Practical ideas for facilitating workshops & people development

Posts tagged ‘training’

What gives workshops the WOW factor?

So what is it that makes you leave a workshop saying “Wow that was a fantastic workshop”?

For me it’s a combination of process and delivery with great attention to detail. It’s often the little things that make all the difference – just starting and finishing on time is so important, such a small detail which is often overlooked. People like us to value their time and sitting around waiting for those who are late isn’t valuing my time! Yes, I know, as the facilitator we want everyone to be there at the start of the workshop so we can go build the atmosphere …so we need techniques to deal with the late comers, or strategies to ensure everyone arrives on time. Timing is a whole topic of it’s own.

To get the discussion started I asked my facebook friends for their ideas about the Wow factor. All of their comments will great topics for future blogs and info for my book, so thanks for all of your input.

  • Humour and the experience of the presenter – not just reading powerpoint slides but using real life examples which bring the topic to life.
  • Appreciate, recognise and value the people in the room. Allow time for reflection.
  • Group work – the opportunity to reflect and explore things that work and things that don’t.
  • It’s always good to know that sometimes you are on the same path as others or the presenter which makes for a bit of a wow (like wow I am doing OK)
  • Networking and sharing with others new ideas  offers wow (how can I try that in my practice and will it work)
  • Personal stories
  • Fun, colour, play – I think these sorts of approaches can bring out the child and some very creative thinking can evolve, we drop some of our barriers to learning.
  • The tricky job of being able to manage the personalities and learning styles in the room.
  • A supportive and comfortable environment – that gives everyone the opportunity to leave the workshop feeling that they were listened to, participated and reflect in their own way.
  • There needs to be something new
  • “A double choc cheesecake with extra cream would do it for me not forgetting the strawberry on the side at smoko!”
Perhaps a key to our thinking about Wow in workshops might come from the Wow in other parts of our life… and our ability as the facilitator to bring this with us into our work…

Wow! ...Flying with my husband into the sunset in his small plane.

Category:

Workshops with Wow

Tagged with: