In the January edition of Chief Learning Officer, an article entitled "Executing Blended Learning" outlines the steps to creating an effective blended learning environment.  These steps are similar to those necessary to creating an effective lesson plan for the classroom.  In effective lesson planning, you should always begin with learning objectives that are stated in terms of actions, what students should be able to do to demonstrate their new knowledge.  Standards are used to determine how students should demonstrate that knowledge has been acquired.  After this significant preparation, the teaching begins.  Probably the most important part of any lesson is the delivery.  It is essential that, as new information is delivered, the instructor is constantly checking for understanding and modeling appropriate responses.  In the corporate world, it is important to make sure that the trainer is an adequate teacher.  It may not be necessary to develop plans quite as detailed as in the traditional classroom environment but for the most effective use of everyone's time planning is key.