Program Execution: Core Elements to Consider Before, During, & After Programming

Once your program foundation has been built, the next step in developing a financial literacy program is preparing to execute and measure program impact.

User experience and program impact measures are the most frequently overlooked elements of financial literacy programming; yet they are the most critical for giving your program a polished look and establishing your credibility. The goals are to create a positive first impression, showcase your professionalism during the actual program, and continue to support participants after the program concludes, while measuring the impact at each step.

This article will help you understand the key elements of creating a positive learner experience and the measures to gather at each stage.

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Before the Program Starts

Learner Experience: Before the Program Starts

From first contact through the start of the event, consider all your touchpoints with learners as opportunities to promote the program and engage in pre-education strategies. Listed here are 3 of the most important elements to consider:

Marketing & Promotions

These initial promotion pieces should be visually appealing and focus on the reasons why participants should attend, potential benefits, and why financial skills are important.

Registration Process

Create a registration process that aligns with your audience. Have multiple registration options. For example, consider offering online, phone, sign-up sheets, mail-in, and/or email registration.

Announcements & Event Launches

Formal program announcements via invitations or launch events let your audience know about your financial education programming and how it can benefit them.

During the Program

Learner Experience: During the Program

Once learners arrive for the training, ensure that they receive a thoughtfully planned experience that highlights your professionalism. Here are 3 essential elements to include:

Top-quality Handouts & Materials
Having nice-looking handouts and resources for participants helps create a positive initial impression and will remind them of your professionalism when they run across them after the event.

Train Support Staff
Any support staff working on the program should be trained to understand how to communicate your brand and programming theme. They should know all the important details and be there to support the learners.

On-site or Virtual Experience
For online webinars – have good images and mastery of the platform. For in-person delivery, consider all the senses – banners (visual), handouts (touch), music (hearing), and yes, even make sure the room smells good.

After the Program Training Ends

Learner Experience: After the Program Training Ends

Ensure that your learners feel supported after primary training concludes by recognizing their achievements and providing ongoing training to encourage them to act on what they learned. Here are some options for follow-up support:

Continuing Education
Ongoing training is critical to long-term results. Consider using emails, accountability programs, webinars, and online learning to maintain connections.
Calendar-based Education Reminders
Help participants remember important financial tasks by providing timely education pieces and reminders.
Extended Learning Plan & Activities
Before students leave, give them assignments that help them extend their learning by applying the lessons to real-life tasks.
Accountability & Rewards
Consider adding an accountability aspect or incentive program to encourage ongoing education participation.
Participant Recognition
Build affinity for your program by recognizing the participants’ achievements.