subject: Running a Successful One-Day Course [print this page] When you're running a one-day course, it's important to understand group dynamics. In a one-day course, you must build rapport among attendees quickly so you can proceed with the underlying message of your course. Building rapport quickly is easiest when you have a little help.
Attendees' Mindsets Upon Entering an Event
When attendees come to a course or event, they typically enter the event feeling a bit vulnerable or defensive. Your attendees may be worried that they're going to be put on the spot, embarrassed, or humiliated. They worry that they may lack knowledge on a particular subject, and that lack of knowledge is going to be revealed. In business courses, attendees may be sent by managers and have even less confidence in their knowledge or attending an event. In other words, most attendees are a bundle of nerves at the beginning of an event. In a one-day course, you must overcome this initial discomfort quickly so that you can give attendees something valuable they can take away from the event.
Pre-Event Mingling
One way in which you can begin building the rapport and breaking through people's insecurities is provide them with an opportunity to mingle prior to the starting of the event. Have coffee or snacks set up outside of the room prior to the session, and provide a comfortable area for people to sit and mingle. A breakout room where people can chat and interact with one another is a great criteria to include when you're selecting a venue. This gives people an opportunity to overcome a little reticence before entering the event, and they'll be more comfortable upon entering the room.
Bring an Assistant
At the beginning of an event, you're focused on a thousand details. You've got to register all of your attendees. Your attendees may have questions, or needs that must be addressed. You may find that your attendees are too hot or too cold, and the temperature needs to be adjusted. What happens if the coffee isn't ready, or if you run into a problem with registration or setting up the room? At the beginning of an event, you want to be focusing on the event; not the minutiae.
If possible, bring an assistant to help you manage these details. The assistant can help with registration, make sure everybody has their badges, check with the hotel about coffee, deal with temperature, and generally answer questions. A good assistant can also introduce attendees to one another and get them chatting; raising their comfort level and dispelling their initial fears. This frees you up to chat with attendees prior to the beginning of the event, or simply focus on the event itself.
The Secret to a Successful One-Day Event
The secret to a successful one-day event is to overcome attendees' initial discomfort fast and build a rapport. This is easiest if you bring a good assistant who can help you field questions and concerns, and facilitate conversation among attendees. The right assistant can make your life a lot easier!
