March of 2018 marked the 25th anniversary of the training and consulting practice established in 1993 by former college classmates Harry Koolen and Dr. Arnold Tilden. Over the past 25 years, we have helped a wide range of business organizations and academic institutions meet a variety of performance challenges. Today, our focus on helping clients meet key performance goals through evidence-based learning programs and support systems continues, even as our approach has evolved as a result of research, project experience, and an ever-changing environment.
WHAT MAKES PERFORMANCE LEARNING DESIGNS DIFFERENT?
Through both experience and client feedback, we believe there are several important points of differentiation that help explain why clients choose to work with Performance Learning Designs.
Method over Model
Experience tells us that each organization we work with is different and that the performance challenges it faces are unique. While we certainly look to draw upon relevant experience when designing programs for each client, we have resisted developing a core set of solution models that can be retrofitted into different organizational contexts. Instead, we focus on rigorous program development and execution methodology. This approach of method over model leads naturally to two additional points of differentiation.
Contextual & Research-Based
Performance issues should never be addressed in a vacuum. By “contextualizing” each program design, we seek to understand the entire eco-system of the project – the cultural factors, social processes, and market dynamics that will influence the success of each engagement. This involves a front-end project research and observation focus on multiple levels analysis, and it results in a much more thorough understanding of the environment in which the programs will be conducted.
Execution Focused
The programs we develop on behalf of clients are means to ends, not ends in themselves. We keep this careful balance in clear focus throughout the engagement. For example, a disciplined emphasis on ends and means during the design and development phase of the project ensures that program components are clearly linked to measurable performance-related outcomes. Our execution focus also means that each program is reinforced by a rigorous, research-based learning transfer support system.
Practitioner-Oriented
Our professional backgrounds and work experiences in both the business and academic worlds enable us to bring practitioner perspectives, mindsets, and language to each project. This orientation informs all phases of a project, from research and diagnostics to program execution and evaluation.
Domestic Roots with Global Experience
Since founding our original practice in 1993, we have conducted programs for clients in 23 countries. Managing partner Harry Koolen completed a Masters degree in London and worked in London and Singapore for a total of ten years. Partner Arnold Tilden has spent his career in both the academic (teaching and administration) and business worlds and has delivered programs for clients in Latin America, Europe, and the Far East.
The “Work With” Factor
Finally, it is worth mentioning the intangibles in the dynamics between client and consultant. Together, these comprise what we refer to as the “Work With” factors in the client’s project experience, and they translate into a conscious effort on our part to be user-friendly partners on every engagement.
A sample of “Work With” factors that clients have pointed out to us in the past includes:
- Exemplary listening and questioning skills, motivated by a deep desire to understand
- High levels of curiosity, motivated by a deep desire to learn
- Flexibility and adaptability in program design and execution
- A collaborative approach to problem framing and solution finding
- Pro-active communication (no one on the client side should ever have to ask us, “How is the project going?”)
- User-friendly and burden sharing behavior at all levels of the engagement, from executive sponsors to administrative and logistical support staff
- Holistic thinkers who don’t lose sight of the big picture and the ultimate outcomes you are seeking
- Intellectual sounding boards to explore alternative perspectives on issues and challenges, without always turning to meter on (after all, we want to be seen as a performance resource for you, not taxi drivers)
HARRY F. KOOLEN, JR.
Mr. Koolen is the founder and managing partner of Performance Learning Designs and the former managing partner of PFP Consulting (1993-2017). Prior to establishing his training and consulting practices, Harry spent 13 years in international banking, including assignments in London and Singapore. Over the past 25 years, he has developed and conducted performance improvement programs for clients in 23 countries around the world.
Mr. Koolen’s professional interests include:
- building team leadership skills and competencies to improve revenue performance
- designing training strategies to improve learning transfer
- enhancing sales and negotiating effectiveness in cross-cultural settings through the application of Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
- developing intercultural competence and enhancing the adaptive transfer of intercultural training
- improving study abroad learning outcomes through the application of experiential learning theory and Cultural Intelligence metacognition
A graduate of St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in Russian History, Harry holds a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Southern California (London Program), and a MEd in Instructional Design from the University of Massachusetts. He is also a certified Cultural Intelligence (CQ) facilitator and consultant. Harry served on St. Lawrence University’s Alumni Executive Council from 2010 to 2014.
ARNOLD J. TILDEN, JR., Ed.D.
In 1994, Dr. Arnold Tilden established Tilden & Associates, a firm that enables its clients to improve sales performance through customized, research-based sales training, sales leadership consulting, and executive development. Tilden & Associates became a partner firm with PFP Consulting, Inc. in 1999, and continues to partner with Performance Learning Designs. Dr. Tilden has consulted with a wide range of U.S. and internationally-based organizations in diverse industries, including accounting, advertising, architecture, engineering, higher education, information technology, insurance, and manufacturing.
Prior to establishing his training and consulting practice, Dr. Tilden was Vice President for Educational Practices & Student Services and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Juniata College (1977-1993). While at Juniata he led enrollment and strategic planning and supervised career services, judicial affairs, and counseling services.
Arnold is the founder of the powerful SST®: Successful Selling to Type program which joins personality type theories with the psychology of selling. He has taught SST® for clients in the US, Europe, Asia, and the Persian Gulf. Arnold has written two books on selling – SST® and Rainmakers, Closers and Other Sales Myths – and also authors Dr. Tilden’s Sales Prescription blog.
As an educational psychologist, Dr. Tilden applies academic theory to practical business and education settings. These include:
- SST®: Successful Selling to Type which applies Jungian personality theory to the selling process.
- Adaptable Leadership™ which applies both Jungian personality theory and Will Schutz’ theory of interpersonal needs to customizing leader-team member communication for improved motivation and performance.
Arnold holds a B.S. in Psychology and a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from St. Lawrence University and an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology from Temple University. He is an MBTI and FIRO-B certified consultant.
