In the Sirolli folklore the 5 Day Training is sometimes referred to as Bootcamp - making it sound like some sort of militaristic passage of rites. This not the case at all - as I hope this feedback from a recent training makes clear.
"The course was quite simply a joy to participate in as a Panel member. I felt right from the start that Ned set the standards high in a gentle, yet authoritative style with good natured humour which immediately put all of us at ease. I was amazed at how quickly he got all participants to open up so quickly, which is not easy for Scottish people especially the men in the group who were really relaxed with him.
The materials were excellent, well chosen, intelligent and interesting and set the tone of the course with a refreshingly different start which had a remarkable effect on the group. (I watched people reading the materials and I could see their eyes light up as they absorbed the knowledge taking care to get the right meaning across as they prepared their mini lectures). I enjoyed hearing all of the inputs to the day and left day 1 with a new perspective on my own thoughts and although day 2 was a re-hash of all that I had read before – it was amazing how much I learned again by listening in a different way than I had done in the past.
Days 3 and 4 were a great insight into people struggling with their dreams and aspirations and I felt truly humbled by the trust that they gave us – which could not have been easy for them in our close-knit community.
Ned’s skills as a course facilitator were astounding and the back up of the differing styles of Nancy, Linda and Mike – all offering varied insights and their own experience of Enterprise Facilitation worked really well. I liked the team approach with different tasks assigned to each one of them.
I think we would all agree that the Friday was an amazing day – I think we experienced every positive human emotion that is possible to feel – we laughed, we cried and our hearts were deeply touched and what was left was a warm glow of human understanding and a feeling that now –anything is possible. So THANK-YOU all so very much for a wonderful life enhancing experience which I will never forget."
“The training was useful, interesting, and enjoyable. It was a great opportunity to get to know the panel members better and our Facilitator.
My learning style is about active engagement and reflection so I enjoyed the interactive nature of the course. I thought the reading activities were very useful and I’m looking forward to reading the ones I missed and revisiting others. The most memorable quote for me was: “Self interest rightfully understood”, so pertinent.
The practical workshops with clients were great. A truly insightful experience and good for developing understanding of the enterprise Facilitator’s role.
I thought the three trainers were excellent their skills as trainers and facilitation made the week enjoyable as well as valuable. They were effective, yet compassionate; Focused, yet positive; friendly yet still objective.”
“At the start of the week I said that I did not expect to be surprised by the week. That was not to say I would not learn anything, but I did not expect that I would meet anything surprising. Since I encountered Ernesto a couple years back the overriding philosophy of enterprise facilitation has seemed to me to fit perfectly with my belief system.
However, with no business experience myself, I had not expected the strength of feeling that the folks who want to start their own business have.
I have really enjoyed the mixture of activities that we’ve gone through- discussion, reading, practical; well mixed and balanced. I’ve really enjoyed meeting my fellow panel members and getting to know them and it has been a joy to have three such enthusiastic, skilled and relaxed facilitators for one week.”
“The first two days were quite heavy going though I cannot see anyway they could be anything but. The readings were very helpful and helped concentrate the mind on the task of the week. I particularly enjoyed the participative nature of the training. The analytical tools were for me what I had anticipated as being the central issue, But discovered that this is just one part albeit a most important one. I found Ned, Nancy and Linda’s enthusiasm and energy invigorating and they brought fun and joy to the course.
I was a little confused as to why there was so many of us carrying out the training but was sure it would become clear and it did very quickly.
In conclusion, the course has been superb, leading to my understanding of the essence of Sirolli.”
The (course) leaders quickly established a relaxed but controlled environment where participants felt confident to express themselves and unrushed, yet were guided to ensure schedules were adhered to and sessions did not over-run. A group rapport was formed, and the atmosphere was positive and encouraging throughout.
Feedback each morning reinforced the previous day’s learning, allowed participants to give others fresh viewpoints of the material, and to clarify anything they might have felt unsure about on reflection. Although some academic rigor was demanded most of the time, a lighthearted friendly atmosphere was maintained.
The basic concepts of the training were very simple, but were explored through various methods to re-present them from a variety of viewpoints, or in different contexts to draw out the subtleties of their meaning and application.
The choice of material (eg in the readings) and varied activities (reading/interviewing/discussion, etc.) was excellent and kept the participants’ attention level high.
There was a danger that participants would feel “I know it already” and that the ideas were too obvious, but the presentation ensured that the concepts were explored deeply enough to keep up interest either by making participants check the correctness of their prior knowledge, or realize that there were aspects they had not appreciated.
I valued the clear explanation of the objective of the course for panel members, making it clear that my presence was justified, and not just peripheral (to the main purpose of training the facilitator). Although I think I appreciate the main thrust of the various basic points about facilitation, the course gave me time and focused my attention on these so I can not feel more confident and I appreciate them and understand them correctly. On at least some points of course, I think I was guided to a better understanding or even corrected. (for example on the particular intentions of the “brainstorming”.)
My congratulations to the presenting team for their efforts.”
"I liked framing of each day.
Really appreciated the degree of practice and positive feedback.
Appreciated the panel being there.
I liked the pace overall.
I was simply surprised by the panel’s member’s understanding and greatly encouraged by the way everyone was brought along the path.
I started with no questions just an open mind. I feel that I have soaked up so much. I appreciated the “actual experience shared by Ned, Linda, and Nancy. I look forward to connecting with you again.”
"The five day course provided to be a thorough explanation of the background, theory and implementation of Sirolli’s original insights, the ‘Trinity of Management’, the ‘two legs of economic development’. The practical interviewing and reviewing of real potential clients was interesting, informative, and exhausting, and the efficiency of the rules and methods of brainstorming was a revelation. I was left realizing just hoe much time is wasted in other brainstorming techniques.
The network of resources and person centered approach to clients was amply expounded by the four-strong team of experts giving the course. The ratio of trainers to trainees was impressive in itself, with the tone of the course being light-hearted and keenly purposeful at the same time. The course was reinforcing for the panel where they had already had basic training and informing where they had not. For our newly-employed Enterprise Facilitator, the informing was augmented by the network and client “seeding” which occurred deliberately in the carefully casual atmosphere
The sessions came across as well planned, with quality reading material and videos. The trainers’ enthusiasm was undeniable, and all questions were answered well. The choice of Training rooms was admirable, as was the catering. I would definitely recommend this course to others, and exhort that it be made available to more panel members at a later date."
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