How to run a training session

We’ve all had terrible meetings, where nearly every word has gone way over our heads and not only is this a waste of time, but also a waste of money.

But training is vital for ensuring your staff are up-to-date on the latest issues and challenges, therefore it is essential any sessions take place smoothly and without any unnecessary problems.

This article will run you through a number of basic tricks and tips that will help both you and your staff get the most from the day.

Find the right venue

Picking the right training room in London is key to setting the scene for your session. You will need somewhere big enough to accommodate everyone attending plus you need to ensure you will not be interrupted.

Remember, if your training presentation will make use of PowerPoint or any other technology, then make sure your meeting room has the correct facilities.

Our sites, for example, have ample video conferencing and AV to make use of, so if you’ve decided to use &Meetings, we’ve got it covered!

It may be good to pick a place away from the staff’s normal place of work so that they can feel more open to new suggestions and aren’t distracted by other work commitments during their training. It’s also worth thinking about asking people to turn off their mobile phones and tablets so they do not feel the urge to check their messages.

If people are travelling from across the UK to the session then make sure you pick a spot that is easy to find and has good transport links.

Be on time and prepared

Training sessions can be made more effective by running smoothly and without delays.

Therefore, make sure you turn up earlier to the session so you can get everything prepared beforehand – you do not want to be late to your own training session!

Set up any displays you will be using before proceedings get under way and check there are enough pens and notepads for people, as well as placing hand-outs on the table to save time later.

If you are using any IT equipment then make sure it is all working correctly so they wouldn’t be any technical issues later on. You could also take the time to have a quick practice run through of your session to make sure you are familiar with what you are trying to achieve and iron-out any last minute problems or concerns.

However, don’t try too hard to on this front, as practicing in front of a mirror could give you needless nervousness that could impact your performance.

Make sure people know about the training

It may be worth double-checking with people booked on the training session a few days in advance to remind them about it, as well as ensuring they know the aims of the meeting and are aware if they need to bring anything with them. It may be a good idea to email them in advance with some of the training information so they can have a read through it beforehand.

Be enthusiastic

Training can often be a bit tedious for some people, especially if they feel they are missing out on time needed to complete their other work tasks, so you need to make sure you engage with them.

Having a bit of energy, but not too much, will encourage them to listen and respond to your questions and suggestions. Speak clearly and remember your body language can help to give an air of confidence (don’t look too cocky though!).

Make sure you have some fun tasks mixed in with the more important activities. In many cases, employees may have travelled from different offices across the country so may not even know each other so you may need to help break the ice a bit to make them feel more relaxed.

You might have heard there are three types of learners – auditory, visual and kinetic – so tailor your session to appeal to all of these sectors.

Take a break

Schedule some time for people to stretch their legs and grab a cup of coffee or tea. This will help them return to the session with fresh enthusiasm, as well as giving them a chance to process the information they have learnt so far.

It also gives them a chance to have an informal chat with you and could help provide an insight into how the training is going.

Encourage questions and feedback

It is really helpful to encourage people to ask questions during the session. That way you can check whether they are learning correctly as well as helping to deal with any issues they may have.

Often talking in terms of real scenarios can help people grasp a concept more easily and encourage discussion on how to implement improvements or changes effectively.

Listening to feedback from those attending the session will also help you to improve your own skills and run an even better training session next time round.