Opening A Training Session With Impact!

Imagine the beginning of a training session. The instructor says, "Thanks, everyone, for coming. I realize this is taking you away from your busy workloads. I promise that we will complete it as soon as we can." How would you feel about the upcoming instruction? Juiced? Riveted? Probably not. This is just one example of an ineffective opening. Too many instructors overlook the importance of the first few minutes of training. This article will introduce the most important things for trainers to say and do to breathe life into their sessions and peak participants' interest quickly.

Once the participants and trainers introduce themselves, what's next? It is important to explain the course agenda, specific key activities or guest speakers, and how this course originated. Additionally, we strongly recommend telling participants how their learning will be measured. Whether by quiz, role play, presentation or system navigation assessment, participants will focus in when they know they will have to demonstrate what they have learned. These measurements are known as "instructional objectives," which we will cover in great detail in a future article. Finally, it is wise to offer a quick recap, bringing closure to the opening. Trainers know that their energy level should most often be quite high at this point, too.

The most important piece is, however, still missing. A trainer's secret weapon is to start with a discussion of the Value of the course. What will participants gain by being here? How will this training improve their lives, their job enjoyment, their performance, their employability? The value is so important to the enthusiasm and interest of participants that we even recommend delivering this step prior to the course agenda. In our Training For Trainers course, instructors-in-training spend large amounts of time creating and delivering the Value component of a course opening.

Why is a discussion of the value of the training so vital?
Similar to the relationship between "features" and "benefits" when selling, trainees need to feel something for the course. People primarily buy based on perceived benefits, rather than features. Most vendors sell similar features. The one who most clearly differentiates the benefits usually earns the business. The course agenda alone isn't enough because it is more like a list of features. An agenda shows them the roadmap, but value excites them, builds their curiosity and makes them glad that they have chosen to attend.

So how does an instructor actually deliver the value?
Instructors can certainly just state some value. "By utilizing the skills form this course you will build piece of mind, enjoy your jobs much more and attain a superior level of confidence when helping customers." Although this is valuable commentary, we prefer to use statements like these to wrap up the value component. Instead, trainers should first get people involved with a true discussion about the value.

Discussions begin with questions. Trainers can ask fundamental questions like, "Why are you here?" or "What do you hope to get out of your time here?" Another method is to use questions to search for problems (problems that your training will solve). Often, a question like, "What are some of your current processes and how well do they work for you?" will generate complaints from employees that need help. If your training is that help, or you are introducing new systems or procedures that eliminate the problems mentioned, you will be the hero when you tell them the good news. The key is that you involved your participants. Involved participants remain interested. Participants who learn that their jobs or lives will be improved become highly attentive.

Stories are also great for adding value. A story about someone that has already participated in the training will impress participants. If you have a before/after story in which a past participant is excelling now, has received a raise, has produced more sales or can now navigate systems at light speed, share it. Look around the room as you tell your story. You will see that everyone is paying full attention.

A good opening will build your audience's confidence level in you and the training content. Try the steps that we have mentioned and you will have very appreciative participants telling you how excited they are to be there.