Are you about to embark on managing a training event? If so, please check out these top training event tips on how to get the best out of your session. I have found them super helpful and make my life so much easier.
Please do read our previous posts on training. Take advantage of even more helpful training event tips. In the meantime, check these out:
Prepare
Know what it is that you want to say. It sounds obvious, but preparation is key to a successful event. Identify areas that you need to focus on, through a skills analysis or employee feedback. If you’re planning specific activities, consider whether there are pre-event tasks that would make things easier. Do you want everyone to come up with an ice-breaker fact about themselves to start the day? Asking people to think about this ahead of time will help streamline the day and avoid dead time.
Choose your Venue
Do you want to deliver a lecture-style event? How about a lecture supported by breakout sessions? Do you want people working together in teams? Do you want them around a table or moving throughout the room? Choose a venue that can cater to the type of event that you’re planning to deliver, and don’t forget to consider transport, parking and, if necessary, accommodation for any overnight stays. Out of all these event training tips, this is one I give priority.
Provide Refreshments
Most venues will have facilities to provide refreshments for your event, and you should make the most of them. People can only concentrate for so long, which means it’s especially important to schedule plenty of comfort and refreshment breaks.
Don’t forget the Catering
Similarly, if your event is an all day affair, you should have lunch provided. Also consider the format of your day – if you have a busy afternoon planned you don’t want a big hot dinner that leaves everyone lethargic after lunch. You’ll need people to stay alert throughout the afternoon so appropriate catering is a necessity. Alternatively, if you’d like a big lunch, plan your day so that the afternoon is not lost to people drifting off while listening to long lectures.
Include Variety
Most people struggle to sit through lectures for an entire day, or focus on presentations that go on for hours. It may be that you need to include lectures and presentations in your event, but you should always try to break the day up with different activities and different styles of learning. Not only does this help to keep participants more engaged, it’s also considerably more effective at embedding new learning. Interaction is key to getting people to retain what they have learned.
Be Colourful
Don’t use black and white training materials. If everything in front of your attendees is monochrome, they’ll find it more difficult to take it in. It’s the same with text – too much writing will fatigue the reader. Make sure you use colour and imagery; people are more likely to absorb, retain and recall materials that are presented in an engaging way. It will make a surprising difference to the effectiveness of your event.
Embrace Digital
Training events are as important as ever, despite the fact that there are plenty of digital tools that could technically replace the face-to-face experience. It is possible to embrace technology without losing the benefits of a physical event – sharing videos, course content and slideshows online can keep the training in people’s minds after the event has long finished. Follow ups can be conducted digitally, and feedback can more easily be gathered using digital tools. Recording the session can also be a good way to reinforce the experience, and provide a useful resource for anyone unable to attend.
Invite Guest Speakers
Colleagues and peer group presenters can be an excellent way to deliver information during a training event. Alternatively, guest speakers who are subject matter experts will bring a fresh perspective. If you always have the same people delivering training, it can be refreshing to your delegates to have a new voice to listen to, and create bit more of a buzz. You don’t have to look to your own industry, think about bringing in learning from other areas that can be applied to the topic you are covering.
Get Help
If you’re new to training events, it’s wise to get help from an expert. High Touch Virtual Solutions have extensive experience in coordinating and project managing training events, so we can help you get your event off on the right foot. This you-tube video also gives additional insight into event management – it covers all sorts of events, but provides a useful list of things to consider:
Do you have other tips which you feel are also important? I would love to hear from you. Please hit reply.
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