"What Is The Point of Maths?!"

We both stared at each other for a few seconds, it felt longer for me and my mind was totally blank!



Then I remembered something I’d read; “It is the gymnasium for the brain!” I told him.

We stared at each other for a few seconds more…I’m in trouble here…then he said, ”Aaaah, I get it!”. Phew!

We carried on and I re-acquainted myself with algebra and did my best to support him.
Of course, we all appreciate that maths ability is helpful, even essential in everyday life but my response in the moment resonated and worked.

We have lots of 'gyms' in life - If we wish to develop or improve then a good option is to use a gym.

As well as the traditional physical gymnasium, we have counsellors for love and life, we have therapists, we have Zumba classes, hypnosis, well-being, financial advice, language classes, university and the list goes on and on. For now, think of the process of personal improvement as using a 'gym', whatever form this takes.

Many of these gyms also have another human being – the expert or coach or facilitator.

Soft Skills = REAL SKILLS

In business we often refer to people possessing technical skills and soft skills in order to do their job.

Soft skills is a poor title and at ABSTRACT we prefer to refer to them as REAL SKILLS.

Real skills generally across industry are what makes the magic happen in order to do business with others!

These real skills are often concerned with relationships with others and there is an extensive plethora of real skills. For example; the ability to show emotional intelligence through to the ability to negotiate effectively. There may be a technical content to these skills though the mastery is in their execution.

1) Enhanced Engagement and Focus

Face-to-face training naturally promotes higher levels of engagement. Delegates are more focused and less distracted compared to online settings.

The interactive nature of in-person sessions encourages active participation, discussion, and immediate clarification of complex concepts.
This engagement is crucial in order to create behavioural change.

2) Real-Time Feedback and Clarification

Face-to-face training allows participants to ask questions and receive immediate responses, ensuring that they fully grasp the material.

Facilitators can adapt their methods on the spot, addressing any confusion and reinforcing key points to ensure thorough comprehension.

3) Building Professional Relationships

Networking is essential in financial services, and face-to-face training provides excellent opportunities for building professional connections.

Whether it's with peers, mentors, or industry leaders, these relationships can lead to collaborations, career growth, and a deeper understanding of industry standards and practices.

Such connections are often less likely to flourish in purely virtual settings.

4) The Power of Role-Playing

"Aaaargh", I hear you say! But why practice on your clients?

Role-playing simulates real-world scenarios, allowing participants to practice skills like client interactions, risk assessments, and decision-making in a controlled environment.

This hands-on approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, enabling trainees to refine their strategies and build confidence before facing real clients.

There are not enough 'gyms' in Financial Services. At ABSTRACT we are passionate about developing real skills and have blended the virtual world with the face to face world - though only once connection has been made by groups in a face to face gym environment.

If this blog has resonated, made you think or pricked a chord and you think your team or organisation needs an ABSTRACT gym then get in touch.