Pre-Workshop Preparation Checklists

I delivered this workshop on podcasting & content repurposing. The attendee rating (avg) was 9/10. Here’s my step-by-step workshop process 👇🏾 1/ PRE-WORKSHOP PROCESS 1.1 Research the audience as thoroughly as possible 1.2 Get clear on specific outcomes they’re seeking from the workshop 1.3 Print a hard copy of workshop slides (with speaker notes)  1.4 Highlight the speaker notes and rehearse each slide 1.5 Ensure each slide is mapped to specific outcomes 1.6 Get a strong feel for pacing and delivery 1.7 Work on smooth segues between each slide 1.8 Now break your presentation into key sections 1.9 Schedule group discussions between each section 1.10 Create a timeline for each key section (as shown in the screenshot below) 2/ DURING THE WORKSHOP 2.1 Open with an engaging story that touches your audience emotionally 2.2 Invite each person to share what they do and what they want to leave the workshop with 2.3 Engage each member to the best of your ability (especially the lurkers) 2.4 Do this by inviting each to join the conversation in a way that makes them feel "seen" 2.5 Stay attentive to each person’s words & weave them into your workshop delivery and map them to workshop outcomes where possible 2.6 Recap what you taught and then open up to Q&A 2.7 Check in with the attendees at the end to see what they learned and get a rating (so you can improve) 3/ POST-WORKSHOP PROCESS 3.1 Review THE workshop recording (if possible) and check for pacing, segues between slides, and transitions between sections 3.2 Journal about what worked and why, and what could be done better and how (for next time) 3.3 Reach out to each member and thank them for attending What else would you add? ____________________________________________________ P.S. Because this workshop was such a success, I'll be running another one of these workshops soon. Would you be interested in attending? If so, what would you consider a fair price for the workshop? Can you let me know in the comments below? I aim to respond to all comments left within 1 hour of my post going live.👇🏾 ____________________________________________________ 👋 Hey, I'm Ash. It's nice to (almost) meet you. Want to build an amazing brand and business? Sign up for this free 9-day email course >>> www.ProductiveInsights(dot)com/subscribe Follow me and hit the 🔔 to get useful daily updates. I aim to post thought-provoking content that will help you build your authority and your business. #entrepreneurship #innovation #digitalmarketing About me: Professional stuff: 15+ year international career in finance and strategy; 15+ years in digital marketing; CPA; MBA (distinction); CPM *yawn* Personal (interesting) stuff: WRITER, SPEAKER, PODCASTER!

Yesterday I facilitated an all-day process mapping workshop supported with audio recording. Here’s what I had in my “battle kit” to ensure everything ran smoothly: 💻 Laptop & Charger – Plus a spare of both #beprepared 🌐 Portable Internet Connection – Because corporate guest WiFi sucks 📝 Double Strength Post-It Notes 🖱️ Portable Mouse 📱 Audio Recording Phone – backup for Zoom recorder 🎟️ Name Tags 🖊️ Whiteboard Markers – never trust your client's boardroom markers 🎙️ Wireless Audio Recording Equipment (Rode Wireless Go II) – Lapel mic for clear, hands-free recording while walking around 🎤 Zoom Audio Recorder + Secondary Mic – Captures everything even in large boardrooms. 🧽 Whiteboard Cleaner – a true lifesaver ( I needed to borrow this as I forgot!) 🔦 Laser Pointer & Remote Slide Clicker ✒️ Sharpies 🛠️ Process Mapping Software (LucidCharts/Miro) – For digitising the magic. 🔥 What's in your battle kit? share some tips #WorkshopTools #Facilitation #ProcessMapping #TechSetup #AudioRecording #SafetyTech

The Week Before Your Workshop Determines Its Success … After leading more than 1,000 workshops across the world, there’s one golden rule I’ve learned: Preparation, preparation, preparation. The week before your workshop is not the time to relax — it’s the moment to make or break your success. Here’s what great preparation looks like: • Know exactly who will be in the room — their names, their roles, their personalities, and their interests. • Understand their stakes — what motivates them, what worries them, what they hope to get out of the session. • Design your flow carefully — tailor your techniques and tactics to fit the group, not just the agenda. • Practise, practise, practise — rehearse key moments, transitions, and how you’ll handle tricky situations. • Visualise success — mentally walk through the day: how will you open, how will you energise, how will you land your key messages? Even after 1,000+ workshops with the proven FORTH Innovation Method I still practise before every session I facilitate. Not because I’m nervous — but because respecting the group means showing up 100% prepared. Great workshops are not spontaneous magic. They are the result of disciplined preparation behind the scenes. The real work happens before you even enter the room. #Preparation #WorkshopFacilitation #Leadership #InnovationWorkshops #FacilitatorTips #WorkshopDesign #PracticeMakesPerfect #designthinking #innovation

[53] Fifteen Best Practices for How to Lead a Workshop On Wednesday, I gave a workshop on how to give a workshop—very meta, I know. Andreas Schröter invited me to a be.boosted event where the new generation of fellows will soon be leading their own workshops. So the timing was perfect! But what actually matters when planning and running your own workshop? Here are 15 best practices I’ve developed over the years: ---------- PREPARATION & PLANNING ---------- ⏳ 1) Time Your Workshop Realistically Less is more—don’t overload. For a 60-minute session, plan 30 minutes of content and 30 minutes of interaction. ☕ 2) Include Breaks (Even in Short Workshops!) Attention spans fade fast. Give a 5-10 minute break every 45-60 minutes to keep energy up. 🎤 3) Start Strong—Skip Awkward Intros Ditch the long bios. Open with a question, story, or surprise: "What made the best workshop you’ve attended great?" 🙋 4) Engage Participants Immediately Ask easy, low-stakes questions in the first five minutes: "What’s one word that describes how you feel about leading a workshop?" 🖥️ 5) Prepare Interactive Elements—But Only With Purpose In my humble opinion, many workshops are currently overusing interactive elements like complex quizzes or flashy slides just to seem impressive. Interaction is great, but only when it serves a clear purpose. ---------- DURING THE WORKSHOP ---------- 🎭 6) Get Participants Doing Something People remember what they do. Use polls, breakout rooms, or whiteboards. Example: "In pairs, share one example from experience." 🤫 7) Embrace Silence—Give Thinking Time Ask a question, then wait at least five seconds. If no response: "Take 10 seconds, then type in the chat." 🔁 8) Repeat Key Takeaways Say it → Show it → Let them say it. Reinforce key points with slides, stories, and activities. ⏱️ 9) Manage Time—Stay on Track Use a timer and give reminders: "Two minutes left!" Always build in buffer time. 🛠 10) Have a Backup Plan for Activities No answers? → Share an example. Too fast? → Add a bonus prompt. Too quiet? → Start with 1:1 or small groups. ---------- CLOSING & FOLLOW-UP ---------- 📌 11) Summarize Clearly Before Ending Never stop abruptly—people need closure (and so do you). The final moments of a workshop are often the most important, yet the least prepared. ✅ 12) End with a Call to Action Encourage immediate application or long-term reflection. Example: "Before you log off, write down one thing you’ll use in your next workshop." ❓ 13) Leave Time for Questions—But Make It Engaging Instead of "Any questions?", try more concrete questions such as: "What additional experiences have you had that we haven’t discussed today?” 📚 14) Offer Follow-Up Resources Share slides, key takeaways, or further reading. If possible, offer to answer follow-up questions. 🎉 15) End with Energy & Gratitude Avoid awkward fade-outs! Close with a final thought. If possible, rehearse your closing as much as your opening.