By Anny Oliveros

At Acumen, we’re changing the game with training sessions grounded in your day-to-day work realities. By diving deep into the needs of both management and participants, we create programs that are customized, actionable, and impactful. Discover how we turn training from a chore into an opportunity to boost performance and achieve real results.

"Another training session? Do I really need this? I have so much work to do!”

Sound familiar? It’s a common thought among busy professionals, especially those who've sat through countless sessions that don’t seem to connect with their day-to-day realities. As someone deeply involved in designing these programs, I totally get it. The last thing anyone wants is to sit through training that feels like a waste of time.

At Acumen, we’re all about flipping the script on traditional training. My role as program director and content manager for our capability-building materials has me laser-focused on one goal: creating training experiences that are not only engaging but also immediately applicable. Our approach is rooted in making every module relevant, value-adding, and actionable (RVA). No cookie-cutter content here – everything is tailored to fit what each client really needs.

So, how do we make sure our training hits the mark? It all starts with a comprehensive diagnostic process. From experience, we know that understanding the perspectives of both management and participants is crucial. This isn’t about ticking a box; it’s about truly digging deep to see what’s needed.

Here’s how we get the full picture:

Skill Snapshot: We dive into the team’s current work and run knowledge assessments to see where they stand. It’s like taking a snapshot of their skills and outputs, so we know exactly what needs tweaking.

In-Action Insights: We join meetings, reviews, and presentations to watch the team in action. This hands-on approach helps us understand how concepts are applied in the real world, uncovering those “aha” moments and hidden challenges.

Self-Discovery and Assessment: We ask participants to rate their own skills, giving us a window into their self-perceived strengths and weaknesses. Often, this reveals gaps that management might not even be aware of.

Stakeholder Deep Dive: We sit down with key stakeholders to understand their pain points and expectations. This helps us align our training with the strategic goals of the organization.

All this information is synthesized to design a program that’s just right for the client. Our content, activities, and outputs are all tailored to be relevant, valuable, and actionable.

Does it work? Absolutely. In fact, 97% of participants we asked in 2023 – that’s 176 out of 181 learners – rated our modules as highly relevant and applicable to their jobs. They agreed that the courses they attended were likely to help them produce better output at work. This isn’t just talk; it’s proof that our approach to training is impactful.

By focusing on what’s really needed and customizing our approach, we ensure our training isn’t just another item on the to-do list. It’s a game-changer that brings real value and practical skills participants can use right away. At Acumen, we don’t just train – we aim to elevate performance and drive success.