CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » PODCAST: Approach training like a puzzle
Community Service Podcast

PODCAST: Approach training like a puzzle

Don’t forget the critical pieces that leave attendees with a ‘wow’ learning experience.

July 6, 2018
Jennifer Plager
No Comments
Tom McWilliams

For Tom McWilliams, every successful training experience is like a 1,000-piece puzzle. Forget one piece and the puzzle is incomplete, leaving you wanting more.

“Training is like a jigsaw puzzle: You pull it all together, make sure each piece fits, and then sit back and let the magic happen, says McWilliams, senior vice president of the Mississippi Credit Union Association.

Credit Union Magazine honored McWilliams as the 2018 Credit Union Hero of the Year during a presentation Thursday at the CUNA America’s Credit Union Conference in Boston. Trellance sponsors the award.

During a career with the Mississippi Credit Union Association that has spanned more than 30 years, McWilliams has learned a thing or two about what makes  a fantastic training experience, the pieces of the training puzzle, and how to fit them all together.

Early in his career, McWilliams received sage advice from a respected colleague in the credit union training world: The key to making a training experience feel special for attendees is to “make them feel like they’re coming into my home,” McWilliams recalls.

This means making attendees feel relaxed and comfortable.

It’s a philosophy he’s carried with him throughout his career and puts into place with every training program he coordinates.

“We want everybody to feel at home when they come in,” he says. “That this is their building, this is their training room. We want them to make the best of it.”

This means calling attendees by name, having  having prepared speakers who give outstanding presentations, and piping in music. Over the years, some new puzzle pieces have emerged:

  • Snacks. “We don’t spare any expense on the food. We feed our folks well,” he says. “We want to make sure they don’t drop off and go to sleep and that they’re not hungry.”
  • Electricity. “More people are bringing their laptops now,” he says. “We make arrangements where they can all have electric plug-ins while they do their training.”

In an interview with the CUNA News Podcast, McWilliams talks about characteristics of successful training programs, challenges in the training sphere, advice for young professionals, and more.

You can listen and subscribe to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio.

KEYWORDS Credit Union Hero podcast training

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CFPB issues CUNA-opposed proposal on credit card late fees

  • Celebrating the legacy of Black leaders

  • Auto lending report shows significant credit union member savings

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us