Do seminars and workshops provide real learning value for managers? The workplace is rapidly changing and information needs to be customised in order to meet the diverse needs of all South African organisations.

Conferences, workshops and seminars therefore have a very important place in the workplace.

What are the benefits of attending public conferences, workshops and seminars?

• They allow organisations to get updated information on key issues that their organisations are concerned with.
• They are valuable for delegates who carry a heavy workload.
• They allow delegates to have issues addressed on a specific topic by recognised experts who are up to date with the latest developments in the field.
• They are very appropriate in an era in which people do not have time to read a number of books by experts. They can spend a reasonably short period of time and get substantial information on a topic they have an interest in. The speakers, who specialize in these fields, have already done the sifting and selection of information from a wide variety of sources. They then present the delegates with those aspects that are particularly relevant for South African institutions in the current workplace environment.
• They create learning communities that bring together delegates from like-minded companies.
• The learning environment encourages delegates to exchange experiences, ideas and practices from their own companies.
• It allows delegates to interact with other companies who may be experiencing similar issues and problems. It allows them to tackle issues together. In turn perspectives will be broadened as a result. This information exchange helps delegates benchmark their companies.
• Reputable conference organizers add a great deal of value by identifying appropriate speakers (who have the necessary subject matter expertise, practical experience in implementation, as well as the ability to engage audiences in workshops/seminars in an interesting way that stimulates thought and debate).

• Workshop environments (which consist of smaller groups of between 10 - 30 delegates), allow facilitators to deliver the theory component whilst allowing delegates (in breakaway groups of about 6 delegates each), to engage in practical exercises. The close interactions with other delegates from differing companies generate conversations and allow the delegates to actively participate in the sharing of powerful information. This type of learning process can be very effective when used over short periods of time for example two to three days. They create an effective learning opportunity for those delegates who learn more effectively from direct interaction.
  
  
• Conference and seminar environments (which consist of bigger groups of between 30 delegates upwards), feature a wide variety of both local and international speakers. The content consists of case studies, group discussions and presentations.