E-Tip 254 - The Key to Managing Your Employees' Expectations

Did you know the power of "managing expectations" cannot be underestimated by a manager?

The Reality Of "Managing Expectations" Revolves Around 3 Simple Principles:

1. Managers communicate their expectations verbally and non-verbally to their staff.
2. People consciously and unconsciously understand their manager's expectations.
3. People perform in ways that are consistent with their manager's expectations.

More times than not, people excel in response to their manager's performance message. Conversely, it can undermine someone's performance when a manager does not articulate their expectations in a clear and concise manner. Although many managers' expectations are often subtle, they are picked-up consciously and unconsciously by their staff. It could be as simple as a manager failing to praise someone's performance as frequently as they praise others. Other times it could be them talking less to a particular person or not sharing ideas or personal items with someone else. Yes, people do pick-up on these little things because to them, it is that obvious.

Less Skilled Managers Will Reduce An Employee's Self-Esteem And Performance Level.

That's right. However, if a manager is skilled and has high expectations for all of his/her employees, their self-confidence grows, their skills get developed faster and their performance moves in a more positive direction.

Imagine For A Moment If You Were Able To Communicate Your Exact Expectations To Everyone You Manage.

If you have high-expectations of the people you manage, and you communicate those expectations to them, you will find your staff will begin to make more positive contributions and live up to your expectations.

Summary: Setting your employees' expectations is a critical element in managing people; however, don't stop there. Follow-up with your employees on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting your expectations. If not, you will find that some may take the path of least resistance in getting things done and that will produce "average" results more times than not.

Case in point: Let us say you are managing a sales team and you have set a "sales quota" for everyone. You also know each sales person needs to make a certain number of "prospect cold-calls" to make their quota. If you are not managing their level of "cold-calls" each week, there is a very good chance some people will not perform to your expectations. On the other hand, if you do manage their phone-time by setting specific dates, times and number of cold-calls they need to do each week, you will soon see their sales increase.

This means that as managers, we need to spend time getting to know our employees and understand how internally or externally they are driven. Then we can adjust our communication and follow up accordingly. Yes, it's that simple.

For more information, visit our website!

E-Tip 253 - 3 Steps the Position You as the "Go To" Expert

One of the easiest ways to drive sales opportunities and to ensure job security is to become an expert in your field. In fact, the term "expert" carries a tremendous amount of authority, trust and credibility - the things that reduce the risk of people not buying what you have to sell . . . and goes a long way in ensuring your job security.

This 3-Step Process Can Help You Quickly Position Yourself As The Fountain Of Knowledge People Turn To.

Step 1: Determine A Niche

Instead of trying to sell or market yourself to everyone (including your own company), you are better off by narrowing down your focus to a specific industry/industries or job function. Doing so will help you develop certain skills, buzzwords and contacts. It will also position you as the resident expert. Recently, a business acquaintance of mine told me how she was able to set herself up as the go-to expert at management/leadership training in three industries (nuclear energy, coal and solar). When she told me what she was doing, I asked, "Are there enough companies you can target to make a living from it?" She smiled and said, "There are hundreds of locations, and I am the only management/leadership training expert in the country who concentrates on these industries." Find your niche and you will eliminate any sales obstacles or job issues.

Step 2: Write About Your Area Of Expertise

After settling on your niche, you need to begin the process of writing about your area of expertise. You could write weekly e-tips, newsletters, books, articles, training manuals, new processes and techniques; your options are close to endless. You can even create your own website and design it as a way for people to access your information. If you can, write about things that teach people about your expertise and what you do.

The More Business You Do In An Industry, The More Of An Expert You Will Become.

Once you start marketing yourself on a proactive basis, you will become recognized as an expert in an industry -- even if you never had formal education in it; however, there are times when certification or specific training is needed to truly be anointed as an expert.

Step 3: Become A Speaker Or Presenter As Often As You Can

If you are proactive in networking and publishing articles you will find people will ask you to speak at conferences, chamber meetings and industry associations, or even make presentations within your own organization. Sure, most of us get nervous about speaking in front of a group, but keep this in mind: You will gain instant trust and credibility when you do it.

What To Do If You Are Nervous About Speaking In Front Of A Group

If you get nervous talking in front of a group, we suggest attending a public speaking class (click here to see what type of public speaking courses we have to offer). And taking this type of course could be one of the best decisions of your business career, as you will most likely find yourself more secure in presenting your concepts, processes and thoughts. The more confident you are, the more convincing you will be.

Summary: Start today by thinking of what niches you could become an expert in. After that, write down ways you can network, i.e. trade shows or associations meetings, as well as targets of opportunities. The key here is building up a database of names/e-mail addresses. After you build this database, start the process of "dripping" on people with e-mails and direct mail campaigns . . . just make sure the content is relevant to whomever you are targeting.

E-Tip 252 - How to get FREE Word-of-Mouth Advertising

We all know that word-of-mouth advertising is one of the cheapest and most effective types of advertising you and your company can get. In order to make this happen, you need to get out of your office and network with people. Many people like to go to their local Chamber of Commerce or a business card exchange event. But the reality is that very few people go there to buy anything.

When You Are Networking, You're Not Selling.

When you are at a networking event, don't focus on trying to sell to everyone. Look at it as an opportunity to be a teacher, a center of influence and a fountain of knowledge for buying what you are selling. By making a few changes to your approach, you can become a center of influence in any industry and in effect, generate a considerable amount of word-of-mouth advertising.

Go Into A Networking Event To Do Just That. . .Network.

One of the biggest mistakes most people make when they network is trying to sell someone (this happens whether or not they are showing buying signals). This is the LAST thing you should do. Don't talk about how great you are or why someone should buy from you. Just have a general one or two sentence overview of what you do and the type of people you work with. Tell people this, along with how much fun you have doing it and you will find people asking you more about what you do. If you go into a heavy sales pitch, you will only end up pushing opportunities away.

People Buy From People They Like and Trust.

Networking is one of the best ways of increasing your field of influence to help promote what you sell. Moreover, the reality of being in business is that people do business with (and recommend) those that they like and trust. To facilitate this bond, you should help people get what they want.

Take An Interest In Other People.

Experts have proven that people like those who are interested in them. One of the fastest ways of getting someone talking is to ask them questions about what they do. So, what type of questions can you ask someone? Here are a few questions you can ask at your next networking event (write them down on a small card and read them before you go into your next event):

• What is your name?
• What line of work are you in?
• Do you own the company (never assume that people are at the low end of their company)?
• Where are you located?
• What made you start your own company (owner question) or how long have you been working for this company? This keeps the conversation rolling and provide you with some interesting background data.
• What makes you or your business different from someone else?
• I know a lot of people here, what type of person would be a good prospect I could introduce to you? Once you ask this question, you will be shocked at the positive effect this will have on the conversation.
• Ask everyone for a business card and his or her permission to send your newsletter to them.

By asking these questions at your next networking event, you will quickly get to know someone and learn what they do. Now don't stop here. Get out a pen and write down on their business card some key information about them. When you get back to the office, enter their name in a CRM tool like ACT! or Goldmine so you can keep track of these people electronically. This will make it easier when it comes time to send them electronic newsletters or direct-mail campaigns.

Summary: If you do this at every networking event you attend, the word will spread rather rapidly that YOU are the person everyone needs to turn to when buying what you are selling. You can also leverage your sales by developing a bi-weekly or monthly e-mail newsletter (or direct mail newsletter) you can send to your database of clients and prospects. By implementing this simple approach, you will find that when you walk into a room, people you have never even met before will come over to talk with you so they can learn more about how you can help them.

for more information, visit our website or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

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E-Tip 251 - The #1 Secret to Giving a Great Presentation

Over the years, we have helped tens of thousands of business professionals in the local area increase their level of confidence when making a presentation.

Research has proven that if you have some snap in your step, excitement in your voice and a command on your subject matter, people pay attention. So, if you want to win over your audience during a presentation, the number one secret is to provide them with a high degree of enthusiastic energy on a subject matter you know cold.

6 Tips If You Get Nervous In Front Of People

For anyone who gets a little nervous talking in front of people, it has been proven that concern over appearing nervous doesn't matter, as people cannot even see it. To reduce your nervousness, we recommend the following:

1. Become The Subject Matter Expert - You can quickly impress your audience by having a clear command of your subject matter. If you know your data, content and handouts cold, you will woo your audience within a short period of time.

2. Limit How Much "Copy" You Use On Each Slide - Go through each slide and make sure your copy is "bullet point" driven vs. "sentence" driven. Your presentation should be built around the highlights of your subject matter; you are there to expand on each point, as you want your audience focused on you and not the screen they are watching. If you are giving a detailed presentation, make sure you have a supplemental handout to support your presentation.

3. Control Which Questions You Will Answer - There is nothing worse than seeing a speaker get sidetracked with irrelevant questions. If someone asks you a question that is not relative to your content, address it by telling that someone that you will answer their question after your presentation.

4. Start Off By Telling People That You Are Nervous -After you have told everyone that you are nervous, tell them, "Now that I got that out of the way, let me tell you a little bit about what I am going to present today. . ."

5. Slow Down - If you are nervous, there is a good chance you have sped up your speech or skipped over certain things. Keep little reminders in your presentation to prompt you to slow down. You could have a little stop sign in your presentation that acts like a trigger.

6. Walk Around The Room If Possible - When giving a presentation and the venue is more casual, make an effort to walk around the room and interact with some of the people who are watching you. You will be surprised how this will help you become more "at ease" during the presentation.

Summary: As you can see, enthusiasm plays a huge part in giving a great presentation, but it also needs to be combined with a number of other components. And once you master this, you will quickly become great at presenting and win your audience over and over again.

for more information, visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

E-Tip 250 - 8 Tips to Maximize Third Party Relationships

Many organizations rely heavily on the expertise of external business partners. They come in the form of consultants, vendors, suppliers and, yes, even the government. In fact, surveys have shown many businesses in the local area have multiple external partnerships operating simultaneously due to the expertise a third party can offer.

A Commitment Is Needed To Make Third Party Relationships Work

Successful business leaders know that managing external partnerships requires a commitment at all levels of the organization. This involves careful planning, open communication, follow up and follow through to ensure a profitable outcome for everyone.

Outside Partnerships Can Quickly Help Your Business Grow

When working with a third party, operational growth is best achieved once there is a written and defined scope of work, a set number of mutually agreed upon deliverables, written goals with specific due dates and a discussion with key decision makers about mutual expectations.

We have listed below a number of items you should address when hiring a third party.

The 8 Tips To Consider Before Hiring A Third Party Are:

1. Get A Signed Agreement - Make sure to have the parameters of the relationship, specifying the agreed-upon work and the timeframe in which the work needs to be completed.

2. Check Their Background - Skills and abilities vary greatly; checking references will help you find out who is tops in their business.

3. Establish Who Pays For Expenses - Discuss in advance, who pays for what so there are no surprises when you get an invoice.

4. Find Out Their Availability - Make sure the consultant can start and finish your project.

5. Conduct A Thorough Interview - Talk with the third party about their processes, methodology and the people who will be working on the project.

6. Have Everyone Sign A Letter Of Confidentiality - Third parties are free agents and can work anywhere. Keep in mind that they may work for your competition sometime after they have completed your project.

7. Describe The Project And Your Expectations In Detail - One of the biggest concerns CEOs have is the delivery of results. Too often, not everyone is on the same page right from the start.

8. Introduce The Third Party To Your Staff - Your employees need to know what you are doing. If not, they will be reluctant to share and take part in your vision.

Summary: Most organizations hire a third party to maximize their own effectiveness. Value added partnerships include understanding the goal of positive growth over time, defining the team's purpose, and negotiating clear expectations.

for more information, visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

E-Tip 249 - Top 3 Tips to Help Leaders Become Better Coaches

One of the undisputed best golfers of all times is Tiger Woods. When he was only 4 years old they hired a coach for him. To this day, Tiger Woods still has a coach, and he has always had one. Tiger recognizes that he continually needs to find ways to improve and sharpen his skills in order to stay on top of his game.

The funny thing is, he would most certainly beat his coach on a consistent basis if he were to play him. Yet he respects the fact that someone else is in a better position to analyze what he is doing, see his mistakes and help him make adjustments and corrections.

The Top Three Tips To Help Leaders Become Better Coaches Are:

1. Determine The Best Type Of

Coaching - There are a wide spectrum of

coaching techniques and approaches. So much

depends on the person, the people and the

circumstances. The right blend of support and

direction can bring out the best in everyone.

Basically, there are two primary techniques applied

by a coach: supportive coaching and directive

coaching. Good leaders need to know when to apply

each type.

2. Pay Equal Attention To Everyone -

At mediocre companies, unfortunately, top performers typically get the least amount of attention because most top performers are left alone to do what they do best and most of the attention goes to the underachiever. But what companies fail to realize is that even top performers have room for improvement and they are usually eager to learn. Studies have shown that the most successful companies have the highest number of above average performers because they are continuously coaching all of their employees. So be sure to invest some time coaching all of your employees, rather than just the people who appear to need help. Your time invested will be well worth the return in productivity.

3. Build Relationships To Build Respect -Coaching is a huge responsibility for every leader and for many people it can be a major challenge. Great leaders know that building solid relationships with their associates, peers, employees and external customers is the best way to help them be more receptive to coaching and ultimately help them to achieve their objectives.

Summary: Executives, Managers and Supervisors need to maintain certain performance standards by ensuring everyone follows specific policies and procedures. By doing so, it helps individuals and teams to hit their assigned targets. When people are mentored through strong coaching, they not only achieve organizational objectives, but they also grow and develop professionally and personally.

Coaching: Supportive and Directive Approaches PDF

for more information, visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

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E-Tip 248 - Is There a Recipe For a Winning Team?

Inevitably we have all had experience participating in multiple teams. As a matter of fact, it can be overwhelming to think about how many teams we are expected to contribute to at any given time. Some teams are energizing to be a part of and others can be draining. What makes one team a winning one while others struggle and fail to achieve? Is there a magic ingredient or recipe?

Many factors go into what makes a team "click". There is no one "recipe" that will work because there are differing personalities and too many variables that affect the team dynamics. That being said, there are components that all high performing teams possess, and competencies that are characteristic of their team members. All good managers know that creating alignment and purpose in a team will help promote action, focus and direction. They also know teams need to work together to identify the values, vision and guiding principles that build successful teamwork.

To help you identify and promote a stronger team, we have listed below 6 competencies team members need to possess to move the team ahead in a positive direction.

6 Core Skills Teams Need To Possess

To strengthen the "sense of common purpose" among team members, we have listed below 6 key competencies to unite your team and give it direction; 2 are primary in nature and the other 4 are related to them.

The 2 Primary Core Competencies:

1. Teamwork: Team members organize work tasks, people, and resources to deliver organization goals on an efficient basis. People know what their roles and responsibilities are and fulfill them in a proficient manner. Think of a rowing team with everyone putting their oars into the water at the same time, pulling in unison for maximum output.

2. Leadership: The team enhances its overall business value by aligning the corporate vision, its mission and organization values to drive business results. This includes the ability to enlist the willing cooperation of others, while tapping into their highest skills and abilities, to achieve desired results. When people see the vision, mission and values truly in alignment, commitment builds and passion is unleashed.

The 4 Secondary Related Competencies:

1. Values: Members are guided by a personal code of ethics. They continuously demonstrate a strong sense of integrity by working in accordance with their personal values. When people are allowed to operate in a manner that is congruent with their values, they can fully connect to the cause or purpose without any "drag" in the water slowing them down.

2. Vision: Team Members are future oriented. They develop an exciting picture of the future of what could be and what should be, regardless of what is currently happening, for them and their organization. They imagine themselves crossing the finish line successfully. This vision engages their hearts and minds and literally opens them to think of new possibilities.

3. Attitude: The team shows a friendly, positive, and enthusiastic outlook no matter how challenging things get. They exude a "can do" spirit that motivates the team and others around them. They provide an oasis from negative input and comments from others that allow them to concentrate on achieving their objectives.

4. Interpersonal Skills: Team members display a consistent ability to build solid relationships of mutual trust and respect inside and outside the organization. They can adjust to differing personalities and capitalize on the power of diversity on the team. They recognize that maintaining positive relationships is of critical importance to accomplishing the goals and they make sure that no one is left in their "wake" in the drive to get things done.

Teams are dynamic, ever evolving workplace entities. Ideally, teams are growing in terms of skills, processes and interactions...even though they will experience ups and downs on their path to consistency and success. And if the team is continually building on the strengths of the individual team members, while developing structure and efficiency, the team will achieve greater and greater success.

for more information, visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

E-Tip 247 - Is Your Office Hurting Your Productivity?

Take a look around you. Is your office hurting or helping your productivity? Is it neat and uncluttered or messy and cluttered? Is it filled with knickknacks or empty and devoid of life? Your office can have a big influence on your productivity whether you realize it or not. Read on to discover ways to create a productive office.

Is Your Office Hurting Your Productivity? The 9 Tips To Help You Fight Back Are:

1. Organize Your Desk - Make sure that you use filing cabinets, desk organizers and other tools so that everything has a place. Use a desk organizer to help you keep track of your work in progress, prospects to follow-up on, etc. Filing cabinets can house the jobs you are not currently working on as well as, forms and other important documents that you do not need to have on your desk.

2. Organize Underneath Your Desk - Keeping your cords wrapped up and organized not only prevents you from getting your feet tangled in them, it also helps create a neat environment which helps inspire productivity.

3. De-clutter - If you have a ton of knickknacks on your desk, now would be a good time to pare them down. It is nice to keep a few things that remind you of home but too many can be distracting and take up a lot of your desk space.

4. Personalize Your Desk - While you do not want to have too many personal items on your desk, you should not have a bare desk or work area. Hang up at least one picture that inspires you, whether it be your family, friends or a relaxing scenic picture. Also, keep a fun knickknack around such as a brain teaser for when you need a few moments to regroup your thoughts. Taking a mini-break can help you be more productive and help you refocus on your task at hand.

5. Spring Cleaning - It doesn't have to be Spring in order to clean up. After you de-clutter, take the opportunity to clean your desk thoroughly. Computers tend to get very dusty and too much dust can eventually harm your computer. Vacuum, dust and clean your entire workspace as often as necessary to avoid this.

6. Go Green - Add some green to your office with a plant. Not only is it nice to have a plant in your office, it also helps the quality of air. Good air quality is important to a productive work environment. Furthermore, having a plant around contributes to a comfortable atmosphere in which to work in.

7. Be Comfortable - Be comfortable, but not toocomfortable. Your chair should be firm and ergonomically designed. Your desk and monitor should also be ergonomically designed to minimize repetitive stress syndrome. If your chair or desk is uncomfortable, you will most likely find a lot of excuses to get up which will lead to reduced productivity.

8. Be Efficient With Paperwork - Make sure that your desk is big enough to allow you to work on your paperwork without having to move things out of the way. The best thing to have is an L-shaped desk. This way you can swivel your chair between your computer and your work area whenever you need to.

9. Stay Organized - Now that you have a place for everything, keep everything in its place. It is counter-productive to start piling things up again (or doing whatever you used to do). Take the time to file everything away so that it is easily accessible. Filing at least once a day will help you stay organized and help prevent you from falling back into old patterns.

Summary: Your work environment has more impact on your productivity than you might think. Follow these steps to create an office that is conducive to being productive. Also, remember to take mini-breaks every so often to get refreshed and refocused. Keeping your office clean and clutter-free will help you feel better as well as help you get more accomplished.

for more information, visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

E-Tip 246- 3 Tips to Selling While Providing Customer Service

Customer service and sales are often thought of as two separate entities. However, an exceptional customer service representative of a company can also be an exceptional sales representative. Many opportunities exist to up-sell or cross-sell to a customer while providing customer service. The trick is to recognize the opportunity and take advantage of it. Customers will appreciate it when you educate them about products or services that might benefit them. In doing so, you are providing customer service that is above-average. And above-average customer service gives your company an advantage over competitors.

The 3 Tips To Selling While Providing Customer Service Are:

1. Exceed Customers' Expectations -When a customer calls, be sure to get all of the details so that you will best know how to help them. Make sure you understand exactly what the problem is and what the customer expects. Once you know what they expect, you can work on exceeding those expectations. It can be easy to turn a frustrated customer into a happy customer. The best part is, there is a good chance that this customer will tell others about their experience. And we all know how valuable referrals are.

2. Remember To Up-Sell And Cross-Sell - Always educate customers about complementary products or services that would be helpful to them. If you do not tell them, they may not know it is available. Even if they refuse the product at the time, you will still come across as being helpful and they may even buy the product or service in the future. Also, be sure to suggest products or services that are an up-sell. Do this in a way that educates the customer on what advantages it has to them. Maybe point out that they can save money in the long run if they go with "X" instead of "Y."

Click on this link for more tips on cross-selling and up-selling.

3. Identify Opportunities - It is important to recognize that even though every contact with a customer is a selling opportunity, it does not mean that you have to give a sales pitch every time. Sometimes, simply educating a person is the best way to sell because it is not intimidating and you will come across as being helpful. This helps build rapport with your customer and increases trust - which leads to repeat business.

Summary: The best customer service involves educating customers and exceeding expectations. When cross-selling and up-selling remember to come across as a teacher rather than a sales person. This is the best way to gain lifelong customers.

for more information, visit our website or email bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter

E-Tip 245 - 5 Tips for Networking Through Community Service

Networking through community service is a win-win situation. Your company will benefit from the exposure and you will feel good, knowing you are helping your community. Also, you will be able to network with people you can help and people who can help you; while contributing to a good cause.

The 5 Tips For Networking Through Community Service Are:

1. Participate In A Community Event -This is an easy one to do. Many events are held throughout the year in which you can make a donation to a charity or school in exchange for a space to promote your business. Treat it like a trade show and have something to draw people to your booth, such as a giveaway (reusable shopping totes are a hot item right now). Also, be sure to have plenty of materials to educate prospects on what you do.

Be creative in getting the contact information for everyone who comes over to your booth. You might want to have a drawing for a prize, or simply a place for people to sign up for discounts or e-tips. Whatever you decide, make sure it is compelling enough for you to be able to capture the contact information of prospects. Also, while you are there, remember to network with other business owners. You never know who your next customer will be so talk to as many people as possible.

2. Hold Your Own Fundraiser - Holding your own fundraiser can take a lot of work, but the publicity you may receive will more than make up for the time and effort spent planning. In addition, you can feel good knowing that you are helping to raise money for the charity of your choice. Furthermore, holding a fundraiser is a great way to draw a crowd of people, which means you will have plenty of people with whom to network.

3. Networking: Quality Over Quantity - If your goal is to simply get as many business cards as you can, you may be wasting your time. Instead, try to focus on letting others know how you can help them. In this way, people will actually remember you and you will be building a business relationship. Conversely, if you try to get as many business cards as you can, you will not be able to spend a lot of time building quality contacts. People are likely to forget you if you spend 30 seconds talking to them only to rush off to the next prospect.

4. Volunteer - Holding a volunteer position in an organization is a great way to meet people and build your network. As an added bonus, you may even learn a new skill. Many organizations need help from people who are willing to volunteer their time. The link below is a great resource to volunteer opportunities available in your area.

5. Follow-up - Always make the time to follow-up with any referrals that you receive through your networking. If you let too much time lapse, you may lose the opportunity to gain a new customer. And even if the referral does not buy from you, it is always good to have a network of business contacts. Following-up is an important part of building business relationships and should not be neglected.

Summary: Networking is a great way to build your business and networking while helping others is a win-win situation. Remember to take the time to build these new business relationships. Networking can be a mutually beneficial relationship and it may even end up being your "safety net" during difficult times. So do not procrastinate - take some time now to find out how your company can participate in a community event and start increasing your business network.

For more information visit our website, or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

E-Tip 244 - 5 Tips for Increasing Your Facilitation Skills

Facilitation means to make something easy for others; and excellent facilitators help a group understand what is being taught through proactively engaging the audience with thought-provoking questions and other exercises. In fact, this can mean the difference between a boring lecture and a fascinating presentation.

Additionally, a strong facilitator can make a huge difference in how much the audience pays attention and remembers what was being presented and discussed.

If you feel your facilitation skills are not as effective as they could be, you might want to consider reading the 5 tips listed below.

The 5 Tips For Increasing Your Facilitation Skills Are:

1. Get Your Audience Actively Involved Quickly - Make the content appear relevant to your audience in order to generate buy-in. Also, demonstrate your interest in them by immediately using techniques to get them to participate.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions - While it can be tempting to ask questions that have a "yes" or "no" answer, doing so does not allow participants to reach their full potential. Asking thought-provoking open-ended questions will require participants to think harder and process what he or she has heard so far. It requires a level of creativity and is ultimately more satisfying for both the presenter and the participants.

3. Energize Your Audience After A Break - When most people come back from a long break with a meal, they may feel tired. Discourage this by engaging the audience in a physical activity. Choose an energizing icebreaker that you can use to get them up, get them excited and encourage them to meet new people.

4. Encourage Your Audience To Ask Questions - Every group is different, but more often than not, people are afraid to ask questions. If you ask the audience, "Who has a question?" and your response is silence, try this exercise: Give everyone an index card and ask them to write a question down that a confused person might ask. Then ask participants to turn the card over and pass it to someone else. Have them keep passing the cards around until you say, "Stop!" (after about 15 seconds). Then make sure that everyone has a card. Now, select a participant at random and ask them to read the question on the card. Give a brief answer and continue by selecting another participant.

5. Close Your Session Properly - The key to closing a session properly is to think of it as a journey that has a beginning, middle and end. When the participants walk out the door, they should feel that it is now their journey to carry forward. Your closing should include the following: Restate the general direction of the session; highlight key points and summarize the discussion and emphasize what the group has learned or accomplished. Also, you want to: Tell the group how much you enjoyed their involvement; congratulate them for a job well done and encourage them to act or use what they have learned. Furthermore, you should ask for feedback and give participants a chance to evaluate the session.

Summary: The ideal learning environment is generally hands-on rather than hands-off. And research has proven that sitting down for long periods of time is not conducive to learning. Remember these tips and come up with your own creative ideas for facilitating a fantastic meeting or training session.

for more information visit our website or email us at bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com

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