Workshop Design

"If we hold it on a Friday, no one will want to register. Who wants to be in class on a Friday?"

"Are you crazy? I love Friday workshops. I'm out of the office, drinking coffee, telling stories, and hoping that the session will end early so I can head home."

"Following your lead, we should also scrap the two-hour sessions."

"You've got that right. I finish a two-hour session and I feel morally obligated to go back to the office. Not so with the longer sessions. Love those longer sessions that break early."

"Unless we hold the two-hour sessions in-house. In that case, you'd already be at the office."

"True, but then you have to make sure that people don't slip off to make phone calls."

"Don't you think they would appreciate not having to spend too much time in a workshop?"

"Who are you? Horatio Alger? Sure, there are a few people who might like those two-hour briefings, but others may feel as if they are being short-changed. If they go to a workshop, they want a workshop. And don't forget the coffee."

"So one-day max?"

"Unless it's more like a retreat, make it one-day. Or a half-day. I see some consultants take a half-day topic and stretch it out for two or three days. They should be beaten with a presentation skills workbook. I could tell you all you need to know about Western civilization in one day."

"So let's talk about topics. We have some that they really need."

"Let me stop you right there. If they really need it, you'll have a tough time selling it. Try providing a topic they really want. Needs are broccoli. Wants are ice cream."

"What's an ice cream topic?"

"Ask your customers and then read between the lines."