From Company Skepticism to Triumph: Mastering Scale and Performance

10 Aug

In a world full of big promises and the need to be great, just being fabulous isn't enough. Real success comes from doing things really well and on a big scale. It's time to go beyond just looking good and start making things happen. If you're aiming to make your business amazing, you might have noticed that the most successful companies like Seattle Genetics, SAS, Amazon, AT&T, and Randstad US don't just win awards for making money – they're also really good at training their people. This article is for people like you who have lots of potential and want to take your company from thinking "I can't see it happening" to actually doing incredibly well.

Learning from the Behavioral Paradox

Ever wondered how to go from thinking "I can't see it happening" to achieving success on a larger scale? This reminds me of a story from Richard Bandler's book "Frogs into Princes."

Imagine researchers studying rats and mazes, led by B.F. Skinner. They wanted to find out what sets humans apart from rats. They built a big maze for people and a small one for rats. They gave rats cheese to find and humans had to navigate for five-dollar bills. Surprisingly, both groups did quite well. Humans were a bit faster in solving the maze.

But things got interesting when rewards were taken away. The rats gave up after a while, but the humans didn't stop. They kept going, even without rewards. They were determined, like they were breaking into the lab at night to continue.

This story shows that humans have something special – a determination to keep going even when things get tough. It's a reminder that our inner drive can push us to succeed, even when external rewards fade. Like those humans in the maze, we can face challenges and keep moving forward, finding our own way to success.

Embracing Ancient Wisdom: The Golden Ratio

Thinking back to what the ancient Greeks believed, doing things well was all about being organized. They even had a special math rule called the golden ratio to show how things should fit together perfectly. We can see this same idea in beautiful buildings like cathedrals, temples, and libraries. The big lesson here is that finding balance is super important for success, and that's true in the business world too.

Understanding How Machines Learn: A Peek into Machine Learning Metrics

When we talk about measuring learning in the world of machines, it's quite different from how humans learn. If you're familiar with machine learning, you probably know about these eight important signs that show a machine has learned something:

1. Training Loss: Imagine online reviews where a machine tries to predict words. Training loss is like the gap between what the machine predicts and what's actually written. It helps the machine make better, more accurate reviews.
2. Validation Performance: Think about a machine diagnosing illnesses. Validation performance checks how good the machine is on new cases it hasn't seen before. This helps the machine diagnose diseases better and without any biases.
3. Test Performance: After teaching a machine to recognize cats and dogs in pictures, we test it with new pictures of these animals. The test performance shows how well the machine can figure out what's in the pictures.
4. Learning Curve: The learning curve is like a graph that shows how well the machine is getting better. As the machine learns, its mistakes go down. Starting small and gradually using more data helps the machine learn faster.
5. Generalization: Imagine a machine that's really good at telling cats from dogs, even if it's never seen some pictures before. This shows the machine can understand things it hasn't learned exactly.
6. Transfer Learning: Let's say a machine learns a lot from reading Wikipedia. It can use that learning to do well on a new task without starting from scratch. This saves time and effort.
7. Avoiding Overfitting: Sometimes a machine learns too much from its training data and struggles with new data. It's like memorizing a lesson instead of truly understanding it.
8. Interpretability: In banking, interpretability helps understand why a machine made a decision. For example, if a machine decides on a loan application, interpretability helps us know why it said yes or no.

These eight things help us understand how well a machine is learning and using its knowledge.

Now, in the realm of people…How can you guide your staff from doubting success to achieving excellence on a bigger level? When it comes to designing approved training programs, there are just two essential steps to think about when forming your strategy.

Step 1: Make Learning Easy for Your Team with a Simple Theory

To start your journey towards better performance and growth, begin by making the learning process simpler for your staff. Choose a well-tested learning theory that experts around the world have studied. You might already know theories like behaviorism, cognitive learning, experiential learning, or Processing Theory. These theories help you understand how people learn, forming a strong foundation for your training plan.

Step 2: Build a Strong Plan: 5 Ways to Succeed

Moving forward, the next important step is creating a strong plan to guide your team towards success on a larger scale. Here are five ways to do it:

1. Think Backwards: Imagine your company succeeding greatly, then work backward to figure out the steps to get there. This ensures every action leads to your ultimate goals.
2. Scaffold Learning: Boost your training strategy by adding extra resources to support learners. Just like scaffolding supports a building under construction, this approach helps learners grow continuously.
3. Bloom's Taxonomy: Focus on understanding before putting things into practice. This builds a solid knowledge base, preparing learners to tackle challenges effectively and think critically.
4. The DEDICT Model: This approach centers on teaching and practice. By breaking down concepts into smaller parts, learners can gradually build their skills and really understand each aspect.
5. The ADDIE Method: This secret weapon follows a five-step process with a history of success. It was used to train the USA Airforce and Army during World War II. It guides your team through a journey like a well-planned military operation against the challenges of 'I can't see it happening.'

Creating a straightforward learning path and a solid framework can help your staff transition from uncertainty to success at a larger scale.

Preparation Before Scaling: Fine-Tuning for Excellence

Before embarking on the path to expansive growth, it's crucial to lay the groundwork by honing your skills on a smaller scale. Even in the presence of assessments and tests, gathering feedback from students, trainers, and assessors is essential. Consider potential pitfalls, such as typos in assessment forms that hinder assessors from evaluating students accurately. Document your progress diligently, and as you continue to evolve, keep a journal of forthcoming plans and recommendations. This meticulous preparation ensures that your training program is fortified and ready for the challenges that accompany scaling up.

In summary, by simplifying the learning process through established theories and constructing a robust framework using diverse approaches, you can steer your company towards exceptional performance and scalability. This meticulous journey demands careful preparation, continuous improvement, and a commitment to excellence. As you progress, you'll find that what once seemed insurmountable can be conquered with strategic planning and a resolute spirit.

Measuring Success: Striking the Balance

When aiming for greatness, finding the right balance between measuring and assessing too much is crucial. An example of what not to do comes from Australian training colleges that got stuck in 2018 due to excessive measuring. By learning from this, you can keep your strategy flexible, able to change and adjust.

You might not be aware, but in Australia, more than 50% of students nowadays opt for private training colleges. However, things weren't like this before, and the budget mainly goes to government institutions rather than private training colleges. Currently, I, like many of you, am both working and studying. This is my second experience with a private college, also known as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). These RTOs are managed by incredible individuals who could have retired after supervising NGO Mental Health Teams or serving in the navy. Instead, they've chosen to contribute to Australia's development and assist the community. This dedication provides people like you and me with the opportunity to learn from those with extensive knowledge.

For example, there's Carl Mocnik, an experienced RTO owner, course developer, and compliance consultant for RTOs and universities. As a former Naval officer, Carl played a role in transitioning from legacy-based technical training systems to the national vocational education system in the Royal Navy. Learning from the best makes the content more comprehensible, online platforms easier to navigate, classroom interactions engaging, and overall, it creates a better learning experience.

However, the training industry is subject to strict regulations, and there's a multitude of assessors involved. Over the past decade, the government has conducted numerous independent reviews. If you were part of an RTO course from 2014-2018, you probably understand that while learning the coursework, changes occurred and sometimes, additional paperwork was necessary due to the consistent compliance audits. The scrutiny on these RTOs led to a dynamic environment, which sparked passionate discussions in 2018-2019 when the government initiated a review. After resignations, debates, and parliamentary talks, a report highlighted that an effective regulator ensures the regulated community operates confidently and efficiently within established regulations.

As it turns out, excessive measurement and assessment can lead to stagnation. It's crucial to find the right balance to ensure progress and growth.

Forging the Path to Excellence

I can imagine you really want what's best for your company. You won't get stuck in too much measuring that doesn't help. Instead, you'll try out and make your training plan better. With a strong will, you'll create a winning way that takes your company from "I can't see it happening" to doing really well on a bigger scale.

Moving from uncertainty to doing great and getting bigger is something you can definitely do. You've got knowledge, smart ideas, and a clear view of success. You're all set to change your company's path. Your commitment to being excellent, mixing old wisdom with new ideas, will push your company to new heights. As you start this journey, remember that becoming great means staying dedicated, keeping things balanced, and always trying to make things better.

Here's a hypnosis script to help you get into the right mindset for achieving your goals

As you begin to notice a shift, things are becoming easier and more attainable. Can you start each day by acknowledging the positive changes? Notice the moments when you engage in activities that bring you genuine joy and contribute to your aspirations. Feel a sense of lightness as you navigate through your tasks, almost as if you're floating effortlessly.

Take a moment to recognize the happiness that accompanies your progress. You're moving towards what you desire, and each step is accompanied by a pleasant sensation. Imagine the excitement growing within you, a daily spark of enthusiasm as you witness your achievements and anticipate even greater things to come.

Before you rest at night, take joy in jotting down your accomplishments of the day. Plan for the future with optimism, setting the stage for another fulfilling day. Feel this excitement intensify, a surge of encouragement and pure delight as you appreciate the rewards life has to offer.

With every breath you take, feel the growing anticipation. Each inhale brings you closer to your goals, and you sense it building within you. Clarity surrounds you; you're focused and excited. A profound happiness fills you, radiating from your heart and echoing in every beat of your daily journey.

You're fully aware of the immense power you possess. It's the force that fuels your heart and drives your actions. This power paints vibrant images of your desires and achievements across the canvas of your life—past, present, and future. You possess the knowledge of what it takes to attain your dreams, and you're perfectly capable of making it happen with ease.

Feel your goals and dreams effortlessly aligning with your path. With each step, you draw closer to them, your confidence growing stronger. As you move forward, remember that this journey is marked by excitement, clarity, and happiness. You're equipped to reach your objectives, making your goals not just aspirations, but realities that you embrace with open arms.

Julie Sulter