John Maeda is a world-renowned graphic designer, visual artist, and computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab, and is a founding voice for “simplicity” in the digital age. He has a concept he calls the three C's he uses to teach his students the three core principles of design. When I read this I could not help but think how relevant this is to training and coaching:

• Content: There needs to be a message or meaning. Everything needs a reason to exist, otherwise it shouldn't.
• Context: Content doesn't live in a vacuum.
• Contrast: An element is made stronger when a counter element is offered. Salt tastes saltier after one has had some sugar.
  

If you think about this if you do not have the 3 C’s you do not have a sound training program. It is simple and it should be simple. Evaluate your program in the context of the 3 C’s and adjust or change accordingly. Focused effort yields results!