Workshops are part of the SIGA DNA

On behalf of SIGA, I’ve done a tonne of workshops in the UK. It’s an incredibly powerful method of sharing our knowledge, creating win-win situations with our clients, strengthening and building long-lasting business relationships with them, and above all, it’s simply great fun! However, have you ever contemplated how time intensive the preparation, and physically as well as mentally demanding the completion of those workshops could be? Thus, the objective of today’s blog post is to bring you closer to the concept and philosophy of the SIGA workshops and cast light on my experience in delivering workshops including the challenges it poses to present convincingly.

Work for the head and hands

Important to mention is that an extensive workshop can require the presenter to memorise an equivalent of about 30 pages of product- and building physic knowledge. As you can imagine, numerous hours are devoted to preparing and studying the content for each workshop. A further part of the preparation – the SIGA workshop possesses a positive reputation for its practical nature – is related to the great amount of workshop material that is demanded. The presenter therefore ends up loading their van fully with a bunch of heavy boxes, several rolls of membrane, and other material. When arriving at the client’s office, it’s not uncommon to get funny looks when carrying that many items into their office, occasionally, you even get asked as of whether you are intending to move in. I’m absolutely certain that some of my fellow SIGA colleagues can strongly relate to this particular situation right now and have therefore a smile on their face!

Customised workshops

Having been able to administer those workshops to various clients I now want to outline what I find the hardest in delivering them.

First and foremost, SIGA deliver their workshops to several different stakeholders. You may present to architects, university students, installers, or consultants. It’s not only the difference in the audience however, the size of the group (see image above, presenting to roughly 30 people), the venue/location, or even the knowledge level varies greatly. In essence, you can never really be mentally prepared and know what to expect, not until you commence presenting.

Flexibility is required

Also, I’ve found it a challenge to present in a compelling fashion, especially in in those before-mentioned circumstances since you’re required adapt to the given situation ad-hoc in order to catch the audience with your smile, positive vibe and energy. On top of that, to not present in your mother tongue despite being fairly proficient can pose further difficulties in certain moments with regard to cultural differences, or technical, specific language, etc. But who doesn’t like challenges? At least, I absolutely love it.

Unimagined opportunities

Above all, it’s been and will continuously be a phenomenal personal experience. I’ve gained and learnt immensely from it! Let’s take the example of the “University Project”. Who would’ve thought that I will present in front of uncountable students at well-reputed universities? Yes, you’ve heard correctly, SIGA UK will be collaborating with some of the best-known university across the UK! Stay tuned to learn more about this project, more information is to come in my future vlog posts.

A big event

Finally, excitment alert! The SIGA Sales Convetion takes place in the early September days, where the whole Sales Organisation travels to the headquarters in Ruswil, Switzerland. In the name of the UK team, we are thrilled to be travelling, but also grateful for this opportunity, to meet our international working colleagues and get informed about the latest updates within the SIGA world.