To better understand the impact of CBS, we interviewed two trainers from the Italian team. Nicola and Martina told us about the strengths of this experience, what could be improved next time, and what they learnt for themselves.

If the CBS was a fairy tale, which would be the moral?

If I have to summarize it in one or two aphorisms, I would say: “Trust the process” and “Check that your desires fit reality”. The first one is referred to the almost magical push produced by CBS partecipants’ will that held up the entire process and took it to conclusion, although the high level of complexity. The second one is referred to the gap between the expected outputs and the effective amount of time and energy that partecipants could offer

“ We are late! We are late!...” The first thing that comes into my mind is the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. He represents time. We have faced this issue several times during the project: Not only, as a gap between projects requirements, a “super-intense” program and the actual time availability on trainees side, but also as critical element in designing online training

If it was a Music, which sound and rhythm would it have?

Thinking about the heterogeneity of voices, speeds and intensity occured, I would say that the CBS was a sort of Rhapsody    

I think about a polyphony: lots of voices and instruments, which tune different melody up. The result is overall harmonious and “fruitful”. We had the chance to hear and see different voices, rhythms, and intensities. Sometimes some of the voices seemed like “marching to a different drummer” but they were meaningful for the whole project.

What would you keep with you?

I would keep the other three tutors Martina, Judith and Stefano, with whom I’ve experienced a high level of harmony along the path, not taken for granted, given the low starting level of professional closeness and familiarity  

The agenda, because “if it’s not in the agenda, it doesn’t exist” and because of the need of a careful planning phase. If we don’t plan from the beginning, time becomes a critical variable, more than it usually is.

Who was your best/most important travel buddy (companion)

I would say Tommaso Limonta, the spokesman of the group I oversaw as tutor, who put effort, attention and continuity into the work.

My “facilitation buddies”: Nicola, Judith and Stefano. One the other’s avatar. We understood, listened and supported each other all the time.

And who did make it hard for you?

Three main things: too many people in the oversight of the task; low level of proximity (physical and personal) of our group, given the complexity of the goal ; the lack of a clear and shared hierarchy  

Too many voices, too many hands on each document, too many “minds and brains”. Besides, at a distance. I think that even if you are equipped with proper online tools, it is easier, quicker and more efficient to solve problems in a face to face meeting. Furthermore, the perceived mismatch between project’s objectives and what we could really do with our participants

Have you had a “Linus’ blanket” to hold on to?

I would say Martina, we talked and supported each other when confusion occured      

Nicola. We understood each other. He has been able to calm down my “complaining moments” with his practical sense and composure.

What did you like about yourself in the CBS?

The way I was able to focus on the contribution I could offer to the group without adding confusion    

Difficult question for a hypercritical person as I am. Nevertheless I would say being concrete and result oriented.

And what did you dislike about yourself?

The fact that I have not been able to always do it right away.    

The fact that sometimes I reacted by complaining (but I’m working on it!)

How did you “translate” the CBS experience into your experience?

I've come to a better and larger awareness of digital tools actually available for educational purposes; they can be very useful for me to effectively manage remote learning situation as well as to enrich traditional settings  

I've definitely deepened the multiple aspects of online learning and I could really understand the extent of this methodology. I've come to know some new tools which I could use both in virtual classes and in face to face session in order to raise commitment and dynamism. Furthermore this experience gave me the chance to be involved in a new project of ISTUD Business School with Maria Laura Fornaci and Simonetta Manzini: we have developed a new course aimed at understanding and working on the impacts of digital transformation on training design and delivery and the new roles involved. We are going to go through new methods and tools within a blended learning path.

Give 3 hints/tips to a colleague to design and deliver a CBS

 1)Define the objectives of the process and check if they are achievable with the available resources

2) Define roles and hierarchy as clear as possible

3) If possible, avoid to rush

Planning, Planning, Planning. Most of all, the approach we have chosen and proposed during the CBS needs a deep preparation at the beginning of the process. Scheduling and program definition need to match with participants’ time availability. This doesn’t exclude the possibility, or better, the need, of ongoing leading of the process and of the development of the whole group’s work.