Is Practical Training Tough? My Thoughts After Completing 8 Days as a Resident in a Regional Area

In this article, I will talk about the practical training required before registering as a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant.

To sum up my honest feelings after finishing the practical training in one word, it was an "intense 8 days, though it was tough."

As the practical training approached, my state of mind was,

I think I felt more anxiety than anticipation.
While there are many articles introducing practical training, there are not many real-life accounts of "what the atmosphere is actually like" or "what we do in the team."

Therefore, I will look back on the flow and my feelings during the July course (8 days) that I took, hoping it will be a reference for those who will take it in the future.

*Due to confidentiality obligations, I have written this within the scope of what can be disclosed, without mentioning company names or the content of our proposals.

The practical training had already started one week before the first meeting day

I participated for 8 days, from July 9th to 12th and July 18th to 21st. However, in reality, the practical training had already begun about a week before the first meeting day. This is because,

an email arrived from the instructor, sharing the format for the report to be used in the practical training, as well as the name, location, and representative's name of the company we were to diagnose. At the same time, we were instructed to submit our preferences for roles such as management strategy, finance, human resources, and IT.

A few days later, our roles were decided, and after that, we were contacted by the team leader.

The leader gave us homework to do individually, such as:

• Conducting preliminary research on the company to be diagnosed

• Investigating the external environment, such as the industry and competitors

• Thinking of items to confirm during the interview on the first day

We were also provided with a shared drive, creating an environment where all team members could upload their research results as they went along.

It felt like the practical training had already begun during the preparation phase before we even met face-to-face, rather than "thinking about it after gathering on the day." I was anxious...

What I prepared in advance

First, I went to the library and read the "Industry-Specific Examination Encyclopedia." I grasped the characteristics of the industry and general management issues, and formed hypotheses such as, "What might also apply to this company?"

I also checked Google Business Profile and social media. What points do customers appreciate? Conversely, what are the complaints being raised?

Of course, you cannot understand management issues just from social media, but I felt that having hypotheses before the interview significantly influenced the quality of the subsequent questions.

Finally, the first day

Since I live in Ishikawa Prefecture, I arrived at the location the day before.

For those participating from far away, I recommend staying overnight beforehand, although it depends on the cost. Especially for those living in regional areas, the impact of weather on transportation, such as typhoons or heavy rain, cannot be ignored. By arriving at the location with time to spare, I was able to participate calmly on the day.

The morning was spent meeting the team members. Since the interview with the client company was scheduled for the afternoon, we shared our preliminary research and hypotheses while introducing ourselves.

What was impressive was that there was a natural atmosphere of, 'Since we haven't even interviewed them yet, let's not jump to conclusions based only on hypotheses.'

I felt that the attitude of trying to discuss things while properly separating facts from assumptions was typical of SME Consultants, even if they were not yet registered.

I was a little overwhelmed at first

During the self-introductions, we talked about our respective backgrounds and current jobs.

Everyone had a wealth of experience, such as managers at large companies or specialists, and honestly, I was a little overwhelmed at first.

On the other hand, I am currently preparing to go independent. I had feelings like, 'Will I be able to contribute among these members?'

However, once we started talking, that anxiety quickly disappeared. Everyone naturally brought me into the conversation and listened to my opinions. It felt like we were discussing toward the common goal of 'creating a better diagnostic report,' regardless of age or position.

The discussion is strict. But it is very warm

On the afternoon of the first day, we conducted an interview with the client company. We heard from the president for about two hours, and a social gathering was held afterward.

With the president's permission, we recorded the session, and since some team members even handled the transcription, the analysis from the next day onward was very smooth.

From the second day onward, we repeatedly discussed management issues and improvement proposals based on SWOT analysis.

Some people might imagine a strict atmosphere when they hear 'practical training.' However, our team was the opposite. The instructor proceeded in a calm tone throughout.

Of course, there was no compromise on the content, and

sharp questions flew. But that was not to deny anyone. They were questions to create a better diagnostic report. The team members also proceeded with the discussion while respecting each other's opinions.

Such exchanges happened naturally, and there was an atmosphere where anyone could speak with peace of mind. I believe the high level of psychological safety was a major strength of this team.

The period between the first and second half was the toughest.

By the fourth day, we decided on the overall direction of the report, and after that, each person in charge wrote their section. During this period, I worked intensively at home and at the library. However, I was conscious of finishing as early as possible, considering the possibility that I might not be able to work as planned due to family caregiving or a child's sudden illness.

As it turned out, there was a family emergency involving hospitalization, but because I had been working ahead of schedule, I was able to avoid any major impact. I truly realized the importance of schedule management that anticipates risks.

Report creation is a team effort until the very end.

In the second half, everyone reads through the reports created by each person in charge and provides feedback. The report ends up being about 80 to 100 pages long. Just reading it requires a considerable amount of stamina, so snacks and sweet drinks were indispensable (laughs).

After that, we divided up tasks like the company overview and cover page, and finally, we integrated everything into one Word file. This was surprisingly difficult. We adjusted the formatting while fixing minor differences in fonts, margins, and table positions, and then took it to a printing company. The moment I received the bound report, I felt a sense of accomplishment, thinking, "It's really finished."

On the final day, we held a rehearsal and reported to the client company in the afternoon. After finishing the approximately two-hour presentation, the 8-day practical training came to a close.

What I gained from the practical training

This time, I had two goals.

・To clarify the skills and behaviors I am lacking
・To build connections with people

In terms of networking, the results exceeded my expectations.

I was able to connect with people of different ages and industries through the qualification of Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant. It was also a moment when I realized the strength of the network that this qualification holds.

Also, my own challenges became clear.

In particular, the ability to interpret financial analysis by delving into industry characteristics and build hypotheses from there. And the ability to communicate in a way that is logical yet narrative, and critical when necessary, so that the other party is convinced and wants to take action.

I would like to polish these two points as future challenges.

Finally

After finishing the practical training, my goal is to start working as an independent consultant. However, at the same time, I was in a state where anxiety about "whether I can do well" was clinging to me. But during this practical training, as I heard about the experiences of veteran instructors, the history of the consultant system, and the role this qualification has played in society, that anxiety was reduced. Of course, there are differences such as regional characteristics.

The practical training is by no means a cheap expense. In particular, I added on accommodation and travel expenses. Even so, I can proudly say that "it was worth more than the cost."

Experiences that cannot be gained through knowledge alone, encounters with people, and the discovery of my own challenges. It was also a time that gave me the push to say, 'I will move forward as a consultant from here on out.'

My second practical training session is coming up in August. I want to finish reading 'World 99' by then.

I hope this has been at least a little helpful for those who will be taking the practical training in the future.