TOT 53: Use of Preparatory Templates

A template is a sample document with some cues on details to be incorporated therein. Templates of different kinds help a trainer in honing presentation skills.

In order to take the best care of all the four quarters of presentation namely, (i) contents (ii) Communication skills (iii) Presentation skills (iv) Time management, working with preparatory templates before actual presentation helps a lot.

Preparatory templates are useful

For beginners
For experienced trainers when they are asked to give presentation on new topics.
Where audience are supposed to be very intelligent and well informed
For advanced trainings

Preparatory Template for Beginners

Time: 90 minutes.

Number of Participants: Form a small group of not more than 8 -10 like minded potential trainers

Topic and time for presentation: Allot a specific topic, at least a week in advance. Allocate fifteen minutes’ time for presentation.

Number of speakers: Choose only two persons to speak on the topic.

PROCESS

PART 1

Step 1: First speaker will speak on the topic for fifteen minutes.

Step 2: Moderator will thank the speaker with words of appreciation for 2 minutes. (This is done to provide time for the speaker to come out of the presentation mode).

Step 3: Speaker will be requested to evaluate his/her presentation and give personal feedback.

5 minutes’ time is to be allocated for this. (This will help the speaker to self assess the positive and negative aspects of presentation. This will also help the speaker to hone the skill of constantly watching oneself while giving presentation without causing negative impact on the quality of presentation.)

Step 4: Moderator will request two persons (who have already been chosen and informed) from the group to give critical feedback on the presentation. Each will be given five minutes’ time to do the same. This will help the group members hone the skills of keen observation, and mastering focus on minute details.

With the next speaker

Moderator invites the next speaker, and walks everyone through steps 1 to 4 as mentioned above.

PART 2

Step 1: Moderator invites the first speaker. Requests the first speaker to tell everyone in the group, what would they try to do and not to do, if they are asked to give presentation on the same topic again. How would they like to add more value to their presentation on the same topic on any other day?

10 minutes’ time is given to the speaker

Step 2: Step 1 is repeated with the second speaker.

(This will help the speakers hone their positive and negative reinforcement skills. This will also help them assess the benefit of group learning).

Advantages

Working on Preparatory Templates will help every one in the group to learn many aspects of training which cannot be learnt excepting in group learning.

Tendency to get annoyed by other’s criticisms gets slowly wiped out.

Trainers will be prepared to receive and in fact happily welcome constructive criticism from the audience.

Trainers start welcoming feedback as part of their trainers’ profession, but not as performance review to pull them down.

‘Feedback is the breakfast of champions’
Ken Blanchard
Leadership Theorist