Tag: COVID-19

Everything you need to know about hybrid events in 2024

Hosting hybrid events in 2024 will provide events planners with a bridge between live and virtual audiences.

Live events around the world were grounded to a halt in the spring. And, the likelihood of live events returning to 2019 levels (for the time being, at least), is low. When you consider that COVID-19 was responsible for cancelling the plans of more than 83-million event-goers in April alone, it’s clear why.

That’s why we’ve put together a starter guide to hybrid events; to help convince you that they are a worthwhile investment for your business or organisation in the New Year.

What are hybrid events?

Hybrid events are, in their simplest form, a mix of live and virtual events. By combining a live event (complete with speakers and attendees), with a virtual component, your intended audience will be able to engage with the event, regardless of where they are.

The critical component of a hybrid event is engagement. Keeping hybrid events engaging is what provides events planners with an added challenge – after all, it’s far easier for a virtual participant to leave a conference early, than someone who is there in person!

What do hybrid events look like?

While they may sound similar, hybrid events are not to be confused with live events with some technical elements. When attending a hybrid event, virtual event-goers are provided with more engaging features, including dynamic camera angles, and a host dedicated to keeping energy high within the virtual cohort.

The best hybrid events provide seamless integration between the virtual audience and their live counterparts. By utilising the latest technologies, hybrid event planners can put both audiences first, regardless of how they are attending.

Whether your participants are sitting in an auditorium or tuning in from home, you want them both to have the same experience. After all, those tuning in from home won’t feel obliged to stay if the experience doesn’t live up to their expectations, and won’t hesitate to switch off.

For a virtual audience member, providing high-quality content will be essential. They’re not interested in recreating the physical event experience – they only want to engage and learn from the content you provide, and connect with other participants (both online and in-person).

Plus, at hybrid events, virtual participants would expect to partake in an event in the same way a physical attendee would – by joining in with Q&A sessions, and interacting with the speakers and other attendees.

What are the benefits of hosting a hybrid event?

While hybrid events may seem perfectly suited for the post-COVID world, they aren’t new. The CDC hosted the first hybrid event in 2012 as a way to combat budget cuts.

And, with 62% of events planners saying that hybrid events are the future, we’ve put together the key benefits of your organisation hosting a hybrid event in 2024:

Increased attendance and reach

In a potentially post-COVID world, some attendees may be hesitant to attend a large event or conference in person. Going hybrid can help your organisation cater to both a live and virtual audience.

By opening an event up to a virtual audience, the number of potential attendees engaging with your content also increases exponentially.

The opportunity to increase attendance makes it one of the most significant advantages to including a virtual component to your event. Physical or geographical boundaries don’t bind hybrid events; thus, anyone, anywhere in the world, can attend and engage with your content.

Increased cost-effectiveness

Hybrid events can help planners optimise and increase the ROI of an event.

Traditionally (or, rather, pre-COVID), businesses would have organised many, similar events across several cities, regions (or even countries). By streamlining this process, and hosting just one event with virtual components, a single hybrid event could be held for an organisation’s entire audience.

Plus, after hosting a hybrid event, 23% of event organisers said more attendees participated in future events. So, by hosting a hybrid event, not only could you reduce the general overheads associated with organising multiple conferences, but you could also secure future attendees in the process!

Reduced environmental impact

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says that global energy usage will fall by 6% this year, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. With this in mind, it’s safe to assume that many workers will want to maintain the positive repercussions of working from home in 2024.

Going hybrid is a fantastic way to accommodate attendees who are not only conscious of their carbon footprint, but may not feel comfortable attending events in-person, either.
A reduced physical headcount also has several benefits (even if it seems counterproductive). Fewer people means less catering (which would, in turn, lead to less food waste) and no need to provide in-person accessories (like agendas or merchandise).

Plus, more virtual attendees also reduces travel costs, meaning there’s a greater ROI available for event sponsors.

How can MDA Training help you plan a hybrid event in 2024?

Here at MDA Training, we have been running virtual, physical and hybrid events for over thirty years. We’re the trusted partner of choice for many global organisations, continually sharing our knowledge and insights with leading businesses.

Working alongside our team, the hassle of organising your events will disappear. We can be involved as much or as little as you need us to be, to ensure your event is engaging for all attendees.

Plus, our approach is entirely flexible, meaning we can cater our approach depending on your preference of technologies or platforms! From large conferences to team business simulations and recruitment events, you can be safe in the knowledge that your events in the New Year are engaging, insightful and organised.

Here at MDA Training, we can help ensure your virtual and hybrid events run smoothly in 2024. From conferences to early careers and onboarding programmes, we can provide the support you need to plan, host, and deliver an engaging event. Contact us today to find out more!

December 17, 2020
Preparing your employees for customer-centric digital banking during COVID-19
A report released by EY earlier this year outlined exactly how consumers have changed their banking behaviours in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Packed full of relevant statistics and information, the report states that the following shifts in how customers manage their finances are to be expected:
- People are using online banking more frequently.
- The crisis will accelerate the decline of cash.
- Ethical and transparent banking will become more important for consumers.
- Flexible and secure banking will continue to be key.
While all of these shifts in behaviour are important in their own right, they are intrinsically linked to advancements in digital banking and being able to manage your faces solely online.

While banks have continued to adapt their operations to best serve consumers of all demographics and backgrounds, it is important to continue to train and develop employees in order to ensure that they possess a clear understanding of the services and products that are on offer.

In order to do this, care must be taken to create and manage an interactive training solution that will engage and resonate with an entire hierarchy of employees.

The acceleration of digital services for banking consumers

As with the majority of markets worldwide, banking has embraced and immersed technology and innovation in order to better serve their clients and customers.

As we covered in our blog on the statistics of open banking in 2020, the majority of market leaders in the industry are now investing in open, flexible products and services as opposed to traditional in-person consultations.

In fact, it was reported back in 2018 that the UK had lost two-thirds of bank branches in 30 years, which is said to be directly linked to advancements in online services and a reduced need for cash.

When you pair this with the reluctance of many to visit a branch for their own safety during the coronavirus crisis, it becomes clear how important digital services are going to be for the foreseeable future.

We have already seen examples of new services that have been developed or improved as a result of COVID-19, including Natwest’s video banking service, allowing customers to speak directly with an advisor virtually, at a time and place that suits them and HSBC’s significant improvements to their ‘HSBCnet’ app.

While the development of online banking and the ease-of-use applications that are now widely available pose significant benefits for consumers, the importance of human interaction and customer-centricity must not be understated in this industry.

Without dedicated employees to manage and oversee technological innovations, the business is bound to disengage with customers and harm continuity.

Why customer-centric banking training is vital in 2020

Training is vital when it comes to improving awareness of specific products and services, and it can also be utilised to put employees in the shoes of a prospective client or customer, experiencing a wide range of digital products and personalised services from the other side of the fence.

By learning in this way, employees will gain practical insights into what is appropriate for each stage of the business’ growth and financing needs, as well as how customers engage or perhaps even struggle with the latest developments in open banking software.

At MDA Training, we offer a unique, interactive virtual learning simulation that achieves this.

Supported by a range of digital solutions and delivered entirely on Zoom, WebEx or Microsoft Teams, employees step into the shoes of a typical corporate client and experience the challenges they face, from start-up through to international maturity, as well as assessing how the bank can support them at each stage of their growth.

Our programmes are led by world-class training facilitators, all of whom possess several years of experience in client and consumer-centric banking, helping to provide a memorable, engaging and fun training event that employees can apply to their roles immediately.

For an insight into how this programme works, please watch our video below:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR VIRTUAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE BANKING SECTOR, PLEASE CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.
October 12, 2020
3 ways to make a good first impression on a video call

Video calls are now an essential part of the working day as we continue to maintain social distancing and communicate digitally as opposed to travelling all over the world for meetings and conferences.

With a record number of downloads made in just one week back in March, there is no doubt that video conferencing software and apps are here to stay.

While many will be familiar with video calls and therefore comfortable with communicating and presenting in this way, many will be new to the process and may feel unprepared to engage with colleagues and clients without meeting them in person.

Traditional, face-to-face meetings allowed for individuals to read body language and build trust, whereas video meetings rely on a more basic audio-visual connection. This isn’t to say, however, that you can’t make a positive first impression on video.

In fact, there are several minor changes that you can make in order to make a strong first impression when communicating with anyone digitally. We’ve shared three of them below:

1 Improve your desk lighting

This is a simple change that can be implemented quickly! If you can’t physically be in the same room as the person or group you are meeting with; you are going to have to rely a lot more on facial expressions to convey your ideas and attitudes.

Likewise, if your audience cannot clearly see your face, you run the risk of misinformation and miscommunication, as well as disengaging them.

To ensure that you can be seen clearly, it is helpful to place additional lighting on your desk pointing towards you, so that your face is well-lit on the screen.

2 Eliminate distractions behind you

While some people will be fortunate enough to work in a dedicated office while at home, there will be many that need to carry out video meetings in a communal area of the house, such as the living room. This can pose a number of distractions for your audience, which means they may lose interest in what you are saying.

Whether it’s switching off the television, moving that basket of washing or even just ensuring that you won’t be disturbed for the duration of the call, eliminating distractions will help to ensure that your audience is focused only on you.

3 Ensure that all your documents and presentations are prepared

This may seem obvious, but if you are spending time working out how to share your screen or share important documents and files with your audience while on the call, you are going to look unprepared and unprofessional, and your audience will quickly lose interest.

To ensure that you are fully prepared for your meeting, it is useful to quickly run through any sharing processes you’ll need beforehand, so that when the time comes, the session runs as smoothly as possible.

Our virtual pitching and presenting programme

Did you know that we offer a dedicated training course to help you improve your presence on video calls? MDA Training’s ‘Presenting and Pitching Virtually with Impact’ workshop is full of practical tools, tips and tricks that you can use immediately to improve your digital presence.

The virtual workshop blends facilitator-led inputs with interactive exercises and experiential activities designed to engage participants throughout. It is centred around five key themes essential to presenting, pitching and meeting virtually with impact.

To see this programme in action, please watch the video below:

NEED HELP IMPROVING YOUR PRESENCE ON VIDEO CALLS? TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COURSES, PLEASE CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

September 29, 2020
5 reasons why you should use e-learning
Everyone is looking to find the next groundbreaking learning trend that will help to maximise retention. More so now than ever, we are seeing immerse technology being utilised in order to improve the general learning experience.

At MDA Training, we believe that e-learning is a flexible and beneficial way to learn new information, when done correctly.

What is e-learning?

E-learning can be defined as a system that delivers educational information via digital mediums, typically outside of a traditional classroom environment.

It offers the ability to share material in all kinds of formats, including:
- Videos
- Slideshows
- Apps
- PDFs
- Webinars
As a workplace leaning method, e-learning is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. In fact, 98% of businesses plan to incorporate it in their program by the end of this year.

Here are five reasons why you should consider e-learning over traditional methods:

You can work at your own pace

E-learning will allow you to work at a speed that suits you best, helping you to learn more effectively. Whether it’s an app, website or any other digital platform, you can proceed in your own time.

This is incredibly beneficial, as studies suggest that 58% of employees prefer to learn at their own pace.

It is available on-demand and on-the-go

Most e-learning platforms will only require you to visit a web page or login to an app, making it much more flexible than traditional lectures and seminars.

This is particularly beneficial for people who are required to travel a lot or don’t have much time sitting at a desk, as they can learn whenever they want to.

It boosts learning retention

The flexibility and easy-to-use technology associated with e-learning is key to improving retention, particularly in millennials and young people.

According to SH!FT, e-learning increases retention rates by up to 60%, while retention rates from face-to-face learning are up to 10% in comparison.

You can learn more information quickly

Working at your own pace allows you to complete and master tasks and materials quicker than you would normally.

Research suggests that when an individual uses e-learning platforms, they can learn nearly five times more material than traditional methods without increasing any time spent.

Learn as much as you want

The beauty of e-learning is that it is widely accessible and can be updated regularly, with so much information available on so many topics.

Compared to face-to-face learning or lectures, which can take longer to organise and deliver, e-learning gives tutors a quicker way to share information, which in turn gives learners the opportunity to learn as much as they want.

MAKE SURE TO READ OUR LEARNING LAB PIECE ON THE THREE LEARNING METHODS THAT ARE SHAPING 2020 AND BEYOND HERE.
September 24, 2020
Tips and advice for bankers returning to the office

After several months in lockdown and growing uncertainty about the future of the UK economy, many businesses are now beginning to integrate their employees back into their typical working environment.

In particular, leading banks across the country are putting plans for the safe return to work in action for a large number of their workers, including call centre employees and other operational staff members.

Although it can be suggested that banking offices are no different to any typical office environment, banks will have a pivotal role to play in economic recovery for many years to come, meaning it is crucial that they are operating as productively as possible.

From this month, industry leaders like HSBC and Barclays have both begun populating their London offices, with an executive at HSBC commenting: “We are going to help the economy normalise, so we, as an institution, need to get back to normality as well.”

While returning to the office is a step in the right direction, it is important to remember that we are still living through a pandemic, and that fear and uncertainty are still very much a part of everyday life.

To ensure that banking employees make their return to work as seamless and as safe as possible, we have put together three useful tips below.

1 Embrace the new normal

The phrase ‘new normal’ has been bandied around a lot over the last few months, and it appears that we are now beginning to see it put into action.

We have previously discussed wellbeing tips when working from home, as well as how to deal with stress and the uncertainty of change. For bankers who typically work in densely populated office spaces, normal things such as taking the lift or gathering in meeting rooms are going to be vastly different.

In addition, different employees are going to have vastly ranging viewpoints on things like best practices in the new workplace.

The key is to respect one another and embrace new processes and surroundings to make it easier for everyone through effective communication and consideration.

2 Continue prioritising virtual communication

If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything about virtual communication and video conferencing, it is that meetings can adequately be conducted using digital mediums.

Particularly in banking, where employees would travel across the world to attend meetings and conferences, it is likely that we are going to see a permanent shift towards video calls and virtual meetings due to their efficiency and low cost.

In our previous blogs about virtual communication, we have discussed how to pitch and present with confidence as well as building client relationships virtually. Despite returning to the office, employees should continue to practice their digital communication skills as this will continue to form the basis of meetings for the foreseeable future.

At MDA Training, we are continuing to provide virtual training for leading banks across the world. Available either to enhance an existing programme or as a standalone solution, we focus on areas including early careers development, technical credit skills and pitching virtually. For more information, visit our training for the banking sector page.

3 Prioritise mental wellbeing

As banks enter the next phase of returning to somewhat normal working life, it can be easy for employees to feel anxious and nervous, both about their surroundings and the difficult few months ahead for the sector.

In the coming months, employees need to maintain a positive work/life balance, communicate any issues or problems that may arise and utilise the available support from within the bank. Without this, morale and productivity are likely to drop even if employees are back at work.

For leaders, ensuring that employees have the tools they need to succeed and are comfortable in their new workplace surroundings is crucial and may prove to be the biggest test of their management capabilities so far.

For more information on our employee wellbeing tips during COVID-19, please click here.

FOR VIRTUAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES THAT DRIVE POSITIVE ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE FOR BANKS, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

July 8, 2020
Why leadership development is still so important for businesses

We have regularly discussed the importance of leadership within any business during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and how it can prove to be the difference between success and failure on an organisational scale.

Now that the pandemic has been ongoing for several months, and the majority of businesses; from SMEs to established multinational corporations (that can remain open) have put crisis management plans in place, we are beginning to see both productivity and outputs rise.

While many businesses will have weathered the storm for now, it is crucial to remember the importance of leadership development while employees are continuing to work from home, communicate with clients and colleagues virtually and ultimately still adjusting to their new normal.

Why is leadership development important?

Leaders are responsible for ensuring continuity and maintaining integrity within a business, as well as being expected to manage others and meet specific KPIs and goals. Even without a global emergency, their role within the company is paramount.

Interestingly, despite the level of importance placed on leadership by modern standards, it has been reported that 71% of companies do not feel their leaders are able to lead their organisation into the future.

With this in mind, failing to invest in leadership development on a continual basis can lead to disengaged and unmotivated employees, as well as a lack of progression long term.

How businesses can prioritise leadership development now

Leadership development in the workplace does not have to disrupt operations that are currently ongoing. In fact, it is possible to practice it in real-time.

From maintaining strong communication networks by providing guidance and regular updates for employees to managing expectations in line with updated targets, the best leaders will inherently be able to develop their skills on the job.

In addition, it is crucial to consider the positive impact on the entire hierarchy of employees that effective leadership can have.

Many businesses operate a model where leaders of the future are being continually taught how to express the skills and attitudes they will need to succeed.

In times of crisis, the performance of leaders will undoubtedly be reviewed, and, if they manage to overcome significant challenges, they will act as role models for the next generation.

MDA Training’s approach to leadership training during COVID-19

At MDA Training, we have adapted our experiential learning solutions to be able to deliver fully virtual leadership development programmes that are aligned with specific cultures, values and standards.

We believe that leaders perform best when they are confronted with the attitudes and behaviours they need to drive financial and operational success.

We also believe that divulging leadership ‘edges’ (areas outside of one’s comfort zone) and sharing ways in which to manage them will help to drive positive change.

Delivered using WebEx or Zoom, our programmes can be tailored to suit varying needs, and are typically relevant for businesses in banking, asset management, insurance, professional services and manufacturing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

June 11, 2020
Graduate and intern training programmes during COVID-19

At this time of the year, our specialist consultants would usually be flying across the world, delivering in-house, experiential learning solutions for graduates, interns and new hires alike.

Although this is of course not possible due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we firmly believe that learning and development should not be paused in the age of remote working.

While we are unable to deliver classroom-based solutions, we have adapted to meet the needs of the remote workforce, including the upcoming generation of graduates.

By combining our extensive knowledge of graduate training programmes over the years with our digital learning solutions in place for the banking, asset management, insurance, service and manufacturing industries, we have been able to create online solutions that ensure graduate development does not become an afterthought.

The importance of continuity in graduate development

There are several companies that have already opted to either pause or cancel graduate schemes and internships amidst the uncertainty of coronavirus. Earlier this month, it was announced that Deloitte would be scrapping their summer internship scheme, and Santander followed suit by cancelling or postponing their summer internships.

In addition, it was announced last month that two-thirds of students have had their job applications paused or withdrawn in light of the pandemic.

While these drastic measures will have been taken by business leaders to ease further financial burdens, as well as considering the limitations of no-contact training, it will provide significant shortcomings in the long run, ultimately harming continuity.

Without careful consideration of how best to develop and upskill the next generation of employees, and in some cases, leaders of the business, operations will inherently suffer, especially when competitors are putting plans in place to secure and train the most talented individuals.

MDA Training’s approach to graduate training during COVID-19

Despite the ongoing challenges that COVID-19 is posing for our business and other businesses around the globe, we have hosted several digital workshops and programmes for graduates and interns, and thus far have received excellent feedback.

Based on the same principles as our classroom-based learning solutions, we are able to embed key messages and prepare graduates for the demands of their chosen industry.

Our programmes are delivered through a range of e-learning and virtual learning methods, all of which are designed to ensure that employees can excel within their roles.

Now more than ever, it is critical that young employees possess an expert understanding of both the business they are to join, as well as the wider industry in order to do their bit to carry the company through this difficult period.

DON’T LET CORONAVIRUS LIMIT YOUR TRAINING PLANS. FOR GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMMES THAT ENSURE A SIGNIFICANT RETURN ON INVESTMENT, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.

May 29, 2020
Preparing for the future of business management in insurance
The insurance industry is facing mounting pressures to change policies, review premiums and address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic head-on in terms of financial backing.

In light of the extensive support laid out by the UK Government, including various loans and the increasingly popular Job Retention Scheme, many have called on the insurance industry as a whole to react in a similar fashion, in light of mass cancellations and the disruption of life as we know it.

The reality is, however, that a private sector like insurance cannot be relied on to provide such a large amount of support at such short notice. If insurance businesses relaxed their policies this much, the entire industry would become insolvent.

This doesn’t mean that insurance companies do not have a part to play in managing how individuals and businesses will bounce back from this pandemic.

On the contrary, insurance companies have a duty to implement strategies, develop plans and deliver them adequately in order to meet rising demands.

One way in which to achieve this is by prioritising effective business management.

The importance of business management in insurance

Last month, we published our guide on the next steps for insurance businesses affected by COVID-19. As part of this, we stressed the importance of reviewing internal processes and preparing an adequate strategy going forward. This is still very much relevant.

The majority of insurance businesses will now hopefully be set up in a way that conforms to specific regulations and data protection laws, as well as managing to work at the most productive level possible in line with increased demand related to:
- Strategic change
- Communication demands
- The post-COVID-19 Landscape.
With potential reductions in change activity and resource availability, as well as pressures regarding internal and external communication and preparing for the future, business continuity has to be at the forefront.

Nobody could have imagined the scale of damage that this crisis would cause, meaning that plans in place need to consider the change of long term priorities, a sustained resource planning strategy, a review of compliance and risk policies, and much more.

Here at MDA Training, our consultants are working to provide digital solutions for insurance companies throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

With business continuity at the core, our programmes are designed to give employees a developed understanding of the current market conditions, as well as how the business is run.

We utilise digital learning, e-learning and microlearning as part of our programmes for the insurance sector.

From an introduction to reinsurance to improving communications and shining the spotlight on Solvency II and IFRS 17, we are able to embed and sustain key learning back into the workplace.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INSURANCE TRAINING PROGRAMMES WE PROVIDE, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.
May 29, 2020
Why banks need digital solutions, now more than ever
As a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, digital banking solutions are going to be essential if banks want to ensure continuity.

As we covered in our previous blog, once life returns to “normal”, consumers are going to be relying on those in banking more than ever before. From managing their finances to resuming longer-term investments, digital solutions are only going to bolster the relationship between business and consumer.

Digital solutions – such as online banking and apps for consumers, and virtual learning solutions for banking leaders and employees – will be crucial for improving operations and training programmes for banks.

Here at MDA Training, we have adapted our customer-centric banking training programmes to suit the needs of the remote workforce, providing e-learning, microlearning, and virtual training programmes to support development.

Cater to the needs of the remote workforce

Much like every industry, banking was thrown a COVID-19-shaped curveball at the beginning of the year. As a result, many teams were forced to embrace an indefinite period of working from home.

Despite initial concerns, and a temporary slump in productivity, many are now benefiting from an increase in communication between themselves and others in the team.

Of course, this would not have been possible without adequate preparation. Naturally, the best banks would have had plans and operational processes in place to ensure the continuity of working life, even when faced with the added challenge of workers being apart.

Another thing to consider is the fact that employees are now expected to carry out their roles wholly online – from meetings (thanks to the increasing popularity of Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other software) to informal chats between colleagues.

The direct result of this is that learning, and personal development is also expected to be carried out digitally. Banks and leaders must take this into consideration, and utilise the best technologies available in order to help both workers and the business thrive.

Increasing consumer demands

By now, it is becoming apparent that the pandemic will have a long-term impact on consumer behaviours, and banking is no exception.

Thanks to the development of open banking and innovative apps, many financial services were already online before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Even before the pandemic started, a typical consumer would have expected to manage their finances purely online, without visiting a branch, let alone interacting with another person.

As Genpact highlighted in its recent instinctive enterprise report, banking is no stranger to adversity. In the past decade alone, the industry has faced the fallout of the financial crisis, new competitors (in the form of banking start-ups) and, now, a global pandemic.

With this in mind, banks need to be able to ensure that their employees can utilise emerging technologies – like AI, or business simulations – to enhance their learning and development, to maintain the highest level of service.

Flexibility in the workplace

In the modern workplace, there is no reason as to why banks shouldn’t be able to provide alternative forms of learning for their employees. If there is one thing that we have learnt from our years of experience, what works for one employee won’t necessarily work for another.

At a time like this, learning and development shouldn’t stagnate. Digital learning can provide employees with the opportunity to develop their skills at their own pace, at a time that is convenient for them.

Here at MDA Training, we are adapting our programmes to provide fully digital learning solutions for banks. From blending learning modules to standalone modules, we can deliver our training in a variety of formats, ranging from microlearning to digital workbooks and virtual learning. Our areas of expertise include:
- On-demand e-learning and microlearning
- Live virtual training modules on technical, industry, and professional skills
- Experiential film-making activities, to support leadership development and other assessments.
Throughout the coronavirus crisis, we are continuing to support workforces all over the world, as they have become accustomed to working from home.

From providing virtual training sessions to pioneering digital learning simulations, we’ve been able to enhance learning at home, for many banking employees.

For more information on our digital learning solutions for banking employees, contact MDA Training today.
May 26, 2020
Assessing the credit skills within your bank
Credit skills are integral to the operational performance of any bank from a financial, operational and relationship management perspective.

While the majority of employees in the banking sector will focus on developing their technical credit skills from day one, the uncertain and changing nature of the marketplace means that regular learning and development is necessary in this area.

Particularly in the current economic climate, where the ongoing effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continue to damage business operations, financial growth and stability across the entire world, consumers will be relying on those in the banking sector arguably more than ever before.

It is for this reason, among many others, why credit skills need to be regularly assessed and improved on in order to see real positive change and ensure that the workforce is prepared when a particular crisis hits.

Regularly analysing the credit skills of the workforce

A goal for any bank will be for their workforce to possess the credit skills necessary to make sound financial decisions and develop their relationship management capabilities at the same time.

The implementation of AI and other innovative technologies will, of course, pose significant changes to several areas of banking, including, but not limited to:
- Lending decisions
- Customer service
- Documentation intelligence.
Despite this, there will always be a need for employees to possess the relevant skills in order to complement technology.

In light of this, it is critical, especially when it comes to times of crisis, to regularly test the skills and capabilities of the workforce across an entire hierarchy. One way in which to achieve this is through a dedicated training programme.

MDA Training’s approach to credit skills in the banking sector

We have recently published a guide outlining the importance of credit skills for banks during a recession. In addition, when it comes to skills development in general, our experiential learning solutions are closely aligned with specific credit cultures and learning needs.

While our programmes are typically delivered through interactive workshops by our expert consultants, we are currently providing credit skills training using digital and virtual methods.

A typical programme will emulate genuine scenarios related to credit management that the business is likely to face, giving employees a first-hand experience of how to make informed financial decisions.

Our ‘Credit Skills Pathway’ was created to give employees a platform in which to develop their skills, embed and sustain the learning and make real improvements.

From identifying learning needs to reinforcing key skills and behaviours in the workplace, our programmes are designed with your people in mind.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR CREDIT SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE BANKING SECTOR, CONTACT MDA TRAINING TODAY.
May 21, 2020