Successful Conduct:

It's always a nice feeling when a training goes smoothly without a hitch. Even better when you consider that some parts assigned me were things I've not done yet. In this particular training, a topic (Orthogonal Arrays) was something I have never touched sue to the fact that my partner would normally handle it... so no worries on my end - I just had to concentrate on my usual modules.

This particular training, though was different - to begin with, I was not originally part of this, but had to pitch in since Fiel (my usual partner who handled the Orthogonal Arrays part) could not make it for personal reasons - and I had to take his part. Hence the need to cover Orthogonal Arrays.

The problem was, the materials were not really forthcoming with explanations, so I did what Fiel did... read the supporting sites - and what they had to say about Orthogonal Arrays in general and Pairwise (or AllPairs) in particular. Know what? I was right... the slides were poorly organized - and relying on them would have made understanding the topic harder instead of easier - so... I ignored the slides natural flow and focused on how to better explain Orthogonal arrays the way I thought it should be taught.

I did not just get the message across to my participants - but my co-facilitator, Tess, who was very reluctant to handle the Orthogonal part, was able to understand it - and can probably teach it next time as well. So mission accomplished... and then some. As an added treat - what was supposed to be taught in two hours - I covered in half the time. What do you know, I actually pair-wised the module - he he he.

A 1-11-11 epiphany in the middle of carousing:

Last night, I was at the De La Salle Alumni Association kick-off of the De La Salle Centennial celebration - yeah... one of those rare occasions that I'm actually out drinking with old batchmates in a La Salle event, instead of resting at home after office hours... and somewhere during said celebration - as the Hotdog band was playing, a batchmate strikes up a conversation with me.

having seen my Facebook pictures, he realized what I've been doing and was just all praises with people like me... after all, being a trainer was - in his words, not easy... as we had to do our work by making whatever we taught interesting and engaging. He even asked if this has given me more respect for our teachers of old... and yes, I had to... and have to agree. Our teachers of old were really imbued with a lot of patience (and more to spare) to be able to tolerate and mold our batch into who we eventually became.

Maybe none of them would match the profound relationship of a teacher-student like that of Morrie (of Tuesdays with Morrie fame) with me... but I can't deny their help... and influence. Granted there were forgetful ones - just as there are self-proclaimed trainers who believe they're good too - but this is not about the forgetful ones... this is about the teachers (and trainers) that get to inspire others... that make like (be it as a student or corporate worker) better for others - the molders... the empowerers (I know... there may not be such a word - but hey, this is my blog.

Anyway - that little conversation made me realize how others may see me as well... and I would have to thank my batchmate Jason Lim for reminding me... for pointing this out... I guess in my everyday role, I forget about these things... the regular becomes the mundane, the mundane becomes ignored or taken for granted - and I was taking my role... my job... for granted, without knowing such. Again... thanks Jason!

I felt a bit better after our talk... and I do like to reminisce about some of our teachers. how they've helped... how they've inspired - and yes, how patient they were. I just hope that in my own way; with what I'm doing, I somehow pass on a legacy of learning and inspiring to others. I know I did... no question about that - I hope I still do.

Should life throw me a curve ball and I leave training... I know I have great communicating skills - thanks to my years as a corporate trainer.

I've been reading the book 'Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs' since last month - not that it's a boring read... on the contrary, it is interesting read (though at times it can come across as if the author is almost too much of a Steve fan... just almost), and the observations are head on accurate, too... it's just that the Christmas season forced me to sidetrack reading the book. Well, the past two days allowed me to catch up on my reading... so what was I trying to say before I got distracted?

Yes, well... the book does indeed give insights to how Steve presents - in an almost blow-by-blow (or in this case, presentation slide by slide analysis, which really scrutinized Steve's style. Heck, if has definitely given me insight to Steve's techniques and preparation techniques. Now why is this important?

For many, Steve Jobs is not just Apple's icon - he's one great presenter. His talks are viewed by many - not just live... but through YouTube as well (and lucky for me that the latter is available), and his style is worth studying... even emulating (in some instances - though I don't think I can get away with long sleeved black turtlenecks and jeans as my presentation wardrobe... but then again, I have not tried that yet.

Thing is, you don't need the book to watch Steve talk... but the book gives anyone reading it insight... it makes one focus on a few things in Steve's talks... and it has awakened the presentation designer in me... veering away from the default (and lazy thought process of) Powerpoint bulleted lists.

Of course, I don't see myself doing Steve-like presentations any time soon - but that does not mean I'll stop thinking about making these improvements whenever I see or need to use 'death by Powerpoint' designed slides. Yup... thanks to the book, I'm more aware... and likewise, thanks to the book, I had to rethink a few 'traditional practices' that we're asked to use when lecturing/presenting. In fact, the book has made me want to revisit a few presentations that I have created - and if only I had access to a time machine, I'd go back and do said presentations better.

As I said... I don't see myself doing these any time soon - but first chance I get... I will present using Steve's presentation style. BTW... it seems I already do some of these things. Good to know too.