Sancy Suraj, CEO of Knowles Training Institute, is a trailblazer in the corporate training industry. With over 400 different courses delivered to over 30 countries worldwide, Suraj’s commitment to innovation and excellence has earned her a reputation as a leading entrepreneur and innovator in the field. In this interview, Suraj speaks about her journey from entrepreneur to corporate training innovator, the challenges she has faced along the way, and how Knowles Training Institute has adapted to the changing landscape of the corporate training industry.
Can you tell us about your journey from being an entrepreneur to becoming a corporate training innovator? What inspired you to start Knowles Training Institute?
Certainly. As an entrepreneur, my journey to becoming a corporate training innovator began with a passion for education and training. I strongly believe that people are the most valuable asset in any organization, and investing in their development is crucial for business success. I founded Knowles Training Institute in 2005 with the mission of providing high-quality, practical and results-driven corporate training solutions to businesses around the world.
My inspiration for starting Knowles Training Institute came from my own experience in the corporate world. I saw a gap in the market for training programs that were tailored to the specific needs of businesses, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. I wanted to create a company that could provide customized training solutions that were relevant and effective, and that would help businesses achieve their goals.
Over the years, I have built a team of experienced trainers and consultants who share my vision and passion for training. Together, we have developed over 400 courses in a range of subjects, including leadership, communication, sales, customer service, and many more. Our courses are constantly updated to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that our training programs are tailored to their specific needs.
In summary, my journey from entrepreneur to corporate training innovator was driven by a passion for education and training, a belief in the value of investing in people, and a desire to fill a gap in the market for customized training solutions. I am proud of what we have achieved at Knowles Training Institute, and I am committed to continuing to innovate and provide the best possible training solutions for businesses around the world.
As the CEO of Knowles Training Institute, how do you stay ahead of the curve and continually innovate in the corporate training industry?
As the CEO of Knowles Training Institute, staying ahead of the curve and continually innovating in the corporate training industry is crucial to our success. We live in a rapidly changing world, where new technologies and trends are emerging all the time. To stay relevant, we need to constantly adapt and evolve our training programs to meet the changing needs of our clients.
One way that we stay ahead of the curve is by investing in research and development. We have a dedicated team of trainers and consultants who are constantly studying industry trends, conducting research, and developing new training programs. We also have partnerships with leading academic institutions, which allows us to tap into the latest research and insights in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and business.
Another way that we innovate is by embracing technology. We were early adopters of e-learning and have since developed our own learning management system that allows clients to access our courses anytime, anywhere. We also use interactive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to create immersive learning experiences for our clients.
Finally, we stay ahead of the curve by listening to our clients. We work closely with our clients to understand their training needs, challenges, and goals, and we use this feedback to continually improve our training programs. By putting our clients at the center of everything we do, we are able to stay relevant and provide the best possible training solutions.
In conclusion, staying ahead of the curve and continually innovating in the corporate training industry is crucial to our success at Knowles Training Institute. We do this by investing in research and development, embracing technology, and listening to our clients. By doing so, we are able to provide the most effective, relevant, and practical training solutions for our clients.
What would you say are some of your key leadership principles, and how do you apply them in your role as CEO of Knowles Training Institute?
As the CEO of Knowles Training Institute, my leadership principles are centered on creating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. I believe that a successful organization is built on the foundation of strong leadership, and it is my responsibility to set the tone for the company and inspire my team to achieve their best.
One of my key leadership principles is to lead by example. I believe that actions speak louder than words, and I strive to embody the values and behaviors that I expect from my team. By modeling excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning, I hope to inspire my team to do the same.
Another important leadership principle for me is to create a culture of collaboration and teamwork. I believe that everyone in the organization has something valuable to contribute, and by working together, we can achieve more than we could on our own. I encourage open communication, respect for diversity, and a willingness to share ideas and feedback.
Finally, I believe in the power of continuous improvement. The corporate training industry is constantly evolving, and we need to be constantly learning and growing to stay ahead of the curve. I encourage my team to embrace a growth mindset and to always be looking for ways to improve themselves and the company.
In applying these principles in my role as CEO of Knowles Training Institute, I strive to create a positive, dynamic, and forward-thinking organization that is committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
“As a CEO, I believe in leading by example, fostering collaboration, and embracing continuous improvement. By embodying these principles, I aim to inspire my team and create a culture of excellence and innovation at Knowles Training Institute.”
Can you talk about a particularly challenging time or obstacle that you faced while running the company, and how you overcame it?
As with any company, there have been challenging times and obstacles that I have faced while running Knowles Training Institute. One particular challenge that stands out was the sudden and unexpected departure of a key member of our leadership team.
This individual had been instrumental in helping us develop and execute our growth strategy, and their departure left a significant gap in our leadership team. At the same time, we were also facing increasing competition from other training providers, and we needed to find a way to stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow the business.
To overcome this challenge, I knew that we needed to act quickly and decisively. I first convened our leadership team to assess the situation and determine our options. We decided to take a two-pronged approach: first, we would work to fill the leadership gap by promoting from within and bringing in new talent; second, we would focus on differentiating ourselves from our competitors by developing new and innovative training programs.
To fill the leadership gap, we identified a few key individuals within the organization who had the skills and experience to step up into leadership roles. We also brought in external talent to help us strengthen our leadership team and bring fresh perspectives to the organization.
At the same time, we focused on developing new training programs that would set us apart from our competitors. We invested heavily in research and development and collaborated closely with our clients to understand their training needs and challenges. This led us to develop new programs in areas such as digital marketing, data analytics, and leadership development, which helped us stay ahead of the curve and attract new clients.
In the end, our efforts paid off, and we were able to overcome the challenges we faced. By promoting from within, bringing in new talent, and developing new training programs, we were able to strengthen our leadership team and differentiate ourselves from our competitors. This experience taught me the importance of being proactive, adaptable, and resilient in the face of challenges.
With the Covid-19 pandemic significantly affecting the corporate training industry, how has Knowles Training Institute adapted to the changing landscape?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the corporate training industry, and Knowles Training Institute was not immune to these challenges. We quickly realized that we needed to adapt to the changing landscape in order to continue delivering high-quality training to our clients.
One of the biggest changes we made was to shift our focus to virtual training. We invested in new technology and tools to enable us to deliver our training programs virtually, and we worked closely with our clients to ensure that they were able to make the transition smoothly. We also developed new virtual training programs that were specifically designed for remote learners, which helped us to attract new clients and expand our reach.
Another challenge we faced was the need to stay connected with our team members and clients, despite the physical distance imposed by the pandemic. We implemented new communication tools and processes to help us stay connected with our team members and clients, and we made a conscious effort to prioritize communication and transparency throughout the organization.
We also recognized the importance of supporting our team members during this challenging time. We implemented new policies and programs to support our team members’ mental and physical well-being, such as providing access to mental health resources and encouraging regular breaks and exercise.
In the end, our efforts to adapt to the changing landscape paid off. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we were able to continue delivering high-quality training to our clients and supporting our team members throughout the organization. This experience taught us the importance of being flexible, resilient, and proactive in the face of unexpected challenges, and we are confident that these lessons will serve us well in the future.
“Adapting to the changing landscape of the pandemic, Knowles Training Institute embraced virtual training, prioritized communication, and supported our team members. Our resilience and flexibility have allowed us to continue delivering excellence in corporate training, proving that challenges can be turned into opportunities for growth.”
As an innovator in the corporate training industry, Suraj is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve and deliver cutting-edge training programs to her clients. When asked how she stays ahead of the curve, Suraj emphasized the importance of being open to new ideas and embracing new technologies. She explained that by staying flexible and adaptable, Knowles Training Institute has been able to stay at the forefront of the industry and continue delivering high-quality training programs to its clients.
Suraj’s leadership principles are centered on the idea of empowering her team members and fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency. She believes that by providing her team members with the tools and support they need to succeed, they are better able to deliver exceptional results to clients. As CEO of Knowles Training Institute, Suraj has made it a priority to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and this commitment to excellence has helped the company to thrive and grow.
When faced with challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, Suraj and her team at Knowles Training Institute were quick to adapt and pivot to virtual training programs. By investing in new technology and tools, and focusing on sustainability and social responsibility, Suraj and her team were able to successfully navigate the changing landscape of the corporate training industry.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the future of corporate training, and how is Knowles Training Institute preparing for it?
Looking ahead, I see the future of corporate training as being increasingly focused on technology and digital transformation. We are already seeing a shift towards virtual and online training programs, and I believe this trend will only continue to accelerate in the coming years.
At Knowles Training Institute, we are already preparing for this future by investing in new technology and tools that will enable us to deliver even more innovative and effective training programs to our clients. For example, we are exploring the use of virtual reality and augmented reality to create more immersive and engaging training experiences, and we are also investing in artificial intelligence and machine learning to help us personalize our training programs and deliver more targeted and effective learning outcomes.
Another key area of focus for us is sustainability and social responsibility. As corporate social responsibility and sustainability become increasingly important to businesses and consumers alike, we believe that training programs will need to reflect this trend. We are already incorporating sustainability and social responsibility themes into our existing training programs, and we are exploring new ways to help our clients integrate these themes into their own training programs and corporate cultures.
Overall, we see a bright future for corporate training, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformation. We believe that by staying ahead of the curve and continuing to innovate and adapt to new trends and technologies, we can help our clients achieve their training and business goals and stay competitive in an ever-changing business landscape.
“Knowles Training Institute is shaping the future of corporate training by embracing technology, sustainability, and social responsibility. Our innovative approach and commitment to staying ahead of the curve will empower our clients to thrive in the evolving landscape of corporate learning, driving success through cutting-edge training solutions.”
Sancy Suraj’s journey from entrepreneur to corporate training innovator is a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of staying ahead of the curve. As the industry continues to evolve and adapt to new trends and technologies, Suraj and her team at Knowles Training Institute are well-positioned to continue delivering cutting-edge training programs to their clients. Through a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and social responsibility, Suraj has built a thriving company that is making a positive impact on the corporate training industry and beyond.
