Forgetting Curve: Boost Training Retention in US Industries

From Knowledge to Action: Leveraging the
Forgetting Curve for Real-World Impact
Fight the Fade: How Understanding the Forgetting Curve
Supercharges Training in Key US Industries
In today's fast-paced business environment, effective training isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a must-have
for staying competitive across vital sectors like Insurance, Finance, Retail, Banking, Mining,
Healthcare, Oil and Gas, and Pharma in the USA. But how much of your valuable training investment is
truly sticking with your employees? The answer, often a sobering one, lies in understanding the
forgetting curve.
Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, first described this phenomenon in the late 19th century.
His research revealed a stark reality: without reinforcement or review, we rapidly lose newly acquired
information. This isn't a reflection of your employees' abilities or the quality of your training content; it's
simply how the human brain works. Within the first hour of learning something new, we can forget over

50% of the information. Within a day, that number can jump to 70%, and within a month, we might retain
as little as 20%!
Why Should US Trainers in Key Industries Care?
The implications of the forgetting curve are significant across various US industries:
● Highly Regulated Sectors (Pharma, Banking, Oil & Gas, Mining): In industries like
pharmaceutical sales training and GMP training for the pharmaceutical industry, forgetting
critical compliance information can lead to severe consequences, from regulatory fines to safety
breaches. Similarly, in training for oil and gas and training for mining, retaining knowledge
related to oil and gas certification, mining safety certification, and MSHA certification is
paramount for operational safety and regulatory adherence.
● Customer-Facing Roles (Insurance, Finance, Retail, Pharma): Whether it's an insurance
agent training on complex policies, a pharma rep training on drug information, a bank
employee navigating compliance (American Bankers Association training), or retail staff
training on customer service and product knowledge, forgotten information directly impacts
customer satisfaction, sales, and ultimately, the bottom line.
● Specialized Skills (Healthcare, Finance, Oil & Gas): In fields requiring specific expertise, such
as online medical billing and coding training, home health aide training, investment
banking prep courses, or understanding financial modelling, knowledge decay can hinder
performance and require costly retraining. Even seemingly routine tasks in retail store training
benefit from consistent reinforcement.
MaxLearn: Your Partner in Beating the Forgetting Curve
At MaxLearn, we understand the challenges US trainers face in ensuring knowledge retention. We go
beyond traditional training methods to incorporate strategies that actively combat the forgetting curve:
● Spaced Repetition: Instead of overwhelming learners with information in one go, we advocate
for spaced review sessions that strategically revisit key concepts at increasing intervals. This
reinforces learning and moves information from short-term to long-term memory.
● Active Recall: Encouraging learners to actively retrieve information through quizzes, practice
tests (relevant in areas like pharma sales rep training or preparing for certification in oil and
gas industry), and scenario-based exercises strengthens memory pathways.
● Meaningful Content & Context: Connecting new information to existing knowledge and
providing real-world context makes learning more relevant and memorable. For instance, in
healthcare administration training, case studies can illustrate the practical application of
theoretical concepts.
● Varied Teaching Methods: Engaging multiple senses and learning styles through diverse
activities, from interactive simulations (valuable in training for retail employees or
understanding complex financial products from google finance courses) to collaborative
projects, enhances retention.
● Regular Review & Reinforcement: Implementing strategies for ongoing review, such as brief
refresher modules or knowledge checks, helps solidify learning over time. This is crucial in
dynamic industries like pharma where new research and regulations frequently emerge.
● Double-Loop Learning: We encourage a culture of continuous improvement where learners
reflect on their understanding and adapt their approach based on feedback and new insights.
This deeper level of processing significantly improves retention and application.

Tailored Solutions for Your Industry Needs
MaxLearn understands that training needs vary across industries. That's why we offer tailored solutions:
● Insurance & Finance: Reinforcing understanding of complex financial products (financial
analyst course, certified financial planner course), compliance regulations (American
Bankers Association courses), and sales techniques. We also address specific needs like
mortgage loan processing training and understanding the nuances of personal training
insurance and liability insurance for personal trainers.
● Retail: Enhancing product knowledge, customer service skills, and operational procedures for
retail staff training and retail management training.
● Banking: Ensuring compliance with banking regulations (American Bankers Association
classes), improving customer relationship management, and developing skills in areas like
corporate banking courses and investment banking classes.
● Mining, Oil & Gas: Prioritizing safety training (MSHA part 46, surface mining certification),
operational efficiency, and adherence to industry standards through effective learning strategies.
We can assist with preparing for oil and gas certification online and connecting learners to
relevant oil and gas classes.
● Healthcare & Pharma: Emphasizing accuracy in medical billing (online medical billing and
coding training), patient care protocols (home health aide training online), drug information for
pharma sales rep training, and adherence to GMP training for the pharmaceutical industry.
We also cater to broader needs in healthcare academy training.
Invest in Knowledge That Sticks
Don't let the forgetting curve undermine your training investments. By partnering with MaxLearn and
implementing strategies grounded in learning science, you can ensure that your employees in the
Insurance, Finance, Retail, Banking, Mining, Healthcare, Oil and Gas, and Pharma sectors in the
USA not only receive training but also retain and apply that knowledge effectively, driving better
performance and achieving your business goals. Contact MaxLearn today to learn how we can help you
fight the fade and build a truly knowledgeable and capable workforce.