Biz U

In a world where formal "training" is a rarity, kudos to UBS for opening another Business University, this time in Hong Kong in addition to their other Asian U in Singapore: http://www.ubs.com/1/e/media_overview/media_asiapacific/releases.html?newsId=190759

Obviously it will be geared toward the financial side of things but from what I've gleaned there are usually some succession/estate/trust offerings.

Unfortunately, formal training on a scale like this is often a waste of time and money despite all the great intentions. Much more so for the trust industry than the banking sector. Usually the biggest complaint is that often the people who plan the curriculum and deliver the courses aren't the people from the actual business. The topics are disjointed, the information isn't practical or business-specific enough, etc.

One trust company Managing Director professed to me, in all his years, he and his people were never asked to help with his company's Training Campus. Everything was handled by the Learning directors and presented by "good people" but just not people from the trust industry. Many of us will have attended some session where the lack of practical experience or knowledge of "in house procedures" ruins the creditability of the presenter in a matter of seconds. Those who can, do...those who can't, teach.

And part of the fault also lies with the participants too. You pretty much got to force-feed people to learn. They all want the "abridged" version. When they do turn up (and actually turn off the Blackberry/smartphone) they want real life examples, practical answers, free advice, user friendly apps. Save your breath and just give me the answer. Look dude, I don't want to know about Londonderry, just tell me is the LOW a trust document or not? Delivering a session on theory or statute is more painful than root canal....for both.