- As we start a fresh year, thoughts of goals, resolutions, and personal development are likely on your mind and those of your employees. Before the year starts to get away from us, committing to a development program now can be one thing you check off your list this year. When looking for a professional development opportunity, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
- First, choose a program that caters to your level of experience and addresses where you are (and where you are going) in your career. Starting at this step also helps guarantee that your fellow participants will be of a similar mindset and experience level which will lead to richer conversations and connections. There is no ‘one size fits all solution’ for a training and development experience, so be sure you do your homework in advance to confirm you are making the best choice for you and your future goals. Choosing a program that does not address your specific needs can leave you feeling like you have wasted your time, your money, and your energy.
- Next, it is important to choose a program that is convenient. We all have full calendars and some days the idea of squeezing in another thing feels not just overwhelming, but impossible. While virtual programs became more standard, they constitute a shift away from more traditional training formats. And although virtual training may feel different at the outset, it is quite convenient. You spend less time commuting to your training location, less time in awkward water cooler talk with other participants (although are still afforded opportunities for networking and breakout chats), and less time away from your regular task list (which certainly isn’t getting smaller with you away for training).
- And finally, choose a program that is engaging! The virtual training realm is now packed full of thoughtful and interactive tools that, when used by expert facilitators, can pivot a training experience to virtual and lose very little in the process. Breakout sessions, polls, interactive video components, and real-time experiential activities are a few that we use regularly in our programs. So yes, engaging programs delivered in a virtual format are very much a real thing and are definitely worth a second look.
- FOCUS Training offers two cohort-style programs, one for new and future leaders focused on tactical skills, and one for experienced leaders looking for more strategic skills, which are each delivered once per month in a fully virtual format for 4 months. We break our days down into three 90-minute modules each with breaks in between. Lean more about how we can support your 2022 development goals here.
