First Time Facilitator

Send Leanne a messageI'm handing you an idea today that's worth at least $10k, and this idea applies to you whether you’re a consultant working externally, you work internally as a leader, as a director, as a Comms or L&D expert.I don’t know about you but I often sign up to online webinars, events, courses, programs, [fill in the blank here] with incredible motivation.As I take out my credit card to pay I say, “This is the program I’m going to engage in. I don’t care if it’s on at 2am my time. I’ll be there live!”. If you’re anything like me you’ll know that, in a couple of weeks, that 2am live webinar happens and I go to bed the night before, thinking, "I don't need to stay up for this. I'll watch the replay!"  Watching that replay keeps getting taken over by other priorities, so I never get that time.So, if you run a course, or work internally and you WANT people to hear your message, relying on them to watch a replay is not a good strategy.If only 5-10% people who sign up for an online course, then we need to rethink our approach.Why do we run video shows, or send through webinar replay links, when podcasts are the most joyful way to learn?As a podcast listener, I’m preaching to the converted. However, you might work internally and want some ideas on how to persuade your company to start a podcast. Or, you might want a nudge to create your own show. In this episode I share the Top 7 reasons why I think you, and your company needs to start a podcast. If you'd like to get assistance with setting one up, send me a message on LinkedIn, oh and check out the tool I use to create my private podcasts, Hello Audio!If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Alan Weiss, renowned consultant and entrepreneur coach, shares his powerful insights on fearlessness in facilitation. He discusses how facilitators can 10x their fees and offers surprising advice on handling feedback. The conversation also dives into the value of self-worth, marketing strategies, and the importance of reaching true economic buyers. Alan emphasizes the need to be bold in self-promotion and adapt to ever-changing business landscapes. With questions from the Booked Out Facilitator program members, this chat is a goldmine for anyone looking to elevate their facilitation game.

Send Leanne a messageI love the metaphor that my guest today shares, when she explores how she manages group dynamics - it’s like an antenna, that you need to tune into!This week, I’m talking to the delightful Lisa Evans from Speaking Savvy, and host of the Business Chat podcast.I was using some of Lisa’s story activities before I even met her (through reading about them in The Story Cookbook).I’m particularly inspired by her story of a major career shift in her 40s. A great reminder that we control the narrative of our lives and careers, and it’s never too early, or too late, to start in a new direction!In this conversation, we explore many areas related to our facilitation craft. Lisa shares her views of what can sometimes hold us back from stepping up and sharing our ideas with others (including the key role of leaders and facilitators in enabling that psychological safety), how she likes to view extroversion and introversion, and her perspective on why we feel so tired after leading an all-day workshop!Oh, we also have a fun rant on conference locations.About today's guest: Lisa EvansLisa Evans is a certified executive speaker coach and a business storytelling consultant. She started off her career as a midwife and did that for over 20 years,These days, Lisa helps leaders to mine, refine and deliver captivating ‘sticky’ stories for their business and brand.She has empowered over 1,000 leaders to deliver stand out messages with engaging business stories. She is also a keynote speaker, trainer and the host of the Business Chat Podcast.She lives in Perth with her family and a retired greyhound named Giraffe.Contact with Lisa on all of the platformsLisa Evans’ website Speaking SavvyLisa’s LinkedIn profileConnect with Lisa on FacebookFollow Lisa on InstagramListen to the Business Chat PodcastIf you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageI remember in those early days when you're called to run a workshop, or moderate a panel conversation, you feel like you need to do things "by the book". I remember my panel interviews being very pedestrian! Now I think (I hope) I've developed more confidence, and I'm willing to create some banter between panellists, and let some personality shine through.In today's episode, my guest Peter Hopwood and I also banter on presentation, panel and moderation tips.Peter is a British Global Speaker Coach, Virtual Speaking Specialist & TEDx Coach, Media Skills Trainer, Worldwide Events MC & Speaker.He has lived in 7 countries (jealous), worked in 32 (even more jealous) and is currently based in Croatia, working worldwide on Zoom.He is a communicator, confidence-booster & connector,  travelling the world (virtually) to help professionals define, craft and deliver stronger stories and take control of their messages, storyline & speaking impact.In this chat, Peter also shares how you can keep any repeat sessions you deliver, feeling fresh (even if you’ve delivered it a million times!), how you can communicate more strongly on virtual calls, and tips for moderating panel conversations.Resources mentioned in the show:Peter's websiteConnect with Peter on TwitterFollow Peter on InstagramSend Peter an email: hello(at)peter-hopwood.comSupport the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageDeb Zahn from the Craft of Consulting is back on your First Time Facilitator airwaves this week. And even better? I’m joined by my fellow Booked Out Facilitators. We share the microphone in this episode to create an incredibly informative, helpful and awesome group masterclass if you have your own facilitation business.Collectively, we pick Deb’s brain on all manners of consulting - how you can pick work up as a facilitator, what we can do to stand out, how we can market ourselves, identify our target audience, build our pipeline, write proposals, and how on earth do we decide what we charge.Yup, it is jam packed with gold dust.Deb was ON FIRE in this interview, I’ve listened to it back ac couple of times. You’ll be enthralled from her first story of winning a Request for Proposal , and her confidence in sharing her stories and experiences so openly with all of you.If you’re listening in real time, Deb is running a free, live masterclass on the Top 5 Things You Must Do to Get Consulting Clients. Here’s the link to register: https://www.craftofconsulting.com/masterclass . It’s on August 20, 2021, 11 am PDT (2 pm EDT and 7 pm BST).About today’s guest: Deborah ZahnDeb Zahn is a sought-after consultant with 10 years of successful consulting under her belt. As a go-to source in her market, she routinely brings in 6- and 7-figures a year and has built a steady, reliable pipeline of work. Her consulting methods turn her clients into her biggest fans and best marketers. They come back to her again and again and continually send her new clients.As a consultant, Deb is especially known for her ability to cure “decision-making disorders” with individuals and groups. She also has earned a reputation as “The Closer,” the consultant who can get high-value contracts with hard-to-get clients. Over the last decade, she has coached countless new consultants and helped them fast track their success. Recently, Deb helped a new consultant get their first contract—worth over $100,000—only three weeks after Deb started coaching them.She is the host of the Craft of Consulting podcast, which features other successful consultants who share their strategies and insights about building their consulting businesses and delighting their clients as well as consulting clients who share what makes some consultants rise to the top of their hire list.Resources mentioned in the show:Deb is running a free, live masterclass on the Top 5 Things You Must Do to Get Consulting Clients. Here’s the link to register: https://www.craftofconsulting.com/masterclass . It’s on August 20, 2021, 11 am PDT (2 pm EDT and 7 pm BST).Find out more about Deb’s program: Get more consulting programs (and used the code BOOKED to get a discount!)Connect with Deb on LinkedInCheck out Deb’s podcast, Craft of ConsultingIf you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageThe beauty of having a repeat client over many years is that you build a strong, trusting relationship. The not-so-beautiful part is the pressure we put on ourselves to create new content, experiences, and activities to keep our workshops fresh!Truett Black has worked as a trainer, speaker, and executive coach since 2005 and in this episode, he shares how he reinvigorates his approach, and where he gets new inspiration for new activities.As you can tell from this conversation, Truett LOVES this work. He grew up in the United States and has lived in greater China since 2001. He is based in Taipei and frequently consults, coaches, and facilitates workshops in Shanghai,Hong Kong, Singapore, and other cities in Asia. Having this background, I had to ask him how he gets wonderful conversations when he delivers sessions across Asia.  True shares some excellent, practical strategies if you find work over there - stuff that I wish I heard a few years ago for sure.He also shares his self-talk before starting a workshop, and how he got started in running his own facilitation business (even when some people advised him otherwise!)True’s primary expertise is in leadership and team development, influence and communication, organizational development, and executive coaching. He is bilingual in Mandarin and English, and also has five kids.Reach out to Truett and let him know your thoughts!Don't forget to join The Flipchart community on FacebookLet's connect on LinkedInSee what services I provide over at leannehughes.comSupport the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageThis week, I’m excited to introduce you to a fellow facilitator in south-east Queensland, Australia: Kate Peardon from Zenith Journey.In this conversation, I throw many questions at Kate because I’m fascinated in her experience using visuals in her work as a way to form connections, increase memory retention and even decrease anxiety (particularly when talking about a heated topic!).The theme of unconscious incompetence as that bottom rung on the ladder of learning also is a common theme in this chat, as we realise that we’re always works in progress and we simply don’t know, what we don’t know! We also discuss that failing art at high school is not an excuse for using visuals in your work (that’s a note for Leanne!), how Kate uses visuals to boost the engagement in her sessions (and on herself to boost memory retention), and how to balance that line between having too much structure in your session v being more looser and in the moment.A business professional and coach, Kate specialises in unleashing brilliance in people, teams and companies.  In her career, Kate worked to the executive role of People and Development Director at Wiley & Co, and is now in a unique position as both an internal and external catalyst.  Personally, in February 2018, Kate's life took an unexpected twist, and she shares that story in this episode - Kate has been rehabilitating and rewiring her neural-pathways, and life, using all her knowledge and experience in neuroscience, positive psychology, habit theory and performance coaching. About today's guest: Kate PeardonKate helps executives to understand and grow their wisdom in leadership, so that they have a positive impact on themselves, their team, team, family, community, and leave a legacy on the greater world around them.With more interests that a term deposit; and more degrees than a thermometer, Kate is an eternal student.  University education consists of a Bachelor of Business Management (Australia), an MBA (France/Australia), and an Executive Masters in Positive Leadership and Strategy (Spain). She is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. A musician at heart she’s studied Musical Theater and Performance at National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).  For fun, you'll find Kate relaxing at any piano she finds (probably belting out a tune) and cycling at sunrise. Resources mentioned in this episodeVisit Kate’s website: Zenith JourneyWant to get better at your visuals? Me too! I’ve signed up for Kate’s online program, Rockstar Visuals Connect with Kate Peardon on LinkedInFollow Kate’s work on InstagramAbout your host: Leanne HughesLeanne Hughes is an international facilitator, speaker and coach who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work. She combines her experience in Marketing, with her education in Human Resources and Psychology, to help leaders create engaging everyday experiences - that are so contagious they scale acroIf you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageThis week, I’m delighted to bring you an interview with my guest, who took up an amazing opportunity, that opened up insane learning and facilitation opportunities.The example that he shares in the episode of SAYING YES is so encouraging, and I hope that after you listen, anything you’ve been unsure about, not sure that you’re really ready - well, I’d say, jump in! Give it a go!My guest today is Khoury N Ahoosh ,the founder of Andina Advisory.Khoury is a bilingual executive - and he’ll share that language is what provided some of the amazing opportunities he shares on today’s show.During his university studies, he moved to Mexico to learn Spanish and to live the USA-Mexico relationship from a different perspective. This experience awakened an attraction to difference and change, a belief in the power of relationships and humane instincts, and a passion for Latin America and the world—all of which has shaped who Khoury is today and his contributions to clients.In this episode you will learn:How to adapt from being an external consultant, to working in a leadership team inside an organizationHow to accept, then work with with unpredictable opportunities that open up the doors to new experiencesHow learning a new language can differentiate you, and help you get those opportunitiesThe importance of being attentive, and being a great observer in your workshopsKhoury moved to Santiago, Chile, in 2018. In addition to his work with clients across the region, he has been a mentor for Promociona Chile and is a member of Job4Women, both organizations seeking to increase the participation of women in senior roles and in the workforce in general. He is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Mining & Metals Future of Work Taskforce.His career in facilitation began through the colleagues he started to work with in the global consulting firm he joined just three years after undergrad, doing executive assessment and executive development work. He went into a double career transition, first into a Chilean copper mining company as a senior HR leadership team looking after organizational effectiveness. After two years in the company, he founded his own consulting firm in Chile.Khoury travelled in 15 countries on six continents working across cultures, partnering with leaders and teams to bring change in organizations. Don't forget to join The Flipchart community on FacebookLet's connect on LinkedInSee what services I provide over at leannehughes.comSupport the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a message12 months ago, there is no way I would have committed to delivering 3.5 hour virtual workshops. I thought it was virtually impossible to keep up my own energy and engagement for that length of time.This year however, I worked with a client on revamping our 3 day leadership program.  We sliced it to 4 x 3.5 hour modules. I’ve been delivering these sessions over the last few months, and I’ve learnt a ton from the experience.That’s what I’m sharing this week on the podcast!Don't forget to join The Flipchart community on FacebookLet's connect on LinkedInSee what services I provide over at leannehughes.comSupport the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)About your host: Leanne HughesLeanne Hughes is an international facilitator, speaker and coach who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work. She combines her experience in Marketing, with her education in Human Resources and Psychology, to help leaders create engaging everyday experiences - that are so contagious they scale across teams, functions and regions.Leanne has facilitated leadership, onboarding and team-development workshops across Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore and believes in a strengths-centred approach to learning and development.  She has over 14 years’ of experience across a range of industries including mining, government and tourism sectors.She’s the host of the First Time Facilitator podcast and was a finalist in the 2018 Australian Learning Impact awards for Learning Professional of the Year.Social MediaSubscribe to Leanne’s  newsletterConnect with Leanne Hughes on LinkedInFollow behind the scenes on Leanne Hughes’ Instagram accountChat to Leanne Hughes in 280 character or less on TwitterIf you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show

Send Leanne a messageWhen I ran my masterclass on booking out your workshops recently, I used a variety of tech tools to gain interaction from the live audience.  I asked you to share your responses in chat, and also to jump into a tool called Slido, to ask your questions, upvote the ones you liked, share where you were joining us from, which facilitator business challenges you had, and more. It’s such a fun tool to use, and I’ve been leaning on it over the last 12 months as I deliver corporate workshops online.So, I’m very excited to share a delightful conversation with a delightful person who is Employee #8 at Slido.  I’m not sure if you’ve heard the news but this company has just blown up in an amazing way and were acquired by Cisco last December.Today’s guest is Juraj Holub, and he is a Chief Meeting Designer. Juraj is an executive team member at Slido which has made over 800,000 events interactive. He works with conferences like Web Summit or SXSW and Fortune 500 companies helping them transform their meetings and events. He also crossed Iceland by bicycle.He was also first marketing person to accelerate the company's product-led growth and position Slido as a thought leader in the industry. When you talk to someone who is like the face of the company, you kinda expect them to go on about how great their work is, how great the tech tool is (and it really is awesome technology) but what I love most about what Juraj shares today, is how their company became better because they listened to their clients.They sought out amazing facilitators around the world, and asked how THEY would use their tool in a meeting, or a workshop. Juraj is also super humble, fun, and energetic, you’ll love this conversation.About today’s guest: Juraj HolubDuring his 7+ years at Slido, Juraj has been part of an amazing journey, helping to grow the company form $100.000 to eight-figures in revenue. He'd had an incredible career trajectory, joining as a content specialist, then he moved to New York City as a marketing manager, later becoming a marketing director and was finally promoted to the VP of brand and communications while being on Slido's executive team.Over the years, he’s  spoken at dozens of conferences in the US, UK and EU sharing thought leadership on meeting design, conversational presenting and audience interaction.In this episode you will learn:How you can use tech tools to give your audience a voiceSome fun question you can ask to build a strong culture in your company and recognise the silent heroes in your businessThe importance of focusing on the success of your customersHow Juraj learns the most about leading a remote team - note, it’s not really from any bookThat beautiful blend of marketing and facilitation - my favourite combination…And of course, a couple fun questions you can use w/ Slido during your next event!Resources mentioned in this episode:Slido appConnect with Juraj Holub on LinkedInWhat do our meetings look like in 2021? Grab the Slido 2021 Trends ReportIf you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me See you in your inbox. Support the show