A blend of technology and experiential learning that takes the learner into self-paced learning mode is where training is headed. – Niloofar Yazdi
Myndscope, is one of India's pioneering learning organizations. Established in 2008, it operates as an innovation consulting and performance enhancement company powered by technology.
Myndscope collaborates with both organizations and individuals, aiding them in developing the skills needed to effectively bring their aspirations, objectives, and goals to fruition through experiential learning.
The company harnesses emerging technologies and top-notch solutions to convert knowledge into a compelling and immersive learning experience.
Based in Bangalore, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, Myndscope extends its services nationwide. Through their Hi-Fi programs, participation, and learning, they cultivate an immersive environment where participants are not merely navigating a series of isolated activities but are deeply engaged in one or two lifelike scenarios, each comprised of numerous interrelated components.
Niloofar Yazdi: The Head of Operations at Myndscope, Niloofar Yazdi is a remarkable, industrious, and empathetic professional. Her rich background, spanning over 15 years in business consulting and talent engagement, has been instrumental in shaping and delivering some of Myndscope's renowned immersive learning programs, earning them recognition and accolades.
A Commerce graduate, Niloofar also has a PGDBA degree in MIS from St. Joseph's College of Business Administration. She is motivated, dedicated, and passionate about what she does. She brings into the team, a very outcome-centered approach to meet client's and end users' objectives through content-rich and innovation-driven experiences.
Afeef Ahmed: A former senior corporate executive with over 20 years of experience across sales, project management, operations, design, and learning. He brings a lot of variety into each program and engagement that he is part of. He is synonymous with immersive learning and is the driving force behind the success of immersive learning as an accepted mode of engagement and learning.
In a conversation with Startup City Magazine, Niloofar Yazdi and Afeef Ahmed talk about Myndscope, their journey with their team, plans, and more.
SCM: Do you believe yourself to be the "Most Trusted Corporate Training Provider" and why?
Niloofar Yazdi: Since our inception, we have evolved from being a firm that offers training programs to being an entrusted 'partner' to our clients through long-term learning solutions. This has been possible only through the value that each of our clients has been able to derive through our association.
Whether it is a stand-alone skills enhancement program or a longer-term engagement program, our blend of online, offline, and immersive learning programs has helped our client's employees achieve specific business and personal goals. The testimonials that our clients have shared over the years also exemplify our distinctiveness.
SCM: Describe the major learning programs offered by your organization.
Afeef Ahmed: Our philosophy is centred around deeply engaging learners through specialized involvement. Whether it's through art, sports, board games, online simulators, or defence-based scenarios. our programs have evolved over time to craft experiences that resonate more profoundly with our learners.
This approach prioritizes creating meaningful impacts as opposed to delivering content-heavy programs. Some of these programs are the only ones being offered in the industry today:
Just GO for it: Essential life & business lessons from Golf, in a blended format!
TiKi-Taka: Applying SPORTS for Structure, Skills & Sustainability at Work!
ACTIV8: Impactful, engrossing, immersive learning through theatre
Battle-ground: Defence-theme based learning for leadership, strategy & critical thinking
SIMUL8: Simulation & game-based online or hands-on learning
INNOV8: Using sports & drama for design thinking, innovation & problem solving
Grounded: Outdoor experiential program using nature & elements of nature
ART OF THE PITCH: Achieving the objective and not just delivering content
Adventure Leadership Camp
FINquest: The game of business economics for non-finance folks!
X-SELL: Sales performance program for all sales & non-sales teams
SCM: What purpose are you serving as a corporate training firm and how have you evolved from day one?
Niloofar Yazdi: Initially, clients approached us after their internal needs assessment. Our core focus would be ensuring the timely and impactful delivery of workshops. Today, most of our clients engage with us before they chart their needs assessments for the year.
We understand the client's current business situation, goals, and strategies. Only after a detailed understanding of these current and desired situations we help our clients draw out a comprehensive and customizable learning program for the future.
We have grown organically, evolving from a skills-enhancement firm that primarily conducted need-based and transactional workshops into a consultancy and strategic partner for our clients. We now empower them to achieve specific business outcomes through learning interventions that are deeply focused on results.
SCM: When did the idea of being a part of this industry coin in your head?
Niloofar Yazdi: My extensive corporate journey, encompassing diverse senior executive roles in sales, marketing, project management, design, and IT across various global industry sectors, instilled a crucial insight within me.
It highlighted that regardless of the brilliance of solutions, products, or processes, the ultimate success hinged upon the preparedness and capabilities of the individuals involved in the entire endeavor.
This readiness spanned functional skills, competencies, and, notably, emotional intelligence. My transition into this industry felt like a logical progression given this perspective.
SCM: Where is the demand for corporate trainers going in India, and how do you decide the nature of the right target audience?
Afeef Ahmed: Today, people have information and they have a lot of it! Unfortunately, this information is misunderstood as also having the knowledge or, even worse, the skill to perform a specific function. This function could be writing a piece of code leading a sales team or simply being able to handle oneself better in.
Trainers today have to go beyond content-driven sessions and disconnected activities that create no functional or behavioral resonance. So, the demand, in my perspective, would be in giving the learners an overall 'experience' during the engagement versus content-critical situations.
SCM: What nature of clients are you associated with currently?
Niloofar Yazdi: We have clients in different verticals:
IT, Manufacturing, Automobile, consulting, BFSI, Engineering, FMCG, ITES, BPO.
Academies, Universities, Schools, Sports academies.
Individuals – corporate executives for personal and career coaching, Sports People.
SCM: How does one acquire the status of 'being the best'? what gives you an edge over your peers?
Niloofar Yazdi: Our programs stand out for their distinctiveness, and we maintain a relentless commitment to enhancement. We continuously refine our offerings by learning from our audiences and drawing insights from their real-world experiences.
Furthermore, our goal isn't merely to be the best; instead, we channel our efforts into consistently improving upon our previous programs, workshops or even through meaningful conversations with our clients.
SCM: What core values and compliances are followed by the company?
Niloofar Yazdi: We partner with organizations, institutions, and individuals to build their capability. In order to successfully transform their aspirations, objectives, and goals through experiential learning.
We work directly with clients in both event-driven and long-term scenarios. In order to support and develop workforce skills, drive operational improvement, and apply new working methods.
SCM: What are the achievements and awards earned by the company?
Afeef Ahmed: We elevate the standards of excellence by inspiring individuals and businesses to expand their perspectives and surpass the existing boundaries in their personal and professional journeys. This approach has earned us a distinguished reputation in the industry, and we've been honored with:
Most Innovative Leadership Program-L&D Global, 2018-19.
Top 10 Workforce Management Solutions Providers 2018-19- a reputed business magazine.
Hi-Fi Award for Immersive Learning Solutions 2017 – APCT, India.
SCM: Have you been associated with corporate social responsibilities?
Niloofar Yazdi: We collaborate with schools and sports academies, organizing complimentary orientation programs tailored for students, athletes, staff, and educators. These programs delve into emerging trends within their respective domains, fostering awareness, pinpointing areas of improvement, and empowering them to proactively address these gaps.
