Focus Magazine - Fall 2011 - (Page 19) FRONT OF THE ROOM Brian Lange Time Management: Training the Clock-Watcher It is the trainer’s job to manage time and ensure all content gets covered ’m kind of a car nut. I’ve always been able to identify car makes and models — even recognize certain cars simply by hearing them. While perusing a car forum on the Internet the other day, I read a thread about the processes people use to clean their cars. e subject of waterless car washing (using spray detailing products — but NO water) came up and I had a fairly visceral reaction: “And risk scratching the paint by pushing around dirt without lots of soapy water to carry away the grime? No way!” Upon later re ection, I realized there is an aspect of training in which I have vocalized a seemingly unconventional point-of-view — and I further realized that it o en sparks in others the same visceral reaction I had to the idea of waterless car washing: “No way! I’ve always done it THIS way!” My “controversial” point-of-view is that I believe trainers should consider removing the times (e.g., 10-11:15; 11:15-12:00, etc.) from the agenda they provide to their learners. Here’s my case: How does the listing of speci c times help the learner? If they need to be present from morning until 5 p.m. anyway with no “optional” sections, then why the need for speci c times? A common response to this question: “Well, they need to know what to expect.” OK, fair statement. But, how about providing the topic headings — but omitting the times? Might this help the learners be more “present” and engaged by not knowing speci cally what is supposed to be happening this minute or the next? If the learner realizes, “Oh, I get this content” and they ip to the agenda and see they also know the I next material, that it is scheduled to be dissected for 45 minutes, what does that leave the learner with? Perhaps, a sense of, “Oh, great … I’ve got nothing to learn for the next hour, or so.” Accommodating guest speakers may provide an opportunity where a trainer may want to include that speci c time for learners on the agenda (as has been suggested to me). On the other hand, we know of many a time where a speaker calls last minute and asks to change from one time to another, or even to a di erent day. Perhaps learners don’t need to know when these changes occur. Another potential downside of learners knowing the times is that they can assess whether the trainer is “behind” and perhaps make unfair judgments (“Oh, she’s lost control” or, “Yep, allows too many questions, he’s falling behind. Must be new at this”). It is the trainer’s job to manage time, and make the hundreds of little decisions throughout the delivery that ensure all content gets covered: maybe use an alternative processing method here; invest a bit more class discussion on an apparent need there; reduce number of items a table team reports back to the class (“pick the most surprising or unexpected item from your team’s list”), etc. Overall, it seems to me that the drawbacks of listing speci c times outweigh the potential bene ts. I may not convert to waterless car washing (I still feel my concern over potentially scratching the paint is tangible and real) but, maybe — if you nd your reasoning for defending the use of times is not that tangible — you’ll consider going time-less on your participant agendas. Perhaps try it at least once? At least you won’t risk permanent scratches with this idea. I Brian Lange, blange@perim.com, is with Perim Consulting and serves as lead facilitator for SPBT’s PrimeTime! For Trainers Core and Master workshops. He blogs at WorkplaceIn uence.blogspot.com. FOCUS | FALL 2011 | www.spbt.org/resources/focus-magazine.aspx 19 http://WorkplaceInfluence.blogspot.com http://www.spbt.org/resources/focus-magazine.aspx Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Focus Magazine - Fall 2011 Focus Magazine - Fall 2011 Leap of Faith Contents Field-Based Training: Developing Future Leaders Gender Inequities in Training Social Learning in Action: Beyond the Hype Time Management: Training the Clock-Watcher Cover Story: Pfizer: Managing Manager Development The Well-Rounded Rep: 4 Ways to Make Soft-Skills Training More Effective Mobile Learning: The Power to Perform Demystifying MSL Training Leadership Lessons from the Military Coaching the Amiable Rep Investing in Sales Training 2.0 Infographic Clip & Go Activity Heard it on the Tweet People News Company News Ad Index Focus Contacts 5 Questions With…John Baldoni Focus Magazine - Fall 2011 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/LtenFocus/2014summer http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2014spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2014winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2013fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2013summer http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2013spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2013winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2012fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2012summer http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2012spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2012winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2011fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/focus/2011summer http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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