Training agency - Loof
Loof helps you get started
As a board, you dedicate a year to your association. It’s a fantastic and educational experience, but it can also be challenging. You work closely together, have to juggle multiple responsibilities, and naturally want to achieve real results. Big plans? You likely already have them. But how do you ensure they actually get off the ground? How do you maintain an overview when things get busy? How do you make quick decisions during meetings and get your members involved in your plans?
Working together can also be tricky at times. You are, of course, a close-knit team. But how do you address issues when things aren't going smoothly? Do you dare to be honest when agreements aren't met, or do you shy away from conflict? What do you do if someone is unable to fulfill their duties? And how do you leverage everyone's strengths while managing each other's pitfalls?
We are experts in building strong teams
Loof’s training programs help you prevent such issues or resolve them collaboratively. We have been guiding diverse teams for years—spanning the corporate world, government, healthcare, and education. We help teams strike the right balance between achieving results and fostering effective collaboration—creating a team that people want to be part of and contribute to. We would be happy to apply our knowledge and experience to help set your leadership team on the right path.
Our approach is practical, fun, and educational
Our approach is characterized by plenty of interaction, engaging activities, small-group assignments, and variety—ensuring our guidance is anything but dull. Through our unique 'Brain-Based Learning' concept, we incorporate the latest insights from neuroscience into our methods. Effective learning that’s fun!
Pick & Mix modules
Our workshop modules focus on the intersection of collaboration, communication, and effective governance. We would be happy to help you determine the ideal workshop for your team. We can design a workshop day for your board based on the themes listed below. Which themes appeal to you?
1. Strong team
On collaboration, expectations, and feedback
A successful board year begins with a strong team. We map out everyone’s qualities, pitfalls, challenges, and drivers, and examine how these influence collaboration. We also focus on expectations, communication, and feedback.
What are the benefits?
- Greater understanding of one another and each other’s working styles.
- Clear expectations regarding roles and responsibilities.
- A board that holds each other accountable more readily and collaborates more effectively.
- Less wasted energy due to miscommunication and unspoken expectations.
2. From idea to action
On setting goals, maintaining focus, and choosing priorities
How do you ensure that good ideas don’t just remain plans? We translate ambitions into concrete goals and actions and look at how to maintain focus throughout the board year. This allows you to work purposefully on what truly matters and get others on board with your direction.
What are the benefits?
- Greater focus on what really matters.
- Learning to plan realistically.
- Clear priorities and concrete action points.
- Clarity regarding roles and responsibilities.
3. Mastering your board year
Prevent everything from landing on the board’s plate
A board year is often busy and unpredictable. Before you know it, you are putting out fires or taking over tasks from committees. In this training, you will learn how to manage your workload, set clear boundaries, and keep responsibilities where they belong. This fosters a greater sense of ownership among committees and leaves the board with the capacity to focus on the areas where it can truly make a difference.
What are the benefits?
- Better control over your workload and energy levels.
- Setting clear boundaries without harming collaboration.
- Encouraging committees and working groups to take more responsibility.
- Leading with greater calm, clarity, and enjoyment.
4. Smart & Speedy Meetings
On holding meetings, making choices, and reaching decisions
Meetings run over time, topics keep resurfacing, and decisions get left hanging. Sound familiar? In this training, we take a critical look at how you conduct meetings and make decisions. You will gain practical tools to hold more efficient meetings, reach decisions faster, and ensure that agreements are actually followed through.
What are the benefits?
- Reaching clear decisions faster.
- Greater structure in meetings.
- Making—and following up on—clear agreements.
- Achieving more in less meeting time.
5. How do you get people on board?
On persuasion, argumentation, and exerting influence
As a board, you often have good ideas, but a good idea alone isn't always enough. How do you get members, committees, your educational institution’s management, or external partners to come along with your plans? In this module, you will learn how to communicate more persuasively, build stronger arguments, and tailor your communication to the person you are speaking with. This enables you to make a greater impact and convey your position with more confidence—even when facing resistance.
What are the benefits?
- Greater confidence in conversations and meetings.
- Stronger arguments and greater powers of persuasion.
- More influence on decisions and outcomes.
- Better handling of critical questions or resistance.
Ready to take you board year to the next level?
After you sign up with the Student Union, we will contact you to discuss your wishes and put together a great workshop.
TRAINER – Tijmen Planting:
Hi! I’m Tijmen Planting, a trainer at Loof Training & Advice. I’m really looking forward to facilitating your workshop. During my own university days, I was heavily involved in all sorts of activities alongside my studies—ranging from various committees to education improvement initiatives, and from study associations to student societies. You know how it is. It certainly helps to understand the ins and outs of boards and committees when guiding you on your way. I’ve been providing training and coaching to students since my university years, and I now focus on guiding teams. With a strong emphasis on personal, persuasive leadership and effective collaboration, I use my experience to support your team’s development. After all, it’s a team effort!