Writing Workshop Outlines

Early in my facilitation career, I made a big mistake. Spent hours crafting engaging activities and perfecting every little detail… Thinking that amazing learning design is what would make my workshops stand out and get me rehired. Some went great. Some bombed. You know the ones, sessions where: - One participant dominated the conversation. - People quietly disengaged, barely participating. - half the group visibly frustrated but not saying anything. I would push through, hoping things would course-correct. But by the end, it was a bit… meh. I knew my learning design was great so... What was I missing? Why the inconsistency between sessions? 💡I relied too much on implicit agreements. I realised that I either skipped or rushed the 'working agreements'. Treating it like a 'tick' box exercise. And it's here I needed to invest more time Other names for this: Contract, Culture or Design Alliance, etc... Now, I never start a session without setting a working agreement. And the longer I'm with the group, the longer I spend on it. 25 years of doing this. Here are my go-to Qs: 🔹 What would make this session a valuable use of your time? → This sets the north star. It ensures participants express their needs, not just my agenda. 🔹 What atmosphere do we want to create? → This sets the mood. Do they want an energising space? A reflective one? Let them decide. 🔹 What behaviours will support this? → This makes things concrete. It turns abstract hopes into tangible agreements. 🔹 How do we want to handle disagreement? → This makes it practical. Conflict isn’t the problem—how we navigate it is. ... The result? - More engaged participants. - Smoother facilitation. - Ultimately, a reputation as the go-to person for high-impact sessions. You probably already know this. But if things don't go smoothly in your session. Might be worth investing a bit more time at the start to prevent problems later on. Great facilitation doesn't just happen, It's intentional, and it's designed. ~~ ♻️ Share if this is a useful reminder ✍️ Have you ever used a working agreement in your workshops? What’s one question you always ask? Drop it in the comments!

🎡 How To Run UX Workshops With Users (Scripts + Templates) (https://lnkd.in/evqDZSFe), a helpful overview of practical techniques to turn a verbal-only interview into a collaborative UX workshop — with sticky note mapping, solution drag’n’drop and voting. Put together by Laura Eiche-Laane. 👏🏽 🤔 Users and designers often a speak a different language. ✅ Insights are clearer when you see users performing tasks. ✅ Switch question-answer sections with small visual tasks. ✅ Sticky note mapping: for user flows, journeys, org maps. ✅ Card sorting: organize data, filters, menu items into groups. ✅ Feature location: ask users where they’d expect a new feature. ✅ Drag’n’drop: ask users to design their own UI or page layout. ✅ Solution voting: get feedback on many design directions. ✅ When explaining a task, show what you’d like them to do. ✅ Track where users are undecided, and follow up in a debrief. When I jump in a new project, I like to run walkthroughs with actual users as a way to understand the domain and the product. I simply ask them what the product does and how it helps them in their daily work. And then I invite them to show and explain it to me. I ask them to show how it works, the features they use, the quirks they’ve discovered and the shortcuts and loopholes they rely on daily. Perhaps there is something where the product fails on them, or something they wish was better, or something that is too fragile, confusing, complex or irrelevant. That’s when insights emerge, and that’s when you might notice that the things said and the things done are not necessarily the same thing. Of course users sometimes exaggerate their struggles, but they rarely complain lividly about something that isn’t really an issue for them. 🗃️ Useful resources: How And Why To Include Users In UX Workshops, by Maddie Brown https://lnkd.in/eKdd5GXp UX Workshop Activities With Users, by Jonathon Juvenal https://lnkd.in/eJjpcibR Remote UX Workshop Activities, by Jordan Bowman https://lnkd.in/e8wSMVwC Usability Testing Templates (Scripts), by Slava Shestopalov https://lnkd.in/gZyBtK6u UX Workshop Scripts + Templates https://theuxcookbook.com UX Research Templates, by Odette Jansen https://lnkd.in/eqpXyGHH --- 🧲 Miro and Notion templates: UX Research Templates (Miro), by ServiceNow https://lnkd.in/e48nKzKA Miro Templates For Designers https://lnkd.in/e8Hkp-ws Notion Templates For Designers https://lnkd.in/en_VBc6r #ux #design

Facilitation hack. Prepare them for the post-workshop shock. Workshops are amazing universes where magical things happen that ideally leave everyone with the feeling of having been part of a transformative experience. Even less intense workshops often create a feeling of belonging. They typically, if facilitated well, also create a feeling of energy and motivation to get going with the ideas and transformation to address burning issues. However, what follows is similar to a reverse culture shock phenomenon. The participants return to their working environment of origin, where they meet colleagues who have not spent their time in a parallel universe but continue living in a problem-ridden daily. Furthermore, they might also envy the experience, especially when the "enlightened reformers" bragged about the workshop, causing subtle and often unconscious behaviors to dismiss the new ideas. In short, participants face resistance, and their excitement is quickly killed by the everyday blues, often as soon as the following working day. As a consequence, the intervention becomes irrelevant for the most part. I have heard this story so often that I have decided to make it an integral part of my workshops to prepare the participants for the post-workshop shock. I make space to raise their awareness that this is likely to happen and have them share their worries and ideas for how to work around it. This doesn't necessarily solve the issue, but it helps prepare them for what they might experience. It also makes them realize that it is their responsibility to carefully translate their insights, experience, and energy onto others and gives them a chance to exchange ways for they can do that as a group and individuals. Since I did that, my standard check-ins a few weeks, months later, are significantly more positive and often show that the workshop bore some fruits in the rest of the company and organization. So, remember, as wonderful as a workshop can be, it is a parallel universe to the participants' every day. Our task is to help them prepare for a potential shock when they re-enter the real world, thereby increasing the chances of successful transfer of insights and ideas. #facilitationhack #facilitation #facilitationskills #humandynamics

In the past few months, I’ve conducted finance workshops for people from the age of 20 to 60. The biggest lesson? No two classrooms are ever the same. Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of conducting workshops for teams across Capital Markets, Wealth Management, and Investment Banking in India. The audience have been diverse as well, with learners ranging from fresh graduates just starting their careers to senior leaders with decades of experience. How do you explain the same financial concept to a 22 year old analyst and a 45 year old seasoned professional? It needs to solve the problem they face! That has been my biggest learning over the years! - A 22 year old Analyst wants clarity with respect to frameworks, and step by step guides to build a process of analysis - A 45 year old Wealth Manager wants an application of these concepts in direct client conversations Beyond age and experience, the regional context also matters. A workshop in Mumbai is very different from one in Chennai, and that is very different from one in Delhi. The most challenging and satisfying part of all these is tailoring these workshops across locations, age groups and clients to help them solve their core problems! At its core, training is not just slides and concepts. It is meeting people where they are, and taking them ahead! The one thing that gets reinforced in each of these is that finance concepts may be universal, but the way people learn them is very unique. Learning is deeply personal. And making that shift across programs is the biggest challenge for an educator!

One of the greatest strengths of the SEAL Teams, that often isn't apparent in movies or TV shows, is not the high-speed technology or rigorous physical fitness. It’s our ability to constantly innovate and adapt. We do this through a simple process: The DEBRIEF. After every mission, we’d review what went right, what went wrong, and what could to do to fix it. We'd take those lessons learned and roll them right into the planning and execution of the very next mission. And then repeat that process. But this tool isn’t limited to the military. The Debrief is one of the most underrated tools for performance improvement for any team. By getting your team together at the end of any project, work week, or training evolution, you can encourage everyone on your team to come up with ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness going forward. Here are a few guidelines to make it work for your team: 1. Let people know ahead of time to come up with at least two things: one thing that went well and one thing they think could be improved. 2. Take notes. This shows the team that their feedback matters and that lessons learned aren’t just lip service. 3. Have the most junior person speak first. Junior members bring a fresh perspective and, if they speak first, are less likely to be influenced by what others say. If they speak later, they might just echo the thoughts of more senior team members. Debriefs do more than identify areas for improvement. They build a culture of innovation, of continuous learning and improvement.

I have had an amazing internal discussion today and am putting it here so you can make use of it in the week to follow. As a corporate trainer, deep work has evolved into my seasoned ally, a silent force shaping impact and deep learning in my workshops. As a corporate trainer and L&D practitioner, I often find myself navigating the intricate balance of delivering workshops that not only educate but inspire lasting transformation. Today, I invite you behind the scenes to witness how the principles of Deep Work by Cal Newport have become key for my workshop design. 1. Distraction-Free Learning Zones: Creating an environment conducive to deep work is paramount. Before each workshop, I meticulously set the stage—a distraction-free zone where minds can immerse deeply in the learning experience. From silent zones to minimizing digital interruptions, every detail is curated for optimum focus. 2. Time Blocking for Engaged Learning: Time blocks as a balance for flow are a key element of my workshop agenda. Each segment is a deliberately carved block, dedicated to a specific skill or concept. This ensures not only an engaged audience but also a collective deep dive into the subject matter. 3. Prioritizing High-Impact Content: The essence of deep work lies in prioritizing high-impact tasks. When designing workshops, Newport's perspective guides the selection of content—ensuring that every concept explored is not just informative but has a profound, enduring impact on the participants' professional journey. 4. Engaging Deep Work Exercises: Workshops aren't about imparting information; they're about creating experiences for learning and deep thinking on the subject. Participants engage in exercises, creating an immersive space where they can apply newly acquired skills, fostering a deeper understanding that transcends theoretical knowledge. A challenge that I am taking and extending to you too- This week, experience a focused, distraction-free learning environment where every moment is crafted for maximum impact. Try to churn out the learning from the various tasks/ projects you work on. Get deep, that's where innovation happens. Priya Arora #deepwork #thinking #metacognition #learninganddevelopment #softskills #corporateculture #culturematters #workshop #facilitators #facilitation #traininganddevelopment #training The Female Story

HOW I'VE LEARNED TO TAILOR MY TALKS: 5 PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR BETTER ENGAGEMENT. The last thing your audience wants is to sit through a presentation full of analytics with no actionable content nuggets. The best feedback I receive is when I've taken the time to make my talk bespoke to the people in the audience. By tailoring your talk to the audience, you create a more engaging, interactive, and relevant experience. Here's how I ensure my presentations resonate with my audience: ONE ↳Ask the organiser: Find out who will be in the audience. While organisers can't share data lists, they can give you an idea of the types of businesses and individuals attending. Use this information to research and add relevant examples to your talk. TWO ↳Arrive early: Get to the event early and speak to the audience. Learn about their biggest pains and challenges related to your topic. Incorporate these insights into your presentation to make it more relatable. THREE ↳Encourage questions: Allow your audience to ask questions throughout your talk. This will make the presentation more engaging and ensure that you're addressing their specific needs and interests. FOUR ↳Q&A session: Include a dedicated Q&A session at the end of your talk. This will allow the audience to seek further clarification and help you address any lingering questions. FIVE ↳Pre-event survey: Conduct a pre-event survey with the attendees to ask about their biggest pains and challenges. Use this feedback to tailor your presentation content to their needs. And guess what? It works. Tailoring my talks has resulted in more engaged audiences and better feedback. Attendees feel that the presentation is relevant and that they're part of a collective experience. Now, every time I present, I ensure my content is bespoke to the audience, making it impactful and actionable. To anyone looking to improve their speaking engagements: Make your presentations relevant and engaging by tailoring them to your audience's needs. Connect, educate, and inspire by making your audience feel heard and valued. How do you make your presentation relevant for your audience? To your successes, Zoe. ____________ If you like this post, you will love my newsletter 💜 Join my newsletter for a FREE weekly growth strategy for speakers and thought leaders - see the first comment below to join 👇

Presenting with Confidence: My 3-Step Prep for Collaborative Sessions As someone who has delivered countless keynotes, webinars, and workshops, I’ve learned that great presentations don’t happen by accident—they’re built on purposeful preparation. Over the years, I’ve developed a three-step method that makes collaborative presentations feel seamless, well-paced, and engaging:   1. Align on the Outline: In a first meeting, we define our key messages, agree on what the title and abstract have promised, allocate time equitably, and choose a slide template to ensure a cohesive visual experience.   2. Share Drafts and Storylines: Next, we meet to present and review one another’s slides and talking points. This allows us to refine flow, avoid duplication, and align our messages to amplify each other’s contributions.   3. Rehearse Together: A dress rehearsal brings everything together. We practice as if it’s live, offering feedback, making final adjustments, and ensuring the overall presentation feels polished and connected. A tech check or second rehearsal may follow if needed. This week at NACCHO #PrepSummit25, I had the pleasure of co-presenting with Dr. Danielle Eiseman from Cornell University. She graciously accepted my presentation prep approach and I found her to be smart, proactive, communicative, and a total professional—making this collaboration a true joy. What are your favorite tips for delivering a great presentation? Let’s share ideas in the comments and keep learning from each other! #PresentationTips #Collaboration #PublicSpeaking #HealthGIS #Teamwork #PublicHealthPreparedness #LocationIntelligence #ClimateResilience #HealthEquity #PresentationSkills #ConferencePrep

The Week Before Your Workshop Determines Its Success … After leading more than 1,000 workshops across the world, there’s one golden rule I’ve learned: Preparation, preparation, preparation. The week before your workshop is not the time to relax — it’s the moment to make or break your success. Here’s what great preparation looks like: • Know exactly who will be in the room — their names, their roles, their personalities, and their interests. • Understand their stakes — what motivates them, what worries them, what they hope to get out of the session. • Design your flow carefully — tailor your techniques and tactics to fit the group, not just the agenda. • Practise, practise, practise — rehearse key moments, transitions, and how you’ll handle tricky situations. • Visualise success — mentally walk through the day: how will you open, how will you energise, how will you land your key messages? Even after 1,000+ workshops with the proven FORTH Innovation Method I still practise before every session I facilitate. Not because I’m nervous — but because respecting the group means showing up 100% prepared. Great workshops are not spontaneous magic. They are the result of disciplined preparation behind the scenes. The real work happens before you even enter the room. #Preparation #WorkshopFacilitation #Leadership #InnovationWorkshops #FacilitatorTips #WorkshopDesign #PracticeMakesPerfect #designthinking #innovation

I keep hearing "session replays just didn't make it in the priority list." One ritual to make time? Andrew Capland suggests weekly sessions: Andrew was a 2x head of growth. His favorite ritual? — A weekly team meeting called "Fullstory Fridays." Every Friday, the team would come together live with the goal of gaining insights from user experience. An informal setting where there was no pressure to do something just for the sake of it. They would pull out 20 different user interaction sessions, and each team member focused on their area: → Engineers would spot bugs, take notes, and sometimes fix them on the fly... → Designers would see people rage-clicking and sketch ideas to improve the experience... → And beyond this, they often found users translating their app into different languages... (something they hadn’t even considered.) Doing this helped them: → Better understand problems without guessing → Understand their users better → Come up with fresh ideas — I think doing this in an informal session with a team of experts is so powerful: A. It doesn’t feel like a chore Every PM dreads sitting for hours watching users interact with their product. But when you do it together in an informal setting, it’s not boring anymore, especially if you’re having fun along the way. B. Cross-functional alignment Engineers, PMs, and designers gain firsthand exposure to real user problems. And develop a shared understanding of what users are "silently" asking for. C. Better prioritization The team rallies around what truly matters to users.