Sofie Vergult (Atlas Copco): “Employees stand before a group with more confidence”

In the world of industrial innovation, technical expertise is only half the story. Discover how Atlas Copco, in collaboration with BrainTrain, transformed technical knowledge into confident impact through a strategic Train the Trainer trajectory.

As Vice President of HR for Power Technique Service at Atlas Copco, Sofie Vergult is responsible for, among other things, coaching the department in Wilrijk. The company encourages knowledge sharing among employees, who serve as each other’s coaches. To improve their skills, Sofie asked BrainTrain for a ‘Train the Trainer’ course. “Bart’s approach is bearing fruit.”

Atlas Copco produces industrial tools: from vacuum pumps to air compressors. Each division therefore houses a great deal of professional expertise. “Employees share this with each other through internal presentations,” says Sofie. “But an extensive analysis showed that these sometimes missed their mark. Although the employees possessed the necessary technical know-how in terms of content, they lacked the skills and confidence to convey it effectively.”

Personal connection

That is why Sofie turned to BrainTrain. “Previously, several colleagues and I had already followed a few training sessions at BrainTrain, including one on presentation techniques. We were impressed. In the first place, we felt a personal connection: Bart fits our corporate culture and quickly senses the needs. But in addition, he also impressed us with his way of training. He effortlessly combines theory with practical examples. In my opinion, that is the best way to learn.”

Sofie: “During the intake interview, he came up with possible solutions himself. He proposed a ‘Train the Trainer’ course, which he delivers in two days. The sessions were enriching. Bart uses music and drawings, responds to questions from participants, delivers his training with infectious enthusiasm, and does so in flawless English. We noticed that he had prepared the course thoroughly and implements various learning methods.”

Optimized growth opportunities

After the session, the participants were given homework. “We had to prepare a training session ourselves using the knowledge we had gained. During a follow-up session, everyone received an hour of individual coaching, in which Bart gave tips and tricks to achieve a better result. That setup optimized the growth opportunities.”

Today, the training is bearing fruit. “The difference compared to before is clearly noticeable. The quality of the training sessions is not only much higher, but employees also stand before a group with more confidence. They are moving away from their familiar PowerPoint presentations and effectively applying the techniques they have learned. We were so satisfied that we also organized the training for our middle management. In short: with BrainTrain, we have found a reliable partner that we can also call upon for future challenges.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Participants will approach their communication with others differently in the broadest sense of the word, even when situations become difficult or tense. They experience more calm and self-confidence, and have a better understanding of what to do instead of simply reacting to events. The difference lies in conscious action: not being at the mercy of the situation or the conversation, but engaging with it actively and curiously. The focus is on individual behavioral change, which has a visible impact on interactions with colleagues, employees, and clients. Participants often notice a difference during the training itself, which is then further reinforced through practical application.
Yes. Content, methods, language, and cases are fully tailored to the organization’s context. Where necessary, I explicitly immerse myself in the sector, the role, or the workplace itself. Context determines how people communicate and make decisions, and therefore determines how a training program is designed.
Our training programs are suitable for anyone who works with people and is willing to examine their own behavior. They are less effective when participants are under heavy pressure to attend and show no willingness to open up. We address this explicitly.
Transfer is central. We work on awareness and practice with real-life situations during the training, so that participants gain successful experiences. Where possible, we provide follow-up with participants and the client, and together we examine which contextual obstacles might hinder practical application.
The training always starts from the participants’ reality. We work with their own cases, combine reflection with practice and dialogue, and only introduce insights when they are needed. It is not a classroom-style transfer of theory or a PowerPoint-driven training.
Dealing with resistance is a core competency. We create safety and neutrality, name what is happening, and investigate the needs behind the resistance. We do not force anything, but create space so that participants can move forward again and take responsibility for their own learning process.
We always start from what is feasible within the available time. There is no fixed format: we adapt to needs, context, and workload. Where meaningful and desirable, we supplement physical sessions with preparation, digital elements, or phased trajectories to use time efficiently.
We do not work with tricks or imposed behavior. We also look “below the waterline” at beliefs, fears, and automatic patterns that block new behavior. As a result, people dare and are able to apply what they have learned outside the training, in their actual work situation.
Impact becomes visible in behavior. We work with observations from the client and participants, targeted reflection questions, and feedback during the training. Satisfaction is a starting point, but more important is whether people feel confident enough to effectively apply the new behavior.
Follow-up steps are always discussed with the client. This could be a debriefing on transfer, additional depth on specific themes, or individual coaching. The client decides what is desirable and feasible within their own context.
We are happy to think along with you about your context, challenges, and objectives. Not a standard solution, but a targeted approach that works in practice.

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We help organizations bridge the gap between expertise and impact. Let us know how we can help you.

Schedule an intake interview

We help organizations bridge the gap between expertise and impact. Let us know how we can help you.