‘Improvement in Everything You Do’ – Training Experience Management Q&A with Samer Saab

Today, we sit down with Samer Saab, CEO of Explorance, to talk about the Training Experience Management (TEM) approach. Be sure to read Samer’s recent blog post, From EFM to TEM – Adapting to Market Evolution, to learn how the concept evolved from enterprise feedback management (EFM).

1. Could you explain how TEM works?

   TEM is a framework that enables a continuous cycle of feedback for training experience improvement. The approach works through benchmarking, assessing, analyzing, improving and monitoring. These functions enable an organization to obtain comprehensive information about all stakeholder needs, skills, knowledge and competencies. The pillars of TEM are that assessments recur frequently and stemming improvement initiatives are regularly implemented and monitored.

2. What prompted the transition to TEM?

   Through our work with a variety of organizations we recognized the need for specialization that could evolve with technological changes, market trends and stakeholder expectations. We also recognized that the framework needed to incorporate both benchmarking as well as forward-looking, preventive assessments.

3. Could you explain the idea of Blue TEM being a preventive solution?

   The Blue TEM solution complements behavioral-based predictive analysis with feedback-based preventive analytics. Predictive analytics is essential in discovering current issues prior to root cause analysis. Preventive analytics allows for early identification of issues with embedded root cause analysis. Think of preventive feedback as warning signs for your organization. Areas of concern you should address to avoid future complications.

4. In the TEM framework, how does return on expectations (ROE) work?

   ROE is a way to ensure that the training experience provided constantly matches ALL stakeholders’ expectations.

5. How can current Blue users leverage the TEM concept?

   To take advantage of TEM, an organization needs to have a strong commitment to building a culture of continuous improvement. Blue TEM supports this commitment with its variety of tools, validated content and industry specific know-how. TEM goes beyond using one method of assessment and combines surveys, evaluations, tests and 360 degree reviews. This enables an organization to comprehensively assess needs, knowledge, skills and competencies for adaptive workforce preparation.

6. How will Explorance help to make the implementation or adoption of the TEM process a reality?

   After successfully implementing different aspects of TEM in several institutions, we are positioned to work hand-in-hand with institutions in implementing the full framework. We bring knowledge, expertise and experience and work closely with our clients to meet their needs. We recognize that the path to full TEM implementation is not easy and cannot happen fast, and are prepared to work with institutions for the long haul to provide full ROE.

7. How does the Blue TEM solution help increase course evaluation response rates?

   TEM helps increase response rates by helping create a culture of continuous improvement through collaboration. In this approach, feedback is regularly gathered, analyzed and implemented to improve teaching and course effectiveness. Increasing evaluation frequency through structured and social feedback and raising faculty & student engagement will result in higher, sustainable response rates.

8. What do you see as the future of the TEM framework?

   The TEM framework is not new. It is a framework that is already partly leveraged by many higher education institutions. Our mission is to ensure we share its opportunities, challenges and successes widely amongst training organizations. We want to ensure that TEM is fully implemented by every single institution committed to education, training or development. The gain through TEM is simple: improvement in everything you do.