Training: It’s More than Telling

1. Training: It’s More than Telling Six Practices for Successful Trainers

2. Learning Objectives Participants will: • Question what they already believe about training and reflect on this knowledge • Complete a course design (lesson plan) on their area of expertise • Incorporate various training techniques to maximize participant learning • Utilize the six practices for successful trainers: • Customization • Documentation • Timing • Creativity • Articulation • Diplomacy

3. Importance of Learning Objectives View the Wendy Warman Quick Talk Video (2 minutes – login to Skillport required; search for Learning Objectives QuickTalk video)

4. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

5. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

6. Customization • We need to customize program content to fit the specific needs of our audience • We need to understand the nature of our trainees’ jobs and the problems and frustrations they face so our training content addresses these special needs • A “needs analysis” helps us with this

7. Customization Ask good questions of: Managers Trainees Other related parties

8. Customization You will want to know: What is the demographic makeup of the audience? Is the program voluntary or mandatory? What do they already know about the topic? What more do they need to know? What problems and frustrations can this training alleviate for them? How can I build credibility and rapport with them? What danger zones and obstacles should I prepare for?

9. Activity Please take a few minutes to take the Training Techniques Matching Challenge

10. Answers 9. D 10. N 11. O 12. I 13. J 14. K 15. C 16. M 17. E F B Q G L A P H

11. Caution • Asking only one source what the needs are • Using an off-the-shelf program “as is” • Not allowing enough time for customization

12. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

13. Documentation Litmus Test Every word, activity, and moment of your program should be relevant to the trainees’ job. They should be able to see how it will truly be able to help them do their jobs better

14. Caution • Relying on only one source • Relying on too many sources • Trying to cover too much material into the training program

15. Documentation Motto LESS IS MORE

16. Documentation Guidelines Concepts should be broken down into concrete how-to instructions It should be easy to transfer learning to the job It should be easy to convert into job-aids It should be graphically appealing

17. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

18. Timing Add times to your agenda items Your agenda is your roadmap to success; it will help you present ideas coherently and stay on schedule They also provide a mental pathway that leads trainees through your program’s design

19. Timing

20. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

21. Creativity – How do trainees learn

22. Creativity Build in many opportunities for trainees to express themselves, work together, be ACTIVE, and be responsible for their own learning

24. Attention Span Average adult attention span ranges from 8 seconds to 20 minutes Change activities, methods, media, etc., at 20 minute intervals Present no more than 7 items of information before the learners are asked to DO something Have frequent summaries and breaks Always seek opportunities for learners to respond and BE ACTIVE

25. The 7 Learning Styles

26. Creativity The more learning styles you can satisfy, the better: Tell them Show them Let them try/apply it Let them discover it on their own

27. How Long Does it Take to Develop Training? “It depends. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation. If fifteen minutes, three days. If half an hour, two days. If an hour, I am ready now.” -Woodrow Wilson

28. More Words of Wisdom “I write, re-write and re-write and re-write until by the fourth or fifth draft I finally achieve spontaneity.” -John “Ken” Galbraith

29. Caution • Too much technology • Losing human connection • Trying to be “cute” • Making things complicated • Not having a back-up plan if all your technology fails

30. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

31. Articulation If you aren’t careful your voice could put people to sleep Don’t be a talking head

32. Articulation Language should be: Clear and concrete Abstract concepts should be clarified with concrete examples and stories that come from the trainee’s world of work Short sentences, simple vocabulary Repetition of key points Alliteration, Acronyms, Catchy Phrases & Quotations

33. Language Samples

34. Language Samples Activity Come up with a sample for one of the following: Alliteration for your function area training topic Acronym for a teambuilding activity Catchy phrase for your training Quote applicable to your training

35. Voice • Don’t fall in love with the sound of your own voice • Present each session with the illusion of it being the first time • Talk to the entire audience

36. Speaking Tips • Remember the audience wants you to succeed • Be Yourself • Acting • Performing • “We agree. All business is show business. All leadership is show business. That doesn’t mean tap dancing; it means shaping values…” Tom Peters, A Passion for Excellence

37. Listener Impressions

38. Caution • Avoid reading notes or slides verbatim • Be aware of your pet words or phrases, i.e., um, uh, actually

39. 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization Documentation Timing Creativity Articulation Diplomacy

40. Diplomacy Be aware of your audience Acknowledge everyone’s contributions, right or wrong

41. Diplomacy 20/60/20 Rule: 20% will love your work 60% will like your work 20% will dislike your work

42. Diplomacy The unusual nature of Training

43. Evaluating Training

45. Dealing with Criticism Ask yourself: • Did I hear the same criticism from others? • Is the critic a reliable source? • Can the criticism help me improve my program? • How important is it for me to respond to this?

46. 3 Tools for Handling Criticism Non-Defensively Correct the generalization or faulty accusation. Accept your misstep and communicate how you plan to move forward. Seek to increase understanding and communication by asking specifically what your critic believes went wrong and what a good correction would be.

47. Higher Standard Like HR professionals, Training Professionals are held to a higher standard in organizations We are expected to behave at the highest levels of professionalism and avoid petty interpersonal conflicts. Hence, the constant need for DIPLOMACY.

48. Review: 6 Practices for Successful Trainers Customization: Tailor each program to the special needs of the trainees Documentation: Less is more Timing: 1/3 of time should be spend on presentation; 2/3 of time on practice and feedback Creativity: Use variety in your training Articulation: Don’t fall in love with the sound of your own voice Diplomacy: Trainers are held to higher standards and don’t expect everyone to love you

49. Questions