First Impressions in Training
- Date: 2007-06-14 - Word Count: 576
Share This!
Was it Oscar Wilde that once said? "You only get one opportunity to create a good first impression."
How true that is in the business world. As a person who gives a couple of hundred workshops a year, it took me a while to recognise this. And I don't mean that moment you stand up and welcome the class to your session, I'm talking about that moment you walk in to your client company's offices.
Being involved in training and the development of others is a wonderful occupation, but because of the amount of equipment a trainer often carries (laptop, data projector, speakers, video camera, batteries etc) one can often arrive looking rather drained of energy, especially when you've lugged your gear across town on London's tube system.
So you're there at your client's offices and your contact has been delayed and nobody knows what room you're in. At this point, I leave my bags at reception, ask where the nearest bathroom is and head straight for it.
Here I take a deep breath, compose myself - wash my face, comb my hair and straighten my tie. After a cup of coffee, I'm ready for my class, but there's still an hour before we start.
My contact from HR has arrived. I stand up and we shake hands. I look him in the eye and ask him if he had a difficult journey. He smiles and nods, we've never met before but we have created a supportive bond. We are connected through our common knowledge of public transport.
He shows me to the training room which is in a bit of a mess after yesterday's unrelated class. "No problem," I say positively, "Leave it with me." (I always rearrange the room anyway). "I'll take it from here", I tell him and yes, I have his mobile number should I require assistance.
A confident beginning - yet still no sign of my eight students. I set up the laptop and data projector. I check the tape on the video camera and playback through the speakers to ensure the technological aspects are working fine. They are and it gives me great confidence. My confidence will be conveyed to the class and will form a major factor in the creation of a positive learning environment.
The students begin to arrive in ones and twos. I introduce myself, and my name is always on the board for the first half-hour. I make a note of their names and where they sit. People's names are their most prized possession. I have a simple technique to remember their names immediately, even when the exercises requires them to move around the class.
I chat with them, ask them about their work, how's it going? What problems and challenges are they currently facing? How do they think today's class will help overcome them? The focus is always on them and I make a point of saying very little at this point. Listening is the most forgotten factor in communication. We create a positive first impression with our stance, expressions and actions. The way we sit, stand and walk conveys an enormous subconscious message about our current state.
The class is assembled. They're all comfortable and settled. I stand, smile, look them directly in the eye (well, as much as one can do with a group), and I put faith in one of my many, well rehearsed opening lines.
Now that the hard work is out of the way, the rest of the day will be a breeze.
How true that is in the business world. As a person who gives a couple of hundred workshops a year, it took me a while to recognise this. And I don't mean that moment you stand up and welcome the class to your session, I'm talking about that moment you walk in to your client company's offices.
Being involved in training and the development of others is a wonderful occupation, but because of the amount of equipment a trainer often carries (laptop, data projector, speakers, video camera, batteries etc) one can often arrive looking rather drained of energy, especially when you've lugged your gear across town on London's tube system.
So you're there at your client's offices and your contact has been delayed and nobody knows what room you're in. At this point, I leave my bags at reception, ask where the nearest bathroom is and head straight for it.
Here I take a deep breath, compose myself - wash my face, comb my hair and straighten my tie. After a cup of coffee, I'm ready for my class, but there's still an hour before we start.
My contact from HR has arrived. I stand up and we shake hands. I look him in the eye and ask him if he had a difficult journey. He smiles and nods, we've never met before but we have created a supportive bond. We are connected through our common knowledge of public transport.
He shows me to the training room which is in a bit of a mess after yesterday's unrelated class. "No problem," I say positively, "Leave it with me." (I always rearrange the room anyway). "I'll take it from here", I tell him and yes, I have his mobile number should I require assistance.
A confident beginning - yet still no sign of my eight students. I set up the laptop and data projector. I check the tape on the video camera and playback through the speakers to ensure the technological aspects are working fine. They are and it gives me great confidence. My confidence will be conveyed to the class and will form a major factor in the creation of a positive learning environment.
The students begin to arrive in ones and twos. I introduce myself, and my name is always on the board for the first half-hour. I make a note of their names and where they sit. People's names are their most prized possession. I have a simple technique to remember their names immediately, even when the exercises requires them to move around the class.
I chat with them, ask them about their work, how's it going? What problems and challenges are they currently facing? How do they think today's class will help overcome them? The focus is always on them and I make a point of saying very little at this point. Listening is the most forgotten factor in communication. We create a positive first impression with our stance, expressions and actions. The way we sit, stand and walk conveys an enormous subconscious message about our current state.
The class is assembled. They're all comfortable and settled. I stand, smile, look them directly in the eye (well, as much as one can do with a group), and I put faith in one of my many, well rehearsed opening lines.
Now that the hard work is out of the way, the rest of the day will be a breeze.
Related Tags: pitch, public speaking, effective communication, pace, projection, pause, tonal variety, college of public speaking, voice control, volume control
The College of Public Speaking assists the Corporate Sector improve its communication skills. Utilising the tried and trusted research of Albert Mehrebian, we use cutting edge business scenarios to develop speakers capable of performing on the international stage. http://www.collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Article
Here are 10 mistakes that writers tend to make when writing articles for newsletters or magazines. K - Invigorate Your Healthcare Writing With Words That Are Short, Sweet, And Full of Energy
There are certain kinds of phrasing and word choice, especially in official statements, that can soa - The Case For Customizing Content
You have to consider every angle when you are writing. There are lots of rules to follow and tips to - Writing Strategies For Creating Viral Content
For anybody involved in content marketing the need to develop writing strategies that will produce t - Three Key Ways a Writing Coach Can Improve Your College Admission Essay
In an article entitled "Writing The Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert", Parke Muth, Senior Assistan - Acquiring A Fantastic Proxy - Proxy List
A proxy or proxy server is applied for both effortless obtain to your certain useful resource like a - Turnkey Sites & Website Templates - A Comparison
I'm constantly finding emails soon after a person buys a offer of Site Desing templates. Some men an - Standard Manual For Laptop Or Computer Elements & Software
For many people today, computer system sections plus the innards of the computer system are anything - Different Kinds Of Cameras Can Be Used For Webcams
There are many physical components that make the technology of the PC camera webcam work. The import - What Can Pc Camera Webcam Bring To Us And How It Works?
The PC camera webcam can be used in a wide range of aspects. Such as personal "Big Brother" style di
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Don't Put Off Writing that Book!
If writing that book you've always had in mind tops your list of resolutions or regrets, hiring a wr - How To Write A Better Press Release
A press release is the most effective way to generate free publicity for your business or organizati - Writing on the Hoof
Finding inspiration when you are writing is often a haphazard affair. When you are physically ready - Focus On Nigeria
Focus on Nigeria Nigеria is a natural gas and oil rich country that is bordеrеd b - How to Write Great Dialogue in Your Book
Dialogue isn't so much read as it is heard by the reader. The eyes see the words on the page, the b - Women SUV Driver from www.thefrap.com
Why do so many women drive around in the oversized SUV's, the Tahoe, Excursion, Escalade - How To Write Good Articles
As a writer you may be ready to cash in on the need for web content. There is a lot of money that c - NEWS FLASH: Technical Communicator Saves World
I had a boss several years ago who was amused by my earnest and relentless preaching about the impor - Writers Resources
Writers use certain inherent talents to come up with their pieces of writing. However, they do need - Popular Articles
Articles are those that are available in plenty these days in the internet. The articles are written