Running a Training Needs Analysis is by far the best way to determine individual and organisational development needs. Many companies tend to send people to courses without there being a real need. This is a waste of resources and certainly not the best way to improve the productivity of people. We all learn more if the topic is relevant, interesting and appropriate to our individual needs. Ban the 'shopping list' of courses that people can choose from and use an evaluation system to assess competencies which require development.