Unleashing Potential: CEO Sancy Suraj’s Secrets to Successful Corporate Training
Sancy Suraj is the CEO of Knowles Training Institute, a leading corporate training company headquartered in Singapore. With over 400 different training courses delivered to over 30 countries worldwide, Sancy has established herself as a thought leader in the industry, known for her innovative approach to training and development. In this interview, we sit down with Sancy to learn more about her philosophy behind Knowles Training Institute, how she prioritizes different training courses, the strategies she employs to motivate and inspire her team, how her company has adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic, the key skills and traits that a successful corporate trainer should possess, and the biggest obstacles she’s faced in building her company and how she overcame them.
Can you share with us the philosophy behind Knowles Training Institute and how it has helped shape the success of the company?
Certainly. At Knowles Training Institute, our philosophy is centered around the belief that every individual has the potential to excel and achieve success in their professional endeavors. Our mission is to unleash this potential by providing high-quality corporate training courses that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. We strongly believe that continuous learning and development are key to staying competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment, and our courses are designed to help individuals and organizations stay ahead of the curve.
Our success as a company has been built on this philosophy. We are committed to providing training programs that are not only informative and engaging but also practical and applicable to the real-world challenges that our clients face. We constantly seek feedback from our clients and industry experts to ensure that our training courses remain relevant and up-to-date. This commitment to excellence has helped us to establish a reputation as a trusted and reliable corporate training provider, and we are proud to have served over 30 countries worldwide.
In addition to our philosophy, our success can also be attributed to our team of dedicated and experienced trainers. We carefully select trainers who not only have the relevant expertise but also possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. Our trainers are passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve their full potential, and they work tirelessly to ensure that our training courses are engaging, informative, and effective.
Overall, our philosophy and commitment to excellence have been the driving force behind our success as a company. We will continue to stay true to these principles as we strive to provide innovative and effective training solutions to our clients around the world.
As a leader, what strategies do you employ to motivate and inspire your team to consistently deliver high-quality training services?
As a leader, I believe that motivating and inspiring my team is essential to consistently delivering high-quality training services. To achieve this, I employ a range of strategies that are designed to foster a positive and collaborative working environment, and to empower my team to take ownership of their work.
One of the key strategies that I employ is to lead by example. I strive to embody the values and principles that we espouse as a company, and to model the behaviors that I expect from my team. This includes demonstrating a strong work ethic, being responsive to feedback, and consistently striving to improve our services.
Another strategy that I use to motivate and inspire my team is to set clear goals and expectations, and to provide regular feedback and support. I work closely with my team members to set challenging yet achievable goals, and I provide ongoing feedback and support to help them meet these goals. I also encourage my team members to take ownership of their work and to contribute their own ideas and insights.
Finally, I believe that recognition and appreciation are essential to motivating and inspiring my team. I make a point of regularly acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of my team members, both individually and as a group. I also encourage my team members to recognize and appreciate one another’s contributions, and to celebrate their collective successes.
Overall, my approach to motivating and inspiring my team is focused on creating a positive and supportive work environment, setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback and support, and recognizing and appreciating the contributions of each team member. By empowering my team in this way, I believe that we are able to consistently deliver high-quality training services that meet the needs of our clients.
“True leadership is not just about giving orders, but about inspiring and empowering your team to reach their full potential. By leading by example, setting clear goals, providing feedback and recognition, and fostering a positive work environment, we can create a team that consistently delivers high-quality services and achieves success together.”
Covid-19 has brought significant changes to the corporate training industry. How has your company adapted to these changes, and what do you see as the future of corporate training in a post-Covid world?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the corporate training industry, forcing companies like ours to adapt quickly to new realities. At Knowles Training Institute, we have been at the forefront of this adaptation, implementing a range of measures to ensure that we can continue to deliver high-quality training services to our clients in a safe and effective manner.
One of the key ways that we have adapted to the changes brought about by Covid-19 is by embracing digital and online learning. We have invested heavily in technology and infrastructure to enable us to deliver our courses remotely, using a range of online platforms and tools. This has allowed us to continue to provide training to our clients even in situations where in-person training is not possible or advisable.
Another way that we have adapted is by developing new courses and content that are specifically designed for the unique challenges of the Covid-19 era. This includes courses on remote work, virtual collaboration, and digital marketing, among others. We have also developed new delivery formats, such as micro-learning and self-paced courses, that allow learners to access training on their own schedules and at their own pace.
Looking ahead, I believe that the future of corporate training will continue to be shaped by the changes brought about by Covid-19. In particular, I believe that online and digital learning will become even more prevalent, as learners and organizations continue to embrace remote work and digital collaboration. At the same time, I believe that there will always be a need for in-person training and development, particularly for certain types of skills and knowledge.
Overall, I believe that the key to success in the post-Covid world will be adaptability and flexibility. Companies that are able to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and embrace new technologies and approaches will be well-positioned to thrive in the new reality of corporate training. At Knowles Training Institute, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and continuing to provide our clients with the highest-quality training services, no matter what the future may bring.
In your opinion, what are the key skills and traits that a successful corporate trainer should possess, and how do you identify and develop these qualities in your trainers?
In my opinion, a successful corporate trainer should possess a range of key skills and traits that are essential for delivering effective training and development programs. Some of the most important of these include strong communication skills, the ability to connect with learners, subject matter expertise, creativity, adaptability, and a passion for continuous learning and improvement.
One of the ways that we identify and develop these qualities in our trainers at Knowles Training Institute is through a rigorous selection and training process. We look for candidates who have a combination of relevant experience and education, as well as a natural ability to connect with others and a passion for teaching and learning. We also look for candidates who have a strong track record of success in their respective fields, as this helps to ensure that they have the subject matter expertise needed to deliver high-quality training.
Once we have identified potential trainers, we provide them with extensive training and development opportunities to help them further develop their skills and expertise. This includes training in instructional design, learning management systems, and new technologies and approaches to training and development. We also encourage our trainers to engage in continuous learning and development themselves, both to enhance their own skills and to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in the industry.
Overall, I believe that the key to success as a corporate trainer is a combination of natural talent, relevant experience and education, and a passion for teaching and learning. By identifying and developing these qualities in our trainers, we are able to ensure that we are providing our clients with the highest-quality training services possible.
“A successful corporate trainer is a master of the art of communication, a virtuoso of subject matter expertise, an orchestrator of creativity, an adapter to change, and an eternal student of learning, whose passion for teaching inspires others to learn and grow.”
When asked about the philosophy behind Knowles Training Institute, Sancy emphasized the importance of providing customized training programs that meet the specific needs of each client. She explained that the success of the company is built on a foundation of exceptional customer service, high-quality training programs, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
In discussing how she prioritizes which training courses to offer, Sancy explained that it is based on the needs and feedback of her clients. By staying attuned to industry trends and customer needs, Sancy ensures that Knowles Training Institute is providing the most effective and relevant training programs.
Sancy’s approach to motivating and inspiring her team centers around creating a culture of collaboration and respect, where team members feel valued and supported. She explained that by empowering her team to take ownership of their work and providing opportunities for professional development and growth, she is able to ensure that they consistently deliver high-quality training services.
Given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the corporate training industry, Sancy discussed the challenges her company faced and how they adapted to the new reality of remote and virtual training solutions. She explained that by investing in new technologies and approaches to training and development, they were able to stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering exceptional training services to their clients around the world.
When asked about the key skills and traits that a successful corporate trainer should possess, Sancy emphasized the importance of strong communication skills, adaptability, creativity, and a passion for learning. She explained that identifying and developing these qualities in her trainers is a key part of her strategy for ensuring the success of Knowles Training Institute.
Running a company is not without its challenges. What were some of the biggest obstacles you faced while building Knowles Training Institute, and how did you overcome them?
As with any entrepreneurial endeavor, building Knowles Training Institute has come with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest obstacles we faced in the early days was establishing ourselves as a trusted provider of high-quality corporate training services in a crowded marketplace. We overcame this challenge by focusing on delivering exceptional customer service, tailoring our training programs to meet the specific needs of each client, and continuously improving the quality and effectiveness of our training programs.
Another major challenge we faced was adapting to changes in the industry, particularly with the rise of digital technologies and e-learning. To stay ahead of the curve, we made a strategic decision to invest in new technologies and approaches to training and development, including the development of our own learning management system (LMS) and the creation of new e-learning programs. This has allowed us to expand our reach, increase our efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition.
Perhaps the biggest challenge we faced, however, was the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the corporate training industry. With in-person training sessions no longer feasible, we had to pivot quickly to offering virtual and remote training solutions. This required a significant investment in new technologies, a rapid retooling of our training programs to be delivered online, and a shift in our approach to customer service and support. Despite these challenges, however, we were able to adapt quickly and continue to deliver high-quality training services to our clients around the world.
Throughout all of these challenges, the key to our success has been our ability to stay focused on our core values of customer service, quality, and continuous improvement. By prioritizing the needs of our clients, investing in new technologies and approaches to training and development, and staying nimble and adaptable in the face of change, we have been able to overcome the obstacles we’ve faced and continue to thrive as a leading provider of corporate training services.
“BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY IS LIKE NAVIGATING A TREACHEROUS SEA. YOU MUST WEATHER THE STORMS OF A CROWDED MARKET, ADAPT TO THE CHANGING TIDES OF TECHNOLOGY, AND STEER YOUR SHIP THROUGH THE CHOPPY WATERS OF UNFORESEEN CHALLENGES. BUT BY STAYING TRUE TO YOUR VALUES AND CHARTING A COURSE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, YOU CAN REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND EMERGE AS A LEADER IN YOUR INDUSTRY.”
Sancy Suraj’s innovative approach to corporate training and development has positioned Knowles Training Institute as a leading provider of training services around the world. Her commitment to exceptional customer service, high-quality training programs, and a culture of continuous improvement has enabled her to overcome the challenges of building a successful company in a crowded marketplace. As the corporate training industry continues to evolve, Sancy’s approach to adapting to change and staying ahead of the curve will undoubtedly serve as a model for others in the industry.