Welcome to Fast Train
The idea for Fast Train came out of a frustration with generalised, non-specific training being offered and also an appreciation that everyone is short of time, and taking one or two days out of a working week is becoming more difficult.
We realised also that in a group, different people have different requirements and that it is much better if you can be specific when offering training. So we thought as a first stage we would like to offer a blog where you can tell us about your work issues and we can then talk about them and see what solutions arise. We will also be issuing our own thoughts and experiences and then categorising them as time goes on so that if you are a new user you can get quick and easy access to the collective wisdom of past blog subjects.
We’re particularly interested in so-called soft skills training – although we’d dispute that there is anything ’soft’ about being a great communicator, leader or negotiator…
So as a kick-off, let’s hear some horror stories… What is the worst training course you’ve ever been on and why?
I recently attended a conference where the first three trainers delivered extremely dull and irrelevant Powerpoint presentations with no interaction. I had driven for two hundred miles and felt it was a complete waste of my time. If there wasn’t going to be any discussion, it would have been much easier to send the presentations by email and let us all get on with our busy work schedules.
I think we’ve all had experiences like that! What is it about Powerpoint that people just don’t seem able to use it properly? I feel like shouting sometimes – ‘I can read! You don’t need to read it to me. Tell me something I don’t know.’
I do feel as well that so much time can be wasted on training courses. An hour of introductions and ‘getting to know you’ exercises – but where’s the real training value?
It seems especially in these current times where everyone is so much more aware that time equals money, people just don’t want to waste time. So it seems to be very important that training is quick, easy and effective. I wonder what it would be like to add up how many hours of your life you had spent watching terrible Powerpoint presentations? Pretty depressing, I imagine…
I have just been made redundant and have received a payoff. But I don’t know how long I can survive on the money. I have a mortgage and plenty of bills to pay. Has anyone got any advice on how to make the money go further?
HOW CAN I START A SMALL BUSINESS?
All my life photography has been my hobby and have recently had some photos accepted for publication. I’ve been put on short time and am worried about redundancy. I’m middle aged and regret not taking it up full time before. How best could I get started running my own business?
TEAMS
I’m never short of good ideas but the members of my department are very resistant to change. I find it difficult to persuade them to my point of view. Any tips, anyone?
MOTIVATING TEAMS
How do I motivate my sales team to get the best out of them in this current difficult economic climate? Any tips would be very welcome.
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT TEAM MEMBERS
I have a very disruptive team member of my sales team who is the top performer but adversly affects others. Has anybody any suggestions on how to bring him into line as I don’t want to lose hime to a rival company.