Seeking Ideas for Inspiring Speakers and Topics for Our Engineering Team in Pune – What Would You Recommend?

Dear All,

I am working with an engineering company in Pune. There is an initiative that I would like to start involving having motivational speakers/trainers on a quarterly basis. These topics will not be related to their job roles. I aim to implement something that will provide new learning opportunities for everyone.

Kindly suggest topics/speakers located in Pune. The topics can range from creative and informative to health-related and soft skills-related, catering to individuals aged between 35 and 60 years.

Thanks in advance.

Dear Asmita,

The heading of your post is about the requirement of trainers. However, in the body of your post, it asks for motivational speakers. Therefore, in view of the mismatch between the heading and the body of the post, please clarify your requirement.

Employee training

Employee training is conducted to build certain skills among employees. In fact, more than skills, training is conducted to bring about organizational change. Therefore, one can determine the definite outcome of the training and then proceed. The success or failure of the training can be measured later.

Motivational speakers

However, the job of motivational speakers is completely different. They come to give a lecture and then leave. But who has measured whether the level of motivation has increased or not? Who has measured the benefits to the organization due to elevated motivation? Is there any motivational speaker worth their salt who has bothered to measure the effectiveness of their speech? If not, then what is holding them up?

The trouble with the industry of motivational speakers is to mislead their gullible clients. Why do companies require motivational lectures for their staff? Japanese companies could produce their goods with zero defects without a single lecture to their employees. American companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, Amazon, etc., have not just built their companies; these companies are industrial empires. Are you aware that these empires are built without motivational lectures to their employees? If these companies can become the world's giants, then why can't we?

Therefore, my humble request is to not fall prey to the misleading propaganda of motivational speakers. Motivational speech is akin to applying ointment to an aching body part. It treats the symptoms but does not fix the causes.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation is a complex issue and cannot be increased with just a 1-2 hour lecture from speakers. Employee motivation is intrinsic and lies in the organization's culture, leadership of the company, and so on. Earlier, I have given an exhaustive reply on the subject. Click the following link to refer to it: https://www.citehr.com/427885-motiva...ml#post1934498

I do not know how far you will like to read the opposite views of your requirement. However, in the public forum, replies do not depend on the likes or dislikes of the originator of the post. The benefit of the public forum is that we can speak the truth without any restraints. Hence, my reply.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Mr. Dinesh, I appreciate your reply. I agree that in one lecture, it can be challenging to motivate employees. How will one measure the effectiveness of it?

I have given it some thought and am planning to implement a lecture for employees on initiatives that people must have undertaken. It will definitely add to their knowledge. For example, I once attended a lecture on industrial origami. I never knew there was a concept called industrial origami; I only knew origami as part of a school subject. There is new information available in the market that many are unaware of. Learning at any stage of life should not be stopped. This is how the whole idea came into place.

Asmita, you are correct that "learning at any time of life should not be stopped." We call this Lifelong Learning, and no one should ever stop learning. The world changes constantly, and we need to keep abreast of these changes.

But again, as Dinesh pointed out, you are confusing two different things - learning and motivation. You need to clearly identify what it is you want to do with your workers.

Whilst learning and motivation are two different things, there can be a correlation. Train your workers to do their jobs and work productively for the organization. Ensure they are happy working for the organization via remuneration, social, good working conditions, enlightened management, etc., etc. End result: MOTIVATED workers.

They don't need motivational talks. Treat them well, and the job is done.

Dear Asmita, in your second post, you mentioned attending a guest lecture on "industrial origami" and expressed how impressed you were with it. If you wish to organize guest lectures on semi-technical or technical subjects, there's nothing wrong with that. A lot of technological changes are happening, and staying updated with these changes is quite important. Against this backdrop, organizing guest lectures on subjects related to finance, supply chain management, or technical topics is perfectly fine. Enriching knowledge is an ongoing process and has no end.

However, in your first post, you mentioned organizing lectures to motivate employees. This is a different ball game altogether. The speakers generally handle emotive issues and create a temporary sensation. Nevertheless, there is no lasting impact on the individual or organization.

There is a famous saying about motivation: those who take inspiration from someone do not need motivation. Therefore, what your employees need is an iconic figure from whom they can take inspiration. Who that could be, you would know best!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Asmita,

I am an ex-Army Officer and a former CEO of an SSI Engineering Manufacturing Unit. I have been sharing my perceptions on leadership, motivation, and goals with live army situations; therefore, it is a totally different experience for my audience, ranging from IAS/IPS officials to conductors and drivers. The most important aspect is to connect with the audience and maintain the authenticity of the facilitator.

Thanks and regards,

Col. Ravi (Retd), Mysore. 9880219307.

Dear Amita ji,

You are doing something good for your employees and ultimately for the organization. Go ahead with your best efforts. Learning never ends. Motivating is an effort to keep employees inspired and active. The good part is people like you are still there who think to give and share. Unfortunately, the industry has made everything a business, and giving motivation has also become a business. God bless.

Hello Asmita, I am based in Pune (Chinchwad) and have been conducting motivational lectures for workers in small and medium-sized companies. The lecture topics are based on the needs of the company—ranging from discipline, code of conduct, communication ability, problem-solving, self-motivation techniques, confidence building, and so on. The lectures are in Marathi/Hindi language, as required. They also include interesting games, tasks, and stories related to the topic. This approach has a positive effect on their productivity.

As you have rightly pointed out, most employers want to have lectures for the well-being of their workers, enabling them to upgrade themselves with some knowledge. Kindly share your contact details to proceed further.

Thank you.