Sharing Experiences

           There are many types of workshops but my favorite is a planning workshop where a group of people are brought together to share their experiences with a trained facilitator.     

        Very often workshops are held to plan strategies or to help solve work-related problems by sharing experiences, knowledge, and ideas. They are usually held in seclusion, away from workplaces and away from cell phones.

        They can be used to build manuals or handbooks or to help plan new directions and changes within an organisation.

        I once visited a ‘think tank’ in the USA where they had used this technique to work out the tactics for overcoming the Cuban Missile Crisis.

A Handful of Tips to help you set up a planning workshop

* At the start 

        Explain “Why are we here?”  “What do we hope to gain?”  “What time shall we start and finish each day?” “How long do you want for lunch?”

        Set out the objectives, and the rules.

* Set up Teams

        Foster competition between groups

        The ideal team size is about five people.         Five teams made up of five participants are ideal.   

        Big groups tend to be dominated by a few dominate people and some people tend to remain quiet. Ensure everyone is heard.

* Work hard but have fun

        They can be a great way to build up work teams.

        Use a variety of techniques, and aim to keep interest levels high. When things slow down stop and have a break.

        Run workshops using plenty of different training methods.

        Encourage initiative and allow time for games and social events.

        Constantly review and evaluate the techniques used.

* Record findings and recommendations

        Good ideas and recommendations should be put up for all to see and comment on.

* Edit and polish

        Reinforce recommendations from the workshop with the printed word. Get the final report edited and set out well.

        During a workshop be generous with handouts and resource materials.

        Make workshops interesting, entertaining, challenging, and enjoyable.

Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“Competition between teams can be a powerful stimulus for learning and planning, but it should also be fun and never antagonistic.”

Source: “Training Secrets.  Helping adults learn”,  published by Moss Associates Ltd & Cengage Learning Asia. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.

“Training Ways , Helping Adults Learn”, MAF Information, N.Z. ; “The Corporate Trainer’s Quick Reference”, BUSINESS ONE IRWIN,USA; “The Trainer’s DESK Reference”, Kogan Page, U.K.