Train the Trainers: Training Effectiveness

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

(Refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia “Management Universe” at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/)(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Ensuring Effectiveness of Training

During the Training:

• Active participation through discussions, role plays, activities, exercises
• Recap by participants (trainees)
• Learning diary by trainees
• End of the session or end of the day test/quiz
• Test/quiz at the beginning of the program and again at the end of the program
• Moral (gentlemanly) contract between trainer and trainee for implementation
• Formal action plan for organization and self (by trainees)
• Project and its presentation using learnings (by trainees)
• Case study presentation using learnings (by trainees)
• End of the day feed back from trainees

Ensuring Effectiveness of Training

Post Training:

• Trainer keeps a track through follow-up with trainees and makes periodic assessment of what and how much the trainees are implementing
• Keeping a track of personal action plan of each trainee periodically and presentation by the trainees on their behavior changes
• Departments’ involvement during building action plan after the training and tracking by department(s) and also by the trainer
• Refresher courses
• Post program reading by the trainees guided by the trainer and the departments

Training Effectiveness: Assess How Well You Did

Introspect your performance as a trainer to know how well you did in your seminar or workshop by ticking out against the points given below (the list of the parameters given below is not necessarily comprehensive):

• Dressed appropriately
• Stated objectives
• Restated objectives at end
• Avoided unnecessary jokes
• Spoke at normal pace
• Spoke loudly and clearly
• Good body language
• Interactive
• Prepared for interruptions
• Looked at audience
• Patient and polite
• Repeated/restated each question
• Answered questions at the right time
• Answered appropriately

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/) 

If you are interested in "Training Games" refer:  http://training-games.blogspot.com/

Train the Trainers: Presentation

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

(Refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia “Management Universe” at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/)(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

It will be also worthwhile to read about the presentation skills at: (Presentation Skills) http://presentation-effectiveness.blogspot.com/ and about public speaking at: (Public Speaking) http://public-speak-skill.blogspot.com/

Oral Presentation Advice

Things to think About

• Oral Communication is different from written communication:
  -Listeners have one chance to hear your talk and can't "re-read" when they get confused.
  -To communicate your points effectively stick to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid). Focus on getting one to three key points across.
  -Tell them what you're going to tell them (forecast), tell them, and tell them what you told them (summary).
• Think about your audience.
• Think about your goals.
• Prepare.
• Practice in public.

During Your Training Presentation

• State your objectives at start of your talk and then restate them again at the end of the talk. In the body of your talk, talk about how your material relates to these objectives.
• Avoid making unnecessary jokes.
• Speak at a normal pace.
• Speak loud enough.
• Check for understanding:
  -Notice if your audience is doing what you have asked them to do.
  -Ask if there are any questions so far.
  -Make sure everyone is keeping up with you.
• Watch your body language.
• Be interactive- pose questions and make eye contact.
• Be prepared for interruptions.
• Look at your audience, not at the board or at the computer screen or LCD projection etc.
• Remember what may come as second nature to you is new and may be very challenging for your audience. Be patient and polite.
• Always have a back up plan in case there is some problem with the technology (power out, web site down, LCD or laptop not working etc).
• Repeat/restate each question:
  -The entire audience should hear the question.
  -Be sure of what is being asked.
• Wait for the person to finish answering the question.
• When to answer questions?
  -Answer right away- questions that are on topic and can help most people in the class.
  -Postpone until break or after a talk questions aimed at resolving specific problems, off topic questions.
• Avoid prolonged discussions with one person.
• If you don't know the answer, admit it. Then you can:
  -Offer to find the answer and get back to the person.
  -Suggest someone else to contact, references etc.
  -Ask the audience for suggestions.

Reach Your Audience at Different Levels

• Rational/intellectual- appeal to the mind.
• Emotional- appeal to the heart.
• Spiritual- appeal to the soul (meaning to mind and heart together).

Depending upon the requirements.

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)

Train the Trainers: Organizing the Training Sessions

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

(Refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia “Management Universe” at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/)


(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Organize Before Your Training Session

• Check out the room the day before you will impart training there, if possible.
• Arrive 10-15 minutes beforehand to get set up, make sure the computers work; turn on the projector, etc.
• Don't be afraid to politely tell those who want to speak with you that you will allow time for questions and that you need the time before the workshop to get set up.
• Dress to be respected. This doesn't necessarily mean a suit, but it probably doesn't mean flip-flops either.
• Check your appearance carefully (zippers, parsley in your teeth etc).

Training Room Arrangements

• Ambiance is very important: spic & span.
• Seating layout: U shape, restaurant type, auditorium type- depends on objectives.
• Lighting and switches.
• Furniture: comfortable ergonomically.
• Presentation hardware: computer, multi-media projector, overhead projector, slide projector, white board, colored markers, pointer (metal/wooden/electronic), flip chart board and stationery, participants’ stationery.
• Away from disturbance: Make sure there is no disturbance because of telephones, cell phones, participants leaving for their personal/departmental work.
• Interspersed breaks: beverages, snacks and lunch/dinner arrangements and timings.
• Work out the start and finish timings (don’t stretch beyond finish time).

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)

Train the Trainers: Practice, Practice, Practice

(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Practice, Practice, Practice!!

This includes:

• Reading through the material for your talk several times.
• Practicing in front of a mirror or using your friends as guinea pigs.
• Assisting with a workshop/class on a particular topic before teaching it yourself.
• Run through the entire talk! Don't just stop where you run into problems.

Profile of a Trainer

• Authentic
• Enthusiastic
• Confident
• Well mannered and well groomed
• Excellent presenter
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Time conscious
• Action oriented
• Can relate to critical success factors (CSFs) of the organization

How to Be Confident?

• Choose the theme where you are really good at- you are an expert
• Work out a complete clarity about the objective(s) of your training session(s)
• Know your audience profile and then plan
• Detailed home work on your session plan
• Anticipate questions and keep the answers ready
• Practice your delivery/develop presentation skills. Refer: (Presentation Skills) http://presentation-effectiveness.blogspot.com/ and (Public Speaking) http://public-speak-skill.blogspot.com/
• Sleep well the night before, relax
• Do a bit of stretching exercises/take a walk
• Dress smart befitting the occasion
• Keep training venue ready from all angles
• Keep your training material ready and in sequence

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)

Train the Trainers: Preparation (PowerPoint Presentation)

(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Creating a Great Presentation Using PowerPoint or OHP

1. Plan

“If you don’t know your destination, you may not ever reach there.” So before preparing your PowerPoint presentation know:

• Your audience
• Purpose or goal of your talk/training

2. Organize

As mentioned in earlier post, divide your session duration as given below:

• Introduction: 10%
• Body: 70%
• Conclusion: 20%

3. Develop Content

• List key points
• Clusters
• Focus on one key point or category per page but you don’t have to say it all on the slide

4. Layout

• Use action words
• Not more than 6-8 words per line
• Not more than 6-8 lines per slide
• Not more than 50 words per slide

5. Fonts

• Choose one or two fonts and stick with them throughout your presentation
• Make fonts large enough to read easily; nothing smaller than 24 points

6. Graphics

• Consider all graphics as a single design and then divide it in several slides to fit into each other seamlessly and telescopically (work from whole to parts)
• Balance filled and empty spaces
• Use visual contrast e.g. light letters on blue background etc
• Use consistent style of images: line, drawing, photograph, cartoon
• Use graphs like bar charts, area charts, pie charts or any other type of graph or chart as
appropriate (need not necessarily have to use all of them in one single presentation unless
appropriate)
• Limit number of items graphed; do not crowd
• Be consistent with other visual elements

7. Special Effects

• Before using an effect answer the question, "Does the effect enhance or distract?"
• Also ask, "Is the effect part of the message?"

8. Supplement Your PPT with Reading and Reference Material (Handouts and Notes)

• Print handouts and notes and share with your audience and ask them to refer them as per
your directions

9. Grammar and Spellings

• Do use the spell and grammar checker and make sure that all the spellings and grammar are
correct

10. Timing of Presentation

• Practice timing for each slide and so, the entire presentation

Summary of Some Rules of thumb for Presentation Pages

• 5 minutes per slide
• One main idea with 5-9 points per slide
• 5-7 words per point (talking points, not whole presentation)
• Use graphics when they add to or help explain material
• Don't overuse graphics
• Any decent font
• Large and bold enough to be seen clearly and easily on a big screen from the farthermost locations in the venue


(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at
Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)

Train the Trainers: Preparation

(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Know Your Audience (Trainees)

• Know about their organization(s)
• Trainees’ profile:
  - Department or discipline
  - Knowledge (pre-existing) level
  - Experience level
  - Age
  - Hierarchical level/Designations
  - Language
• Trainees’ concerns/motivation
• Trainees’ expectations from training
• NOT just what they want to learn, but what it is that they wish to accomplish

Designing a Training Module

• For which management initiative? Objectives?
• Establishing the need for training in that subject.
• Which mindsets need to be changed?
• Concepts clarification
• Implementation steps: case studies
• How the participants can integrate in their day-to-day working?
• Possible action plan
• Effective beginning
• Logical sequencing
• Connect the sessions well
• Should look relevant
• Make use of
  - Discussions
  - Individual & group activities
  - Management exercises and games
  - Audio visual aids
  - Peer group learning

Duration and Timing

• Work out an appropriate duration
  - Understand the objectives once more
  - Work out the contents
  - Decide the methodologies
  - Sequence
  - Estimate duration of each session
  - Err on the lower side (let trainees crave for more)
  - Freeze the duration
• Timing is important

Preparation

• Prepare overall design
• Break it down into appropriate sessions
• Develop each session
  - Contents
  - Steps and sequence
  - Methodology
  - Duration
  - Presentation material
  - Reading/reference material
  - Action plan
• Start preparing presentation material (OHP, PPT, Multi-media, Video films)
• Start preparing reading/reference material
• Start preparing exercises, activities, case studies, management games, instruments
• Start preparing for lecturettes/discussions

Session Planning

• Introduction: what are the goals for this lesson? It should be about 10% of your time
• Body: this is the main section where you are actually teaching the idea. It should be about 70% of your time
• Conclusion: Remind people of what they have learned and leave time for questions. This should be about 20% of your presentation. Be careful about packing too much stuff into a presentation that you don't leave time for your conclusion or for questions.

Various Methodologies for Sessions

• Lecturettes and Discussions
• Peer group learning (involving trainees)
• Case studies
• Stories/Anecdotes/Examples
• Individual activities and Group activities
• Role plays
• Exercises on paper
• Psychological instruments /Assessment questionnaires
• Audio-visuals (OHP, PPT, Multi-media, Video films)
• Questions answers
• Action Plan

Plan Session Starters (Appetizers)

• Use Ice breakers
• Mutual Introductions
• Create informal & congenial environment
• Establish code of conduct
• Understand their expectations/concerns
• Establish your credibility as an ace trainer
• Establish need for the topic
  - Help trainees know their lack of knowledge in subtle way
  - Help trainees know their lack of skills in subtle way
  - Put them at cross roads
  - Startle them/threaten
  - Surprise them with new inputs

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at
Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)

Train the Trainers: Planning

(Refer all the previous posts for better understanding and benefits for you).

Trainer’s Portfolio

• Planning
• Preparation
• Organizing
• Practice
• Presentation
• Handling Questions
• Putting it into Practice (implementation aspects of training)

Planning

• Purposes of the training/talk
• Type of training/talk (informal, formal)
• Audience
• Know the organization(s) of the audience
• Time: Duration and timing

Purposes of the Training/Talk

• To change the mindsets
• To create enthusiasm/motivation
• To impart knowledge
• To develop skills/competencies
• To create awareness
• To generate consensus
• To get a buy-in
• To communicate company’s plans/policies
• To deploy a policy
• To implement an initiative
• To develop an action plan

The Levels of Competence

For more details, refer http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/ and http://competency-matrix.blogspot.com/

• Level 1: Unconsciously unconscious or unconsciously incompetent.
• Level 2: Consciously unconscious or consciously incompetent.
• Level 3: Consciously conscious or consciously competent.
• Level 4: Unconsciously conscious or unconsciously competent.

How to Make an Expert out of an Ordinary: The Steps

1. Desire: Want to
2. Knowledge: What to? Why to?
3. Skill: How to?
4. Implement: Practice, practice and practice

Resultant: is an Expert out of an Ordinary.

Also refer http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/ and http://knol.google.com/k/shyam-bhatawdekar/competency-matrix/6txz9nck6g3/4#

(You may like to use the additional reference material pertaining to becoming a great trainer at
Management Games, Management Exercises and Icebreakers at http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/ and http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/ and
Management Anecdotes or Management Case Studies at http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/ or http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/)