The Graveyard slot
The immediate session after lunch,often dubbed the "graveyard slot" can be very challenging in terms of refreshing energy levels for training course participants. What do you do? Here are just a few ideas but do you have anything fresh to refresh?
1. A quick session outdoors using in one of my courses on diversity/social inclusion/exclusion a little game called STEPPING STONES.Every one in a diversity course becomes a character,unknown to each other, and stands against the wall. Step forward I say, if (reading from a list of 20 items) you can AFFORD "fresh fruit every day" etc etc.The role play Dr's wife passes to the front very quickly, the prisoner on remand with a tag barely moves.After the 20 steps, you take people inside and get them to speculate about each others identity and learning points arising.It can be adapted for indoors in poor weather
2. A bit of afternoon theatre with a participant and I meeting over lunch to dress rehearse the script.Very simple scripts based on real employment law cases or soft skills such as influencing.Thus we have paraded Ken Dodd, Mrs Buggins,Col Chinstrap,Mrs Mona Lott et al.Feedback with observational notes etc
3. Standing exhibition - give the delegates the space after lunch to view exhibits brought by everyone to the training session,walking around and commenting on them in plenary.Usually this relates to a theme such as examples of good/bad customer care they have witnessed and/or provided!
4. A ready made audit- flip charts pinned to the wall with coloured post it notes. Usually 10 questions on key things needed in say an employment contract or specific policy.GREEN means best practice.AMBER the policy needs tweaking. RED =see you in court!!
5. A hands on discrimination or a safety risk assessment of the actual training room and its immediate environs using a simple checklist
What do you do FRESH to REFRESH?
