Page 332 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:02 PM Page 321
Dress Professionally Keeping the Communication Flowing 321
As described earlier in the book, appearances do count and impact participant impres-
sions of you.

Greet Each Participant

Shake hands, smile, and welcome everyone entering the room. This means that you
must have adequately prepared and gotten to the training room at least an hour before
the arrival of your learners. This will allow you to set up materials and equipment,
make last minute adjustments, and be ready when participants begin to arrive. Greet-
ing people is important because the physical act of coming in contact with someone
as you shake his or her hand, smile, make eye contact, and use his or her name forms a
psychological bond. You become “friends” and friends do not normally attack or criti-
cize one another. Thus, you can potentially reduce the chance of challenge or disagree-
ment later in the program.

Listen Actively

Pay attention to names, comments, and questions at the beginning of the program and
throughout the session.

Do Not Apologize
If something goes wrong, does not work, or is not present, deal with it without telling
participants. For example, if you were going to show a videotape, but the sponsor for-
got to bring a VCR and monitor—improvise. It will do no good, and can actually do
harm, if you try to blame others or elicit sympathy from participants. Your learners do
not know what you had planned. If you do not tell them they are not going to see a
planned video, they will never know. The result will be a seemingly well planned and
executed session by a professional. This is opposed to a nonprofessional crybaby who
points fingers at others and did not have a backup plan!

Gain Attention
A variety of attention-getting ideas have been offered throughout this book. You can use
whatever you feel appropriate for getting the attention of your group. For example,
flicker the lights, use a loud sound (e.g., whistle, music, or bell), or have someone else
dramatically introduce you (e.g., Herrrrrre’s Johnny!).