Tips For Successful Online Learning

Online or Virtual training is the need of the hour. Many of us are working from home and are unable to even reach our offices. And because of this; classroom training, and with it, learning, in general, has taken a back seat. But how long can we really afford this?

Many Corporates have therefore started taking learning seriously, even in times like these. They realise its importance and recognise the fact that it cannot be given less priority. Conducting corporate training online, is therefore their new ‘go to thing’.

Now I know virtual training does not provide the same experience as a classroom training program. But opt for virtual instructor led training. And you’ll soon realise how it’s the next best thing! Definitely a step above e-learning. You can actually interact with the trainer and other participants, perform activities, do assignments, reflect together, etc., just like a classroom session, only virtually. And you get the advantages of virtual training; like no travel and saving on facility, travel and even trainer facilitation costs!

To make such virtual learning experiences simpler and more successful for participants, I’m going to share a few valuable tips. Here goes…

• Choose a spot to sit which has proper lighting, a decent background and no disturbance
• Login to the session 10 minutes prior to the start time
• Turn of all kinds of notifications to avoid disturbance
• Check if your device is well charged to avoid system shut down
• Ensure the internet connection is good
• Check if the camera and microphone are working fine
• Mute yourself when you are not talking
• Avoid moving around during the training session
• Participate actively by asking questions based on the slots provided for the same
• Contribute to group discussions, activities, etc.
• Make notes as and when required
• Connect with the facilitator post training for clearing doubts, if any
• Complete pre-work, assignments and any other homework given 
• Work on actions plan created during training sessions
• And most importantly, hold yourself accountable for your learning 

These are some of the tips that are coming to my mind when learning virtually. What’s your experience? Any I missed out on? Feel free to share in the comments section after this article. Let’s make the most of our virtual trainings and learnings!

3 Steps To Efficient Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills training is beneficial only for sales professionals. Do you agree with that? I hope not!

Negotiation skills are essential for each and every one of us as we need to negotiate with various people in our professional and personal lives. In fact, you’ll realise we do it even more with our parents, spouse, children, vegetable vendor, etc. Right? Ever asked your parents for a Goa trip and received ‘no’ for an answer? Hahaha! Now you get what I mean!

On a serious note, we all need to be good at negotiation. And if these skills come to you naturally, great! But if they don’t? Then that’s what negotiation skills training programs are for.

In this article, we are going to discuss the 3 steps that are essential in any negotiation situation.

Step 1: Preparation

It’s important that for a negotiation to happen successfully, one needs to be fully prepared. You must have all the required information with regards to your own position, why it’s important to you and how far you are ready to budge on it.  The opposing party’s interests and limitations are also important for you to know. Also, think about what can be done if the negotiation is not successful for some reason. Prepare multiple alternatives solutions also for the same, so that you can increase the chances of a successful negotiation.

Step 2: Development

In this step, both the parties exchange information, ideas and their point of views. Make it a point to listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Ask clarifying questions to ensure that you’re both on the same page. This the phase where disagreements take place and conflicts may erupt. Stay assertive and avoid getting aggressive or falling into a passive stance. The objective here is to come up with a solution that is beneficial to both the parties. One also needs to be very patient during this phase as it can go on for quite some time and can lead to some pretty difficult discussions coming forth. Don’t try to rush this phase. Let things emerge.

Step 3: Close

This is the decision-making phase of the process. In this phase, there are two possibilities. Either there will be an agreement, or the negotiation will not come through. One needs to ensure that all the issues are dealt with clearly between both the parties and there are no discrepancies. In a professional set up, it is recommended to document the discussion. This process can be concluded by determining and finalizing the further plan of action.

I have explained these steps very briefly. For being able to actually negotiate effectively, one needs to learn the process in detail and practice it too. A negotiation skills training program is therefore highly recommended for all those that face such situations often. It gives some great insights into your negotiation style and how you can improve the same along with giving you practice. And that’s when you can truly become a master of negotiation, even if it’s not a skill that comes naturally to you!

The Team Building Skill Will Lead You To The Summit Of Success

A lot of importance is given to corporate team building training. Organisations might miss out on various other skills, but they never forget to conduct a team building training session at least once a year for their teams.

So, is the team building skill really that important? And how much does it really contribute to our overall growth and career?

In my experience, the team building skill can take you places. I am not kidding when I say you can easily find a leader but finding a good team player is difficult! Everyone wants to be a great leader but there are hardly any people who say they want to be great followers. And we know leaders are nothing if they don’t have loyal followers.

Being a great team player is nothing less than being a great leader. And frankly, there are very few people who can work effectively in teams and perform their best. By their best, I mean, giving their 100% and supporting other team members to give their 100% too. And that’s what makes up an ideal team.

Corporate team building trainings helps in various areas. Not just professionally but personally too. In fact, I would say a team building training is a complete ‘development package’ for every participant.  And not just helps you excel in your workplace but in your personal life and generally in society too.

The cherry on the cake is that corporate team building training are the most fun training of them all. And provides a great combination, one of learning and lots of fun. So, while they give you a chance to learn more about where you are as a team and where you can reach and how, they also provide a chance to bond with one another. A bong that gives the team a solid foundation and makes the team stick together through thick and thin!

So, what’s your take on this? What has your experience been of corporate team building training?

5 Components Of A Successful Sales Training Program

I was creating a virtual sales training program yesterday. We already have an amazing 4-day classroom sales workshop in place. Therefore, I was picking up bits and pieces from it, and seeing what I can use successfully in the online session.

While doing my pick and chose activity, I did come across one or two activities in the classroom sales training program which I realised could not be delivered in the online format. However, contrary to my earlier apprehension, most of it could!

And this brings me to my topic today. The components of a successful sales training program delivered in the classroom or online. So here goes…

1.       Practice – Practice is one of those things that a sales training program or any skill related or behavioural program for that matter, can’t do without! It has to be an essential part of the session and should come post teaching a new skill or behaviour. This, however, can tend to get a little difficult when it comes to a virtual session as the participants are not physically next to one another. Nonetheless, its worth putting in the effort to figure out how best you can do this based on the options available on your online platform.

2.       Awareness – Every sales professional has their own strengths and areas of development. And no matter what level they reach, its important that they know about them. It is therefore essential that every sales training program or sales management training gives the sales executive or manager insights into these.

3.       Market Standards – Now this is one area that I have always seen participants being inquisitive about. And they make it a point to ask the facilitator in every sales training program what their competitors are doing or in general what practices are being followed by others in sales. And if you ask me, its amazing what insights they pick up and start applying from the same. Which also brings me to my next point…

4.       Newness – For executives who are attending their first sales training program, they are definitely going to learn something new. But for a Sales Manager who has attended many programs before, its important that the Sales Management training teaches them something new. For example, you can teach them how to manage their sales team rather than just managing the sales pipeline.  This will surely be a value add for them.

5.       Holistic – A corporate sales training program must cover all the aspects of sales. Right from grooming to attitude to etiquette to managing numbers. After all, all of these together create a great sale and should therefore not be left to chance!

4 Things To Know Before Choosing The Best HR Consultancy In Mumbai

Choosing an HR consultancy for your organisation can be tricky, especially if you are a small organisation.  You want the best, yet its important that you keep within your budget. Which makes selection a crucial step and one that you must do with utmost care.

Like any other firm, HR consultancies come in all shapes and sizes. And could be ranging from a one- man army to a huge organisation.  It’s up to you to analyse your requirement well and chose an HR consultancy that fits the bill well.

Need some help? Well let me give you some pointers that can help you boil down your choices.

1. Experience – This is by far the most important step. Its essential that the HR Consultant or Consultancy has enough experience on board, especially if they are going to look after your entire HR function. A little grey can also add a lot when it comes to increasing the importance given to the HR in the boardroom as well as while making company announcements!

Also check the kind of clients that the HR Consulting firm has worked with in the past. If they have prior experience working with a client from your industry, it’s definitely a point to consider. It will be easier for them to understand your problems and may even be able to apply tools that they have used in the past.

2. Range of Offerings – The broader the experience of the HR consultancy, the better. This means that they can manage and advise you on a larger number of HR functions. Some of the areas where they should be able to offer you their services are Recruitment, Selection, Compensation and Benefits, Performance Management, Training, Employee Engagement, HR Policies, Industrial Relations (if that is something you need currently or many need in the future), etc.

 3. Firm Size – This is also important depending upon your need. If you have an HR department in place but just require the assistance and advice of an experienced HR professional, then you can manage with a single HR Consultant. However, if you want to outsource your entire HR department, then you need a firm with a larger number of consultants.

4. Comfort – An HR Consultant’s role is extremely important in an organisation. They need to be able to manage employees at various levels, right from the Senior Management to the workforce. Therefore, it’s important that you select a Consultant or Firm that can connect with employees at various levels, understand their challenges and provide appropriate solutions.

Hope these points helped. Would love to hear some of your experiences😊