Trainer ExcellenceChristos K. Agrogiannos

Proper prepare for a training:

As a trainer you know you have to wear several hats, you often haveto be an analyzer, designer, trainer, consultant and evaluator all inone. A key principle of your success as a training practitioner is toalways keep “Learner first, Situation second, Content Third.” So inpreparation for your next training initiative, if you don’t do anythingat all, at least get answers to the following:

• Who Are My Learners?1. What do most of them do on the job?2. What do the rest do?3. Why are they participating in this training?4. Is it required? If so, by whom?5. What do they already know about this topic?6. What reactions/problems do I anticipate?7. How many people do I expect?8. Do they have a history with me on this topic? What isthat history?

What is the situation?

Proper prepare for a training:

• What is the situation?1. How much time do I have for the training session?2. How many people must be trained at once?3. How many sessions are needed?4. Will I have to travel to the training site? Will I have tocarry equipment?5. What size room do I have?6. Are tables available?7. Is there room for participants to move around?8. What resources are available to me? (e.g., co-trainers,pre-designed activities, audiovisual equipment)9. Are there statutory requirements that must be met? If so,what are they?

Proper prepare for a training:

What Do They Need to Know?

1. What are the expectations of those requesting thetraining?

2. What are the expectations of the learners?

3. How do people who use this information or skill use it?

4. What is the crucial 20 percent of content that thelearners must know when they leave this training?

5. What can they reference following the training?

Trainer Excellence Tips

The following are 21 simple but powerful concepts you don’t usuallyhear at a train the trainer course that can really help you be moreprepared and shine as a trainer:

1. You are not in class to be a star, but to make your learners shine.

2. Politics and religion have no room in the training room.

3. Sometimes your learners will know more than you do.

4. You don’t have to be perfect. Your learners will understand.

5. You have to be in class at least one hour before start time.

6. If you don’t love training, find another job.

7. Don’t make flight plans assuming your class will always end ontime.

8. Find someone who has taught the class before and take him orher to lunch- your treat.

Trainer Excellence Tips

9. People don’t usually argue with their own data: Get yourlearners to generate answers and solutions.

10. There is such a thing as a stupid question. Your job is to act as ifit’s not.

11. Never blame your content. Always remember the golden rule“It’s not what you say it’s how you say it!” There is no boringtraining, only boring trainers.

12. Breaking people into small groups can be tricky. It requires bothmath and communicating the math to others. Asking twentypeople to “get into five groups” is not the same as asking themto get into “groups of five.” Not being clear about this can causea 5-minute disruption, rattle you, and annoy your participants.

13. Good platform skills are necessary, but insufficient. If you arejust an entertainer with no real understanding of the realities ofthe job, people will dismiss you. (And they should.)

14. 14. Know your audience. Different audience types need

Trainer Excellence Tips

14. Know your audience. Different audience types need differentapproaches. The formality, dress, and level of familiarity youmight use with a group of senior managers might be differentfrom what you would use with a group of millennials.

15. Deal with reality: Plenty of breaks, nothing boring in theafternoon or after lunch, lots of time for questions.

16. In every group of learners, there’s always one who wants toprove you wrong.

17. Expect learners to want and expect to leave early.

18. Be ready for the mid-afternoon or after lunch slump – interjectwith energizing activities.

19. Always be prepared for something to go wrong.

20. Always take an extension cord, masking tape, extra set ofmarkers and evaluation sheets.

Trainer Excellence Tips

And finally

21. Find and develop your unique learning style.

And don’t forget

If what you’re doing isn’t working, try something new.

Wish you fun and awesome facilitations.

Xristos K. Agrogiannoswww.xkagrowth.com

www.alphandragogy.com