- Virtual kick-off event
- Viral trailer
- Video-based simulation with 16 variations
- 32 actors and 128 video clips
- Additional practice through AI-powered conversations
The team at NatWest kicked off the learning campaign with a live virtual event that reached 7,450 leaders across the organisation. Acting as an introduction, the launch event helped leaders get to grips with the basics of the new pay and bonus review approach and instilled a strong desire across the population to practice and learn more - an impressive 78% of attendees felt inspired to act immediately.
Meanwhile, Learning Pool were preparing an ambitious virtual simulation that would enable NatWest’s leaders to practice many of the key elements covered in the launch event. Developed in just 14 weeks the programme involved 32 actors and the creation of 128 video clips to create a deep simulation that had 16 variations and hundreds of different outcomes.
Developed in Articulate Storyline, the simulation enabled learners to define a personalised experience according to their roles and team size. Within this adaptable framework, learners navigated conversations with up to 32 meticulously crafted characters each with a nuanced backstory, performance profile, and set of expectations. This depth enabled learners to navigate authentic scenarios, making critical decisions about pay and bonus rewards based on contextual employee information.
Crucially, the design deliberately avoided simplistic ‘win’ states. Instead, it emphasised the importance of fairness and the need to make evidence-based decisions, even when those decisions elicited uncomfortable reactions.
The diverse cast of characters was engineered to respond realistically to various pay outcomes, forcing learners to confront the consequences of their choices. For instance, the contrast between one manager’s initial delight at a high payout, despite being a standard performer, and her subsequent irritability when a more evidence-based decision was suggested, highlighted the complexities of managing differing perceptions within a team.