Create memorable learning experiences for employees or customers. Great workshops are sticky and inspire a change in peoples behaviour. These 5 steps I've always used have worked very well for me! Enjoy

1. CP
craigskipsey.com
5 Steps to Knock­out Workshops
Create a memorable learning experience
These are the 5 steps I follow when creating workshops or training programs. It
helps ensure your audience gets real value from the time they give you. This should
be done BEFORE you design any material and no where near a computer! This
might feel a bit different at first, but trust the process and you’ll get much better
outcomes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Define the outcome
One Thought, One Note
Filter and Group
Arrange the Flow
Scribble the Visuals
Step 1: Define the Outcome
Develop the single sentence to describe the “so what?” Why should the audience
attend this event? For the purpose of this guide, I’ll use something simple and fun::
Learn how to make pancakes
Market­test (or stress test) the topic. Talk to potential audience members. Ask if it’s
relevant and if there’s a need to educate about it. Keep an open mind, don’t be too
emotionally connected to your original idea because you may need to change it or
dump it completely
.
Avoid a topic that is too broad or internally focused eg “Understanding Sales and
Marketing” or “Learn about our products”. Educating is not selling!
It is critical to get this fundamental step right.
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

2. CP
craigskipsey.com
Step 2: One Thought, One Note
Brainstorm by simply jotting thoughts down on sticky notes. Sticky notes are
small, so you don’t have room to be overly wordy. Stick to “one thought, one sticky
note”. Don’t be too critical or worry too much about relevance. You just want to
braindump everything that might be relevant. Avoid the tendency to begin
categorising. Its important you don’t force structure at this point because it will narrow
your thinking. Think of this step as a catch all process.
For our example, it might look like this:
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

3. CP
craigskipsey.com
Step 3: Filter and Group
With your sticky notes spread out across the table or on a wall, group them into
3 categories. These will be your learning outcomes.
Why 3? It follows a story­telling structure of beginning, middle and end. We
are hardwired to retain information more effectively in this way. You’ll see where
things are irrelevant, don’t fit or are duplicated.
For each thought ask: Does this thought contribute to the Workshop Outcome?
If the answer is “no” or “not really” then get rid of it. Be ruthless! Put yourself in the
shoes of the audience and ask: Do I really care?
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

4. CP
craigskipsey.com
Step 4: Arrange the Flow
First get your 3 categories in a logical sequence. For our example: Prep, Cook, Eat.
Within each Category, arrange the thoughts into a sequence. Walk through the
sequence in your head and see if it makes sense. Likelihood of remembering
something is significantly increased when a slide is:
● Relevant to the previous
● Has context to the overall message
First just organise them on the table or wall in sequence.
Then once you’re happy, write numbers on each one.
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

5. CP
craigskipsey.com
Step 5: Scribble the Visuals
Grab some blank paper and put your thoughts in sequence on the right hand side of
the page. Scribble the visual next to the thought. This is how you visualise each of
your points.
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

6. CP
craigskipsey.com
Design Tips
● I avoid bullet points completely, but if you must use them, follow the 1:5:5 rule:
○ 1 thought per slide, maximum 5 bullet­points, maximum 5 words per
point.
● Text size no smaller than 18pt. For high effect, I use 40 – 80pt Arial Black.
● Design for the back row not the desktop – put it on a projector screen and
stand at the back of the room. If you can’t understand the slide, it’s too
complex.
● Test slides for the 3 second rule – show it to someone and see if they get the
point of the slide in 3 seconds. If they can’t, it’s not clear and needs revision.
● Use images creatively. Image should have context to the thought, or explain
the thought.
● The best slides have no words, thats YOUR job ­ to speak! You don’t want
them reading while they should be listening or engaging with you. If they ask for
a copy of the slide deck, you’ve failed.
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131

7. CP
craigskipsey.com
About Me
I’ve been selling and marketing for over 10 years in the construction industry for major
corporates (Bluescope, CSR and Boral). I know what has works and what doesn’t.
Some workshops have been so successful, they still generate leads several months
after they were held.
My specialty is construction materials and I can give you and your team the skills
needed to give absolute knock­out presentations every time. I can provide
one­on­one coaching, training sessions or even develop materials for you.
But be prepared to do things a little differently!
Contact
email
mobile
web
linkedin
cmskipsey@gmail.com
+61 474 501 131
craigskipsey.com
www.linkedin.com/in/craigskipsey
Consulting ­ Sales Training ­ Visual Communication
cmskipsey@gmail.com
Mobile +61 474 501 131