Ever find yourself in a training session wondering if people are actually into it… or just into the free biscuits?
That’s where ESVP comes in. It stands for Explorers, Shoppers, Vacationers, and Prisoners – and no, it’s not a travel agency. It’s a handy little technique often used in Agile meetings (like stand-ups and retrospectives) to get a feel for the mood in the room. But lately, I’ve been wondering… what if we applied it to training sessions?
Let’s break it down:
Explorers are keen beans. They’re hungry for knowledge, eager to dive deep, and love learning just for the thrill of it.
Shoppers are a bit more selective. They’re browsing for something useful and will leave happy if they find even one good takeaway.
Vacationers aren’t here for the content – they’re just glad to be out of the office.
Prisoners? Well… they’ve been dragged in against their will and would rather be literally anywhere else.
Now, as a trainer or coach, I do occasionally run into folks who look like they’d rather be getting a tooth pulled than sitting through a workshop. And I get it – no one likes wasting time. So partway through a session, I often ask: “Is this useful to you?” Most people genuinely want to get value from a session – if they don’t, I want to know why.
So here’s a thought: why not kick things off with a quick, anonymous ESVP survey as an icebreaker? No names, no judgement – just an honest read of the room. That way, I know where people are at… and more importantly, how I can nudge a few Vacationers toward becoming Shoppers (and maybe even the odd Prisoner into an Explorer – we can dream!).
Of course, if the whole room turns out to be Prisoners… I won’t lie. That stings a little.
But here’s the thing: ESVP doesn’t just help trainers like me avoid a heartbreak moment. It also helps organisations get more bang for their training buck. Because if people aren’t engaged, you’re not getting your money’s worth.
Want to get more Explorers in your sessions? Get in touch with RedSpanner – let’s make your training count.