The problem is how to invest in people, but achieve this with  short, affordable, effective training designs, that deliver a considerable amount of customized, sustainable learning and attitude change. Businesses need training interventions that provide

• powerfully interactive experiences: they need these to cost as little as possible,
• real lasting learning: they need these to take people off the job for the shortest time possible, and
• engaging training experiences that spark innovation and collaboration: they need these to be custom targeted on the specific needs of their organization so that people feel  “invested in”

It’s hard to blame them.  Organizations are “doing more with less,” and their alternatives are often minimal canned training, on-line non-collaborative training, or no training at all.

CPS began addressing this need by using accelerated learning techniques, such as jigsaw training designs, often mixed with plays and/or multiple intelligence work.  These most powerful, interactive learning methods work well for all generations. The collaborative nature of the work is ideal for innovation and cross-functional problem solving.

Topics included Generational Communication, Managing Generations and Multi-cultural Understanding (which does not mean international etiquette!).

We recently shared this technique (with everyone participating in a cultural jigsaw) with the Suncoast learning community at the ASTD Suncoast Chapter in November. Dr. Deidre Cobb-Roberts came from USF to participate (and commend the results highly) The learners built insights into how misunderstandings arise as a result of often-invisible culture differences between occupations, organizations,  regions and  national/ethnic cultures.

Other topics such as green attitudes and commitment, performance management, innovative and critical thinking are designed to include other interactive, accelerated techniques such as plays and/or multiple intelligence activities.

Where we use plays, the dialogues are often custom-written around industry-specific issues, and the roles are often created around Myers Briggs or DISC guide-lines.

Our largest jigsaw to date has been the Tech Data Pow-Wow, with 150 managers present and six other sites linked in technologically. Feedback from clients suggests that our most entertaining jigsaws are our “dog-and-pony show” jigsaws, where Glynis and Greg facilitate subjects like generational communication together, from their widely-different generational perspectives and knowledge bases.

Learning and retention: When participants learn material and then teach it to each other, they retain about 90% of the material (vs 20% of a Powerpoint-based presentation). When they are responsible for creating a mental framework for their section of the learning, they use this mental framework  to process and store learning received from their colleagues. The intense interaction and focus achieved in small groups working on tightly-targeting learning  leads to powerful insights, and to conceptual breakthroughs.

Time: Jigsaws take up to 2 hours, and can cover almost any learning area. The design can accommodate many people from a minimum of 16, up to over 100 participants.

If you would like to try a jigsaw or other interactive, accelerated learning experience with your team or company,  email glynis[@]c-psolutions.com or call 813 598 9184.