I was quite surprised (and very grateful) regarding the number of comments I received within LinkedIn when I posted this:
I have noticed in my marketing workshops that some attendees don’t ask any questions. Should I be concerned about this and should I try to get them to ask questions?
Here is the LinkedIn thread.
Change Manager Angharad Phippen commented:
“Do you think people are less likely to ask a question if they’re less invested?”
I think that it depends on the importance of the seminar / workshop to them; whether they paid personally to attend; and how well the information is presented on the day.
Training and facilitation guru Jasper Guilder said:
“Look at Honey and Mumfords’ learning styles. Reflectors often get left behind a bit and often don’t start contributing until day 2. Which can be an issue on a one-day event. To assess engagement and start to anchor change I usually ask delegates to publicly run through their action plan at the end of the day. Everyone always has positive actions!”
Yes, I came across learning styles when Peter Honey become a client of mine. What a nice person he is. I learnt a lot from Peter (this was probably not reciprocal).
I like the idea of asking workshop delegates to create an action plan (and thank you for mentioning this Jasper).
Buckinghamshire Business First, for whom I am a presenter, always ask me to ask the delegates to create an action plan for themselves, at the end of the marketing workshops that I run for them.
Charles Meaden from Digital Nation (whom I have known for many years) added: “Introverts tend to be uncomfortable asking questions in public among other people.”
I can never figure out whether I am an extrovert (I enjoy delivering marketing training classes and public speaking events) or an introvert (I prefer to listen when I meet people, outside of the training room).
Bushcraft instructor David Willis (whom I have known even longer than Charles) commented: “Perhaps it’s finding the right medium for attendees to voice their questions, concerns and thoughts. Some of us are happy to jump in with questions others are less so. Just like all those different ways to deliver ones marketing message, this need a variety of ways to communicate. Questions in advance (obvious), perhaps in a short coffee break, handed in a note, and afterwards but perhaps with the option for answers to be anonymous.”
Other great comments were received from Creative Director Floyd Hayes in New York, IT expert Paul Page, Chief Marketing Officer Neil Fairbrother and Business and Market Development professional Rob Whitney.
What have I learnt from this? LinkedIn is a powerful platform if you are open and ready to learn from your peers. I will continue to share my experiences and ask questions there.
Connect with via LinkedIn here.
