The Art of Effective Presentation: More Than Just Words

 https://theyellowspot.com/blogs/the-art-of-effective-presentation-more-than-just-words/

RISE OF CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN METROPOLITAN CITIES

The number of corporate training programs that are being held across the country, especially in the domain of soft and behavioural skills, has risen tremendously. And that’s a change that we have been observing since when we started off around a decade ago.

Previously, organisations used to focus more on equipping their employees with technical skills. Therefore, most of the corporate training programs held were on hard skills. Now the scenario is changing. Companies have started realising the importance of soft skills and how they can make a huge difference to the success of an employee and the company. They have therefore started arranging soft and behavioural skills training programs at all levels, right from the blue collared staff at the bottom to the top management.

Another change we have witnessed is the increasing number of start-ups arranging corporate training programs for their people in the metros. Previously start-ups would focus more on work to bring the organisation up. Training would be a frill that an employee would get after the company had made good profits. Nowadays start-ups don’t wait for that stage to come. They realise that to reach success faster, they need to keep arranging corporate training programs for their employees. For its only when you have a well-trained workforce with you that you can become stable and successful faster.

Therefore; due to the rise in the number of start-ups in the metros and the changing mentality of organisations when it comes to training, there is a sharp growth in the number of corporate training programs held. Newer companies are now adding programs like communication skills, personality development and managerial skills to their training basket. Companies which have full fledged training departments are going on to conduct more advanced topics like situational leadership, transactional analysis, neurolinguistic programming and various others.

Training is finally coming of age and we are happy to see organisations moving towards development and having learning cultures. Employees are also becoming more tuned to keeping their learning going. They realise how this is that one thing that’s going to keep them relevant, creative, curious and on the top. It’s definitely the recipe for success!

5 Important features when it comes to Training the Trainer

A few days back I attended a Train the Trainer training. It was an amazing learning experience. It helped me unfold various aspects of being a better trainer. And so I thought, let me share my learning with you all today…

The first most important feature of a train the trainer session is understanding what training and facilitation is. In the current dynamic scenario, if you 'train' people, you will end up doing most of the talking! You will put in all you have to impart the required knowledge and skills, but do you think that’s all adults really need to learn? Is there something else a trainer can do to facilitate learning? Well there is. And it’s precisely that word, facilitate! Facilitation helps in stimulating the learner inside each one of us and creates a safe space where participants can find their answers rather being told them. It allows reflection and introspection through questioning which gives participants a chance to realise what’s happening in and around them.

Next is understanding the importance of preparation. For you to deliver a programme well, it’s important that you start preparing for it well in advance. Spend time in understanding the participants, their expectations, challenges and needs well. Select an appropriate methodology and tools to cover what you need to in a way that will increase learning for the audience. It’s only when your preparation is solid can your session go well. And we all know the importance of having a strong foundation! 

The third important feature of a train the trainer workshop is clearly understanding the context of the programme you are going to conduct. You must know who the audience is, why they need this session and what they need to be able to do so that you can cover the same in the session. This gives a trainer clarity and ensures that s/he is moving in the right direction.

The fourth thing is understanding the difference between objectives and outcomes. While the former focusses on what the session is aimed at, the latter points towards what the participants will be able to do post attending the session. Having both these clear helps us in designing a session that fulfils the needs of the learners.  

Last but not the least, is how to conduct an activity successfully. Every activity has a set of instructions which we call the brief and the reflection which is done at the end called the debrief. Being able to clearly give instructions to participants and then deciphering what has happened during the activity is an art in itself. And one that needs to be taught in every train the trainer session. Its also one that can take a trainer from training to facilitation and from being mediocre to a true mirror for participants. 

Train the trainer workshops have really evolved over time. They now cover a large number of modules which help trainers cater to the adult need for learning. They have come a long way from presentation skills to facilitation. And I’m sure with changing learner needs they will keep evolving.

Reasons to Train the trainer for better productivity

When we say train the trainer training, we assume that it’s meant only for trainers. However, that’s not the case. A train the trainer training is something that every manager should also go through.

When you lead or manage a team, one of your biggest responsibilities is to develop your team and its members. And that, mind you, has a three-fold advantage. One is that it helps the team members go beyond their challenges and grow by utilising their full potential. Another, is that it helps create a good connect between the manager and each team member. And the third is what the team members feel towards their manager; a feeling of being cared for, trust and respect. This in turn makes them reciprocate by giving their very best to their work, thereby increasing their productivity.  

What must be remembered is that not every manager is good at facilitating learning for his or her team. And a train the trainer training gives them a chance to learn that. It gives managers insights into how they can analyse and decipher the training needs of their team members. It also gives them great insights into what kind of activities they can use to help team members with specific issues. And of course, it helps them deliver the sessions effectively also.

And how does it help if a manager knows all of these things? Well it first helps him understand how to identify the corporate training needs of his team. And since he knows them the best, he will be the best person to know the exact cause of the issue at hand. This will also help him in his problem solving skills, the tools being used for both being similar. Also having your manager deliver short bite sized sessions every now and then can be extremely useful for an employee. It can be done on the job itself and done by a person the employee is comfortable with, his manager. This improves the buy-in and retention of the employees and also helps the manager in becoming adept at this skill, helping him improve at presentations skills and public speaking.

Thus attending a train the trainer training can be extremely useful for the manager, his team and the organisation on the whole. So if you are a manager and really want to take your team to the next level, we recommend attending a train the trainer program. It will help you be a manager that people look upto and also sharpen some of your other skills. And that’s definitely a reason to consider opting for a train the trainer training. Don’t you think?