International director Pranome Thavaravej said yesterday that the company spent several months researching and rehearsing its new course before launching it this month. It has been designed as an "edutainment" programme to offer clients a learning environment combined with fun activities outside the classroom.

"Clients will take part in games held outside the classroom, and will be oblivious to the monitoring that is taking place. Instructors will also use video cameras to record the activities candidly.

"Our research has indicated that this concept allows trainers to get clients more involved in the activities and hold their attention better than in a classroom setting," she said.

In the past, people looked for a role model and would try to imitate that person's character. But nowadays they are more individual and want to express their personality, Pranome said. Our trainers are looking for each person's "self-image", she said.

All clients start by taking a seven-to-10-minute psychological test to discover their weak and strong points.

Character is the main factor in scoring, with a 55-pre-cent weighting, then voice with 38 per cent and speaking with 7 per cent.

To help with their external appearance, clients will be trained by experts in costume, makeup and hairstyling.

Among corporate clients, the service industry pays the greatest attention to personal development, while telecoms, finance companies and banks are concerned with personal improvement, due to intense competition in those fields.

Hospitals and universities, as well as state agencies are also taking a greater interest in staff development.

Before designing a course for a corporate client, trainers visiting and speak with employees to get an idea about their characters and behaviour.

After operating under a licence from US-based John Robert Powers for more than two decades, Personal Development has become well known for providing personalised training courses for individuals and organisations.

Patcharee Lueng-uthai

 The Nation