There is a belief that individuals learn best by 'doing'. This is the philosophy of AsiaWorks, a company that provides corporate training using leading-edge, high-impact development programmes for businesses, academic groups and government organisations. The firm's niche is experiential training, which has proved a unique, dynamic and rewarding training method in the corporate world. Unlike the passive learning in classroom/lecture training, experiential training draws on the learners' immediate experiences and feelings in a training context. Insights are gained in the middle of action, as it were, resulting in personal breakthroughs. In a training environment, participants actively experience, explore and develop target skills and behaviours. The training can take place in various formats. These include individual or team problem-solving initiatives, physical challenges, games, simulation exercises, structured processes and shared sessions. All the activities involve a high level of participation and are action-based, results-oriented and challenging. 'These are not lectures or workshops that emphasise discussion, the sharing of ideas or providing specific knowledge. This goes deep into an individual's innermost mindset, resulting in change wrought by new experiences,' says Lyric Chan Hin-chi, the firm's managing consultant. 'It is like learning to ride a bicycle. Once you have learned the skill, you never forget it.' On completing the activity session, participants undergo a debriefing in which they are asked to reflect on what they have done, why they did it, what worked and what did not. They are also asked to review any options that might have been available. 'At the end of the training, the participants are shown how to internalise their discoveries and transfer the learned skills back to their workplace,' Mr Chan says. Experiential training, which focuses on a wide range of soft skills (such as leadership, coaching, creativity and problem-solving), aims to enhance productivity within an organisation. To ensure they apply, sustain and develop the skills they have learned, the participants should engage in structured reinforcement programmes and follow-up activities. The firm offers a range of indoor and outdoor learning tools. It has clients in China, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. 'The market is definitely growing,' says AsiaWorks business development director Patrick Cavess. 'And there is an increasing demand from mainland companies that see the value of experiential training. These firms are shifting from the old management style of tell-you-what-to-do to how-do-you-want-to-contribute. In addition, corporations are calling for customised training programmes.' Mr Cavess says learners are showing a greater commitment to growing professionally. 'In a slow economic climate, it is easy for corporations to focus on tasks and performance and lose sight of the human factor. This could result in lowered staff morale and dedication. A number of corporations have reduced their training budget, but we still see companies allocating budgets to re-motivate people or reset their business direction.'
