5 steps to knock-out workshops
Post on 22-Oct-2014
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Create memorable learning experiences for employees or customers. Great workshops are sticky and inspire a change in peoples behaviour. These 5 steps I've always used have worked very well for me! EnjoyTRANSCRIPT
CP craigskipsey.com
5 Steps to Knockout Workshops
Create a memorable learning experience
These are the 5 steps I follow when creating workshops or training programs. Ithelps ensure your audience gets real value from the time they give you. This shouldbe done BEFORE you design any material and no where near a computer! Thismight feel a bit different at first, but trust the process and you’ll get much betteroutcomes.
1. Define the outcome2. One Thought, One Note3. Filter and Group4. Arrange the Flow5. Scribble the Visuals
Step 1: Define the OutcomeDevelop the single sentence to describe the “so what?” Why should the audienceattend this event? For the purpose of this guide, I’ll use something simple and fun::
Learn how to make pancakes
Markettest (or stress test) the topic. Talk to potential audience members. Ask if it’srelevant and if there’s a need to educate about it. Keep an open mind, don’t be tooemotionally connected to your original idea because you may need to change it ordump it completely.Avoid a topic that is too broad or internally focused eg “Understanding Sales andMarketing” or “Learn about our products”. Educating is not selling!
It is critical to get this fundamental step right.
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
Step 2: One Thought, One Note
Brainstorm by simply jotting thoughts down on sticky notes. Sticky notes aresmall, so you don’t have room to be overly wordy. Stick to “one thought, one stickynote”. Don’t be too critical or worry too much about relevance. You just want tobraindump everything that might be relevant. Avoid the tendency to begincategorising. Its important you don’t force structure at this point because it will narrowyour thinking. Think of this step as a catch all process.
For our example, it might look like this:
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
Step 3: Filter and Group
With your sticky notes spread out across the table or on a wall, group them into3 categories. These will be your learning outcomes.
Why 3? It follows a storytelling structure of beginning, middle and end. Weare hardwired to retain information more effectively in this way. You’ll see wherethings are irrelevant, don’t fit or are duplicated.
For each thought ask: Does this thought contribute to the Workshop Outcome?
If the answer is “no” or “not really” then get rid of it. Be ruthless! Put yourself in theshoes of the audience and ask: Do I really care?
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
Step 4: Arrange the FlowFirst get your 3 categories in a logical sequence. For our example: Prep, Cook, Eat.Within each Category, arrange the thoughts into a sequence. Walk through thesequence in your head and see if it makes sense. Likelihood of rememberingsomething is significantly increased when a slide is:
● Relevant to the previous● Has context to the overall message
First just organise them on the table or wall in sequence.Then once you’re happy, write numbers on each one.
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
Step 5: Scribble the VisualsGrab some blank paper and put your thoughts in sequence on the right hand side ofthe page. Scribble the visual next to the thought. This is how you visualise each ofyour points.
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
Design Tips● I avoid bullet points completely, but if you must use them, follow the 1:5:5 rule:
○ 1 thought per slide, maximum 5 bulletpoints, maximum 5 words perpoint.
● Text size no smaller than 18pt. For high effect, I use 40 – 80pt Arial Black.● Design for the back row not the desktop – put it on a projector screen and
stand at the back of the room. If you can’t understand the slide, it’s toocomplex.
● Test slides for the 3 second rule – show it to someone and see if they get thepoint of the slide in 3 seconds. If they can’t, it’s not clear and needs revision.
● Use images creatively. Image should have context to the thought, or explainthe thought.
● The best slides have no words, thats YOUR job to speak! You don’t wantthem reading while they should be listening or engaging with you. If they ask fora copy of the slide deck, you’ve failed.
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131
CP craigskipsey.com
About Me
I’ve been selling and marketing for over 10 years in the construction industry for majorcorporates (Bluescope, CSR and Boral). I know what has works and what doesn’t.Some workshops have been so successful, they still generate leads several monthsafter they were held.
My specialty is construction materials and I can give you and your team the skillsneeded to give absolute knockout presentations every time. I can provideoneonone coaching, training sessions or even develop materials for you.
But be prepared to do things a little differently!
Contact
email [email protected] +61 474 501 131web craigskipsey.comlinkedin www.linkedin.com/in/craigskipsey
Consulting Sales Training Visual [email protected] +61 474 501 131