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How I Work
 When engaged
as a facilitator for a meeting or workshop, my primary concern is
to ensure that the client’s expectations are at the very least
met, and as a target, exceeded. I am acutely aware that any event
represents a significant investment in time and money that has to
be justified with quantifiable outcomes. If participants are made
to feel uncomfortable, are inadequately briefed or feel excluded,
then they will not contribute or engage in the process. This would
reflect badly on the client organisation and defeat the whole point
of the exercise. My role is to ensure this does not happen.
My intervention as a facilitator will typically follow five stages:
1.
Briefing
I prefer to meet face to face with the client at the earliest opportunity
to determine precisely the outcomes sought from the event. I need
to understand the basic issues, the profile of the participant group,
any special needs or concerns and the practical and logistical considerations
including the venue and the overall budget.
2.
The Proposal
Based on my understanding of the client’s requirements, I
will then prepare a written proposal including the aims and objectives
for the event, the methodology to be employed and draft programme.
It will feature a clear series of undertakings and clarify precisely
what I will do, and what I understand the client to be responsible
for. The proposal will include a fixed price based on a daily rate.
3.
Design and Preparation
Most of my input takes place designing and preparing for the event.
This includes researching the background issues and designing the
programme to ensure the expected outcomes are met. I use a variety
of techniques, tailored to the client’s individual requirements.
The theory I employ is that adults learn most when they are relaxed
and enjoying themselves, feel safe from intimidation, understand
and relate to the aims of the event and want to participate. Each
element of the day is designed with this in mind, to create an environment
conducive to full and honest participation.
4.
The Event
On the day, my role as facilitator is to lead the group by building
a rapport and creating an environment that will promote mutual understanding
and enable full participation. I remain impartial, and aim for fully
inclusive decision making, structured to ensure clear and meaningful
conclusions useful in the context of the overall aims of the day.
5.
Follow Up
If required, I will produce a written report featuring an analysis
of the main findings of the event and summarising the conclusions
with recommendations. As part of the follow up process, I produce
an analysis of participants’ views based on an assessment
form distributed and collected at the end of the event. This includes
a graphical representation measuring participants’ levels
of satisfaction with the main elements of the event and a series
of quality outcomes. The report will accompany an invoice to complete
my intervention, and an assessment form inviting the client to comment
on the experience.
To view a copy of my latest Curriculum Vitae please click
here.
Photo: Eddie Rolmanis Photographic. |
