Module 8: Workshop delivery tips for presenters
Transcript
Workshop Delivery Tips for Presenters
Narrator: Workshop Delivery Tips for Presenters
Financial literacy matters. Teaching others about money management is a worthwhile undertaking.
Thank you for your interest in hosting a Financial Basics workshop. By offering a Financial Basics workshop, you are helping Canadians improve their financial knowledge.
Financial literacy is commonly defined as having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make responsible money management decisions.
Let's run through some tips to help you host a successful workshop.
We'll discuss how to prepare for and promote a workshop, and the importance of knowing your audience and staying on schedule.
We'll also share ideas on how to keep the audience engaged, and how to collect valuable feedback.
What is FINANCIAL BASICS*
Narrator: Financial Basics is a financial literacy workshop to help young adults learn about budgeting, saving, credit, investing, fraud prevention, and financial planning.
Financial Basics was developed by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the Investor Education Fund in collaboration with me, Ellen Roseman.
All the materials you need to conduct the workshop are available at no cost to Canadians. Workshop materials are easy to use and will help you explain basic financial concepts to your audience. Materials are available in both English and French and include the following: a presenter's manual with tips and speaking points, a participants' handbook with practical takeaways, presentation slides that help you deliver the content, workshop evaluation forms to gather feedback, and promotional artwork to help advertise the workshop.
To order your materials, visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's website and click on Financial Basics under Educational Programs.
1 866-461-ACFC info@fcac-acfc.gc.ca
Let's make this an interactive session and take some questions.
Preparing for A WORKSHOP*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen!
I'm very excited to present the Financial Basics workshop!
I ordered my materials and they arrived in the mail!
Do you have any tips on how to get started?
Thanks, Lisa.
Narrator: I'll answer that question in three words: preparation is key.
When preparing to present, it's always a good idea to get familiar with the information you are about to deliver. Read through the materials first to ensure you understand the information and feel comfortable presenting it.
Think about appropriate stories or personal anecdotes that you can use to help convey messages or illustrate lessons.
We'll talk more about timing later, but as part of your preparation, think about your agenda and how you will use your time.
And finally, on the day of the workshop, arrive early and familiarize yourself with the space, including the audio-visual equipment, location of washrooms, refreshment areas, and fire exits. And remember to share this information with the participants.
The entire workshop takes about five hours to present, including activities and quizzes. If you don't have five hours, figure out what content you want to focus on that can be covered in the allotted time.
Keep the audience in mind when you make decisions about what content to present. Remember, everyone is there to learn about managing their money. The workshop is designed to be informative and helpful. Above all, try to have fun with it.
Let's take another question.
Promoting A WORKSHOP*
Email message (on screen):
Ellen!
I've studied the material and I'm ready to host my first workshop!
How do I encourage people to attend? Any advice on what I can do to promote the workshop?
Many thanks, Ray
Narrator: There are several ways to promote the workshop, including posters, advertising, and social media.
FCAC provides posters to help you publicize your workshop. The poster artwork is also available if you want to print your own.
Use local newspapers, community centres, cable TV, and radio stations that offer free listings of local activities. Contact local media to see if they are interested in covering the workshop as a news story.
Social media is a great tool for spreading the word and creating a buzz. Try Twitter and Facebook. Create a Facebook event, and keep attendees engaged by updating your content and posting the benefits of attending the workshop. Try to get local bloggers to publicize the workshop to their followers.
Let FCAC know about your workshop. They may be able to help you promote it through regular communications and social media accounts.
Do we have another question?
Know your AUDIENCE*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen,
My name is Mandy!
I'm ready to offer my first Financial Basics workshop!
Any tips to help make my workshop a success?
I have some experience teaching but I'm worried about how to keep the workshop interesting and engaging?
Narrator: The success of your workshop will be sitting right in front of you.
Most public speakers and presenters emphasize the importance of knowing your audience. That will help you craft the right messages and use examples that are relevant to the attendees. Try to adapt the content to your audience's needs and interests.
Ideally, you would do this in advance, but you may have to do it on site if the workshop is open to the general public. In this case, arrive early and get to know the participants by talking to them informally.
Once you start the workshop, warm up the audience by asking them a few questions. What are their hobbies and interests? Are they students? Are they working full time? Are they out of the workforce?
Many of the examples and exercises in the workshop can be tailored to suit different situations. I see we have another question.
Ideal WORKSHOP SIZE*
Email message (on screen):
Ellen,
I've been following your advice on offering the Financial Basics workshop.
I have a question about group size. Do you recommend I give bigger workshops with more people, or smaller workshops?
Thanks, Erica
Narrator: The materials will work for an audience of any size, but the way you present the content may need to change.
Large groups mean you present to more people, but you have the disadvantage of less intimacy. Large groups can be far more difficult to coordinate in terms of partner activities and prompting participants back from breaks. However, I have seen large groups share experiences that stimulate conversation and bring value to the workshop.
Smaller groups allow for greater conversation and participation from the audience. There can also be less pressure for the presenter. However, participants in smaller groups sometimes take longer to engage with the material, especially if they are reluctant to discuss their finances in front of others.
Another thing to consider is to offer a series of workshops instead of a single workshop.
For instance, you can try lunch and learns, where workshops are broken down into shorter segments over lunch hour. This will allow you to build a relationship with participants over time.
Choose the method that is best for you and your audience.
Shall we take another question?
Manage EXPECTATIONS*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen,
My question is about achieving the course objectives.
As we know, every participant is different.
How do I manage the diversity of the group and still meet their needs?
Thanks, John
Narrator: As part of knowing your audience, you have to manage their expectations. This means setting realistic objectives at the beginning. Make sure they understand that the course is a tool for introducing basic financial concepts.
Because your audience will have varying levels of knowledge about managing their personal finances, they will influence the direction of the workshop at times. You may spend longer on a topic than you expected because of questions. Allow yourself some flexibility in your agenda, but also know when it is time to get back on track; otherwise you will not get through all the planned content.
Remember, all material should be presented in a non-biased and objective manner. FCAC does not endorse any products, services, or organizations. When presenting a workshop, do not use any brand names or refer to companies or products by name.
Never give advice on a person's situation or say what that person should or should not do, even if you are asked. This is a general interest seminar only. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. It's OK not to have all the answers. Tell people you will get back to them later. Finding the answers can give you an opportunity to learn and become a better presenter.
Let's take a few more questions.
Stay on SCHEDULE*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen,
I've given a Financial Basics workshop in the past, and I'm starting to get the hang of it!
But what about timing? I ran out of time during my last presentation.
How do I prevent this from happening again? – Julie
Narrator: The suggested time for the entire Financial Basics workshop is five hours. As I mentioned earlier, if you do not have five hours, go through the content and identify the sections you wish to cover in the time you have available.
Here's a tip: Before the workshop, set up an agenda for yourself, with times allotted for each section. Make sure to allow time for discussion and any questions that may come up. Watch the time, and stick to your schedule as much as possible so you don't miss any sections.
You need to be a little flexible, as I noted before. You never know when a topic will inspire questions or prompt participants to share their experiences. It could be helpful to have someone with you while you are presenting so they can keep track of time and advise you when you are running behind. If you are tight on time, remind participants to return promptly from breaks.
Take note of items that you want to return to later if time permits. During the first few times you offer the workshop, take note of which parts take longer and which go more quickly. Then change your agenda accordingly.
How about another question?
Engaging PARTICIPANTS*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen!
All the material in Financial Basics is important and there is a lot of material to cover.
I'm wondering – how do I keep the audience interested and involved?
Thanks for taking my question,
Mary
Narrator: There are many ways to keep participants engaged.
The workshop is designed to allow for a mixture of presentation styles and activities. This varies the pace and keeps the material interesting.
Use visuals, such as a sample credit card statement, if you think they will help. Be creative.
Try to ask questions, and invite participants to respond. Being interactive is a great way to keep the audience motivated. Share stories as much as you can. People relate to narratives about other people.
Encourage relevant conversation. Ask participants to do some activities, and if feasible, have them work in small groups. This makes the workshop more engaging and enjoyable. Don't forget to repeat questions for all to hear and to give some context for your answer.
Many participants will take their cue from you, the presenter, so stay positive and animated. You will see the audience mirror your mood and energy.
Let's take one more question.
Evaluating the PROGRAM*
Email message (on screen):
Hi Ellen,
Is there any way to give FCAC feedback on what I've learned from hosting a workshop?
Emma
Narrator: As a valued presenter, your feedback and comments are important. They will help keep the Financial Basics content current and relevant. Fill out the presenter's evaluation form on FCAC's website in the Educational Programs section. Sharing your participants' feedback is also important. At the end of the workshop, have participants fill in the quick evaluation form provided by FCAC.
You can also contact FCAC directly by toll-free phone or by email.
1 866-461-ACFC info@fcac-acfc.gc.ca
Thank you for your time and your commitment to helping Canadians lead more financially healthy lives.
Good luck with your workshop.
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