| FROM OUR EXPERIENCE |
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| Manifesto
for personalized [brand models]!
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At the beginning of the 90's, when the first training sessions in Romania were being organized, a debate started to appear regarding "custom courses" Vs. "standard courses"!
A. How does a custom session or program look like, from my point of view?
Here's my demonstration: let's suppose we want to buy a laptop or a a car. First we choose a base model, right?... with the standard kit to which - depending on our needs, we each add components/ accessories that make that particular laptop or car just the way we want them to be.
For instance the Audi A3 looks a certain way but it's sold in different versions depending on the engine power, type of fuel it uses, degree to which you can customize the interior, color etc. Or a Dell Latitude laptop, it also sells in dozens of variants. Both however start from the base model, which proved its function and value through time because it did what exactly what it said, it has a reputation and buyers know how to personalize it according to their needs and expectations.
I don't think that someone who wants an Audi A3, will ask the manufacturer, in 2-3 months, to change the design, basic mechanisms or the technology used just to have a custom Audi A3!! Because it's this time proven functionality, unique design, basic mechanisms and high class technology that make a certain buyer want an Audi A3! Therefore I choose a standard model first, that satisfies my needs and desires and only then do I start making it the way I want!
When talking about the needs of raising employee performance through training things are, in my opinion, the same: I first look for the training program, the [standard brand model] that proved its functionality and value in time, has a learning and delivery process [design] that I like, has the teaching techniques [basic mechanisms] that are indispensable and incorporates a clear methodology, it comes with useful books and instruments [high class technology], that ease the process of putting what you learned in the training into practice.
B. What does custom stand for in such a program?
When the training program is an open or public course - this is where the [standard model] can usually be found- it has the best chances of being suitable to various participants from different companies and working fields, possessing distinct levels of experience.
What are the things we can do in order to custom a [standard model] course:
Custom [standard model] Audi A3
Custom [standard model] Situational
Leadership II
+ automatic gearbox
+ 2 extra days of training, besides the
standard agenda
+ full airbags
+ mandatory follow-up sessions
+ on board computer
+ more time for simulations accompanied
by feedback
+ GPS
+ implementation assistance
+ metallic paint
+ extra time for debates
The [standard model] remains the same! The "optional accessories" like the ones described above, agreed with the person that decides, transforms the session into a custom one.
I think that this way of thinking has many chances to transform into an authentic solution for the specific needs of the company and participants, in such a way that it offers added value with regard to the investments that are made while also being practical and believable!
Option 2? Custom training programs, tailor made for every situation, for every project, ad-hoc, that don't have a [standard brand model], a process that has worked and proved itself through a learning curve that supports the functionality it promises!
They are usually hand wrought programs, that include a chain of sessions and activities, which promise, without any sort of justification, a development of varied sets of competences in the same session! And even though they are custom - and as such should require both time and special attention (the costs of having it tailor made should be very high) - these courses can usually be found at half the price!
In conclusion, for those who want to purchase quality training programs, I support the way of custom [brand models]!
In other words "Pret-a- Porter" products, from famous, trustworthy brands! If we start to talk about custom "Haute-Couture", through which you transform the process and culture of a company in a profound way, we are no longer talking about training but a long term partnership, something in the lines of consultancy! The table is set for my colleague Alexandra, who will clarify what sort of products we find between "Pret-a-Porter" and "Haute-Couture"! All this in our next newsletter.
Viorel Panaite
Partner
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Human Invest is a Premier League company in the arena of training and
organizational development consultancy services, present on the Romanian market since 1998.
We are recognized for conceiving and implementing programs which offer managers an authentic experience towards improving their leadership
performances, and thus we support companies in becoming more and more engaged in delivering excellent services for their clients.
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