SBI Connectors

SBI Connectors is one of the most important companies in the World in the manufacturing of electrical connectors for all type of electrical networks and also for any kind of industrial applications. In addition, SBI provides the tools required for the installation of all these connectors. Its wide product range, developed and manufactured through more than 40 years of experience, is recognized by electrical companies of the entire world. SBI Connectors has already implemented ISO quality standards and an environmental management system, which guarantee the correct and responsible application of all its activities

Why Microtraining

The company is interested in learning the methodology to do its own microtraining session with an internal microtrainer. The company is interested in improving the communication between the different areas and in helping to actively progress in environmental subjects as:

• Water management
• Waste segregation
• Communication

The company also realized the need of introducing sustainable development concepts and good environmental practices at both work and home. The company thought that the microtraining methodology may deeply change the behavior of people who will communicate and solve specific problems through team commitments.

How Microtraining is applied

Five to seven employees, technical and higher education level, mainly the shift manager and the responsible of each area, took part in the sessions.

After some preliminary phone contacts with the Quality and Environment responsible there was a first visit to the SBI facilities as well as an interview with the Plant Manager and the Quality and Environment responsible.

After that a series of 6 sessions about “Continuous improvement of the SGA implemented” were planned:

• Introduction : Introduction to the microtraining methodology, Learning objectives, Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Sub-topic 1: Water management
• Sub-topic 2: Waste segregation
• Sub-topic 3: Quality versus Environment
• Sub-topic 4: The importance of the communication
• Closing session: Highlights of the previous sessions, microtraining Evaluation

All kinds of active approaches were used. During the introductory session, the participants proposed subjects to be developed during the microtraining sessions by filling (Q1). The topics were fitted with those previously suggested by the organization (Q0) so the group was involved in the sessions from the beginning. The rest of the sessions always included an active start, exercises and activities to increase the interaction and the peer learning between the participants. The closing session was dedicated to revise the previous sessions (What have we learned?). In addition, a brainstorming session was conducted about commitments to put in active the learning attained during the microtraining experience. Besides, a microtraining evaluation was also performed.

What were the experiences

The participants were actively involved in the sessions; they were always encouraged to participate in the sessions by their direct head. This fact might have helped agreements for later implementation. There was a very good work atmosphere. The group agrees that microtraining was a method to solve problems fast and direct and requiring not much additional effort. The participants are interested in the use of microtraining in the near future as internal tool to improve communication and solve day to day problems.