The most popular Trainer’s Tips ever! Team communication exercise
Joanna Howard submitted this fun exercise, which helps open up discussion about team communication. I’ve used this with surprising effectiveness: my colleagues have had the same experience. The debriefing often shows amazing insights about work style and communication. You need to have the people in a circle and up to eight soft juggling balls. 1. […]
The most popular Trainer’s Tips ever! Feedback exercises
This month the theme on site is Tips, Tools & Free Resources’ so we’re bringing you some of the most popular Trainer’s Tips ever! In ninth place Andrew Bradbury shares two role plays to help staff give feedback. 1. In pairs: A is the manager, B plays an employee. A should think of an actual […]
The most popular Trainer’s Tips ever! Win-Win Exercise
This month the theme on site is Tips, Tools & Free Resources’ so we’re bringing you some of the most popular Trainer’s Tips ever! In tenth place, Nik Kellingley explains a straight-forward negotiation model. While Jeremy Thorn adds his thoughts below. Helen Taylor asked on our Any Answers forum for help with negotiation models: I […]
Trainer’s tip: Virtual team-building
Adriana Ferguson asked on our Any Answers forum for ideas to keep people engaged whilst on a one hour virtual team building event. Some people will be dialling into the event, others will be based face to face and they’ll be using Webex meeting as well. Several trainer’s made helpful suggestions. Alun Barrett had a […]
Trainer’s tip: PowerPoint presentations for all learning styles
Looking to put together a PowerPoint presentation with slides that cater for all learning styles and disabilities? Our trainers have some great guidelines. Lisa Jones asked on our Any Answers forum:I am in the process of putting together a PowerPoint presentation and know that there are rules and guidelines around how the slide can look […]
Trainer’s tip: Ten tips for effective presentations
Not one, but ten tips this week, courtesy of Laura Gaillard, who offers advice on how to present with confidence and competence. 1. Know your subject/ material:– Research the material;– Use anecdotes/ ‘war’ stories.2. Know your audience:– Try early introductions as they enter; – Imagine them as friends not an audience.3. Practise, then practise, then […]
Trainer’s tip: Making IT training more memorable
IT training can cover complex material that is hard to digest so how can you make it more memorable? Our trainers have come up with some valuable advice to help you ensure your trainees remember what they are taught. Charlotte Wetton asked on our Any Answers forum:Does anyone have advice on how to make my […]
Trainer’s tip: Training experience for rookie trainers
Are you a roookie trainer looking to gain more training experience? Our trainers have come up with some great advice to get your career on track. Nick Anderson asked on our Any Answers forum:Can anyone advise how I can gain training experience in training? I have been on a ‘train the training’ course and have […]
Trainer’s tip: Excuses, excuses
You’ve probably heard all the excuses under the sun for participants not to get involved: ‘I’ve got no imagination’, ‘I can’t think what to say, ‘I don’t like being observed’. How do you counter these arguments? Trainers share their experiences and advice. Liz Hollingsworth asked on our Any Answers forum: Delegates come up with all […]
Trainer’s tip: Listening exercises
Sinead Walker recently asked for information on complex exercises for listening skills sessions. Several trainers shared their thoughts… Graham O’Connell suggests the following scenario:You could read out a witness statement (from a realistic but fictitious crime). Read it as the witness, not as a police officer. At the end ask them who tuned into facts […]
Trainer’s tip: Team games
Looking for a short, active team game to start a session rolling? See what other trainers have recommended and add your own to the list. Kate Edwards asked on our Any Answers forum: I am looking for a short (5-10 minutes) team game (preferably that gets people up and moving). The purpose of the game […]
Trainer’s tip: Moodle – to use or not to use?
John Stokdyk, TrainingZone.co.uk technology editor, and Mark Aberdour, the CEO of Kineo Open Source, give some moodling advice. Robert Parker asked on our Any Answers forum: I am thinking of using Moodle to introduce some elearning courses as a compliment to some of our existing tutored courses.I am the Training Adviser at Norwood, a charity […]
Trainer’s Tip: Change management exercise
Change management is no doubt going to be a hot topic for the uncertain year ahead. This simple exercise, from Jan Springthorpe, helps managers experience how it feels to have change inflicted upon them, and explore those, often uncomfortable, feelings. Here is a very simple exercise that I have used with great success. It assumes […]
Trainer’s tip: Features and benefits exercises
Buffy Sparks says get creative, and you can come up with a free, imaginative FAB exercise! Natalie Stringer asked on our Any Answers forum: “I am revising our training material and would be very grateful if anyone could recommend an F and B exercise or game.”Buffy Sparks recommends: Pre-prepare some credit card-sized pieces of paper […]
Trainer’s tip: Feedback – what are you saying?
Garry Platt shares some examples of bad feedback and lists some tongue-in-cheek translations for well-worn phrases. Inappropriate appraisal comments: Since the last PPDR, he has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig His staff would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity I personally would not allow this employee to breed Works well […]
Trainer’s tip: Resistance is futile!
Russell Williams recently asked for advice and inspiration on our Any Answers forum after coming up against the most reluctant client he’d ever trained. Several trainers shared their thoughts on what to do when faced with total resistance… Helen Wyatt has been in the same boat:I’m not a systems trainer, but earlier in the year […]
Trainer’s tip: Calming interview nerves
Jane Hodgson asked readers for exercises to help those suffering from interview nerves as they look for jobs after redundancy. Several trainers offered practical tips and advice. Don’t forget, we also have an audio file of a relaxation exercise recorded for us by Annie Lawler that visitors to the website can listen to. Sue Beatt […]
Trainer’s tip: Getting delegates to show up!
It’s that old chestnut again – just how do you tackle the thorny subject of no-shows? Various trainers offer their wisdom, tell of their experiences and give advice. Sarah Leahey asked: I am new to the company and they have never had an L&D department before so this is a new culture for them. The […]
Trainer’s tip: Listening skills exercise
What’s the secret to good listening skills? Scott Cullen has some surprising, but very practical answers. One exercise which I use which focuses on listening skills is the following:When delegates return from break, start reading an extract from an article, you can do things such as turning your back, covering your mouth, speaking in monotone […]
Trainer’s tip: Team building activities
You’ve suddenly been asked to come up with a team building exercise at the last minute – what do you do? Trainers point to several websites that offer details of great team building exercises, and the beauty is, they’re all free! Carson Warnes asked: I’m two months into a new job & I’ve just been […]