12 Steps to Organising Collaborative Training
You’ve identified that your business has a specific training need but for one reason or another, none of the scheduled training options work for you. Why not organise your own and team up with other businesses to maximise the benefit?
Follow our 12 step guide to collaborative training success...
1. Identify a training need
The fact that you are planning a collaborative training event means that you are more than likely to have already identified a training need.
We can help you crystallise that training need, pinpoint exactly what you hope to achieve and use expert industry know-how to make 100% sure that collaboration is your best option.
With this heightened awareness, you will be best placed to get the most out of the training opportunity and transfer the learnings into business results.
2. Identify businesses to collaborate with
This is where we can lend another hand. We talk to hundreds of businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and are plugged into their training aspirations. We’ll be able to point you in the direction of businesses that may be interested in buddying up with you. Other contacts that we recommend speaking to are:
- Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
- Federation of Small Businesses
- Sector networks such as Cornwall Marine Network, Software Cornwall, Visit Cornwall, Cornwall Manufacturers Group…the list goes on.
And don’t forget your own B2B relationships. Remember Mr Smith mentioning that his company could do with hotting up on SEO? You’d make his day by proposing a training solution.
3. Source a training provider
Without wanting this to sound like a sales pitch, we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to training providers. We know who offers what, where funding may exist and we’re completely independent, so we can direct you to training providers and provision that is right for you and the business.
We have an online Training Providers Directory in the pipeline too which will be an invaluable resource – watch this space!
4. Agree the specifics
Once your training provider is confirmed you can agree a rate and determine how many delegates you need to make the collaboration viable. This is also the time to nail down the course content so that all parties involved are clear on exactly what will be covered.
5. Book a venue
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding on a venue:
Cost – the cost of the venue and training provider are going to determine the delegate rate so you’re going to want to keep them as low as possible. Look at your own facilities to see if you have a room/venue big enough. If not, explore the possibility of hosting your training event at a venue that wants to engage with the delegate businesses. They may offer the space for free in return for the showcase opportunity. Or do any of the delegate businesses themselves have a suitable room?
Capacity – any room that you use must be big enough to accommodate the number of delegates – simple.
Location – the fact that you are planning a collaborative event implies that geography is a big factor for you when undertaking training. Find a location that has good transport links and is easy to find, and you’re onto a winner.
Parking – does the venue have sufficient on-site car parking or will delegates need to find parking elsewhere? Will there be a parking charge? These are the type of questions that potential delegates will be weighing up when deciding if to attend so pre-empt them and try to make the answers as favourable as possible.
Accessibility – wheelchair accessibility is an important factor to consider but try to think beyond this. Does the venue have provision for delegates with vision or hearing impairments for example?
Catering – to keep everyone firing on all cylinders and making the most of the training opportunity, refreshments are all important. But it doesn’t have to be costly. There’s nothing wrong with asking delegates to bring packed lunches with them – just factor this into your pre-event comms and everyone will be prepared.
Facilities – for some training topics the provision of facilities can make or break it. Imagine being at a digital marketing workshop with no access to WiFi or network data for instance. Make a list of what is essential and don’t falter from it when venue scouting.
6. Set the date and time
Monday mornings aren’t always the ideal time to catch people at their best, and the same goes for Friday afternoons. Aim for a day that is most likely to attract the best take up, time it thoughtfully and check for potential clashes. Scheduling your training event for the same day as a must-attend industry event isn’t going to win you any fans.
7. Manage bookings
Eventbrite is an online tool to manage bookings. You can create an event and ask delegates to sign themselves up using a bespoke link. This is especially useful if you have agreed with the training provider that they can also generate delegate bookings. Eventbrite also seamlessly handles payment (although this incurs a per ticket charge).
If you take a more traditional approach and log delegate details manually, regular liaison with the training provider to cross reference attendees is essential.
8. Spread the word
Once you’ve got everything lined up and have a clear indication of numbers from collaborative partners you can assess whether there is capacity to open the training opportunity out to a wider audience. If there is, refer back to your list in point two and ask them to send details to their contacts. You could also distribute a press release and don’t forget to upload it to our News & Events page.
9. The final countdown
If a little time has passed it is well worth sending delegates a friendly reminder one week/a few days prior to the event. Include a schedule, things to bring, parking etc. Now is also the time to triple check everything with the venue and training provider.
10. The day has arrived
Get the day off to a good start by arriving at the venue early to set up. Be visible when delegates arrive and put on your best smile to meet and greet. A friendly welcome can make all the difference to the success of the event and will put delegates at ease – remember, they may be feeling a little nervous if they are pushing their comfort zone by undertaking the training.
11. Let the training provider do their stuff
You’ve done your bit by getting the training event to this point. Now hand the reins over to the training provider and remember why you initiated the collaborative opportunity in the first place; to learn. Soak it all in and make the most of the opportunity.
12. Follow up
Follow up the event by thanking everyone for attending and asking for their feedback. Now start putting what you have learnt into action!