International hoteliers aren't the only on...

International hoteliers aren't the only ones focused on improving security. Companies all over the world, in all industries, face the same challenge. Here are some tips on training your workers to create a secure environment for your business.

- Explain why there is a need for the training, says Michael Rosenthal, CEO of Consensus, a negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication consulting firm that worked with governments and local organizations in Indonesia following terrorist attacks there last year. "Justify with data what the training is expected to do. Bring examples, use film clips, and discuss success and failure factors of other initiatives both within and outside your organization."

- Find out from staff whether they think there could be resistance to the initiative, and why. "Be empathetic to difficulties in enforcing new measures by including staff in the dialog, by having them contribute ideas," Rosenthal says.

- Segment your audiences so training around specific skills and policies is focused on the audience's tasks and responsibilities, Rosenthal advises. "Neglecting to do this could send a message that certain staff is responsible for learning and implementing skills and taking on responsibilities that they generally aren't expected to nor capable of," he says.

- "Training has to be culturally sensitive," says Neal Goodman, president of Global Dynamics, Inc. "Take into consideration cultural nuances that exist in each country [the training is delivered in]. Clearly, there are different approaches to training, and training has to incorporate cultural differences in learning styles. All training has to be localized."

- "The communication you use to let customers or staff learn about safety procedures should be clear and should indicate this policy is being implemented for everyone's safety and protection," says Goodman.

- Ask the decision-makers who asked you to roll out the training what "the vision" of the new security protocol is, advises Peter A. Cavicchia II, founder and president of Strategic Services International, Inc. He says it's best if that plan is proactive rather than reactive. For that reason, it is essential learning professionals work with executives to plan strategically for how staff will be prepared. Says Cavicchia: "The more strategic planning you can do to prevent something from happening, the better."