Beyond the Workshop 5 Post-Training Strategies to Beat the Forgetting Curve

Beyond the Workshop: 5 Post-Training
Strategies to Beat the Forgetting Curve
Maximize Retention, Minimize Forgetting: How the
Forgetting Curve Is Reshaping Training in America’s
Key Industries
Is your company’s training investment truly paying off? In many organizations, the
unfortunate answer is no. According to psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus’s famous
forgetting curve, we forget up to 80% of new information within just a few days if
we don’t actively try to retain it. For trainers and L&D professionals across the United

States, this isn’t just an interesting psychological concept; it’s a critical business
challenge.
At MaxLearn, we understand that a one-and-done training approach is no longer
sustainable. The forgetting curve doesn’t just impact a learner’s recall; it can
significantly diminish productivity, increase compliance risks, and reduce the return
on your training investment.
The Forgetting Curve’s Impact on Your Industry
The industries that form the backbone of the U.S. economy—from healthcare to
mining—rely on a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Here’s how the forgetting
curve specifically affects your sector and why a proactive training strategy is
essential.
Pharma and Healthcare
In the life sciences, a simple lapse in memory can have severe consequences. For
pharmaceutical sales training, a forgotten detail about a drug’s efficacy or side
effects can compromise patient safety and lead to regulatory issues. Similarly,
compliance with strict GMP training for the pharmaceutical industry demands
absolute accuracy. In healthcare, a lack of retention from home health aide training
or healthcare administration training can impact patient care, while forgetting
crucial information from online medical billing and coding training can lead to
costly errors.
Oil, Gas, and Mining
Safety is paramount in these high-risk sectors. A forgotten procedure or a missed
step in a safety protocol can lead to serious accidents. Whether it’s oil and gas
certification, MSHA certification, or mining safety certification, this training must
stick. Employees need to be able to recall critical information instantly and
accurately, not just during a training for mining session but every single day on the
job.
Finance and Banking
These industries operate on a foundation of complex regulations and intricate
financial models. Forgetting key concepts from an investment banking prep
course or a corporate banking course can lead to compliance violations, financial

losses, or poor client service. Training for roles like mortgage loan processing
requires a high degree of precision, and continuous learning is essential to keep up
with industry changes. The same goes for the expertise needed for an insurance
claims adjuster training.
Retail
In retail, the ability to recall product information, sales techniques, and company
policies directly impacts the customer experience and the bottom line. Forgetting a
key feature of a new product or an effective sales technique from retail sales
training can result in lost sales and poor customer interaction. Effective retail store
training must be designed to build long-term memory, not just short-term recall.
Flattening the Curve: Strategies for Trainers
The good news is that you don’t have to surrender to the forgetting curve. By
designing training programs with retention in mind, you can significantly improve
knowledge retention and ensure your training delivers lasting value.
1. Spaced Repetition: Instead of a single, intensive training session, deliver content
in smaller, reinforced bursts over time. A quick, two-minute quiz on a topic a week
after the initial training can drastically improve recall.
2. Active Recall: Move beyond passive listening. Use interactive simulations,
role-playing, and problem-solving exercises that force learners to retrieve
information from their memory. For instance, in pharma rep training, use
simulations where trainees must respond to a physician’s question without looking at
their notes.
3. Microlearning: Break down complex topics into bite-sized modules that are easy
to digest and review. This is particularly effective for on-the-go professionals in
industries like retail and healthcare who need quick access to specific information.
4. Blended Learning: Combine instructor-led sessions with digital learning
resources, gamification, and follow-up activities. This multi-modal approach provides
multiple touchpoints for learning and reinforces the material in different ways.
At MaxLearn, we believe that effective training is about more than just knowledge
transfer; it’s about building a foundation for lasting skill and expertise. By
understanding and actively combatting the forgetting curve, trainers can ensure

their hard work results in a more knowledgeable, competent, and compliant
workforce across America’s most critical industries.