Here are some observations on my workshop last Friday:
1. Most of my audience are serious guys. I am not sure why, but maybe because there were those who didn’t know how to laugh. Three guys were very serious as if the business writing workshop was a factory procedure they need to master every step so no lives will be lost. There are only 13 participants, so more than 20% were really serious guys.
2. We were able to do more activities this time (the third batch) than the last two batches. The third batch, however, was less creative and enthusiastic than the first and second batches. Creativity and enthusiasm makes the participants learn faster. When creativity is restrained, I feel the tension in the room. Enthusiasm, or the lack of it, can really be felt.
3. I thought some participants were still expecting the more serious, lecture type, 1001-techniques to business writing approach (of course, they were polite not to say this). While most of the participants were enjoying the creative writing activities, I observed that there were two guys who were writing because the group must do the creative writing exercises. Given the choice, they would have been out of the room and did her business somewhere. Well, not really a bad idea. But you see, there are many people out there who want to go straight to the point, though they don’t know yet their point. They want to learn the techniques without asking why.
4. Activities really work even for the serious guys. Slowly, they opened up and shared their ideas. Well, I must also accept that they were just required to attend the seminar. They just complied. They must have some pending jobs. Though they know that the seminar will be for seven hours. And seven hours are seriously long for those who don’t want to be there.
So, what did I learn from this workshop?
1. The icebreaker is really important. They need to talk to each other before we start everything. True, sometimes icebreakes are time consuming. But what is the use of having more time for the rest of the activities if they will not be comfortable asking questions, sharing thoughts, exchanging silly and brilliant ideas. It is easier to be yourself when you know that people next to you can accept you.
2. The Power of Change Talk may be placed at the end of the first day session. Put it as a challenge talk and an invitation for them to come again the next day. They are not yet ready for the big idea, no matter how powerful. The discussion on the three fundamental principles of communication is already powerful. Highlight this discussion.
3. I must create an activity that will highlight ethos, pathos, logos. It can be a writing activity or any activity that will make them move, speak, and think.
4. I must sell every minute to them. I preached that we must be silent about the features and focus on the advantages and benefits. I must do the same. Every activity must be giving them good reasons to stay and look forward to the next activity.
5. Or much better, simply to play music, and allow them to talk to each other.
6. Or consider giving an energizer 15 minutes before I start the discussion. The participants stay in the room anyway. This means that I can do a lot of engaging activities aside from watching something which may also tire them.
7. Count the stories you tell. No matter how interesting, when stories are not relevant to the subject, keep it to yourself.
8. Remember, there is no perfect presentation. The last one cannot be exactly the same. or even much better than the first one.(Jope was surprised to know that the second one is different from the first – he forgot that the course was not about business writing, it was about the audience.) I can only introduce new activities to illuminate further the writing principles. I do not work for an assembly line. I am a rockstar. When I sing, the song (though the lyrics is still the same) breathes its own life. Every song is for myself and for my audience. I am no longer the same person as yesterday and my audiece are no longer the same as well. My passion is to make them happy. Some of them will be happy to gain new knowledge, enhanced their skills, change their attitudes, gain more confidence and friends, express themselves, etc. We can make music together and I can do that best with my audience. So, yes, there are no perfect presentations which may cater to every audience. But I am a rockstar and that will be enough for me. For now.
9. Always be grateful. Our audience need to know that we are there for them. So, keep on saying thank you. Or keep showing your gratitude to them.
Thank you.
Jef Menguin
http://jefmenguin.com
askjef@jefmenguin.com
