Theatre: The New Corporate Training Method

Theatre: The New Corporate Training Method

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understanding theatre-based training as a corporate training method
• Critically evaluating the effectiveness of theatre-based training

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Theatre-Based Corporate Training

1. According to you, which is the most effective medium of learning a concept – a book, a classroom experience, a seminar, a workshop, a role-play or a movie/a video? Explain the reasons for your choice.

2. What all are the training methods (corporate training methods) you are aware of? Has any one of you attended a corporate training exercise? If yes, can you share your experience?

3. Is anyone associated with a theatre group? Or does anyone watch theatre quite often? If yes, do you think theatre can be a useful means of corporate training?

4. ....................

Effectiveness of Theatre-Based Corporate Training

1. In the accompanying article, talking about theatre-based training, the author states that “Companies are using it for everything from behavioural adaptation, change management and leadership skills development to handling cultural and personal issues”. Discuss the context in which theatre-based training is amendable. Do you think theatre-based training can be applicable to both subjective as well as objective concepts?

2. What do you think can be the reasons for companies switching over to theatre-based training methods in the recent past? Is it because the traditional methods of training have become ineffective or is everyone trying to experiment theatre-based training, as it is a new trend?

3. ...............

Exhibits

Exhibit I: Evaluating Effectiveness of a Training Method

Theatre: The New Corporate Training Method

Synopsis

This case flyer effectively covers the concept of training methods in Organizational Behavior course as it enables a discussion on the latest trend of theatre-based training in corporate India. The case flyer helps understand the concept of theatre-based corporate training and critically evaluates it vis-à-vis other traditional training methods. It also elaborates on the applicability and effectiveness of theatre-based training. Finally, the case flyer enables a debate on the factors which govern the effectiveness of any corporate training method.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• • Understanding theatre-based training as a corporate training method
• • Critically evaluating the effectiveness of theatre-based training

Positioning and Setting

The case flyer can be used in the following course:

• a) Human Resource Management – Training & Developing Employees
• b) Concept of ‘training methods’ in Organizational Behavior course

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Suggested Orchestration

Before the Case Flyer Discussion in the Classroom

a) Before the classroom discussion, students were asked to discuss with their parents or their seniors about their corporate training experience.

b) The participants were asked to read the article by Josh Bersin, “How Corporate Learning Drives Competitive Advantage”.

c) They were also asked to visit the websites of some of the theatre-based corporate training firms such as www.stepsdrama.com, www.yourstruly-theatre.com, www.interact.eu.com, etc.

d) Most importantly, the students were encouraged to analyze all the questions given in the case flyer (either individually or in learning teams or in appropriate discussion forums) for them to participate effectively and enrich the learning outcomes

During the Case Flyer Discussion in the Classroom

The discussion on the case flyer was conducted under two broad related topics:.......

The flow of questions to be discussed in the classroom has been elaborated in Annexure (TN)-I: The Board Plan

I. Theatre-based Corporate Training

• The discussion on the case flyer began by asking the students to share the corporate training experience of their seniors or their parents.

• Most of the participants shared that in the corporate training programs of their seniors or parents, the trainer either explained concepts on the board or conducted the training with the help of a PowerPoint presentation.

• The participants also shared that during such training sessions, the learners were encouraged to ask questions.

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Exhibits

Exhibit (TN)-I: Maturity Model for Corporate Learning High-Impact Learning Organization® Maturity Model

Exhibit (TN)-II: Evaluating Effectiveness of a Training Method