At Natural Training we like virtual training.  But we LOVE training that’s live and face-to-face.  In my mind the former supplements, supports and enhances the latter, but doesn’t replace it.  Not yet anyway, and hopefully not for a good while yet.

One of our great people Paul Owen sent me a note from another awesome person, Seth Godin (check out his blog, it’s excellent).  Here it is, with just a pinch of editing:

“My next event (Pick Yourself) won’t be webcast or recorded, as we’ve tried to create something that works best precisely because it’s live–not just as a result of what I’m saying on stage, but due to the people you meet and sit next to and connect with over your challenges and projects and dreams.

“Digital (training, speaking) scales, of course, because it spreads effortlessly and without cost.

“Real life, alas, doesn’t work that way. What we’ve tried to do is create an event that’s better precisely because you came, because you’re in the room, because someone on a similar journey is sitting next to you. A beautiful big theatre filled with intimate one on one connections.

“Assembling a group of six (friends, colleagues or strangers) makes it even more likely that you’ll come to the event ready to share and scheme and plan, taking action after it’s over.”

Beautifully said, Seth.  Digital is cool, and there is a buzz about developing the next big thing.  And digital does work to augment the reality of training.  But when one of our trainers is in a room, maybe doing some sales training or presentation skills training, and there is collaboration, and action, and laughter, and emotion, and adrenalin – then one quickly realises that some things are awfully hard to replace.