How tailored online training strengthened negotiation, emotional wellbeing and resilience across an international workforce

At a Glance 

Client: Partners Group 
Sector: Global Investment Management 
Location: Delivered live online via Zoom 
Programme: Bespoke Soft Skills Training: Negotiation, Emotional Regulation & Resilience 
Duration: Four hour sessions per module, delivered across multiple cohorts 
Participants: Staff based in Switzerland, Singapore, the Philippines, the UK, Germany and Belgium  

The Challenge 

In late 2024, Partners Group’s L&D team contacted LBTC to explore bespoke soft skills training for their international workforce. Their inquiry expressed the need for targeted development in negotiation, emotional regulation and resilience, to be delivered in formats that supported participation across global offices. 

Partners Group operates in a demanding, complex environment where staff regularly manage high stakes conversations, adapt to organisational change and collaborate across continents. Teams required training that reflected modern workplace realities, including the rising importance of emotional agility, tactical empathy and structured negotiation frameworks. 

LBTC’s expertise aligned directly with these needs. To ensure a refined understanding of the organisation’s expectations, LBTC arranged a scoping call with our specialist consultant. This conversation explored the challenges faced across regions, clarified learning priorities and helped shape a bespoke online programme designed for immediate relevance and impact. 

Programme Objectives 

The bespoke programme aimed to: 

1. Enhance negotiation skills: Equip teams with structured frameworks, tactical empathy and AI-supported techniques to handle complex discussions with confidence and clarity. 
2. Strengthen emotional wellbeing: Provide practical tools to manage stress, regulate emotions and navigate challenging conversations with composure. 
3. Build resilience under pressure: Support participants in sustaining performance during periods of high workload, organisational change or global collaboration. 
4. Deliver globally consistent learning: Create an inclusive and interactive learning environment that could engage participants across multiple countries and cultural contexts. 
5. Embed learning through practical application: Encourage hands-on practice and scenario-based exercises to maximise real-world applicability. 

Our Approach 

Using our consultative model, LBTC designed a fully tailored programme delivered through live online sessions on Zoom, allowing participants from Switzerland, Singapore, the Philippines, the UK, Germany and Belgium to join seamlessly. Drawing on extensive international experience, LBTC consultants excel in working with professionals from varied cultural and organisational contexts. This global perspective ensured that every session remained inclusive, engaging and well aligned to the needs of a diverse worldwide cohort. 

Key elements of the programme included: 

Customised content: 
A structured blend of negotiation techniques, conflict management strategies and emotional wellbeing skills. Participants were introduced to BATNA, ZOPA, interests and positions, leverage types, the YES IF approach, the four conflict management styles and tactical empathy. 

Emotional wellbeing and coping strategies: 
The session Navigating Change: Coping Strategies for Emotional Wellness supported participants in understanding and identifying the range of emotions, developing practical approaches to emotional management, recognising early signs of stress and navigating difficult conversations with more confidence. 

Negotiation and communication tools: 
In Unlocking Value in Negotiations: Creating Win win Outcomes, the consultant explored tactical empathy techniques such as active listening, mirroring and labelling. The programme also demonstrated how AI can support negotiation preparation and decision making. 

Resilience under pressure: 
The session Resilience Under Pressure: Thriving Through Change focused on strengthening participants’ capability to maintain performance during demanding periods. Core topics included self awareness through a personal audit, the relationship between stress and resilience, maintaining mental clarity, developing emotional agility and sustaining energy through effective recovery. 

Participant reflections shared on Coursecheck included: 
“Insightful and the trainer was really knowledgeable and accommodating.” 
“The consultant delivered everything clearly and concisely. Every topic was understood well.” 
“Great course and instructor.” 
“Highly relevant to our everyday negotiations. It would be helpful to have more deep dive, hands on sessions to apply the techniques.” 

The Impact 

The bespoke online programme significantly strengthened soft skills across Partners Group’s global teams, offering structured, practical techniques that could be applied immediately. 

Key outcomes included: 

Enhanced emotional understanding and wellbeing: 
Participants gained techniques for managing emotional responses, identifying stress early and approaching difficult conversations with greater confidence. 

Improved negotiation capability: 
Teams adopted structured frameworks such as BATNA, ZOPA and the YES IF approach, supported by tactical empathy and AI enhanced preparation. 

Greater resilience under pressure: 
Participants developed skills in mental clarity, emotional agility, self awareness and recovery strategies to support sustained performance. 

Consistent global delivery: 
The live online format provided equal access to high quality training for teams across Europe and Asia. 

Strengthened partnership: 
Subsequent discussions, supported by in person visits to Partners Group’s offices in Switzerland and Manila, deepened the relationship and opened the door to further collaboration. The success of the initial programmes led to additional bespoke training in 2025, including Breathwork, Public Speaking and Customer Service Skills, reinforcing the value of a long term development partnership.  

Individual performance support: 
Several participants sought more individualised support, and were referred to LBTC’s executive coaching service. This one to one guidance has delivered strong results, helping participants embed their learning and apply it confidently in their day to day roles. 

Feedback highlighted the value of hands-on practice, particularly for negotiation and conflict situations. Both organisations recognised that certain skill sets may be enhanced through in person learning.  

Next Steps 

In response to participant feedback and the evolving needs of the organisation, LBTC and Partners Group have agreed to place greater emphasis on in-person training throughout 2026. 

Future development will include: 

Advanced in person workshops: 
A stronger focus on applied practice, with scenario based exercises designed to deepen capability in negotiation, conflict management and resilience. 

Expanded programme offerings: 
Partners Group will receive an enriched suite of learning solutions that build on the success of the initial programmes. Alongside additional modules in negotiation, conflict management and emotional wellbeing, LBTC will also provide targeted technical development throughout 2026. Planned topics include Advanced Strategic Development for Executive Personal Assistants, Advanced Financial Crime Prevention and Anti Money Laundering, Developing the Strategic Plan and Investment Risks. 

Ongoing capability building: 
LBTC will continue supporting Partners Group’s global teams with a combination of soft skills and technical training, ensuring staff have the tools and confidence to operate effectively in an international and fast paced environment. 

Ready to Strengthen Your Team’s Capability? 

Equip your organisation with the skills and insight needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global environment. Contact LBTC to discuss your bespoke training solution.