Training a group of leaders in the Middle East at a pretty sketchy time for them right now, in the middle of the Syrian conflict. Nothing can prepare them for the kind of challenges they face.
So this post is really quiet insignifigant in light of this. And I am humbled to play some small part in helping out anyway I can.
Being prepared for any eventuality is pretty important. So this post is about how you can be more prepared as a trainer. The reason I am writing this now is because the bus with all the training supplies came with all the participants so we only had 5 minutes to set up.
It seems so pedestrian to consider these things; “well of course I’ve done all this” you might think.
Well, I have to say, even after all these years it’s amazing how many of these I still neglect. Check this checklist.
For example
- Have you introduced yourself to the onsite co-ordinator
- Do you know where all the exits and smoking areas and toilets are?
- Have all your materials and supplies been delivered (Not like 5 minutes before start time)
- Have you checked all catering timing and special needs
- Have you got all necessary sign-in forms
- Are all seating and tables in logical fashion
- Are flip charts, white boards, and/or visual aids all in order
- Do you have enough flip chart paper, coloured markers, blu tac for placement
- If all equipment is available to you, is it set up correctly for participant consumption
- Is there an on-site Health and Safety officer available to brief the group, if not, do you know it.
- Have you written up a flip, or have a slide, indicating break times, and start and finish times
- Got a clear list of ground rules and agenda for the day.
- Following the Program
- Do you have all completed evaluation forms?
- Is the training room left exactly as you found it?
- Whiteboards cleaned? All paper off walls?
- Chairs and tables ready for next session?
Any others you’d add to this list?