Great Reviews From My Innovation Workshop at the Republic of Singapore Navy.

The first time I conducted the same workshop was about 2 months ago. It had a few negative comments which I shared in one of my entries (http://trainertoolkit.blogspot.com/2011/12/tip-for-trainers-and-facilitators-3.html). After that time, I vowed to give a much better performance. When I was offered an opportunity to do it again in February, I thought to myself, "this is it. It's a do or die mission. If I fail, the Navy might not want me to run another workshop ever again".

A week before the workshop, I met up with my mentor. She told me that I must not get the same result as I did in my first attempt. She also said another thing, SMILE! She wants me to SMILE during the workshop and by doing that, it will make a difference. I have to agree with her. At that point, any advice or tools will be very useful. Moreover, it's not often i get a mentor who throws such gems at me along the way.

A couple of days before the workshop, I went through the slides again and again, thinking of how can I make a 'WOW!!' effect. I ran the workshop in my mind again and again. Lastly, I decided to go back to my basics. The same basics that I wrote in one of my earlier entries.. http://trainertoolkit.blogspot.com/2011/12/training-and-facilitating-workshop-tip.html
 
Faizal's Basic Training Delivery Process.
1. Set my outcome/goal.
The standards that I set for myself are
(a) I must be fluent in transmitting my thoughts and ideas into words
(b) I will be fun. My audience must be entertained
(c) My audience will learn from my session

2. Know my outcome/goal.
After setting those goals, I must know these goals. I went through the slides and think of how I can use that to achieve my goals.

3. Visualize myself achieving that goal.
This is one tough process. I was exhausted most of the days and there were a few times where i fell asleep doing this exercise.

4. Go through my slides/program. Make alterations.
I went through the slides time and again, trying to see how can i make it uniquely mine. In the end, I decided to go along with the existing version.

5.Practice
I practiced in the toilet before my bath.

6.Practice
I practiced in the room at night

7. Practice
I practiced in my mind.

8. Deliver
On the 9th February 2012, I delivered.

After the end of the session, I went through the feedback forms and found very good results. My assistants said that it was way better than my previous attempt. I asked myself if I did a good job. Yes, after those days of planning and practice. I think I did my best and my best has yielded its results. It feels so good to know that you're reaping what you've sown. And yes, SMILING helps! It helps to brighten up the training environment and it reflects one's confidence. For that, I have my mentor to thank for.

My First Recruitment Talk

I conducted assembly talk to 2 groups of students from Pioneer Secondary School on Innovation and it's importance in this century. The talk that I conducted was more of a recruitment drive, selling programs to students, getting them to sign up for the I&E program that was due to start in 2 weeks time. The school needed 40 students but i only managed to get 20 students to sign up. Looks like the teachers will have to follow up with the students to get the other half.  It was a challenging task, i have to admit. As this was my first time conducting talks and selling programs to students. It was a good start though. Before the talk, a few students offered to help us test our camera's functionality.

Pioneer Secondary School is a dynamic school and is one of the schools that has a strong emphasis on Innovation and Enterprise as a platform to develop life's skills. I think this is a good initiative because the organizations are investing time, money and effort in gearing towards Innovation.

During the talk, I shared with them the importance of I&E in today's context. The world has enough complainers as it is. In the next generation, we hope such initiative in innovation and spirit of entrepreneurship will create a generation of problem solvers that will be more proactive in dealing with matters at hand, rather than to wait for politicians or government to get things moving.

That's me

showing a video to create awareness

Look at the number of students.. 

After the 2 talks that i conducted, i learned a few important things..

1. Always have a bottle of water ready at hand as 2 hours of talking can be very dehydrating.
2. Have a little isotonic or sweet drink for that small booster.
3. A recruitment drive should not be an hour process. It should be a continuous process within a few days with posters placed all over the school to drive the message in. A lesson learnt. 

I sure look forward to such talks in the future. I think such talks helps to train the salesmanship in each of us and it is very different to conducting a workshop.