facilitation versus presentation

FACILITATION PRESENTATION

John T. Beaver, MBA

FACILITATIONDefinition - To make things easier, to smooth the progress of and to assist in making things happen.

Facilitation is not about forcibly moving things forward.

Facilitation is about allowing and creating an environment where things can move forward.

Presentation or Facilitation?

Good facilitators see and hear not only the obvious, but are tuned in to what else might be going on that

isn't quite so apparent.

They are skilled in interpreting the difficulties, resolving conflict, cutting through time wasting and diversionary tactics, and develop new practices that

will work.

Presentation

Facilitation

Whenever groups of people get together, two things are usually true:

– Everyone sees the world differently, no matter how similar their points of view may be.

– Everyone thinks their view is the right one.

What is the outcome of facilitation?When there is a spirit of cooperation and a willingness to arrive at a mutually agreed outcome, disparate points of view can work together, and people go away satisfied that their point of view has been taken into consideration and utilized in some way.

Sometimes a facilitator acts as a translator.

• Not only reflecting back what

they've heard, but also interpreting it in a way that other people can understand.

• A good facilitator gets practiced in understanding the differing nuances, jargon and meanings in what various people are saying and being able to explain that difference to others.

• A useful phrase is "So what you're saying is…."

Roles of a Facilitator

•Knowledge Expert•Instructor•Entertainer•Coordinator•Technician•Motivator•Questioner•Moderator

The Presentation that is Facilitated

•Create with your objectives in mind•Remember it is the process that matters•Use multiple mediums

Flip chartsWhite BoardsPowerPoint Demonstrations

•“So what?”-factor

Start HERE

HOW it’s done:

The model forms a wheel. You start at the Bottom (the trust building phase)

You start with the question that brings the group together, and ask them,“So what’s the Solution?”

The Facilitator must listen carefully and capture EVERYTHING.

Opening a Session

•Only one chance to make a first impression!

•Law of Primacy: People remember most what they hear first

•Welcome attendees•Introduce the topics/agenda•Show your enthusiasm/passion for subject matter

•Attendees remember most the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of a presentation

Getting Participation

•Smile and nod•Show genuine interest in your audience•Listen, Listen, Listen•Pause•Make eye contact•Ask questions and ask for personal examples•Solicit feedback and thoughts on a topic•45 minutes maximum time sitting•90 minutes maximum between breaks

Asking Questions

•Ask open ended questions•Ask follow-up questions•Include wait time•Do not answer your own question•Design time for questions, not just at the end

Answering Questions

•Repeat the question for clarification•Answer concisely•Make eye contact with the questioner and the audience

•Verify that you have answered the question

Practice - Energizing Delivery

Physical

– Body Language

– Eye Contact

– Facial expression

– Use of Space

– Can Everyone See You?

– Movement / gestures

Energizing Delivery - Tips

• Stay Focused On The Customer

• Be Enthusiastic

• Use Conversational Style

• Use Notes As Needed

• Adapt to Situation

• Plan to connect with your audience and keep them engaged throughout your presentation.

• Prepare using a framework that allows you to make powerful, customer focused presentations every time.

• Present so that your audience retains the information and moves the sale forward.

Importance of Closing

•The last impression of the class is long-lasting •Law of Recency: People remember best what they hear last.

•Review the content•Answer questions and items left on “Parking Lot”

•Again, attendees remember most the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of a presentation

•Smile and Thank them for coming!