Kimberly Cortz uses this fun opener as a way to generate great discussion on poor assumptions made with very little or no information. What openers do you use for your training? Let us know at EzineEditor@BobPikeGroup.com.

One out of every seven participants at our annual conference submitted at least one of their favorite creative training tips. That's a boon for you! Here are three of the quick tips (and feel free to send us one of yours at CTTEditor@BobPikeGroup.com

How do you help a participant who might be on the outside of the group feel more a part of what’s going on? One technique I’ve used is to involve the outside person in one of my review activities, serving as a “secret assistant.” I call this The Flu Review for reasons that will soon be apparent.

Asked: I have used your books Tricks for Trainers, volume 1, and it has very effective exercises. Do you have any tips for conducting training sessions on Analytical Problem Solving Skills? I have found creative problem solving but not analytical problem solving.

Very often in our jobs and our lives, we believe that we have to “do it myself,” as a young child might say. This exercise helps participants recognize that sometimes we CAN’T do it ourselves, and it is okay to ask for help. An application where this has had great success is in any type of abuse training — physical, sexual or emotional — where participants are often reluctant to ask for help. This exercise can help them see that on their own, there is little chance they will be able to solve the problem. You’ll need one 11/2 inch rubber band for each participant.

There are times when a particular song seems as if it were written for us. When these songs come to us, it’s important to recognize the message they bring and allow the music to be our “theme song” until we arrive at a new place in life and a new tune. This activity provides wonderful classroom connections as students recognize shared life experiences. You can use it as an opener to encourage interaction and build community.

When other trainers have the chance to ask Bob Pike anything they want about his experience in training, some surprising and fun answers come out. At the 2008 Bob Pike Group Ascent, concurrent session attendees were able to �sit at his feet� as it were and listen to the �The Top 10 Questions Trainers Ask� with some of those questions coming from the audience. Here are a few of the questions and the answers Bob gave:

Reflecting on how you like to learn reveals insights into good and poor training. One of the qualities of a good learning environment is that it has to be emotionally safe. This means an environment that is free from intimidation and rejection, high in acceptable challenge, and where the learner experiences active participation and relaxed alertness. What solutions does new research offer for creating safe environments that increase retention?

What Day is it? Energizer or Opener for Communication Module To set–up this activity, use this script: The trainer posted this notice outside the classroom door. What day does this class meet again? Class is canceled today. We will meet again at 8:30 a.m. three days after two days before the day before tomorrow.

Opener: Silly Hats Purpose: Openers are key in setting the stage for what is to come and a great way for trainers to break the ice while providing focus on the topic. Audience: Any size Time: 10 minutes Materials: 2 sheets of newspaper per participant, one roll of tape per small group Application: Helps participants become better acquainted and relieves tension associated with the topic.