“He kept us all interested throughout the day”

One of the toughest challenges we face in arranging  learning experiences for groups is the double-edged problem of managers not wanting to lose precious productivity or sales while participants don’t want to lose their hard-earned free-time off the job. It’s a dilemma that usually ends with the employees compromising to give up one or two days of their weekends in exchange for pay or time-off in lieu.

While I personally prefer that managers see training and development as a fundamental component of one’s Monday to Friday calendar that is an investment rather than a cost, it heartens me to hear participants say that their most precious and irreplaceable gift – their time – has not been squandered in yet another mind-numbingly boring training session:

I learnt the most from the first topic on the phases that people go through when they are stressed and how to deal with them – I found it really insightful. I found all the course very interesting and easy to follow and understandable. I think everything was covered very well!    Very pleased with everything – apart from it being on a Saturday, but it was a very good course, so I hate to say it but maybe worth giving up half your weekend?! =) Rod Solar kept us all interested throughout the day and was clearly an expert in his numerous fields and always had an example or an experience to explain or expand on something which I think is very important – very impressed overall!

Accounts Assistant, Yorkshire Eye Hospital, Leeds