Throughout my career in banking, I have attended various training sessions – some highly beneficial and engaging, while others left me with more questions than answers. I recently attended a three-day, eight-hour training session that stood out as valuable for a variety of reasons.
Atmosphere and Class Size: The training was held in a dedicated room with 12 trainees, all in the same management position. Each table had a trained leader to facilitate discussions, and the trainer was the owner and founder of the sales model, making the material more credible and engaging. Having a structured space and same-day seating minimized distractions and fostered focus. The small class size also minimized disruption to branch operations.
Training Structure and Engagement: The training incorporated multiple 10-minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch, along with available snacks and refreshments. Fidget toys were also provided to aid concentration. These small accommodations helped sustain engagement throughout the training.
Diverse Learning Methods: We utilized a workbook and projector screen, engaging in activities designed for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. This appealed to different learning styles.
Relevance and Practicality: The training content was directly applicable to our organization’s goals, bridging the gap between current performance and future success using the sales model. Realistic examples and hands-on resources, such as template worksheets and guides were used to aid learning.
Trainer Engagement and Understanding: The trainer assessed comprehension throughout by presenting hypothetical questions, introducing strategies, and concluding each section with key takeaways. This reinforced learning and made the material more actionable.
Immediate Application and Evaluation: I immediately began implementing what I learned, making this one of the few trainings with a lasting impact. Additionally, our organization will evaluate effectiveness through a Spring campaign, expecting to see improved implementation and increased sales results.
This training aligned with key principles discussed in this week’s lecture: addressing a training need, investing in employees, creating a positive learning environment, providing meaningful content, offering opportunities for practice, and measuring effectiveness. These elements made the training not only engaging but also highly impactful.