One of my skills projects which I took part in as a trainer was the salad processing one. This company had 2 sites, one in Magdeburg and one in Stuttgart and they produced ready-made salads which one can buy in plastic bags in the supermarket or any of the fast-food chains.
After an analysis of their business processes it was clear that they wasted salad in the cleaning and "production" process. So, in a project we defined a cucumber as mascot, and developed posters where it was taught how to cut lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, etc. In the aftermath I find it amazing what kind of projects one can have.
So, basically, we trained them how to clean different kind of salads and lettuce. We measured the outcome, but I must admit, I have no idea anymore how successful the project was. I think it went well though.
I did mainly deliver the management training and coaching, especially in the east German site. Main problem in that site was the lack of any management skills and I had to train them from the very beginning. On the west German site the main problems was that nobody understood anyone because too many foreigners were working there speaking all sorts of languages. So, I gave training and coaching in German, English, and French. That was fun!
I got a video camera for Christmas and I used it mainly to record the role-plays when I trained confrontation skills. I loved it, so did they. It was a very powerful tool.
Showing posts with label role-play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label role-play. Show all posts
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Florida Boy
The best training I have ever received and also the toughest was the one in the company headquarters in Florida. It was really tough. And in those days my English was not as good as it is today.
We learned how to determine training needs, several management simulations, how to organise and roll out training sessions, how to coach people, how to deal with tough clients during coaching and workshops, etc. It was a 3 weeks course and every day we got homework to do.
Week 3 was role-play week. Now, those were tricky. They had a special roleplay room which was fitted with hidden cameras and microphones. TV sets were placed throughout the company, and also in the CEO's office. Whenever there were any role-plays done one could tune in.
Role players were often board directors of the company. So, as a young junior consultant you suddenly had to role-play with one of the big boys. In case they did not like someone they simply fired that person. Also, in case the CEO tuned in in his office and he found the role-play horrible he ran down and fired the role players.
In the training course before ours apparently 50% of trainees were fired.
Well, I was not, nor was any other person in our course. But I have never been that nervous.
We learned how to determine training needs, several management simulations, how to organise and roll out training sessions, how to coach people, how to deal with tough clients during coaching and workshops, etc. It was a 3 weeks course and every day we got homework to do.
Week 3 was role-play week. Now, those were tricky. They had a special roleplay room which was fitted with hidden cameras and microphones. TV sets were placed throughout the company, and also in the CEO's office. Whenever there were any role-plays done one could tune in.
Role players were often board directors of the company. So, as a young junior consultant you suddenly had to role-play with one of the big boys. In case they did not like someone they simply fired that person. Also, in case the CEO tuned in in his office and he found the role-play horrible he ran down and fired the role players.
In the training course before ours apparently 50% of trainees were fired.
Well, I was not, nor was any other person in our course. But I have never been that nervous.
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