That’s a common complaint of anyone who’s charged with training. It’s so discouraging to have someone ask you the same question you answered in that class a few days ago (managers, you will really relate to this!). Yet, we managers/presenters bring this on ourselves. How: By the methods we use to teach (or don’t use).

Many managers and presenters love to ‘lecture’. Why? It

1. Gets lots of information out fast
2. Puts the control of the presentation in the speaker’s hands (they think….)
3. Requires little preparation except to know the material
4. Keeps the spotlight firmly on the presenter (boy, that speaker was really great…..)

So, what’s wrong with that?

Not much, unless you want the audience to retain what you presented! Studies prove we remember only 10% of what we heard three days later. So, when we lecture, we stuff their heads full of great stuff–but that stuffing falls right back out!

Want to Increase Learning?

Here are three tips to dramatically increase long-term learning (retention).

1. Add visuals to your presentation. Retention goes up to 65% three days later. It’s amazing how many real estate managers use no visuals (Powerpoint, outlines, handouts, white board, props, etc.)
2. Get your audience into action. Retention goes up to 90% when ’students’ verbalize while doing an action. (Use the alternative delivery methods of role play, action plan, or small groups in task force or case study).
3. Get blazingly good at ‘review’, and use several kinds of review at the end of each of your ‘mini-modules’. You must review each concept 3-6 times along the way to assure it sinks in and stays there.

Facilitating/Training is an Art Form

Learning the skills of facilitation, such as alternative delivery methods, is not instant. It’s a process, and is akin to learning to play the piano well. Get a great coach, use good models, practice, and get feedback on your improving delivery. Your gift to your audience will be not only more participation, but more fun, more ‘ahas’, and much greater long-term retention.