Overview

A one-day workshop that gives you practical "how-to" techniques to facilitate meetings, conferences, workshops and other group sessions.

Course objectives

• To help you dramatically improve your facilitation skills
• To explore the behaviours that will make you the best facilitator you can possibly be
• To enable you to have a powerfully positive impact on quality of learning taking place for groups you facilitate

What is facilitation?

Facilitation comes from the Latin facile or facere meaning "to make easy". Good facilitation involves making interventions and applying processes that help the group move towards its goal more directly, enjoyably and quickly. A great facilitator is one who can bring the best out in people and promote positive group engagement with the task and each other - and who does so in a way that is largely invisible and seemingly effortless.

Benefits of Attending

As a result of the training you will:

• Discover how to set yourself up for facilitation success in every situation
• Know what questions you should ask before you even enter the room
• Identify when and how to make skillful interventions
• Understand how to engage effectively with different groups
• Have a better understanding of group dynamics and how to affect them
• Gain confidence to handle "problem participants"
• Learn how to channel powerful emotions into productive outcomes
• Create your own toolbox of practical facilitation tools and techniques
• Produce a personal list of next three steps to further your facilitation

Content Outline

The workshop introduces a wide range of creative techniques and practical tools to influence and engage, including Improvisation and Positive Change thinking.

• What is facilitation?
• Your role as facilitator
• Encouraging feedback and dialogue
• Motivational factors and keeping the end in mind
• Relating to the people while sticking to the process
• Shifting focus: big picture and next actions steps
• Putting it all together: Fantastic Facilitation!

About the trainer

In his work as a consultant Todd Montgomery has facilitated a wide variety of sessions, from senior leadership strategy meetings to leader-team alignment programs and large group processes (including group coaching). He is frequently asked to facilitate conferences as Chair and break-out session leader and has presented facilitation workshops for the IAF (International Association of Facilitators) in Australia and the UK.

In all his work Todd is dedicated to bring out the best in people, helping them to build on their natural strengths and talents. When people find ways to engage more effectively with others then great things can happen - and facilitation is an ideal tool for that outcome.

Over the course of his career, Todd has found himself somewhat accidentally in the role of facilitator, largely as a result of doing change, leadership and organizational development work. His approach is therefore highly practical and focuses on a "use what works" approach. In addition, all workshop participants are invited to bring their own specific professional skills (whether in communications, HR, management, consulting, etc.) to bear in designing the facilitation style that is just right for them.

Here's what people have to say:

"...when I needed a facilitator for a market industry change meeting involving clients from all corners of Europe you delivered an outstanding day…you enthused them to engage themselves and deliver on the task. The key sponsors of the working group, Swiss Re, were immensely complimentary about the work you did with us and your work has really set the tone for the months to come."

Lance Grant, Managing Director, Aon insurance

"Todd took the lead on a nuclear reactor site in supporting the Director and his lead team to achieve substantial organisational transformation while maintaining safety and delivery for the client. Throughout his work Todd was tenacious and, in a difficult working environment, facilitated sessions that achieved the buy-in of senior managers to a new working philosophy."

James Leddy, OD Programme Manager, British Nuclear Group

Feedback on Todd's sessions from IAF workshop participants:

• Well done! Great tools, way of sharing, and good humour!
• Enjoyed small group work...sharing experiences with all in the room
• Good mix of theory and participation...it flowed - thank you!
• No ego by Todd to be 'control freak,' let group flow and be involved. Great style.
• High engagement...excellent explanation and use of The Affirm technique.
• Energized and engaged - good experience.
• Very informative and easy to follow
• Very good, you allowed the process, as opposed to your agenda, run the session.
• Good simulation, easy to apply technique, good structure.
• The group [demonstration] worked exceptionally well, balancing between structured, to-do advice and empathy about difficulties faced.
• There was a clear flow of information and advice between parties, which I am very keen on.
• The role play brought home how the dynamics of the group can work.

Registration information

Pricing

Melcrum Members: $995 + GST per person

Non-members: $1095 + GST per person

To be a Melcrum member you must be a subscriber to Strategic Communication Management or a member of the Internal Comms Hub.

3 Easy ways to register:

1. Register online using the links above
2. Call us on +61 (0)2 9222 2810
3. E-mail us at infoaustralia@melcrum.com