December 2006

Question

I recently had an unusual situation and am wondering how you would handle it. I was working with a client who was required to provide me with data before I could complete my part of the project. We scheduled two meetings. I showed up at both, but the client did not have the data ready. What can I do to avoid a similar third meeting?

Answer

That certainly sounds frustrating to me! I probably need more details, but I am going to assume that you have completed the majority of the project and just need something that is available—just not organized or compiled. First, you want to try to maintain the relationship, so I would avoid taking the issue to a higher level. Believe me, the person you are working for will appreciate it. My next thought is that I would offer to help in whatever way I could. Be prepared to stay to gather or compile the data. You might say, “I understand how busy you are, perhaps you could set me up in a conference room and I could pull the data together for you.” Or you might say, “Perhaps I could return tomorrow and your assistant and I could compile this for you and you could check what we do.”

I am sure some of our readers will disagree with this response, and I welcome other ideas. I have found that many of my clients are so overwhelmed that they absolutely cannot complete everything they need to do. Further, every time I assist them they are forever grateful. This is good for the client, good for you, and good for business.

Question

I hope you can help me. I am looking for a resource that has a variety of tried and true training activities. I know there are lots of “game” books around, but I would like something that real trainers have used with success.

Answer

Have I got a book for you! ASTD and Jossey-Bass have teamed up to publish a book called 90 World-Class Activities from 90 World Class Trainers. It includes contributions from such legendary trainers as Geoff Bellman, Marjorie Blanchard, Tom Crum, Don Kirkpatrick, Jim Kouzes, Elliott Masie, Bob Pike, Dana and Jim Robinson, Mel Silberman, Thiagi and 80 others.