growth, not just performance. 

5. Measure What Matters

Here’s the part that stings a little: most organizations measure training success with metrics that don’t matter. 

Attendance. Completion rates. Certifications. 

What about IMPACT? 

We work with organizations to measure what really matters—business outcomes. Are your teams applying what they learned? Is project performance improving? Are customer satisfaction scores going up? Are more strategic initiatives being delivered successfully? 

If you want to accelerate strategy delivery, don’t measure inputs. Measure IMPACT. 

Final Thought: Capability Is the New Credential 

If your training programs aren’t aligned to your strategic objectives, aren’t designed for habit change, and aren’t supported after the fact… they’re just another line item in your budget. 

Training is a strategic accelerator—if you design it that way. 

Ready to rethink the way your organization develops its talent? Let’s build a learning experience that fuels results, not just resumes. 

👉 Click play above to learn how to stop wasting time on training that doesn’t stick. 

👇 Want to see what a high-IMPACT training experience looks like? 

Explore our Leadership Development Coaching or learn more about how our Project Leadership Certification delivers measurable ROI in 90 days or less. 

P.S. 🎉 International PMO Day is almost here — Tuesday, May 14! 🎉 

That’s right… it’s time to celebrate YOU and all the hard work PMOs do to drive IMPACT. 

Start planning your PMO party now! Whether it’s a team lunch, a virtual toast, or just a moment to treat yourself (hello, coffee break!), take time to recognize the powerhouse that is your PMO. Or better yet, team up with other PMOs in your organization and turn it into a full-on celebration! 

We’re cooking up something special behind the scenes, so keep an eye on the newsletter—details coming soon! 

Let the countdown to PMO greatness begin… 🥳