Page 304 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 08 11/20/02 12:51 PM Page 293
Making Your Visual Message Sizzle 293
copies of the same poster and put them at various points on walls throughout the
room. Another downside of posters is their cost and short lifespan, because they are not
durable unless protected. If they become tattered or dirty, they can actually distract
learners who focus on the defects of the posters. To extend their usefulness and protect
your investment, you can have your poster framed with glass or purchase the large
plastic sleeve protectors designed for flip chart pages. These come in 10 different sizes
and have a clear, write-on matte plastic surface, with Velcro on the back edges. The
Velcro holds the covering to the frame once you peel it back and insert a poster or flip
chart page (see The Training Warehouse in the Resources for Trainers in the appen-
dices). You can also purchase tripod easels developed for the display of your mounted
posters.

PUTTING YOUR BRAIN TO WORK: ACTIVITY

How can you incorporate posters into your upcoming training sessions?

What are some key themes from sessions that you regularly facilitate that might be put into a poster?

BRIGHT I DEA

Customizing Posters
f your organization has a graphics department and print shop with four-color
Iseparation capability, create your own posters to fit exactly into your sessions.
You can also use outside graphics companies. Find generic pictures (most graphics
departments subscribe to services that provide such photos) that blend with your
program themes, then add either motivational quotes (see Resources for Trainers
in the appendices for graphics software) or program models and concepts. You can
even add your corporate logo at the bottom. Doing so sends a subtle message to
participants that this program was actually designed for them and the organization,
rather than being an off the shelf product. The latter can cause resistance in some
learners.