Page 146 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 04 11/20/02 12:00 PM Page 135
POWERFUL BEGINNINGS Opening With a Bang 135

As you have already read, the ways to introduce yourself and a session, and to quickly
engage learners, is limited only by your imagination and willingness to think outside
the box. There are dozens of books on the market that focus on icebreaker activities
and creative training strategies (see Books in Resources for Trainers section in the ap-
pendices). I encourage you to take the time to locate 10–20 standard opening activities
that you can incorporate into your training programs. Doing this will allow flexibility
and keep your sessions upbeat and fresh. This is important because while providing a
diversity of learning experiences for your participants you will also be guarding against
becoming bored yourself. For you to be effective, you have to enjoy what you are doing.
There are many creative ways in which you can gain participant attention to focus
their minds on what you are about to say or deliver. The important part is that you
should get them tuned in to the session subject before you start discussing objectives,
content, or any other pertinent information. Otherwise, some participants will miss por-
tions of your remarks and might distract others as they continue to talk or do other
things (see Table 4-1 for possible attention getting ideas).
Here are seven specific strategies for grabbing the attention of your participants.

Table 4-1. Ideas for Grabbing Attention

Use noisemakers as you enter the room to attract attention (e.g., train whistles, cow
bells, party noisemakers, sliding whistles; see Creative Presentation Resources, Inc.
in the Resources for Trainers section of the appendices).

Wear props (e.g., clothing, disguise glasses, or clown hair, nose and shoes).
Do magic or card tricks tied to program content in some manner.
Enter with upbeat music (e.g., theme song from the movie “Rocky”).
Share startling facts or statements.
Use analogies or metaphors.

Involve participants immediately in an activity.
Share factual trivia, possibly through use in small group competitions.
Create an environment that says excitement (e.g., colorful posters, motivational
quotes or sayings on the walls, party glitter on tables and balloons).
Give things away (e.g., enter with music playing and a prop on as you run around
the room giving out candy or small noisemakers to participants).