This Client: The Trainers

With six subjects to teach, I thought it's wise to have two instructors for the training. I could have handled six all at once just like the old day training but since there would be modifications and improvisations here and there, it's the wisest thing to do.

At first, the idea of asking AOOs from other branches popped up in my mind which I quickly dismissed. It's promotion test time and I don't think I would have the heart to even ask their bosses. I was thinking about you too, Wind.:-)

Then, I tried to search for trainers from the training department. No luck there. Everyone's busy.

Then I thought of some names in the HQ. The marketing people, the KSO, and someone in the EC sub subdit. Everyone has their own reasons to stay at the office.

Appointing teachers to do the job with me would mean a very close mentoring. The presentation is a workshop but there are methodologies involved. Mentoring one would take up so much time and energy which I didn't have. I was close to desperation.

Then one day I shared my concern with a colleague and suddenly I had the idea of putting her name on the training schedule I'd made. My boss assigned her straight away, leaving her with no choice. Persuading her was unecessary but I did promise to help her all the way. One of the favors she asked was accompanying her to training department to have several mentoring sessions. Thanks to a colleague.

On the D-day I saw she brought three luggage: one for her clothes, one for her laptop and book, the largest luggage for teaching aids,e.g. plastic fruits, ball, crayons, etc. She definitely WAS prepared.

There are two batches this time. I told her my 1st experience as a trainer. Delivering the slides and surviving were the first priority. It's going to be difficult to focus on improvising, let alone on the audience.

Today,it's the third day of the 2nd batch. Last night she told me how right I was about that novice trainer first priority. 'It's all about reading the statements and making sure that the sequencing is correct', she said.

Once I told her that after the 1st priority, she could focus on other thing like substituting, adding, modifying the materials to make the delivery easier to comprehend. I noticed that she did that in this 2nd batch. She borrowed my Jayne Moon and added several points focusing on classroom instructions more because we both think the audience would need them based on our 1st batch experience. She started to get the hang of it. I am really glad with her progress.

On this batch, she seemed more relaxed. She pays attention to the choice of words she uses and she also identifies the names of the participants. In short, she's become more confident by the subject. :-)

This training is going to go far. This client has branches all over Indonesia and I've heard there will be one training coming in January. I'd asked a friend to help us with this last night but before we went to bed, suddenly she said this.
"I like the experience. If the next training is not at the beginning of the term, I would love to go."
I was quite surprised with that.
And then I said,"Okay. Then I could start mentoring your partner."
She quickly gave me a sharp stare and said,"What do you mean? I only want to go if you go with meeee!"
I laughed hard. I didn't expect she would give such reaction.

Yes, this training trip has been fun. She could discover her other self and find out what she could do. With her willingness and determination, I am sure she'll be one helluva trainer. Good for her. :-) To me, the process and the experience I have had with her leave a very beautiful feeling in me. It's a mixture of pride, happiness, love, care and many other positive ones. It's 'indescribable.'

Do you know something else? One more thing that makes me happier is because we both do like food and never get tired of discussing about it anywhere, at any time of the day.
:-D