Bioscript » Training

Emoji – Lessons for learning

Celia — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:58:18 +0000

Love them or hate them, emojis are ubiquitous.

Derived from a Japanese word, emoji literally means “picture” (e) + “character” (moji). Why have these cute pictographs become so popular?

The use of images to emote is embedded in our psyche. As the saying goes, “A picture says a thousand words.” Pictures evoke an immediate emotional reaction. They enhance lateral thinking and provide connectivity and context. Images can promote discussion and provide interest.

Furthermore, humans have a natural ability to remember pictures. Experiments have proven when individuals are shown up to 3,000 images for 3 seconds each, most will correctly identify at least 90% of the images when showed again. The central trick to enhance learning is to transfer things that are hard to remember, into things that are easy to remember, like pictures. Effective learning programs, therefore, incorporate meaningful visuals to help encode difficult concepts into images, or “chunks” of information, which are easy to comprehend and more likely to be retained in our long-term memory.

So think emoji! Enhance your training and presentations with relevant images, pictures, illustrations and diagrams wherever possible.

References:

Vishton PM. Scientific secrets for a powerful memory. The Great Courses. USA 2012.
Houts PS, Bachrach R, Witmer JT, Tringali CA, Bucher JA, Localio RA, Patient Educ Couns 1998;35:83-88.

About the author:

Celia Green (B Pharm; MBA) is director of Bioscript Pty Ltd, a medical communications company established in 2003 (www.bioscript.com.au). Celia has over 22 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including several years as a training manager for two large pharmaceutical companies. As a learning and development consultant, Celia has developed and delivered a vast number of effective learning programs.

Training secrets for a successful product launch

Celia — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 01:17:00 +0000

Bioscript has been part of many successful therapeutic product launches over the past decade. It is exciting to be educating others about a new product that could potentially revolutionise medical practice and substantially reduce disease burden.

However, it can be high pressure and daunting for the faint hearted. Over the past decade medical blockbusters have been few and far between. Pharmacology has experienced exponential growth in complexity moving beyond a basic drug receptor level to multiple, complex, overlapping molecular pathways. There are more companies marketing “me too” drugs, scrambling for a share of voice. At the same time there is increased government and regulatory pressure. So what training secrets make the difference between an ordinary product launch and one that catapults a product into a leading therapeutic?

Start early: Designing and building learning programs is immensely time intensive. Source as much existing information and materials from international affiliates as possible. However, keep in mind there are usually substantial differences in local markets, compliance requirements, indications and product information. Adequate time and budget is necessary for developing training materials suitable for local requirements.
Build internal expertise and momentum: Create a cross-functional team of experts (such as clinical research, regulatory, medical, marketing, sales management and learning and development personnel) to regularly meet, set milestones and to build and share knowledge, expertise and materials.
Set clear learning objectives and outcomes: The first place to start is defining clear learning objectives and expected outcomes. Unfortunately, this critical step is overlooked, but is essential for clarifying and prioritising essential knowledge.
Ensure alignment and consistency: Ensure the program is integrated into the overall launch strategy. All content should be aligned with market positioning with clear, concise (and substantiated) core messages.
Develop engaging and interactive programs: Didactic courses have little impact. Learners easily lose concentration and interest unless they’re actively involved.
Provide learners with clear, logical links and “So whats?” Adults learn best when there are logical transitions between existing and new knowledge, and it is clear why the information is relevant and important.
Provide real life exposure: Instil as much “real life” experience as possible by including case studies, external experts (e.g. doctors, nurses, patients), hospital/clinic preceptorships and other opportunities for real life exposure.
Phase learning over time: The best programs are usually a ‘blended’ approach, carefully planned and sequenced over time to maximise learning retention. Initially, self-directed learning materials enable readers to assimilate basic concepts in their own environment. However, face-to-face interactions are important for consolidating knowledge into long-term memory. Group settings provide essential opportunity for learners to practise applying and verbalising information with others.
Be flexible to adapt quickly: Given rapidly changing environments, learning programs should be modular and readily adaptable as learning needs and knowledge change over time.
Track and monitor progress: Finally, it is essential to track and monitor learning outcomes. Build a number of “check points” and assessments into the program. As time progresses new learning needs become apparent that will need to be addressed. Often investment into the “initial launch” is high, but effort wanes over time. Sustained success, however, is achieved when there is an ongoing learning focus.

Other useful information can be found at:

http://www.knowledgetree.com/blog/2014/09/5-keys-to-successful-product-launch-most-marketers-forget/
http://www.pragmaticmarketing.com/resources/6-secrets-of-a-winning-product-launch
http://corporatevisions.com/blog/tag/product-launch/
http://www.bostonproducts.org/?page=EducatingYourSales
http://www.gmariegroup.com/white_papers/gmg_white_paper_product_launch_training.pdf

Master your memory capability

Celia — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 21:54:00 +0000

I’m often asked how I remember information when I deliver product and therapeutic training. “You must have a photographic memory.” The simple answer is “No, unfortunately, I don’t; however, I’ve learned to harness my memory capability. “ My five tips for retaining new knowledge are:

Always allow time to learn new material: You retain new information by revising material in different ways over a period of time. Always get a good night’s sleep. Knowledge is cemented in your long-term memory over night. By reviewing information repeatedly, you glean new pieces of information you missed the first time round.
Use a variety of techniques to master concepts: Useful techniques for retaining knowledge in your long-term memory include taking notes, drawing a mind map, relating information to what you already know, creating stories, analogies or memorable images and developing acronyms and mnemonics to recall key facts.
Practise out loud: An effective way to retain information is to verbalise it out loud. This forces you to concentrate on what you’re saying and re-word or clarify information that is unclear.
Teach others: The best method to retain 90% of what you learn is to teach someone else. Reading information is not the same as learning. To learn material you must actively “do something with the information”, such as analyse, interpret, discuss, apply or implement the knowledge. One of the best ways to see if you have interpreted, understood and mastered the concepts is to communicate the subject in your own words to someone else.
Learn from mistakes: Have you ever read something and thought you’d grasped the concepts, but when asked to translate your understanding you weren’t 100% correct? It is not until you implement what you know that misconceptions, or gaps in your understanding, become apparent. Ultimately, through trial and error you become aware of what you don’t know, or thought you knew but were mistaken. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Without making mistakes you may never truly learn.

Email your tips for retaining new knowledge to celia@bioscript.com.au.

Not just another training course!

Celia — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:56:53 +0000

Learning and development is not a series of training events, but a process that should be incorporated into everyday life.

Learning has occurred when the learner applies knowledge and skills to their daily routine.

Learners should be inspired and engaged to continuously increase their knowledge and skills.

Click here for more useful tips

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