Presentation Skills Icebreakers and Energisers

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To give participants an opportunity to practice speaking in front of others, with a particular emphasis on the skills needed to think quickly.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• A set of the Creatively Speaking Cards (one card per participant).
• Blu-tac.
• A stopwatch.

Notes:
The timings suggested are for a group of up to 10 participants. Larger groups will need more time.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the dangers of making assumptions about others' knowledge when communicating.
• To recognise situations where the recipient might not interpret our message in the way we intended.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explain the Rule of Three.
• To demonstrate the impact of repeating three-word slogans during presentations or training.
• To show the value of audience participation.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• A set of buzzers will add to the competitive atmosphere but are not essential.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants get to know each other.
• To encourage participants to think about their personal ‘brand’.
• To understand the power of images to convey messages.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

You'll Need:
• Blank name tent cards and pens for your participants.

Notes:
If using this icebreaker in very large groups ask participants to work in small teams and introduce themselves to those team members rather than the whole group.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore ways to make messages memorable.
• To understand why making messages memorable is essential to delivering a successful training session/presentation.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• A collection of objects that your participants use as part of creating the story of Patsy’s Pie Making Challenge.
• A soft ball.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to start thinking about what makes an effective presentation.
• To identify the things to avoid in presentations.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and pens.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To introduce different styles of information gathering.
• To help participants recognise that we all have a different viewpoint or perspective.
• To understand the importance for trainers/presenters to be aware of how their messages may be perceived.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A single apple (or other type of fruit) for your participants to see.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants understand why it is important to arrive early to set up the training room.
• To understand the impact of a well laid out and inviting training room on delegates.
• To identify the key equipment they need to bring with them when running a training session.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Resources to create a stimulating learning environment. A recommended list of equipment is provided on Page 2 of the Trainer Notes.

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 10 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To show the importance of giving information visually as well as orally.
• To demonstrate how different people will interpret the same information differently.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Two sheets of A4 paper for each participant (and for you too).

Notes:
We’d like to thank Mick Duncan of CWT-Chamber Training for contributing the idea for this exercise.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify techniques that can make our spoken communication more influential.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 10 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise can be run with more participants, but additional time will be needed.