Wanda Meyers, program manager at HRSA Learning Institute in Rockville, Md., attended The Bob Pike Group Boot Camp last fall and was amazed at how easily she was able to work several interactive techniques into presentations despite her limited training experience. Here is what she told us.
To my surprise, I have adopted much of what I learned at your Train the Trainer Boot Camp in my everyday communications and especially while giving presentations and training. I say ‘to my surprise’ because of my limited experience with formal training instruction, not because of Bob Pike or your ability to teach me new tricks.
Just this week, I used two tips that I learned in Boot Camp. I had a 45-minute LMS (learning management system) presentation at a New Employee Orientation. When I addressed the group, I asked, "When was the last time you stood up and stretched?" They all groaned! I asked them to ‘join me, stand up, stretch, walk around and introduce yourself to someone you haven’t yet met.’ I gave them 45 seconds which was plenty of time and clearly rejuvenated them.
"The second tip I used was the ‘fill in the blank.’ I inserted three blanks to complete on three pages of their PowerPoint handout. Attendees could only find the answers by paying attention to my presentation (verbal or visual). That went over very well and stimulated a lot of conversation.
I found the audience to be lively and participatory, and I received compliments from my peers that my presentation was outstanding. For the first time, I feel empowered in front of an audience.
How’s that for an ROI?
