Facilitation Techniques

The process of facilitation defines itself as technique that helps different groups work together in an efficient and productive manner, using activities and mediums to help solve problems, bring together coworkers and aim at goals that the company foresees and wishes to execute through its employees. It brings together people of different cultures and abilities, where all meet at one common ground to work as a team and eliminate variances.

There are many organizations that have employees that tend to discriminate others or point out at something a little conventional or unconventional based on where they're from. That kind of thing can happen if people get off on the wrong foot with one another. They're brought up in different ways, so naturally their way of thinking will collide with another's. Companies have to make them eliminate these differences and focus on work, building towards what's good for them and the company without letting one's culture interfere.

Facilitators or trainers as they're called in some places, have to be able to bring the employees together and help address different problems with team building workshops as one of the many ways to get through to the group. Facilitators also have to be able to get through to his / her audience, using different methods to keep them involved and interested.

Key Tips for Facilitators

Before you agree to put together a session that involves working within a group that needs a lot of encouragement, support and a change in attitude - you need to prepare a checklist before you get on out there. Be open to whatever comes to you and be prepared for anything.

1. If one's opinions differ and contradict what you say, or what others have to say, listen attentively. Either you'll find an immediate loophole that you can help clear out, or you can try to make them see it in a way that is more effective, sensible and right.
2. Tell them clearly what it is the meeting's end expects from them once you are done.
3. Be open to teaching them techniques in different ways, even if it seems a tad unconventional.
4. Maintain an outline of goals and objectives that they need to familiarize themselves with.
5. Use your mediums to help get messages through to them.
6. Always state real example and instances to help them understand that your talk is for real and not fictional.
7. Keep discussions open and forward.
8. Give them room to be opinionated, and speak their mind.
9. Praise those who offer input in a way that helps others see these as valid and strong points.
10. Group activities should be innovative and rein in all employees to take part. Don't let one's inhibitions take over.
11. Ask questions and choose someone to answer for you, since people tend to draw back into the shadows when asked an open query.
12. Speak loudly, clearly and precisely. Don't be soft-spoken and if you are catering to large group of employees, wear a lapel mic before you begin.
13. Watch for signs of boredom or uninterested employees. Have a plan B if things start to go downhill when it comes to attentiveness and response from the employees.
14. Walk around the room confidently and make constant eye contact.

How to Engage Employees During a Session

It isn't easy putting together a session that calls for attention and interest, unless it truly holds something that people sit up in their seats for. Also remember to encourage them to take down notes, and keep queries ready should the need arise.

Projectors with Slides / Videos
Keep a stock full of graphs, pie charts, slides with imagery / text or even videos to help keep them immersed in the session from the get-go to the end. It helps when there are visuals to keep the mind stimulated and awake, to pay attention to what has been screened. It would greatly help to look for videos that could aid the session, or short films that have impressive climax. Ask for feedback and review what has been seen. Keep opinions and remarks open to help encourage discussions. Using aids that can help progress a session would benefit employees and work well in your favor for a job well done.

Interactive Activities
Arrange mini workshops to help employees work together, mixing them up and not allowing them to slowly inch towards those they know well or hang out with often. Make sure they're randomly grouped before the activity is underway and make it as fun as possible to bring out those bonding personalities in them. When fun and collaborative skills are brought into a group, there is no other doorway to go through except one that automatically lets you bond with those you are working with as a team. Make it interesting and above all fun like mentioned earlier, so that they have a session to really look back on.

Using Only Speech as a Tool
Group facilitation techniques work well because you are involving different minded people to meet at a commonplace and resolve troubles keep them far apart. The whole objective of a meeting is to work out issues and concentrate on working towards the organization's objectives. Ask them what would make workplaces better, and what changes they'd like to see to help them work better together. If the suggestions make enough sense to be carried forward then by all means make it a point to note these down. Facilitators should find ways to make employees feel at peace amongst each other, with an environment that is cordial and working towards the same goals. Make them feel comfortable, tell them to loosen their ties and tell women to breathe. This isn't a formal get together session, and no one is being scrutinized or judged. Keep it light - pass jokes, sarcastic comments or poke fun at something that they would find amusing and bold. Once the atmosphere is relaxed, then everyone will work as a team in the session much better, with more information flow coming to you from them. After the sessions track their performances and keep an eye out for any trouble makers. Work on these people more, and help them work towards the session's purpose.

Facilitators are who they are because they have a knack to draw in a crowd in any given situation. When training or setting up a session for employees, have a master plan in mind to get the most out of what you are doing. Most organizations look for trainers that can really get the point across who are strong enough in their words and actions. They need to help employees walk out of the room wanting to be better amongst each other, with the will to work harder towards the set goals of the company.