Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions
Covid-19 hit every business including Slikun. Having that thick corporate blood running through their veins, the leaders took the setback as a lesson. The core team at Slikun sat down to revamp the entire business structure and created simple yet ingenious policies that in fact turned out to be pivotal in shaping the institute today.
#1
Reducing Cost of Learning for all
Solution: CTQ Drill Down Method
We used the same management techniques that we taught in class. Our soul focus was on greatly suppressing (if not eliminating) the extra expenditure, that was not critical to quality as per our team. Post covid-19, we eliminated offline batches of training entirely, as the cost of online is less than 1/3rd the cost of offline. We invested in technology to ensure a robust training platform. We trained our trainers to ensure that they conduct the highly interactive training sessions with appropriate breaks in between so as to keep students engaged and entertained. This reduced their stress and increased their attention span.
Most importantly, we trained them to conduct informal sessions instead of formal ones, to make our learners comfortable. A testament to this technique is the fact that we, on an average, have conducted sessions of over 4 hours with 1-2 breaks and students still reported it as a success, while the highest single lecture has been a record 8 hours with 3 breaks only. Actually, the time and energy spent on travelling to the training venue was save by both students and trainers. Thus they were able to spend more time together online, which led to increase in interest of the learners.
#2
Increasing Trainer's Value in Indian education
Solution: Training Partner Policy
During his doctoral studies, our director (Dr. Vishal Ghag) closely studied the education system in Japan & Finland which are considered to be the best across the globe. A major discrepancy that he observed in our education system is that trainers were highly undervalued by institutions. As a result, trainer motivation is usually low as most of them are just employees struggling to make their careers. In such cases, the overall enthusiasm to train students is generally low.
To mitigate this issue, the management team at Slikun came up with an ingenious policy. The concept of salaried trainers was removed permanently and “Training partner” policy was introduced. Under this policy, each trainer would act as an equal stakes partner for every single training. The training batch could be as small as 5 students or as huge as 60. Since the trainer is now treated as an equal partner, an equal share of the fees paid by each student would be given to the trainer in-charge.
This move not just dramatically boost up trainers’ motivation to work with Slikun, but also gave them the true value they deserve for sharing their knowledge. The deployment of this policy has witnessed and increased accountability on every trainer and their caring for students.
#3
Increase Offline trainings alongside Online ones.
Solution: Joint Certifications & Group trainings
While offline training does have its shortcomings (travel time, energy & cost) a lot of learners are still unable to adapt to the online front. To answer the requisitions from a large number of student enquiries from across India, we started the Joint Certification Program and Group trainings. Under these programs, students can form groups amongst themselves and apply for a particular training at Slikun. We will then send a trainer to their city once the group is adequately filled and students are enrolled, and the group trainings will be conducted at their location, by renting out office spaces. Students can comfortably enjoy their offline learning with the trainers and get trained quickly with the necessary knowledge. Post the offline trainings, students will then be supported online in their preparation for interviews.
A similar model is deployed for institutions and organizations that demand specialized trainings from Slikun, for their existing students/teachers/employees. Today, we partner up with a host of Indian Institutions and Organizations to provide their learners with offline trainings within their premises. Slikun’s network of professional trainers is the key behind the success of these trainings.
#4
Providing best-in-class knowledge to benefit learners.
Solution: Bringing the Industry to learners
Ascertaining the limitations of today’s learners and the dynamic industry requirements is the key to creating a successful training program. We believe that giving more knowledge than needed will lead to a waste of time, energy & money as learners tend to forget the things that they do not practice. With this knowledge, we split a large certification into smaller ones, that reduced the cost as well as syllabus for each program.
Now, freshers are able to dip their toe in the water with primary certifications that will help them get into their desired domain, and then once they achieve a proficiency with the basics, they can delve deep into advanced level certifications.
Another important aspect of professional programs is the Industrial visits. It is essential to let learners meet professionals in the industry to gain insights about the domain, but the cost of a single IV outweighs its advantages. To mitigate this, we adapted to the virtual industrial visits strategy. By means of these, we helped our students connect with the industry through virtual calls when the professionals would be in their office. They could show them around and give them an overwiew of the work culture. But the biggest advantage now was that now, through Slikun, the students could do as many virtual visits without having to pay for it. This raised their practical insights through varied individuals working in multiple companies spread over different geographic locations.
