Tips from recent presentations

I was in McPherson, Kansas speaking at the National Cooperative Refinery Association. I arrived to find a great training room they were using for their meetings. They had it set up perfectly to create the best learning environment possible. I will share with you a few things you can do to make your meetings more effective from a logistical viewpoint.
 
Stage or platform
They had rented a stage from which I would do my presentation. This allowed everyone in the audience to see the entire presentation. Whenever you are doing a demonstration or anything where being able to see would enhance the experience, make sure everyone can, in fact, see.
 
Handrails for steps
The stage steps the rental company brought to their site did not have handrails. No problem for the safety team at NCRA. They had their carpenters build handrails for both staircases making it safer for me and any volunteer I brought up from the audience. I love it when people are so congruent and I can assure you employees notice when something doesn’t fit with what you teach.
 
Horizontal room setup
The room was set up horizontally. That means that the longest length was to the left and right of the stage. This actually brings people closer to the stage.
 
Top leadership Involvement
Finally, the top executive for the site did the wrap up after each and every session. I know you can delegate but it is so powerful when every employee hears the message from a top leader.  
 
In fact, the union leader pointed out to everyone how much support for safety the company leaders give and an example was bringing me in to speak to all the employees about how to watch out for each other’s safety. They even had me stay and do my two-day Dynamic Presentations Institute for 24 line supervisors who are required to do a one-hour safety meeting every month.

Thanks to everyone who made this a week to remember!