Joey Greenwell is the Global Training Manager at Seakeeper Inc, which provides gyroscopic stabilizers for boats. With different sizes available, these gyroscope units eliminate roll in boats ranging from 30 feet to over one hundred feet long. By doing this, it reduces motion of the roll by up to 95% and doesn’t allow the factors that create sea sickness to happen. The benefit of their product is enjoyed by many, and one of the factors leading to their success in this industry is their training program.
“We have training programs accessible from all around the world,” Greenwell said. “As an equipment manufacturer, we sell through different channels such as a partner network, dealers and directly to boat manufacturers, which is why we needed a universal training program that could work to educate each sales channel.”
Seakeeper is hands-on when it comes to training, often going on-site to purchasers to train them how to install their product correctly and safely. Part of the training also includes common troubleshooting scenarios that their trainees may encounter. The other majority of training Greenwell oversees is more detailed with their partners. This training covers everything from sales and marketing to repairing their products.
An important element of Seakeeper training is the Training Gyros, which are units they ship to larger training sites that they can roll into the facility to work and practice on them as they simulate problems to troubleshoot.
Seakeeper has several levels of partnership available, each of which receives a different training program, which include the following:
- Certified Service and Installation Centers - these places can sell Seakeeper units, install them, work on or repair them and everything else in between.
- Service Centers - these places only focus on servicing the gyroscope units.
- Installation Centers - these places concentrate on installing the gyro units, nothing else.
- Preferred Certified Service and Installation Centers - whose business is solely dedicated to the installation and servicing of Seakeepers.
If a training group consists of ten or more people, the Seakeeper training team will go to the site facility, but Seakeeper often hosts their own in-house classes of around 15 people. After a detailed training is held over the course of two and half days, complete with all tools and training gyro units, Seakeeper provides ongoing technical support to help with ongoing problems. At times, Seakeeper’s staff will go and help new trainees in the field until they’re comfortable enough to do it on their own.
It’s not uncommon for Seakeeper’s past trainees to come back on a yearly basis, especially if new products or updates are released. Greenwell’s team is responsible for writing and updating all training materials and resources. They’re also in the process of taking their technical content to the next level by converting that information into video and an interactive troubleshooting guide on the units.
The marine industry is very involved, which is why part of Seakeeper’s training and follow-up focuses on establishing and growing a relationship. This happens after training in the evenings over dinner, but the amount of knowledge and ideas exchanged is incredible. Small talk can suddenly lead to big ideas.
On average, Seakeeper’s team trains 300 people a year (although this year it’s looking to be higher) internationally. These classes encounter language barriers and different customs, but as a trainer, Greenwell does everything he can to prepare for that—from what meals are served to religious traditions that need to be considered during training.
Through all of it though, Seakeeper’s training truly prepares everyone for the work ahead that they’ll be doing on Seakeeper’s unique gyroscope units. It’s also clear that Greenwell and his team are committed to providing the best one-on-one training support in person and online as they are constantly looking to improve their teaching and learning methods.
We hope you can take away some helpful ideas that will help you rethink your learning and training strategies and how they could be integrated into Latitude’s LMS.
About Seakeeper, Inc.
Seakeeper set out to create gyro stabilization technology so effective that it would forever transform boating. By eliminating boat roll, Seakeeper knew they could make time spent on the water much safer and vastly more enjoyable. Since the introduction of the first Seakeeper, they've seen and heard how Seakeeper has changed people's lives through the astonishment, excitement, relief and joy of clients.
Founded in 2003 by a successful entrepreneur and a naval architect, Seakeeper is the global leader in marine stabilization. Seakeeper’s innovative technology changes the boating experience by eliminating up to 95% of all boat roll, the rocking motion that causes seasickness, fatigue and anxiety. Since selling its first gyro in 2008, Seakeeper has developed a growing catalog of gyros for an expanding range of boat sizes. Based in California, Maryland, USA, the company has over 125 employees globally, based in the U.S., U.K., Italy, Germany, Dubai and Singapore.
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