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Training that works.

We use a broad range of sustained learning techniques in all our deliveries to ensure that our training is not only hard-hitting, challenging and provoking - but that it is relevant, deeply practical and the knowledge sticks - enabling real ROI to be achieved.

The Colin James Method® difference

Understanding Why you need to shift skills is vital to training, yet when teaching this many courses focus too much on the What and Why – missing the key step – How to do it. Our deeply practical programs focus on teaching you immediately applicable skills – the How.

Our learning experience is like no other – participants are deeply engaged, constantly learning and see results on the day – giving them the confidence to keep practicing their skills and improve their capability once they leave the training room.

To truly embed the learning and support the implementation of new skills inside and outside the training room, our expert facilitators incorporate a broad range of sustained learning tools and techniques into their delivery – even the online training modules!

Soft skilled occupations will make up 63% of all jobs by 2030

- Deloitte, Access Economics
-Soft Skills For Business Success,2017

Female-presentiing
Team with CBA clients

What is sustained learning?

New behaviours and attitudes are formed by frequent, consistent and conscious practice over time; this builds new neural connections and patterns, which overtake the old ones, so we can think and behave in new ways. We use this technique to develop new skills and habits in our training programs.

Our programs constantly support you with techniques, materials, people and practical experiences that force you to build these new pathways in your brain. Ensuring that what you hear, see and experience is helping you learn.

How does The Colin James Method® use
sustained learning techniques?

Review the broad range of practical sustained learning techniques we use in detail below. Some of these are subtler than others but with constant reinforcement, they ensure results from all The Colin James Method® training. Click on the ‘Learn more’ buttons to watch a video about each technique.

Line Of Tolerance

Line of tolerance

A framework that takes participants just outside their comfort zone in a safe environment to deepen learning.

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Individualised facilitation

Individualised facilitation

Understand how each individual works and learns to provide the right tools to embed learning.

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Virtual reality

Virtual reality

Gain confidence, overcome nerves, and get pitch perfect by rehearsing in advance in realistic, immersive virtual environments.

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Instigating behavioural change

Instigating behavioural change

Focusing on one change at a time with support and reminders to reinforce a new habit.

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Accredited facilitators

Accredited facilitators

Our facilitators are deeply trained in our methodology to enable them to identify which techniques work best to help you sustain the skills you have learned.

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Flipcharting

Flipcharting

Using visual engagement via flipcharting and asking participants to actively write down the content to engage with key information.

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Line Of Tolerance

Pushing the boundaries of comfort with the line of tolerance

What is it?

In order for us to grow and develop as professionals, our ability to manage stress and pressure is critical. The ‘line of tolerance’ framework we use refers to how well participants deal with these types of pressures. For leaders and upwardly mobile professionals alike, the benefit of lifting the ‘line of tolerance’ means an increased ability to handle growing challenges and responsibilities with confidence.

Why it works?

Learning environments that only play within the safe zone – below the line of tolerance – do not challenge you enough to grow and develop new skills. We see better results in our participants because we push their boundaries in a safe and supportive learning space.

How we use it?

In our training, we introduce the ‘line of tolerance’ concept to our participants to facilitate breakthroughs and elevation of thought, word, and deed.

Our learning environment works meticulously above and below the ‘line of tolerance’, nudging them out of their comfort zone and challenging them in a constructive way for a moment and then bringing them back to place of comfort. This could be with a practical vocal exercise, filming their presentation or challenging the group with an obscure thought or question that may leave them stumped for a moment.

Each step above the lines builds more and more tolerance and elevates their development.

Individualised facilitation

Individualised learning through tailored facilitation

What is it?

A group is made up of individuals with varying needs and learning styles. This is why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Our facilitators use a range of tools and techniques to support the learning for each individual, ensuring each person has a chance to understand new concepts in their own way.

Why it works?

Everyone has a unique way of looking at new information, which is why we believe it is important for a facilitator to adapt the content to the needs of each group. Coming from all different backgrounds, workplaces, and industries, we allow our participants to use the content and apply it directly to their world, which helps to embed the learning.

How we use it?

Participants apply the content to an upcoming task in their world during the course, with the coaching and support of our facilitators. Before a course, our facilitators also try to do deep research into each individual who is attending to ensure that the stories, example, and content they cover is relevant and helpful for the group on the day.

Virtual reality

Access to virtual reality (VR) training

What is it?

One of the biggest challenges of becoming more effective at a certain skill is the ongoing need to practice your skills with other people. Our programs now incorporate the use of Virtual Reality (VR) business scenarios for participants to practice communicating in. Through this practical application, participants are able to refine their delivery and gain the confidence to deliver with impact in front of any audience.

Why it works?

Innovative technology is around every corner in today’s world and it’s having a huge impact on the way we connect with others. VR provides a new way for us to learn by doing, with the opportunity to develop your skills by simulating the exact experiences you are likely to be facing.

How we use it?

Our programs are now incorporating the use of Virtual Reality for participants to rehearse in a safe environment. They will have access to a range of realistic and immersive VR practice rooms using an app which provides valuable feedback about different elements of their delivery such as eye contact, speaking pace and use of ‘filler words’. Practice environments include conference rooms, TEDX style auditoriums, meeting rooms, media/press interviews and training rooms.

Instigating behavioural change

Instigating behaviour change using a commitment

What is it?

Change is hard for all of us but when it is introduced in bite-size pieces it is easier to apply. Rather than bombarding our participants with a long list of new strategies and ideas, after the training we support their learning by getting them to identify one simple behaviour change, that will help them toward where they want to be. We then follow up with them with reminders to see how they are tracking.

Why we use it?

One of the biggest reasons workplace training programs fail is because participants are unable to apply what they have learned in their own world. Research has shown learning in bite-sized chunks makes the transfer of learning from the classroom to the desk 17% more efficient.

How we use it?

Our participants nominate one small behaviour change they would like to commit to working on after our communication skills training. We then schedule reminder messages to check in with them, which helps to keep them accountable and support the change in a manageable way.

Accredited facilitators

Gold standard educators through an in-depth facilitator accreditation process

What is it?

To fit the criteria of a The Colin James Method® facilitator, you need to stand out in a number of different ways. Already experienced and merited educators in their own right, we seek individuals with unique life stories, who are adaptable and able to exemplify the methodology as they teach it. Our facilitators are accredited through a rigorous process and are required to re-qualify in order to continue with us each year.

Why we do it?

In order to provide consistent results as a world-class training provider, our facilitators must always be at the top of their game.

How we do it?

Colin James personally coaches our facilitators through a deep training program to ensure they are equipped to support the learning of all participants and get the best results from any group. Before they can facilitate with a group on their own, our facilitators must also complete multiple deliveries of the content with either Colin or another experienced facilitator to ensure they are proficient to deliver the methodology.

Flipcharting

Visually engaging our audience with flipcharting

What is it?

Visual aids are an essential element of effective communication, but they must be used wisely. We find the use of PowerPoint slides is often relied on as a script by facilitators, which distracts participants from the key messages. Our facilitators commonly use flipcharts to draw out key concepts and build ideas to show how you can deliver impactful communications without relying on a deck of slides.

Why it works?

Drawing ideas helps to embed the learning process because it provides a sensory experience that builds on the page. The audience are far more engaged as they look to see what will appear rather than scanning ahead over pre-prepared slides. This style of visual learning offers another way to understand and we are often told by participants that they find it easier to remember the key concepts.

How we use it?

Our facilitators use flip charting in the delivery of our programs to sketch and write out the key concepts. Participants are also provided with colourful markers and a workbook to draw images and notes, which helps with memory and stimulates deeper learning.