Having not entered in to training like this before with the individual departments we did not know really what to expect.
With the Production department, just having a third party asking questions relating to our processes generated a huge amount of discussion. With an 'outsider' doing this I thought the staff opened up, were more animated and thought about things for themselves more. Even very basic questions were more thought about and reasoned between the staff in the department, as well as the overall benefit I feel that this was also a very good way of getting the team to bond together more.
Numerous actions were made and dealt with within the team, again leading to more ownership of the training and I do think changes have been made for the better. The training is still used today to discuss processes and potential problems.
Warehouse - I think at the beginning, there was a certain amount of hostility bringing a third party in to this area. However, using the same techniques as with production, the team started to think about what they do and question the reasons for doing these. A far more logical approach was introduced and again the team members took ownership of the actions that were discussed.
I think after 12 months it would be well worth while re-visiting both courses just as a refresher and to keep the progression of these teams on-going. With what we are doing / planning now, the benefit of this course will really come to the forefront in our expansion.