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More Trainer Toolbox Ideas
April 18, 2007 • By Kelley Phipps

Kelley Phipps, a senior trainer at Indymac Bank, F.S.B. in California, submitted her idea collection for her MacGyver-moment training needs: 

I actually have a plastic tool box, which I purchased at a hardware store.  It is the kind with little compartments built into the lid, a lift out tray and a deeper compartment inside. In it, I always keep the following:

  • Paperclips and binderclips
  • Extra batteries (2 each of AA and AAA)
  • A set of colored flipchart markers
  • 2 dry erase markers
  • 2 overhead projector markers
  • A couple of pencils and ballpoint pens
  • A small school-type pencil sharpener
  • Masking tape
  • A clean Handiwipe (can be used as a whiteboard eraser, among other things)
  • Post-it notes
  • A digital kitchen timer
  • A wooden train whistle
  • $1 in assorted change
  • An extra cell phone cord
  • An extension cord
  • A mini stapler
  • A staple remover
  • A solar calculator
  • A sample sized bottle of hand sanitizer
  • A small sewing kit
  • A few band aids
  • One dose of benadryl and one dose of sinus medication in blister packets
  • A few throat lozenges

I call it my ¡§Classroom in a Box!¡¨

In May, we¡¦ll be posting your ideas for creative openers you¡¦ve used to introduce your training topic with an unusual activity. An opener is an energizer with a purpose¡Xit doesn¡¦t just get people up and moving or thinking¡Xit breaks preoccupation and supports the training topic. Submit your ideas to ezineeditor@bobpikegroup.com. We may also publish some in Bob Pike¡¦s Creative Training Techniques newsletter! Get your name out there! Get your ideas published! Help build your training colleagues¡¦ idea bank and earn bragging rights.


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