Chapter 2 illustrates HOW Training and Development can support an organization's overall Objectives/Goals/Strategy. Training and Development plans/strategies are designed, implemented and evaluation as a result of understanding 'How will we compete' (see Fig 2.2 below) Employees are key to an organization's failure or success, and research shows that with the right training, organization's can be competitive, profitable and ben from an engaged workforce. It is important for employees to know how their roles in any organization support the overall Objectives/Goals/Strategy. Human Resources Department is tasked to work with management to become aware of the organization's goals, it's strengths and weaknesses, it's competitors abilities, the external environmental factors (economic, technological, political and legal, social, demographic, etc), and its' employees current capabilities. Only then can training and development strategies be developed which must be targeted to the employees' gaps in knowledge to ensure the company is positioned compete in the respective industry