AsiaWorks and and the Power of Perpetual Learning

The following is an edited transcript of a conversation between Emily Liu, Managing Partner, and Marcus Marsden, Director of Research and Marketing.

Marcus: I know that is a subject about which you are very passionate. What do you actually mean by the term: “Perpetual Learning”

Emily: Yes, I am very passionate about this subject! For me, it is more than just doing training courses, it is an approach to life itself. Do I approach life from the viewpoint that I already know and that I have to demonstrate that knowledge to prove to myself and those around me how ‘smart’ I am OR do I approach life from a viewpoint of inquiry and exploration?

Marcus: That is a fundamental question

Emily: Yes it is and I believe that Asiaworks has major role to play in supporting people in this area.

Marcus: How do you see this role?

Emily: Firstly, with our core curriculum: The Basic Training, The Advanced Course, LP and, of course, staffing, senioring and coordinating. During this process, people have the opportunity to really open up, discover more possibility and create a new future for themselves and the people around them. When people come back to staff trainings they not only have the opportunity to serve others but also continue to deepen their own experience.

Marcus: So the learning never stops for as long as you remain open to it?

Emily: Exactly. This is a great example of how our relationship with our graduates is really founded on 4 key principles: LEARNING; PARTNERSHIP: CONTRIBUTION and EXCELLENCE.

Secondly, we have other key workshops which are designed to focus on certain key areas: Mastery, Odyssey, The Power of Intimacy and Abundance and Prosperity. These all allow people to inquire and learn in particular areas.

Thirdly, Marcus, the role you are playing in Research & Development is fundamental to our future. I think that the recent creation of this role demonstrates our complete commitment to developing the new offerings which will support the perpetual learning approach. And now we are also developing new workshops and offerings in order to broaden the scope of the learning that people can expose themselves to with AsiaWorks.

Marcus: In which new areas are AsiaWorks developing new workshops?

Emily: Well, as you know – there are many. Some have already been launched, such as the Change Management Program – ACT. This originated from General Electric and is now offered by our sister company TWP to major corporations. However, we have developed the program in order to make it more relevant to graduates, because the whole subject of how to lead, manage and master change is so fundamental to anyone committed to achieving excellence in their lives.

We have also launched the “Coach In You” program. This is targeted at people who want to learn how to have other people win. Once again, this started with TWP, who have delivered a similar program around the globe in recent years to many major multinational companies. Now we have adapted it and made it relevant to graduates. Coaching is a true win-win game. As you have other people win, so you win too. We are also about to launch an Advanced version of the “Coach in You program”

What is particularly exciting is that corporations have recently invited us to deliver CIU programs in Beijing and Shanghai. That will be a first for us!

Marcus: Both of these workshops started their life in TWP. What is the significance of that?

Emily. I think it is highly significant. These programs have been delivered very widely to major companies who spend a lot of time and effort on leadership development. They only buy effective programs which they are confident will enhance performance. Now we start offering these programs to graduates, safe in the knowledge that these programs work. They have been tried and tested in high pressure situations.

Marcus: So do you see this trend continuing?

Emily: Absolutely. I think this is one of the best ways in which we can support our graduates and, in fact, we also have two other similarly developed projects which are just about to launch: The highly popular personality type program: Myers Briggs and a Creative Thinking program. Both of these started life in TWP.

However, our new partnership with the youth and education consultancy SEEDS, has come from a different place, so we are not just relying on the Corporate world!

The learning is not just perpetual, in fact it can cover all aspects of your life – whether it is personal or professional. That is what I meant when I said that perpetual learning is more than just ‘doing trainings’ … it is an approach to life, wherever you happen to be.

Marcus: Thank you