Sahan Natalya

How training materials are created: experience and lessons from the inside from Natalia Sagan

In the modern corporate environment, employee training becomes a key tool for development and adaptation. It becomes especially important when it comes to topics that require delicacy and deep understanding. This was Natalia’s task — to create training materials on the reintegration of veterans into the work environment.

“These were materials on interaction with veterans. Together with my colleagues, we prepared a module on recruiting and adapting veterans, which was part of a two-hour course. We conducted it for many groups, and it seemed that I already knew every word by heart,” Natalia shares.

The preparation took a lot of time and Natalia can highlight the main stages of developing the materials: how to conduct an interview with a veteran, what questions to avoid, how to support adaptation in the team. Also, examples were given and supplemented with exercises.

The most difficult task was to compress a large amount of important information into a limited time. This requires the trainer to be able to highlight the main points and immediately provide practical tools instead of long theory.

Working with the topic of veterans, the team faced the challenge of not touching the triggers. Before developing the training materials, Natalia conducted the first interview with a veteran to better understand his needs and history. It was an exciting experience, but it brought a simple truth: “veterans require a special attitude, they are also people” — and this became the key message of the course.

An important part of the process was preparation: studying literature, participating in trainings, consulting with experts and testing the materials. “We took test groups, received feedback, and after each training we adjusted the program. Only after several iterations did it take on its final form,” says Natalia.

Developing training materials in such a topic is a long, gradual process. It changes not only the listeners, but also the trainer herself: “in order to tell someone, you need to know better yourself,” and this learning process becomes an added value for the author of the materials.

Online Masterclass by Natalia Sagan: How to Keep Attention and Give Practice

An online masterclass is not just a broadcast of a presentation. To turn two hours into something useful and memorable, you need a clear structure, interactivity, and take into account the interests of the audience. Natalia conducted an online masterclass on interaction with veterans and shares what worked best.

For the online format, Natalia advises: divide the two-hour session into short blocks (theory - case exercises - discussion) and use interactivity to keep attention.

It is important to do not make a “one-time” presentation, but a series of runs and edits: “How we did it - first we sketched out the skeleton, then conducted runs - took a test group and received feedback. After that, we supplemented and corrected.” This approach significantly increases the quality of the masterclass.

The HR department and the team played an important role in the preparation: from the selection of participants to the technical support and materials. Natalia notes: “Our HR department has always helped, and even more than I expected. It gave me a feeling of support.”

The online format required special concentration: it was necessary to keep the attention of the listeners, give examples, encourage discussions. “I wanted each participant to take something useful for themselves after the training, and not just listen to a lecture,” says Natalia.

There were also difficult moments. There were cases when participants expressed overly critical or aggressive thoughts. “In such situations, the main thing is to abstract and understand: this negativity is not directed at you personally, but at the topic or process. It is important to direct the discussion in a constructive direction and seek consensus.”

To have the energy to give intensive online sessions, Natalia supports herself through: short relaxation rituals: reading and creativity - aerodesign and photo zones made of balloons, which provides emotional nourishment.

An online master class can be no less deep and practical than an offline one, if it is built on careful preparation, testing and attention to the human side of the topic. As Natalia says: “To teach others, you need to understand yourself more deeply,” and it is this inner work that makes the training valuable and effective.