Cambiana

Let’s be honest—many of us have experienced those impersonal, one-size-fits-all training sessions that feel more like box-ticking exercises than actual learning. The rise of 'Netflix for learning' models, where users choose and consume self-paced courses, seems convenient at first.

However, the reality is that this often lacks the engagement, coaching and real-world application necessary for true professional growth. Companies frequently find that this model doesn’t deliver significant results, leading them to search for more customised and impactful learning solutions.

Blended approach

Personalised learning addresses this issue by customising the experience to fit the specific needs and preferences of customers and learners. Instead of choosing e-learning only, many training providers take a blended approach: combining elements like self-paced online activities with individual coaching, hands-on activities and live sessions. This approach encourages a deeper connection to the material. This way, professional development becomes a more meaningful and effective process.

But how do you create training that is more engaging, personalised and has that human touch, while still keeping it scalable? That’s exactly where training provider Cambiana makes the difference.

Cambiana is a training and coaching company that designs personalised leadership and team development programmes for businesses of all sizes. They offer learning experiences that are adaptable and flexible, available as fully online, face-to-face sessions or a combination of the two.

Cambiana’s programmes cover a wide range of subjects, including communication, change management, teamwork and personal growth. The company operates globally, offering training in multiple languages and focusing on measurable results that help organisations and individuals see the impact of their learning. Since they started in 2011, Cambiana has worked with over 75,000 learners around the world.

Cambiana’s founder, Gaëlle Piernikarch, was ahead of the curve, realising the potential of technology to improve learning even before the pandemic hit. She recognised a growing demand for training that is flexible and personalised—learning journeys that not only teach skills, but also lead to long-term behavioural change.

However, the early versions of their training were not as flexible as they envisioned them to be. The company's initial digital tools didn’t fully deliver on their promise. The standard e-learning options available at the time were not adaptable or engaging enough.

The difficulties

First, there was no coherent and structured learning path for learners, particularly when combining self-paced activities with live sessions. This lack of structure made it difficult for learners to navigate their journey and ensure consistent progress. Without a clear, integrated path, learners often got lost on their journey, struggling to connect the different components of their training.

Additionally, creating customised versions of each course for different clients was a hassle. Customisation, such as adding industry-specific examples or case studies, was time-consuming and inefficient. The old platform did not easily support tailoring content to the specific needs of individual clients, making it challenging for Cambiana to deliver personalised training at scale.

The platform also lacked a variety of didactically sound learning activities. Key elements like reflection exercises, feedback activities and other interactive tools—essential for deep learning—were either missing or difficult to implement. This restricted the ability to fully engage learners and drive long-term behavioral change.

To solve this problem, Cambiana developed a new approach to training, focusing on flexibility, engagement, and personalisation. They created a learning journey, in which they use a dynamic blend of e-learning modules, personal coaching sessions and interactive exercises aimed at supporting the growth and development of every learner. This approach combines the convenience of on-demand learning—where learners can go through material at their own pace—with live sessions that provide real-time interaction and support.

A human touch

At the heart of Cambiana’s method is personalisation. Every learning journey is customised to fit the individual needs and goals of learners, whether they are new leaders, experienced executives or team members looking to develop new skills. Using technology and insights from personal assessments, the company ensures the training is relevant, effective and aligned with the learner’s career growth.

Cambiana also recognises the value of different training methods and offers a balanced approach. While 'Netflix for learning' models might offer convenience with self-paced e-courses, they often lack engagement, relevance, and human connection. Cambiana counters this with a personal and motivating approach, ensuring that learning is not just consumed but truly absorbed and applied. Their e-courses provide the flexibility of short, manageable sessions that fit into a learner’s daily routine, ideal for those who prefer a self-paced style.

However, Cambiana understands that many learners still appreciate the human touch—a key element missing from many standard e-learning platforms. Bringing 20 people together for in-person training can be challenging. So, the company has designed programmes that customise to specific roles, industries or company needs, combining e-learning with personal coaching and reflective sessions. This hybrid approach creates a thorough and effective learning experience that not only transfers knowledge but also ensures measurable outcomes. Cambiana continues to coach learners across multiple courses, supporting their growth as they progress in their careers.

Cambiana came to aNewSpring in search of a training improvement engine to power their ambition to create engaging, adaptable and personalised learning journeys for their clients, and it proved to be the perfect fit. With its modular setup and wide range of interactive tools, aNewSpring gave Cambiana the flexibility they needed to design dynamic learning programmes that could easily be customised and scaled.

The learning journey platform now allows them to offer a seamless blend of various learning activities in a clear, organised timeline. This ensures that learners always know what to expect, making their progression through the course more intuitive and structured. No more learners lost in the labyrinth.

Going beyond simple knowledge transfer

They can also easily create multiple versions of the same course, tweak content to include industry-specific examples or case studies, and even combine existing modules to build entirely new, personalised training experiences. That means more happy customers and heaps of time saved, that can now be invested in helping individual learners succeed.

Moreover, the platform’s variety of interactive tools introduced a greater range of didactically sound activities, such as reflection exercises and feedback sessions. This enriches the learning experience, improving knowledge retention and encouraging the practical application of skills. As a result, Cambiana’s training programmes now foster significant professional growth for participants in various business environments, going beyond simple knowledge transfer to drive lasting behavioural change.

Cambiana’s new approach has delivered impressive results. Learners report gaining practical skills and knowledge that they can apply directly in their roles. They also feel more confident and better equipped to tackle challenges at work. These outcomes are reflected in the positive feedback collected through mid-term and end-of-programme evaluations, which show high levels of engagement and satisfaction.

Learner testimonials

One participant praised the training structure, noting: "Modules are clear, structured. The material isn't overwhelming, and it's self-paced. The training gives clarity on what are the important topics to work on."

In the Becoming a Leader course, Cambiana asked their learners if they would recommend it to their network, and all of them responded with a resounding "YES".

Additionally, a client highlighted the impact of the program on leadership development, saying: "The recruiting aspects and the reflection on your personal leadership focusses were particularly impactful."

Learners particularly value the personalised support they receive throughout their training journey. This has helped Cambiana create a strong sense of community among their learners, even in online settings. By mixing technology with human interaction, they ensure that learners are not only learning but also building meaningful connections with coaches and fellow learners.

The impact of Cambiana’s programmes goes beyond knowledge transfer. Learners experience real behavioural changes and understand how to apply what they’ve learned in their everyday work, leading to improved team dynamics and stronger leadership skills. The company tracks these outcomes using both quantitative measures, like retention rates and qualitative feedback, as well as qualitative feedback, ensuring that they continuously improve their offerings based on actual results.

Cambiana even sees customers who had switched to one-size-fits-all training libraries return, seeking the relevance, personal touch and meaningful interaction that those solutions lacked.