We have held a number of in-person training workshops recently, and it was quite refreshing from virtual setups! It is such an amazing experience to physically, and finally, meet some of the brilliant teams we have been working with remotely for so many months. And because it was such a long time since we all experienced in-person training, a few key factors stood out to everyone involved and made for a far more productive time. Here are the 3 Key Benefits of In-Person Training we gained from recent F2F workshops.
1. ENGAGEMENT
In a literal breath of fresh air, the degree of actual engagement at an in-person sales training session far surpassed that of any virtual training workshop. Most notably, because everyone was physically present and attentive. There was no hiding behind a ‘No Video’ screen. Actual eye contact and human connections are being made in the in-person training.
Additionally, exercise and group activities are so much more results-driven. And more fun! Firstly, there is an opportunity for constant rotation among workshop participants. This ensures ideas are bouncing around the entire group. Secondly, being physically available to others in a learning environment allows for spontaneity. And spontaneity is crucial in training, not only is it a lot more exciting it also ensures knowledge retention is far easier to achieve.
Fundamentally, in-person training facilitators are also far more engaged in the group’s discussions. This is because this is the only thing they are focusing on at that particular moment. Their focus is not distracted by slides, presentations, and regular interjections of “you’re on mute”!
“Everyone who’s spent any time on an MS Teams or Zoom training session knows all too well of the unavoidable distractions surrounding them. However, in-person training sessions eliminate all of this external noise and chaos. This significantly increases the quality of learning. And crucially, it leads to extremely meaningful conversations that help you get the most out of the training and ROI.” said HBB Group CEO Garret Norris.
2. ENERGY
In-person training allows you the opportunity to “read the room”. For example, as a Sales Manager in an in-person training session that is part of a conference, you may wish to change the direction the session is going. If a key message isn’t landing, it’s far easier to tell in person, as you can feel the shift in energy, enthusiasm, and participation from your team. Although this can be done to some extent on a virtual platform, it’s certainly easier to sense tiredness or a drop in energy in F2F environments. And as such. you can call for a tea break earlier, something that is much harder to get a read on if you were on a Zoom session.
“Nothing can create as much energy in a training session as physical activity. It is so refreshing to be able to physically interact and talk with your colleagues during a team exercise. A lot different than doing so over a virtual platform, which for the last few years has become drearily the norm. To get up, jump on tables, run around (safely) in car parks during an exercise session, this is what I missed the most during lockdowns, especially seeing the smiles on my delegate’s faces and hearing the laughter-filled rooms.” said Garret.
HBB Group CEO Garret Norris Delivering an Activity High In-Person Training Exercise
3. EMPATHY
This would have to be by far the most crucial of in-person training – especially in Sales and Leadership training sessions. Simply being in the same physical space allows for stronger trainer-particpant rapport. And in turn, better trainer-delegate emapthy and trust. This ultimately leads to stronger knowledge retention and application of the learning.
Additionally, an in-person training environment also makes it much easier to challenge ideas between each other. It also creates a safe space for focusing on pain points, allowing for a truly productive learning conversation to take place.
“Most certainly, we have all been in a situation where a workshop delegate is hesitant to take part or learn. In a virtual environment, these employees can hide, and thus not benefit from the training and investment in their professional development. It is so much easier and beneficial to have a constructive conversation with workshop attendees where ultimately conflicting ideas can be exchanged and worked through. I find, and by the end of the workshop so too do the participants, that in-person training provides a more comprehensive means of communication, including non-verbal cues, and removes all barriers to allow for a more valuable training session and learning opportunity.” adds Garret.
Call the HBB Group 1300 833 574 or email info@healthybusinessbuilder.com.au to discuss which tailored option is best for your team’s growth.
