ISA was started 35 years ago when formal training and development companies were few and far between.  The new ‘training’ industry was just forming and it took leaders with tremendous courage and insight to recognize that even competitors could learn something from each other.  At this year’s annual conference we had the pleasure of reconnecting with 10 of the founders of ISA; legends to be sure.

The group included the founder of Forum Corporation, John Humphries, Zenger-Miller’s (now Achieve Global) Jack Zenger, The Blanchard Companies’ Ken (and Margie) Blanchard, Pat McClagan who wrote the first competency model for ASTD and who went on to advise ArchBishop Tutu of South Africa on collaboration to ending aparteid.  An august group to be sure.

They answered questions from our group ranging from the biggest mistakes to best decisions.  John Humphries talked about founding the Forum Corporation as the best place to learn and grow.  Jack Zenger shared three key mistakes, one of which was confusing hope with predictable reality.  It was a powerful session.  These men and women represented the past and present of training.  What lessons will we be teaching future educators and consultants?  One thing was sure, the organization of learning providers they began still holds the values of sharing, caring, and daring even today.  Who are your gurus and legends?  tweet us @mohrretail or share a comment here.  thanks for reading.

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About MOHR Retail

For more than 30 years, MOHR Retail has developed the critical people-to-people skills needed to create results in the retail industry—and we’re just getting started. Through innovative classroom and online learning methods, as well as our ongoing national retail research projects, we continue to stay on top of the trends so we can fuel the success of specialty stores, chain stores, outlets, catalogue retailers, department stores, and more. Nowhere does learning meet experience as it does in a MOHR Retail training program.