“To choose time is to save time” Francis Bacon
Team Onswitch have worked with a few practices across the UK recently who understand that some things really do need making time for. Training for example. As a result, they each committed time, money and energy to getting everyone together to learn. Closing the practice for a day or running with half a team in the morning whilst colleagues attend a workshop (and then swapping over for the afternoon), of course has an impact on turnover. But the value gained from the team working together to learn new skills or design new processes is worth far more in increased engagement and efficiency.
Choosing to spend time now, saves far more time in future.
The importance of protected learning time
Learning and development comes in many shapes and styles – all of which only truly work when the environment is conducive to learning. Webinars, workshops, podcasts, lunch and learns, mentoring, training courses – there is a place for all, and Onswitch offer many of them. But sometimes a face-to-face training environment is exactly what’s needed to get everyone working together and to spark that lightbulb moment. Hearing colleagues explain their thinking or talk about their own experiences is often the thing that unlocks a concept or a way of working in someone else’s mind. Something that felt not relevant suddenly has a real and obvious point when you hear another team member talk about their approach.
Looking back on the in-person workshops we’ve facilitated for practices in recent weeks, we got to thinking about the factors that made them work:
- A specific brief. Much of Onswitch’s training is bespoke, often based on our core courses, but always tailored around the team’s particular needs. The most impactful learning sessions are definitely those where the practice sets out exactly where they need help and what they want to team to be able to do differently
- Dedicated time. Getting away from the phones and emails is so important. Getting out of the practice building is ideal for demarcating the session as protected learning time and reducing interruptions
- Good food and drinks. One brilliant workshop began with a team breakfast, time for everyone to settle in, catch up and enjoy some tattie scones. Having a plentiful supply of tea and coffee throughout the day, along with breaks and a good lunch keeps everyone motivated
- The right equipment – plenty of plug sockets, AV connections, flipcharts, pens and post its are all essential for sharing ideas and capturing suggestions and actions
- Enough space. Room to move around (not everyone likes to sit still whilst working) and enough chairs and tables for everyone are key. Cramming into a back room at the practice with no chairs for an hour is the very opposite of an effective learning environment
- Creation of a plan, with actions agreed and assigned as appropriate. People are far more likely to commit to changes and improvements when they have been involved in shaping the plan and understand what is expected of their role in delivering it. Actions should be realistic and time-bound, measured and reviewed regularly until they are achieved or changed
- Great facilitation. *cough* Onswitch have some brilliant trainers who will ensure that workshops stay on track and achieve their stated objectives. We’re happy to help plan and deliver whatever sort of learning event you have in mind for your team
The power of the team
Ultimately face-to-face learning works because everyone is together, inputting thoughts and bouncing off each other. We see time and time again how much more productive workshops are when they are interactive and inclusive. Progress is made further and faster when colleagues learn together, rather than everyone doing the same webinar separately and at different times. Protected learning time and space gives people the opportunity to come at persistent issues from a new angle, to hear a new perspective. Learnings are embedded more deeply; new ways of working are adopted more effectively.
Onswitch workshops always end with a few practical things that attendees can do the next day (and then every day) when they are at work, small steps that will make a real difference. If you haven’t yet unlocked the power of your team, we’d love to help!
