• Topics can focus on very specific subjects that the audience wants to learn about,
• Lecture format provides more detail with visual examples,
  
• Handouts give the attendees something to bring home for further study or reference.
  

• There is usually little time for other topics, even if they are related,
• Some people do not learn well in a formal lecture environment,
• Applying the lecture information to your particular situation may not be easy, and this process is not a comfortable activity for many people.

Consulting

This activity includes the more traditional role of a consultant in the laboratory.  (Now, consultants have become unpopular in some situations, because of past abuses.  We really try not to be like that.  ... Ever read the Dilbert comic strip?   That's definitely not what we are about!)  A consultant is an "expert" who can offer solutions to your problems - better use of software and hardware, application troubleshooting, application development, etc.  The range of topics can be quite diverse, and in many cases there is only an informal scope of work; we are there to help you with your problems.  Does your lab need this kind of help? 

Advantages

• No limitations on the scope of work, if both sides agree in advance,
• The activities can be defined and changed on a daily, or hourly basis, if necessary,
• The effort is focused on solving your specific problems.

Disadvantages

• There are no handouts to keep, only the notes you take during the consulting,
• There may not be time for detailed explanations of why we do things a certain way, only a description of how to solve the problem,
• The lab may not learn much new information about a technique, only the best way to use it in their situation.?

Is there another option?

Of course there is.  It is the way we like to do things at ACCTA, Inc!  We can offer a unique combination of training and consulting that is not available from any other source.  Here are some examples:

Learning about reversed phase liquid chromatography

RP LC is the most common form of HPLC in the world, but many people do not have a good understanding of how the technique works.  We have a one day lecture that will teach you most of what you need to know.  The details are here.  This is a great topic, but we cover so much information that it may be hard to adapt it to your problems.  So we can combine this one day of training with one day of consulting, to then actually apply the lecture content to your situation.  The individual topics can alternate with consulting discussions about those topics to maximize knowledge retention and applicability.  Contact us if you are interested in this option.

Learning ChemStation software

Many people use it, but few use it well, or efficiently.   A lecture is a great way to learn more about the software.  We have a terrific webinar series that covers all of the major features.  Download the details here.  Each of these four two hour presentations could be presented live at your lab, followed by in-lab application of the concepts on YOUR procedures.  This approach ensures that you have an expert teaching you how to you the software, and then showing you how to apply it to your procedures.  In two or three days, you can dramatically improve your efficiency.

There are many more examples of how this combined learning approach could help your lab.  Look at any of our existing lecture topics, and then imagine adding in some onsite consulting for those topics. 

Use your imagination, or just contact us to discuss how our unique approach to lab learning can help you.