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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 50 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about how and what they communicate to customers, using a slightly unusual perspective.
• To encourage participants to think about the language they use when communicating with customers.
• To show that all communication tells the customer something about the organisation, and that sometimes that’s not the intended message.
• To demonstrate how brand is affected by every piece of communication leaving the organisation.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 25 minutes to complete (but can be shortened if necessary). In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 50 minutes to complete this module. Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about how and what they communicate to customers, using a slightly unusual perspective.
• To encourage participants to think about the language they use when communicating with customers.
• To show that all communication tells the customer something about the organisation, and that sometimes that’s not the intended message.
• To demonstrate how brand is affected by every piece of communication leaving the organisation. Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size (working in small teams of ideally fewer than 6 people). Useful For:
Staff at all levels. You'll Need:
• A set of ‘Sign of the Times’ cards with enough for at least two cards for each team. (If you’re working with a very large group you may need more than one set.)You might like to add your own signs to the exercise, perhaps including some from the organisation itself.
• Plenty of sheets of flipchart paper.
• Coloured marker pens.
• Blu-tak.
Notes:
This is a powerful exercise that really gets participants to think about the way organisations communicate. It is a useful addition to any customer service training but it is of particular use with groups that are responsible for brand and the way the organisation portrays itself to the outside world. This could be managers within the marketing department, branch managers, recruitment managers etc. It is suitable for all types of organisation, including public and charitable bodies. Please Note:
The Sign of the Times Cards are a particularly large file (10mb) and may take a few minutes to download.
Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.
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I recently used this exercise as part of an online workshop on recruitment for SME owners who were looking to take on new employees. I used it to highlight how the messages that companies put out to the public can influence what people think of them, and used that to move into talking about how their job ads reflected on the business. Linking marketing a product, or consumer branding to how they marketed a vacancy seemed to resonate very well, so will definitely use it again.
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Louise Holloway
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I recently used A Sign of the Times activity for a newly formed recruitment team. I used it as a short interactive activity to get the team to see how confusing some messages can be, or how images don't always match with the words displayed.
It was great for generating discussion and debate and acted as an ice-breaker as well as it pulled everyone into the conversation.
I would use this again as I have now laminated the pictures so that I don't have to print off each time I run it.
We actually spent about 30 mins on this and the team had the cards displayed on the walls for the remainder of the week.
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Pauline Weddell
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To build an understanding of the importance of designing a presentation around the audience needs.
• To show participants how to ensure the venue supports the audience needs.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To build an understanding of the importance of designing a presentation around the audience needs.
• To show participants how to ensure the venue supports the audience needs.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
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Engaging in reflection on considerations to be made before delivery is a highly beneficial activity for learners to enhance their current practice.
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Cecile De Felice
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I have recently used this activity as part of a Presentation Skills course, for learners to think about venues in relation to audience needs. It's a very useful activity for learners to think about considerations they should make prior to delivery, and reflect on their current practice. I used this activity alongside 'Managing the Venue' which worked really well.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 60 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to consider how visual aids could be improved.
• To engage participants in developing effective visual aids.
• To identify some key dos and don’ts for visual aids.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to consider how visual aids could be improved.
• To engage participants in developing effective visual aids.
• To identify some key dos and don’ts for visual aids.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.
Useful For:
Staff with low levels of experience of giving presentations.
You'll Need:
• Participants will be working in teams of 2-3. Each team will need to use a computer, laptop or tablet that has PowerPoint installed.
• Access to the internet would be preferable.
• A prize for the winning team would be a nice touch.
Notes:
Prior to running this module you will need to ensure that you have either pre-loaded the slides the teams will be reviewing onto the machines or have given them a copy that they have themselves downloaded onto their machines. If your participants won’t have access to PowerPoint for this exercise, it can be adapted so that participants create paper versions of the new slides, although this is less effective.
Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.
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This is an effective activity for learners to consider the effective use of PowerPoint and tips to avoid 'Death by PowerPoint'. In an interactive way, it gives the learners some great tips for their future presentations. I used this alongside the 'Visual Aids' module, which worked really well.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.
Aims:
• Introduces participants to David Kolb’s Learning Cycle.
• Demonstrates the importance of engaging and involving participants in training.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• Introduces participants to David Kolb’s Learning Cycle.
• Demonstrates the importance of engaging and involving participants in training.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.
Useful For:
Anyone who designs or delivers training, or who soon will.
You'll Need:
• A set of sticky dots (or similar).
Notes:
A great introduction to Kolb and the importance of experiential learning. For added impact, try running this session either side of a coffee break.
Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 120 minutes.
Aims:
• To build an understanding of the key steps in strategic planning.
• To encourage participants to analyse financial and other data using a SWOT analysis.
• To encourage participants to think about where they are now, before moving on in the next module to consider where they want to be.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 75 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 120 minutes for this module if working with 10-12 participants. It is strongly recommended that, for maximum impact and best overall use of time, this module is run in conjunction with the other modules from the Hotel Doldrums series.
Aims:
• To build an understanding of the key steps in strategic planning.
• To encourage participants to analyse financial and other data using a SWOT analysis.
• To encourage participants to think about where they are now, before moving on in the next module to consider where they want to be.
Group Size:
An ideal group size for this module is 12, with participants working in 3 teams of 4. If you have more than 15 participants in your group, you may want to consider ‘doubling up’ on some of the briefs with more than one team using the same scenario. This doesn’t detract from the learning; in fact it can be interesting to see how different teams approach the same problem and task.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels including individuals, groups and teams that need to use strategic planning and analysis skills in the workplace.
You'll Need:
Each team will need a hotel data pack (provided) and a syndicate room or area.
Notes:
Hotel Doldrums is a series of modules that are designed to be run in sequence. Together they form a complete 1.5 day workshop, which can be run as a single workshop, or as three independent sessions, each lasting between 2 and 4 hours. We’ve also suggested other modules you could add to the programme, if you have more time available. Hotel Doldrums can also be run as a teambuilding game, where teams are left to compete with less facilitator involvement during the exercise, but a thorough review at the end. This takes about 3.5 hours to run. If you prefer to use the teambuilding version of Hotel Doldrums, please download the trainer’s notes from the teambuilding games section of Trainers’ Library. This series of modules is set in the context of the hotel industry but requires no specialist knowledge of it. The modules, when used together, also draw out skills relating to business planning, problem solving, influencing, team working and making presentations.
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I used this activity as part of a 2- day Business Skills module with a group of participants completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme. I followed up with Part 2 and 3 and made a fabulous event. I added in a 'financial terms' quiz and some input on STEEPLE and SWOT before getting them to complete the activity.
It was really great to have the pack all produced and saved me so much time. The group completed the activities well and great learning about the importance of planning and not diving straight into the detail.
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Ann Pemberton
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I used this with a team of Directors and Heads of Department as part of 2 Strategy days to encourage the team to think strategically as a team rather than functionally. I split the exercise over a day and a half and the timings worked well. I would recommend that if you are working with a group of people that you know well, that you chose the members of each team wisely. Although the financial information is not too complex, it is beneficial to have someone with an accountancy or commercial background in each team. If working with teams of consisting of just accountants, I would suspect that you could shorten the time taken. It has face credibility as a training exercise at senior levels.
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Paula Cook
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Strategy Workshop framed around Hotel Doldrums
I used this series with a group of middle/senior managers from a variety of SME's - it was an open programme - and it worked very well. We used it across about 5hrs in total and it worked well - they worked through breaks and lunch to ensure that we got everything done - and they still really enjoyed the process. We left out the banker evaluations (as per the previous review) and it still worked well. This decision was made purely because of time constraints.
The data is not too much for them to take in and start working with and, as the trainer, I could quickly see who was "getting it" and who might be struggling more.
The key learnings the group shared from the exercise were:
Dont rush into determining your strategy - take time to collate the right data
Ask others - involvement breeds buy-in
Be creative in your strategy development - sometimes it has to be something radical to change direction
Conversley to the above point - sometimes, slight adjustment will bring rewards!
Agreeing a vision is tough - and if you are not part of the process, its easy to see how the statement can become "meaningless words on a page"
Its amazing how quickly you can get into something - they seemed fully engaged on running a hotel by the end of it.
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Rosemary Taylor
rated this item with 5 stars.
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This project management series was of unbelievable value, as it really got them working and participating. I believe that most participants are under the impression that they will attend a workshop/training and that they will only be listening. The SWOT analysis has so much detail that it is
almost impossible to miss details of your strategic planning process. The managers all recognized that the three difference hotels were different is specific ways, but the ideas that came out of it were
amazing. With the last hotel doldrum the participant needs to do a presentation - and among all the other learning points, one participant noticed that he need to work on his "presentation skills" and how to carry a message over to important people. Another great attribute is the financial details that are attached to the downloads. This provides the participant with a feeling of credibility and believability of the exercise they are busy with.
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I have now run Hotel Doldrums twice as a 1 day team build exercise. Marketing Team
This team is quite large (24 in total) and is spread throughout the country. Their opportunity to spend time together as a team is limited. Also, the team manager knew some elements of the team very well and others hardly at all having ‘inherited’ them following a company take over. A big part of this team build day was to get to know each other on a personal as well as a business basis. I ran the exercise after going through some personality profiling. It was really powerful to see how people responded in their preferred behavioural style and perhaps even more so how their fellow team members recognised the behaviours!! Not surprisingly there was an abundance of creativity going around, when the analytical people tried to intervene there were some ‘clashes’ although always controlled, usually ending up in peels of laughter. It did, however, demonstrate the need to listen to all team members and give everyone the chance to contribute. A good learning for the stronger personalities in the group. Time management was an issue and gave the team manager an insight as to why and how deadlines sometimes slip. She left the session with a strategy for managing this within the team more effectively in the future.p The meetings with the Bank Manager weren’t particularly successful. I’m not sure whether this was the way I positioned this aspect of the training or not. The overall feedback was that the meetings contributed very little and took away valuable time. A number of leaders emerged. Some based on personalities and others on expertise again demonstrating the advantages of having a good mix within the team. The need for a 3 month plan did give focus to think about the future. The team are often required to be reactive, rapid change being a trait in our industry. Having to plan in a structured way for the future was a useful learning and demonstrated how much control you get when you are able to do this. The final presentations were very light on financial information which was recognised as something of a problem given that they were for the bank manager!! Known your audience eh? There was much emphasis on how they would ‘pretty-up’ the respective hotels, what fun things they could offer and how they would improve the experience to encourage the return of guests. Not so much thought around what would happen if people didn’t return!! Glass half full perhaps? The most valuable things taken from the exercise were: Recognising and be able to utilise the strengths within the team.
The importance of planning Thinking inside the box as well as outside it!
Raising awareness of financial implications around the roles of the team members.
Working as a team. Strategic Sales Team
I ran the exercise again 4 weeks later with a smaller team of strategic sales people. This team have huge transformation in front of them due to changes in our business so it was good to give them a subject they were totally unfamiliar with. The team had slightly less time which proved a challenge and a learning point for me here is that a smaller team doesn’t necessarily mean less time. There was definitely a more financial focused approach and less creativity. As with the previous group the presentations ran over time neither groups having practised. They would argue they didn’t have time….I would argue they should have made time!!! Creativity was limited in this session and it highlighted the need to involve other areas and expertise within the business for the new challenges ahead. This team had a brand new manager who was eager to demonstrate his style. He joined in the exercise which proved really valuable and his team could see he would not ask them to do anything he wouldn’t or couldn’t do himself. We did not include the bank manager role this time and in all honesty I don’t think the exercise lost anything as a result. Again the need for a 3 month plan was very powerful and I would say that this was the most valuable aspect for both sessions. All in all, this is an excellent exercise with an incredible amount of learning from it. It has been a huge success and I will/would use it again and again.
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Previous Member
rated this item with 3 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 180 minutes.
Aims:
• To give participants the opportunity to identify and explore options and appraise these.
• For participants to create a 3-5 year outline strategic plan based on the fictional case study they’ve been given.
About
This module follows on from Hotel Doldrums, part 1, and is not designed to be used as a stand-alone module.
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 135 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 180 minutes for this module if working with 10-12 participants.
Aims:
• To give participants the opportunity to identify and explore options and appraise these.
• For participants to create a 3-5 year outline strategic plan based on the fictional case study they’ve been given.
Group Size:
An ideal group size for this module is 12, with participants working in 3 teams of 4. If you have more than 15 participants in your group, you may want to consider ‘doubling up’ on some of the briefs with more than one team using the same scenario. This doesn’t detract from the learning; in fact it can be interesting to see how different teams approach the same problem and task.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels including individuals, groups and teams that need to use strategic planning and analysis skills in the workplace.
You'll Need:
Each team will a hotel data pack (provided) and a syndicate room or area.
Notes:
Hotel Doldrums is a series of modules that are designed to be run in sequence. Together they form a complete 1.5 day workshop, which can be run as a single workshop, or as three independent sessions, each lasting between 2 and 4 hours. We’ve also suggested other modules you could add to the programme, if you have more time available. The modules, when used together, also draw out skills relating to business planning, problem solving, influencing, team working and making presentations.
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I used this in conjunction with Part 1 and 3 as a two day Business Skills session for participants completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. A great team activity to encourage some strategic thinking and planning. The structure of the session makes it easy to follow and I added in some of the creative thinking tools and decision making tools from other Glasstap activities so everything came together really well. Having the materials all prepared is so easy and saved me so much time in my course preparation.
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Ann Pemberton
rated this item with 5 stars.
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This project management series was of unbelievable value, as it really got them working and participating. I believe that most participants are under the impression that they will attend a workshop/training and that they will only be listening. The SWOT analysis has so much detail that it is
almost impossible to miss details of your strategic planning process. The managers all recognized that the three difference hotels were different is specific ways, but the ideas that came out of it were
amazing. With the last hotel doldrum the participant needs to do a presentation - and among all the other learning points, one participant noticed that he need to work on his "presentation skills" and how to carry a message over to important people. Another great attribute is the financial details that are attached to the downloads. This provides the participant with a feeling of credibility and believability of the exercise they are busy with.
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Previous Member
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I have now run Hotel Doldrums twice as a 1 day team build exercise. Marketing Team
This team is quite large (24 in total) and is spread throughout the country. Their opportunity to spend time together as a team is limited. Also, the team manager knew some elements of the team very well and others hardly at all having ‘inherited’ them following a company take over. A big part of this team build day was to get to know each other on a personal as well as a business basis. I ran the exercise after going through some personality profiling. It was really powerful to see how people responded in their preferred behavioural style and perhaps even more so how their fellow team members recognised the behaviours!! Not surprisingly there was an abundance of creativity going around, when the analytical people tried to intervene there were some ‘clashes’ although always controlled, usually ending up in peels of laughter. It did, however, demonstrate the need to listen to all team members and give everyone the chance to contribute. A good learning for the stronger personalities in the group. Time management was an issue and gave the team manager an insight as to why and how deadlines sometimes slip. She left the session with a strategy for managing this within the team more effectively in the future.p The meetings with the Bank Manager weren’t particularly successful. I’m not sure whether this was the way I positioned this aspect of the training or not. The overall feedback was that the meetings contributed very little and took away valuable time. A number of leaders emerged. Some based on personalities and others on expertise again demonstrating the advantages of having a good mix within the team. The need for a 3 month plan did give focus to think about the future. The team are often required to be reactive, rapid change being a trait in our industry. Having to plan in a structured way for the future was a useful learning and demonstrated how much control you get when you are able to do this. The final presentations were very light on financial information which was recognised as something of a problem given that they were for the bank manager!! Known your audience eh? There was much emphasis on how they would ‘pretty-up’ the respective hotels, what fun things they could offer and how they would improve the experience to encourage the return of guests. Not so much thought around what would happen if people didn’t return!! Glass half full perhaps? The most valuable things taken from the exercise were: Recognising and be able to utilise the strengths within the team.
The importance of planning Thinking inside the box as well as outside it!
Raising awareness of financial implications around the roles of the team members.
Working as a team. Strategic Sales Team
I ran the exercise again 4 weeks later with a smaller team of strategic sales people. This team have huge transformation in front of them due to changes in our business so it was good to give them a subject they were totally unfamiliar with. The team had slightly less time which proved a challenge and a learning point for me here is that a smaller team doesn’t necessarily mean less time. There was definitely a more financial focused approach and less creativity. As with the previous group the presentations ran over time neither groups having practised. They would argue they didn’t have time….I would argue they should have made time!!! Creativity was limited in this session and it highlighted the need to involve other areas and expertise within the business for the new challenges ahead. This team had a brand new manager who was eager to demonstrate his style. He joined in the exercise which proved really valuable and his team could see he would not ask them to do anything he wouldn’t or couldn’t do himself. We did not include the bank manager role this time and in all honesty I don’t think the exercise lost anything as a result. Again the need for a 3 month plan was very powerful and I would say that this was the most valuable aspect for both sessions. All in all, this is an excellent exercise with an incredible amount of learning from it. It has been a huge success and I will/would use it again and again.
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Previous Member
rated this item with 3 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 240 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to develop a strategy from the options generated in previous sessions.
• To encourage participants to prepare and give a persuasive presentation outlining their strategy and the work they have done.
• To reflect on the learning from the Hotel Doldrums series of modules.
About
This module follows on from Hotel Doldrums, parts 1 and 2, and is not designed to be used as a stand-alone module.
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 140 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 240 minutes for this module if working with 10-12 participants.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to develop a strategy from the options generated in previous sessions.
• To encourage participants to prepare and give a persuasive presentation outlining their strategy and the work they have done.
• To reflect on the learning from the Hotel Doldrums series of modules.
Group Size:
An ideal group size for this module is 12, with participants working in 3 teams of 4. If you have more than 15 participants in your group, you may want to consider ‘doubling up’ on some of the briefs with more than one team using the same scenario. This doesn’t detract from the learning; in fact it can be interesting to see how different teams approach the same problem and task.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels including individuals, groups and teams that need to use strategic planning and analysis skills in the workplace.
You'll Need:
Each team will a hotel data pack (provided) and a syndicate room or area.
Notes:
Hotel Doldrums is a series of modules that are designed to be run in sequence. Together they form a complete 1.5 day workshop, which can be run as a single workshop, or as three independent sessions, each lasting between 2 and 4 hours. We’ve also suggested other modules you could add to the programme, if you have more time available. The modules, when used together, also draw out skills relating to business planning, problem solving, influencing, team working and making presentations.
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I used this activities as part of a 2 day Business Skills Programme for participants on a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme. Having completed part 1 and 2, this was a great way to end the session. Some great learning and an opportunity for them also to present and identify further development needs.
I kept it quite high level throughout so we didn't get too bogged down in the financials, focussing more on how they developed their ideas and presented them in a way that was helpful for their learning, so our bank managers adopted a more holistic approach and giving feedback based on some sound business ideas but also passion and energy!
A great activity and the materials saved me hours if not days in preparation time. The debrief questions were also helpful throughout to ensure we got lots of learning and practical application to take back to work.
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Ann Pemberton
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I facilitated this, along with Parts 1 and 2 at a recent leadership workshop for business owners. It was fantastic and they all really loved it. I ran all three parts in one day, so condensed it quite a bit (we had previously spent time on analysing a business and how to develop a strategy, so it was mostly a 'putting it all together' day). Due to their personalities and entrepreneurial nature, they wanted to jump straight to part 3, which provided a valuable lesson in itself! They all found it so useful and easy to relate it to their own businesses too.
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Jennifer Lindsay-Finan
rated this item with 5 stars.
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This project management series was of unbelievable value, as it really got them working and participating. I believe that most participants are under the impression that they will attend a workshop/training and that they will only be listening. The SWOT analysis has so much detail that it is
almost impossible to miss details of your strategic planning process. The managers all recognized that the three difference hotels were different is specific ways, but the ideas that came out of it were
amazing. With the last hotel doldrum the participant needs to do a presentation - and among all the other learning points, one participant noticed that he need to work on his "presentation skills" and how to carry a message over to important people. Another great attribute is the financial details that are attached to the downloads. This provides the participant with a feeling of credibility and believability of the exercise they are busy with.
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Previous Member
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I have now run Hotel Doldrums twice as a 1 day team build exercise. Marketing Team
This team is quite large (24 in total) and is spread throughout the country. Their opportunity to spend time together as a team is limited. Also, the team manager knew some elements of the team very well and others hardly at all having ‘inherited’ them following a company take over. A big part of this team build day was to get to know each other on a personal as well as a business basis. I ran the exercise after going through some personality profiling. It was really powerful to see how people responded in their preferred behavioural style and perhaps even more so how their fellow team members recognised the behaviours!! Not surprisingly there was an abundance of creativity going around, when the analytical people tried to intervene there were some ‘clashes’ although always controlled, usually ending up in peels of laughter. It did, however, demonstrate the need to listen to all team members and give everyone the chance to contribute. A good learning for the stronger personalities in the group. Time management was an issue and gave the team manager an insight as to why and how deadlines sometimes slip. She left the session with a strategy for managing this within the team more effectively in the future.p The meetings with the Bank Manager weren’t particularly successful. I’m not sure whether this was the way I positioned this aspect of the training or not. The overall feedback was that the meetings contributed very little and took away valuable time. A number of leaders emerged. Some based on personalities and others on expertise again demonstrating the advantages of having a good mix within the team. The need for a 3 month plan did give focus to think about the future. The team are often required to be reactive, rapid change being a trait in our industry. Having to plan in a structured way for the future was a useful learning and demonstrated how much control you get when you are able to do this. The final presentations were very light on financial information which was recognised as something of a problem given that they were for the bank manager!! Known your audience eh? There was much emphasis on how they would ‘pretty-up’ the respective hotels, what fun things they could offer and how they would improve the experience to encourage the return of guests. Not so much thought around what would happen if people didn’t return!! Glass half full perhaps? The most valuable things taken from the exercise were: Recognising and be able to utilise the strengths within the team.
The importance of planning Thinking inside the box as well as outside it!
Raising awareness of financial implications around the roles of the team members.
Working as a team. Strategic Sales Team
I ran the exercise again 4 weeks later with a smaller team of strategic sales people. This team have huge transformation in front of them due to changes in our business so it was good to give them a subject they were totally unfamiliar with. The team had slightly less time which proved a challenge and a learning point for me here is that a smaller team doesn’t necessarily mean less time. There was definitely a more financial focused approach and less creativity. As with the previous group the presentations ran over time neither groups having practised. They would argue they didn’t have time….I would argue they should have made time!!! Creativity was limited in this session and it highlighted the need to involve other areas and expertise within the business for the new challenges ahead. This team had a brand new manager who was eager to demonstrate his style. He joined in the exercise which proved really valuable and his team could see he would not ask them to do anything he wouldn’t or couldn’t do himself. We did not include the bank manager role this time and in all honesty I don’t think the exercise lost anything as a result. Again the need for a 3 month plan was very powerful and I would say that this was the most valuable aspect for both sessions. All in all, this is an excellent exercise with an incredible amount of learning from it. It has been a huge success and I will/would use it again and again.
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Previous Member
rated this item with 3 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To demonstrate how memory can be improved just by using it differently.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To demonstrate how memory can be improved just by using it differently.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This fun activity can be used either as an icebreaker or as a module on a longer ‘Concentration and Memory’ course. It can also be used in Train the Trainer training or any training where you want people to think about how they can make their message more memorable. The exercise is intended to encourage participants to experiment with the method using their own examples and with time to practice, should also reassure participants that no one needs to struggle with a poor memory – improvements can be fast and tangible. It’s a great tool too for encouraging participants to think about how they retain and recall new information and how they’ll store information you’re going to give them in the rest of the training.
Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 50 minutes.
Aims:
• To provide good practice advice in completing applications for employment.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To provide good practice advice in completing applications for employment.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels especially those returning to work after a career break or job seekers. This module may also be used as a framework for 1:1 coaching sessions.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This is the third module in the Job Application series of short workshops taking participants through the whole job application process – from selecting the most appropriate jobs to preparing for interview. We recommend at least running the second module of this series (Job Application 2 – Understanding Job Adverts) prior to this one.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 70 minutes.
Aims:
• To help job applicants write a compelling CV.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 40 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 70 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To help job applicants write a compelling CV.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants
Useful For:
Staff at all levels especially those returning to work after a career break or job seekers. This module may also be used as a framework for 1:1 coaching sessions.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This is the fourth module in the Job Application series of short workshops taking participants through the whole job application process – from selecting the most appropriate jobs to preparing for interview. It may also be used as a short, stand-alone session. We’ve provided two alternative briefs for Exercise 1, one for more senior, experienced groups and one for less experienced candidates.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To provide tips and techniques for coping with different and potentially difficult situations during a presentation.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module. Aims:
• To provide tips and techniques for coping with different and potentially difficult situations during a presentation. Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants. Useful For:
Staff at all levels. You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
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This is an excellent activity for less experienced presenters to learn about how to manage difficult situations and difficult people, which is often part of the 'fear factor' when asked to deliver a presentation. I also feel this activity can help people who have problems with nerves, as it gives them tools they can use and refer back to.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To explain the importance of making sure the venue for a presentation is prepared.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To explain the importance of making sure the venue for a presentation is prepared.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
People new to presentations.
You'll Need:
• Plenty of post-it notes.
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I used this activity alongside 'Audience Needs' and this worked really well. It helps learners to consider some of the challenges when choosing a venue, including things they may not have considered before.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 4 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about training methods.
• To help participants understand how adults learn and how to ensure training is learner led.
About
Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module. Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about training methods.
• To help participants understand how adults learn and how to ensure training is learner led. Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants. Useful For:
Staff interested in developing training and coaching skills. You'll Need:
• Lots of sheets of plain A4 paper. Notes:
Before running this exercise practise making a paper boat (using the handout to help you) until you can do it confidently from memory.
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This exercise is always very popular! I start by reading the instructions on how to make an origami boat - at quite a quick speed. Some delegates manage to keep up for a short while, others give up after a frustrated minute or two. I then take them through the process again - but this time step by step, showing them how to fold the paper and checking everybody is following me and are happy. With lots of interaction, all delegates manage to make a boat and are very satisfied with their achievements. I then get them to repeat the exercise without me - just helping and supporting each other. Sure enough, they achieve boats! I then challenge them to make a boat on their own...tomorrow!
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Sally Jones
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 60 minutes.
Aims:
• To examine common problems/conundrums associated with giving presentations and discuss ways of overcoming these.
• To highlight and share best practices and tips for making presentations successful.
About
Time:
This game can be played in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion and evaluation, we recommend allowing 60 minutes.
Aims:
• To examine common problems/conundrums associated with giving presentations and discuss ways of overcoming these.
• To highlight and share best practices and tips for making presentations successful.
Skills and Behaviours Tested:
Presentation skills, communication skills, influence and persuasion, planning and preparation, creative thinking and audience engagement.
Group Size:
In this exercise participants can play individually, although we recommend they play in pairs/small teams.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
• A counter for every team.
• Dice.
• A 'Pitfalls and Trampolines' game board and a set of Pitfalls cards and
Trampoline cards for each game in play.
Notes:
Pitfalls and Trampolines is a fun board game. It can be used at any point within a training event, but is perhaps most useful as a tool for reviewing key learning points and for sharing knowledge and ideas. Some of the cards may not be applicable to your participants so, before starting the exercise, review all of the Pitfalls and Trampolines cards and remove any that aren’t relevant.
Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.
Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.
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This activity really helps to embed learning on a presentation skills course, I have used it several times with a positive impact.
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Clare Bell
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Although I didn't use this activity as a board game it is an extremely useful module. It covers several challenges we face when delivering presentations and tips to overcome some of these issues. Rather than use a board game (because of the audience I was delivering to) I split the learners into small groups and gave them different activity cards to discuss and feedback on. This worked really well as an alternative way to get the learning points across.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I have used this for my training team with great effect. I tweaked the rules, as
my team are new to training. I used it as a training session rather than a
review of knowledge. With each card turned over, I gave them some suggestions;
they then had to come up with their own ideas. They then broke out into groups
and had to work out a way that they could actually use this in their own
sessions. We
have had several sessions on this game, as it takes a lot longer to complete
the way we are doing it. They want to use it over and over again as each time
they use it they get new answers. Feedback from the team is that it is a great
way to learn, practical, fun, informative and an excellent way to work as a
team.
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Karon Campbell
rated this item with 5 stars.
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The training team use this exercise as part of a two day Presentation course. It is useful to use the exercise as a quiz at the end of day one to summarise what they have learnt throughout the day. If you use the questions as a quiz rather than on a snakes and ladders board I find that it is easier to set up and more competitive as each team shouts out their team name before answering.
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Previous Member
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I have successfully used Pitfalls and Trampolines for a couple of years now with great results. I usually use the exercise as an opener for a 9 month Management programme for Assistant Managers on an internal development programme. The game is part of a day long Presentation Skills module, which introduces delegates to the most effective way of presenting a Case Study they are about to work on to our Board of Directors some 4 weeks later. I have had tremendous fun with the exercise... All delegates have agreed that, whilst public speaking is not necessarily ever going to be their favourite management duty, they nevertheless learn lots of useful tips from the day which they can use again and again.
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Previous Member
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I used Pitfalls and Trampolines for Presentation Skills on a course last week. I was looking for something to summarise the course, and this fitted the bill perfectly! It gave people an opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned, and to review techniques that maybe had only been 'skimmed' at the time of discussion. Best of all, it did so in a light hearted and fun way. The competitive element was very strong in the training room that afternoon! Thanks for a great activity.
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Previous Member
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 60 minutes.
Aims:
• To explain one technique for planning a presentation.
• To provide participants with an opportunity to practise planning what to include in a presentation and how to structure it.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 35 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To explain one technique for planning a presentation.
• To provide participants with an opportunity to practise planning what to include in a presentation and how to structure it.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
• Plenty of post-it notes.
Notes:
This module provides a useful approach for planning presentations that can also be adapted to show participants how to plan a report.
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A highly effective activity, I have run it several times in a presentation skills programme and it goes down so well with delegates who say afterwards how much the methodology works for them. I also use it in 1-1 coaching to build confidence.
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Clare Bell
rated this item with 5 stars.
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I used this activity in a practical way for learners to design a 5 minute presentation on a subject of their choice. I first of all introduced the concept and then asked individuals to complete the task to plan their content. This gave the group a real, hands-on learning experience, who then went on to design their presentations.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 50 minutes.
Aims:
• To help participants understand what listeners actually pay attention to when someone is speaking.
• To provide participants with a self-generated list of the essences of powerful communication.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20-30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 40-50 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To help participants understand what listeners actually pay attention to when someone is speaking.
• To provide participants with a self-generated list of the essences of powerful communication.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 15 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
• A flipchart and a stopwatch for each trainer.
Notes:
This exercise can be useful in any course on communication skills or presentation skills. It works best at the start of a course as the flipchart that the participants generate can be referred to throughout the rest of the course and added to as other essences of powerful communication appear. If you have 9-15 participants the exercise works best if you split the group into 2 teams.
Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.
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I use this activity with our frontline staff, although I have tweaked it a little. I get 3 volunteers to speak for 1 minute on their subject, but then I ask them to speak on a subject of my choice. These subjects are intentionally difficult, ie the molecular make-up of a leaf, the inner workings of a space shuttle, etc. The rest of the delegates then pay attention to the volunteers and note the differences from speaking on their known subject to speaking on an unknown subject. The observations of the volunteers, and the debrief in the module course notes work brilliantly, and highlight the learning points required for frontline communication.
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Tracy Windross
rated this item with 5 stars.
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This is a great way to explore how what we say and the way we communicate has postive impact. It is also a fun way to do it. I have used it many times and always got a good level of engagement. Make sure you set it up well and explain as per the instructions. I have run this in a small group of 5 and it has worked equally well. I have used in encouraging phone based customer service people to widen their conversations to become brand ambassadors, I have used it for sales training and for general leadership training in commmunication.
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Clare Bell
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of planning and preparation.
• To explore some of the key questions that presenters need to ask themselves as part of their planning.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of planning and preparation.
• To explore some of the key questions that presenters need to ask themselves as part of their planning.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
A useful addition to any presentation skills training that encourages participants to think about what they need to consider before the event.
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When you first introduce this exercise they do wonder what it is all about planning for a night out when they are on a presentation course. However, it works brilliantly as everything that they would do when planning for a night out can be easily converted to planning for a presentation. It is a very useful tool for a group discussion and gives them ideas of what they need to think about when preparing for a presentation which they may not have thought about before.
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Previous Member
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.
Aims:
• To illustrate the importance of practice and preparation to ensure effective delivery of a presentation.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To illustrate the importance of practice and preparation to ensure effective delivery of a presentation.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This is a very short module with a very important point. It’s best to start the brief for this exercise directly before a coffee or lunch break. Before you start the actual exercise, however, do ensure that absolutely no clocks are visible in the room; this may involve ensuring that all phones are out of sight!
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the importance of integrity when delivering a presentation.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the importance of integrity when delivering a presentation.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This module uses characters that overseas customers might not recognise. However, it can easily be adapted by substituting the characters we've used with well-known characters that your audience will be familiar with.
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This was a really useful way for learners to consider 'practicing what they preach' when delivering presentations. I hadn't really considered this topic before accessing the material (and I've been delivering presentations for a long time)! Great food for thought for learners.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 70 minutes.
Aims:
• To consider issues around communicating your project plan effectively and to create a communication plan.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 35 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 70 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To consider issues around communicating your project plan effectively and to create a communication plan.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Anyone who needs to set up and/or commission and/or manage projects.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
This is the third module in the Project Planning series. The first two modules must be run before this one. If you are running this on a different date from the first two modules it would be sensible to remind participants to bring their completed project plan, risk analysis and contingency planning documents to this session. As with the previous sessions, you will probably need several copies of the handout per participant so make sure you have enough printed.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 50 minutes.
Aims:
• To test participant’s attention to detail and accuracy skills.
• To identify the kinds of mistakes that are commonly made when writing or checking documents, and how to avoid them.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To test participant’s attention to detail and accuracy skills.
• To identify the kinds of mistakes that are commonly made when writing or checking documents, and how to avoid them.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.
Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 140 minutes.
Aims:
• To give participants an opportunity to practice training delivery; including debriefing exercises.
• To explore the importance of using relevant icebreakers and energisers to change energy levels in the training room.
About
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 115 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 140 minutes for this module.
Aims:
• To give participants an opportunity to practice training delivery; including debriefing exercises.
• To explore the importance of using relevant icebreakers and energisers to change energy levels in the training room.
Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants, but a maximum of 10 participants is recommended.
Useful For:
Participants in a Train the Trainer programme.
You'll Need:
• 1 set of the Training Practice Cards.
• 1 A4 envelope for each participant (with their name on it).
• Enough Feedback Sheets for participants to give feedback to each of their fellow participants.
• The equipment required for participants to run the individual icebreakers (see the trainer's notes).
Notes:
Unlike most of our course modules, this one is designed to be run as several ‘mini sessions’ at different points in your training. The timings in our summary sheet are based on 10 participants, each delivering their session individually. To work out an accurate time for your group:
• Allow 20 minutes to introduce the session and give participants time to prepare.
• Allow 10 minutes for each participant’s practice session.
• Allow 20 minutes at the end for discussion, review of feedback and action planning. It is preferable for your participants to deliver their sessions solo, but for larger groups, or if time is an issue, you can put them in pairs. This activity can be used in groups of up to 10 participants or 20 if you are allowing them to co-deliver (not recommended).
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.
Aims:
• To consider the importance of credibility when seeking to influence others.
• To understand the link between perceived expertise, relationships and credibility.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to consider how much credibility they have with those they are seeking to influence.
About
Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To consider the importance of credibility when seeking to influence others.
• To understand the link between perceived expertise, relationships and credibility.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to consider how much credibility they have with those they are seeking to influence.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.
Notes:
If you want to go on and cover building relationships in more detail we recommend that you look at in some of the modules under ‘Negotiation’, for example Building Rapport and Different Perspectives.
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This was a very useful activity for less experienced presenters to think about how they can build their credibility. The matrix was particularly useful for less confident learners to consider that it's the audience perception of the presenter that counts (so you don't always have to be an expert on your presentation subject). Very useful.
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 75 minutes.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about different types of visual aids that can be used.
• To identify the pros and cons of using the various types and when they are most effective.
About
Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 50 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 75 minutes to complete this module.
Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about different types of visual aids that can be used.
• To identify the pros and cons of using the various types and when they are most effective.
Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of any size.
Useful For:
Staff at all levels.
You'll Need:
• A sheet of small sticky dots, with at least one dot missing from it.
• Flipchart paper, colourful pens and plenty of post-it notes.
• A piece of string or rope that is approximately 4 metres long.
Notes:
You will need a clear space in which to lay out your ‘Visual Aid Attitudes Spectrum’ and for participants to move along it. We also recommend laying out fiddle toys for participants to use before they arrive, especially if it is part of Train the Trainer training. It would also be beneficial to have relevant training posters around the room. Full and Pro members will be able to download a selection of posters from Trainers’ Library.
Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.
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I used this activity alongside 'Effective Visual Aids' for learners to think about the format of their presentations and how they can make things more interactive. Later in my session learners were sent away to design a presentation and it was clear they had learnt a lot from this module!
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Roxanne Moran
rated this item with 5 stars.
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This exercise is the first of the three that are used on the course. It is a useful activity to make them think about the advantages and disadvantages of each visual aid and helps them to choose which type of visual aid they may use in their presentation on day two. I have also used this activity as part of a train the trainer course again to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each visual aid. It also highlights to them that there are alternatives to Power Point when presenting.
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Previous Member
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