1. Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. Facilitation Skills for Creating a Plan of Action TIP For additional advice see Dale Carnegie Training® Presentation Guidelines.

2. Introduction Facilitation skills are utilized when presentations become interactive meetings. The facilitator sets the agenda, coaches participants, and guides the pacing. Facilitation skills are utilized when presentations become interactive meetings. The facilitator sets the agenda, coaches participants, and guides the pacing.

3. Opening Stimulate Interest with:Stimulate Interest with: –a noteworthy event –a personal experience –a testimonial –a quotation TIP Involve your audience with a strong, relevant opening.

4. Bridge Tie your opening directly to your key topic. Your energy and attitude set the tone and provide momentum for this meetingTie your opening directly to your key topic. Your energy and attitude set the tone and provide momentum for this meeting

5. Key Topic Define the topic/problem/opportunity.Define the topic/problem/opportunity. State the reason for importance.State the reason for importance. Invite comments by audience.Invite comments by audience. Encourage participation.Encourage participation. Record and display key comments on key ideas.Record and display key comments on key ideas. TIP Questions by the facilitator capture attention and interest and lead to involvement and interaction.

6. Goals and Problems Define the goals.Define the goals. Define the problems.Define the problems. Encourage participants to focus on the issues and assign priorities.Encourage participants to focus on the issues and assign priorities. TIP Support the opinions and experiences of others with positive comments and positive attitude.

7. Solutions and Opportunities Invite comments and ideas from the audience.Invite comments and ideas from the audience. Record and display their comments regarding action plans and solutions.Record and display their comments regarding action plans and solutions. Invite participants to prioritize options.Invite participants to prioritize options. TIP Recognize that diversity in a group is positive, adding strength and substance.

8. Action Plan Describe the following (where additional information is needed assign responsibility to the logical person)Describe the following (where additional information is needed assign responsibility to the logical person) –Action steps. –Materials needed. –Training needed. –Schedules. –Costs.

9. Close Insure understanding.Insure understanding. Describe first steps.Describe first steps. Get commitment.Get commitment. TIP Close your presentation to make a favorable, lasting impression

10. Facilitating Workshops Adults as Learners Bring life experience to the table Need to be physically comfortable Need to be psychologically comfortable Have a “need to know” Have many time demands Seek out learning experiences in order to cope with specific issues or changes Prefer single topic/concept, focused workshops Have a variety of reflexes to authority Arrive with a set of expectations

11. Effective Workshops Tap participants’ experiencesTap participants’ experiences Meet adult needs with refreshments, comfortable seating, lighting, etc…Meet adult needs with refreshments, comfortable seating, lighting, etc… Recognize diversity in adult values & attitudesRecognize diversity in adult values & attitudes Recognize adult need to maintain self-esteemRecognize adult need to maintain self-esteem Provide learning experiences that give adults specific tools to cope with changeProvide learning experiences that give adults specific tools to cope with change

12. Effective Workshops Provide a balance between theory and applicationProvide a balance between theory and application Allow adults to integrate new new concepts with existing concepts/practicesAllow adults to integrate new new concepts with existing concepts/practices Provide a balance of control between instructor and participantsProvide a balance of control between instructor and participants Clarify expectations up frontClarify expectations up front Respect participants’ time limitationsRespect participants’ time limitations