Too many companies use one-shot training.  They hire a flashy speaker to get employees jazzed up about customer service.  They hold rallies or give great locker-room speeches and hope for the best.  Without follow-up, things quickly get back to normal.

- Dr. Paul R. Timm, Seven Power Strategies for Building Customer Loyalty

Think about the last training experience you attended.  You invested time and potentially money in the training--do the results match your investment?  Now ask yourself - what am I doing to keep the ideas of that training fresh each day?  What changes and improvements have stuck with me and which have not?  Brainstorm items to add to your to-do list that will help you capitalize on the training that was offered to continue to make improvements for the future.  For example, is there a small action you can be taking daily to practice a new skill you learned?  Or was there a key concept that you could create and print a reminder card for that you could post at your desk?

If you are a manager, ask yourself these same questions regarding your team.  If you haven't gotten the most out of your investment of time and money, make a plan for ongoing maintenance of the training.  Consider implementing several different options, like quality assurance evalutions, monthly or quarterly training presentations, email tips, and more.