How do you know that your human capital development and communications programs are aligned with the company's business strategy? Can you repeat your annual planning process with confidence year? Well, here's a litmus test:

Take the Run Fast Challenge. No, you don't have to put on your running shoes, just your thinking cap. The purpose of this challenge is to see how well your training programs are aligned to your corporate strategies and initiatives.

Print 2 copies of this document click here for document. One copy is for the Chief Operating Officer or a participating executive from a business line to complete. The other copy is to be completed by the Director of HR or Training. Make sure each copy is filled out independently. Instructions for doing so are attached.

After the documents are filled out, compare. Ideally, the operations and the HR documents are filled out the same way. If they're not, we should talk.

Run Fast's mission is to "elevate training functions from cost centers to competitive advantages." The first step in this journey is to align workforce development and communications programs with business strategies. The Run Fast challenge is actually based on our proprietary Training Horizons Workshop. We have facilitated this workshop for clients such as USAToday/Gannett, Chevy Chase Bank, Magellan Health Services, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and many others.