Ever listen to a pirate say 'arrrrrr'? They do it with commitment. With enthusiasm. With zest and zeal. Much like training and development. Before I show you a sterling example, first here are 10 mistakes a trainer made during a workshop I was a participant in recently (no names have been used, … [Read more...] about A pirate's guide to engaging training & development workshops
Borrowed husbands = more money, more wine
Sometimes as a trainer you gotta fake it til you make it. I don't mean with your content expertise - participants will know in a nano-second if you don't know your stuff. I also don't mean with knowing how to teach - participants will sniff that out too PDQ. What I mean is confidence. … [Read more...] about Borrowed husbands = more money, more wine
What ironing underwear can teach you about learning
If you're a regular ready you'll know that I've recently moved to Africa. My learning curve is wonderfully curly and curious. Take ironing underwear for instance. I am fortunate enough to have house help. My clothes are washed, dried and ironed for me. Even my underwear. Ironed. Back home, my … [Read more...] about What ironing underwear can teach you about learning
How NOT to teach someone to swim (mis-match your learning domains)
I had to laugh when I saw this cartoon. It's such a great example of how NOT to teach someone to swim. As a trainer you can be as engaging as possible but if the learning domains you're using to teach don't match your intended learning outcomes you've got a big problem. In other words, you can … [Read more...] about How NOT to teach someone to swim (mis-match your learning domains)
Training & development learning well September blog post round up
September passed in a blur and you missed out on some Rock.Paper.Scissors' blog posts? No worries. Here they are - laid out like a picnic for your perusing - here's the Rock.Paper.Scissors' monthly training & development round up. You'll find all the blog posts for the month of September … [Read more...] about Training & development learning well September blog post round up
Perspective on public peeing – are public toilets a gift? (& other issues of access & inclusion)
Skip to the loo - why public toilets matter is a fascinating article by Michael Harris in the Walrus magazine. Have you ever been caught needing to use a public toilet and yet not being able to find one? Ever talked your way into a restaurant bathroom, in a restaurant that you weren't eating in, … [Read more...] about Perspective on public peeing – are public toilets a gift? (& other issues of access & inclusion)
When you've had a hard day training, listen to this answering machine message for a laugh
Some days it's hard to remain professional, resilient, supportive, prepared yet spontaneous, calm, centred and understanding as a trainer. Training and development is hard work. It's not for the faint of heart. The following is an school's answering machine message - it's not real, it's a joke. … [Read more...] about When you've had a hard day training, listen to this answering machine message for a laugh
29 ways to stay creative when you're training (part 3 of 3) plus a contest
Note: this post contains a chance to win a free song. Keep reading for how to enter... I came across this great video (see below) from Tofu Design called 29 ways to stay creative. I really like the title because it assumes you and me are creative to start with, which is my mantra. Creativity is … [Read more...] about 29 ways to stay creative when you're training (part 3 of 3) plus a contest
29 ways to stay creative … when you're training (part 2 of 3)
I came across this great video (see below) from Tofu Design called 29 ways to stay creative. I really like the title because it assumes you and me are creative to start with, which is my mantra. Creativity is in our DNA - some of us just have to dig deeper for it if we've been discouraged from … [Read more...] about 29 ways to stay creative … when you're training (part 2 of 3)
29 ways to stay creative … when you're training (part 1 of 3)
I came across this great video from Tofu Design called 29 ways to stay creative. The title caught my eye - particularly the word stay as it assumes you and me are creative to start with, which I firmly believe. You can view the video below. I've added to each point to emphasize how you can stay … [Read more...] about 29 ways to stay creative … when you're training (part 1 of 3)
Training & development learning well August blog post round up
Didn't have time to read August's posts? Here they are - laid out like a picnic for your perusing - here's the Rock.Paper.Scissors' monthly training & development round up. You'll find all the blog posts for the month of August below. Learn well in the training & development learning … [Read more...] about Training & development learning well August blog post round up
Marianne Knuth, co-founder Pioneers of Change, on leadership
Recently I co-hosted AIESEC's Youth to Business Forum where 500 delegates came from 110 countries to engage, inspire and take action on three tracks: innovation, corporate responsibility and leadership. My last post talked about wise words from Chris Weeks, Director for Humanitarian Affairs, DHL … [Read more...] about Marianne Knuth, co-founder Pioneers of Change, on leadership
