Please Control Your Class!

I've been leading trainings for almost 10 years now, and the longer I do, the more "Bad Andy" rears her head (in case you didn't know, Bad Andy is my Mii Avatar when I play Wii) When I first started training, I hoped that everyone liked me, I hoped everyone learned something, and I hoped that everyone would give me a good review. After the class I always went straight to the reviews and read every single one, and 99% of them could be rave reviews, but if even 1 said anything negative at all, it would send me into a funk that would sometimes last for days...

At some point, Tim & Stacy (my husband and my assistant) realized this and forbid me from even reading them. You see, they reminded me that you can NEVER please everyone all of the time, and some people were only put on this Earth to complain (sound like anyone you know? maybe in your family or in your office). Don't get me wrong, the feedback is VERY important to me and Stacy would go through them and share any suggestions and we would find a way to implement the ones that made sense, but the "bashing" ones were filed away.

I also tried to be the "neutral reporter" that just stated the facts but didn't necessarily say one view was better than the other, for fear of offending someone. All that has changed over the last few years. I do take a stand. I do voice my opinion. I HOPE someone disagrees with me... at least that means they were paying attention! (by the way, to everyone that REALLY knows me, you know that this paragraph only refers to my CLASSES, in my personal and business life I have ALWAYS been very clear on where I stand and what I believe and have never been shy to make it known)

Now that you have a reference point, I want to tell you a story. I recently attended a training myself. I actually go to quite a few seminars every year, everything from communication styles to real estate techniques to how to be a better trainer... from $free to over $6,000! And don't get me wrong... this training was great, the mindset and techniques are very in line with my business beliefs and practices, so I have nothing bad at all to say about the content. I also enjoyed the teaching style of the instructor... it was very similar to mine (stories and humor, etc.)

But all was not perfect or I wouldn't be writing this. There were a few people in the class that felt like having their own conversations in the room during class. It is very distracting to have 3 conversations fighting for attention while the instructor is speaking. We also didn't always start and end on the times that were promised. As I was sitting there, I just kept thinking to myself "wow, I hope my classes aren't like that"

So I did some soul searching on the way home and here's my vow to you:

* I will do whatever I can to start and end all classes and breaks on time. You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

* I will be more aware of "side conversations" going on and politely get their attention back on the training. If that does not work, I will politely talk to those parties during break. You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

* I will continue to update the course materials, handouts, and presentations to reflect the latest data and will strive to make even the most confusing topics understandable. You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

* I will always be open to constructive suggestions. I am not perfect. Bad Andy is closer, but she is not perfect either. You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

* I will continue to monitor the market and the changes happening to continue to bring you the latest techniques and information. You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

* I will never lose sight of YOUR needs. You are the reason that I train. (well, you and all of the thousands of families that I can help by helping you!). You've paid to be in my course, you deserve it.

I hope anyone that reads this that ever conducts any classes, trainings, webinars... anything, wil realize what might be happening in their own classes and be more aware.

And if you come to a future class with me... thank you for trusting me as an advisor in your business.  I won't waste your time you've invested!