Training room setup for Conversations Without Conflict

Creating the right enviroment is an important part of any training room setup because it allows everyone to enjoy and gain as much as possible from our time together. Here are the 12 things your team needs to do to arrange the training room for us:

        * Data projection - at the front of the room is the data screen and projector - see the Data Projection page.

        * Sound system - for Training, we bring our own BOSE sound system. You don't need to do anything on this point.

        * Presenter's Tables - we need 2 tables pushed together, each approximately 2m x 1m in size, should be set in the middle about 4m from the data projection screen. Its purpose is to support our laptop, data projector, speakers, workbooks, jug and glass of water etc. The tables should be covered with an appropriate cloth.

        * 240-volt electrical outlet, cord and 3-outlet powerboard - we need electricity connected to a 3-outlet powerboard for our (i) laptop; (ii) data projector; and (iii) speakers. The power cord should be secured/taped to the floor to meet safety standards, with the powerboard located just under the middle of the 2 tables.

        * Water - please supply 2 jugs of room-temperature water (not iced water) and 2 glasses on the tables.

        * Whiteboard and marker pens - we need a clean whiteboard, plus thick, dark marker pens (either black or blue) and an effective eraser.

        * A-frame easel and 50 sheets of A1-size paper - A1-size is 8 times the size of A4-paper, which allows participants to generate lots of really big ideas, which is what this workshop is all about. Please do not provide a few sheets of A3 paper or similar with the lame excuse, "That's all we had." Better to order it now than have me demand immediate delivery on the day.

        * Cabaret-style seating - individual chairs should be placed around separate tables. Usually 6 chairs per table allows participants the best opportunity to mix and interact with their colleagues, while giving sufficient space to write notes in their workbooks. Depending on audience numbers, assume 3 to 4 tables, each with 6 chairs.

        * Sight and Sound Check - I arrive at the venue one hour before training begins, to check the training room setup, connect our equipment and conduct our own Sight and Sound check. Please ensure the relevant Manager/Co-ordinator is there to meet me at this time and go through the 12 points of this checklist.

        * Lighting - our challenge is to find a happy medium between sufficient lighting on the presenter without flooding the projection screen with light, washing out the projected images. The key word here is "contrast". Sometimes we will ask your team to remove, cover or switch off lighting towards the screen (particularly if it is fluorescent lighting or too close to the screen).

        * Room temperature - audience members should feel comfortable when seated, neither too hot nor too cold. We ask the air conditioning is set at about 21 degrees Celsius, with the fans switched on.

        * Quiet surroundings - the room should provide a quiet environment, partitioned from mid- or high-levels of extraneous sound.

Please forward this training room setup checklist to the relevant Manager or Co-ordinator handling training, asking him or her to contact us re training room setup with any issues. Getting it right now means the day flows smoothly and participants are focused on gaining great outcomes.