When to Hand Out Handouts?

Example Handout (all rights reserved)

There is some debate about whether you should provide handouts before or after the session.  I like people to have something to scribble on; I don't want them to write down things I have already written for them; and I am happy to give people a moment to scan the handout before starting.  So I am happy to give them the handout before I start.

There is a risk that people will drift off while reading the handout, make paper aeroplanes, or leave, as they now have the essence of what I will be talking about.  I am happy enough taking that risk, as I believe that what I have to say will be entertaining and informative enough to keep their attention.

I wonder how 'the people who choose to hold onto their handouts until they are finished' would feel if they came to one of my training workshops, and I did not give them the workbook until we were finished.

...Geoff
www.performancepeople.com.au

Creating Effective Handouts

Handouts can be a wilful waste of your and other people's time, or a useful future reference and promotional tool.

To make it as useful as possible, consider it's current and future purpose.  For example, 'current' as somewhere to jot some notes during the session; and 'future' to apply the models in the real world and to provide participants with a reminder of the key points.

PowerPoint has a Handouts function.  It is great for keeping track of your slides, but not great as a handout unless you are very short on time to prepare handouts, and handouts must be provided.  The ones that are available vary from 2 to a page, as shown on the right.

... to 9 per page, as shown to the left.













I suggest that a useful handout provides key content; provides your contact details; cross-references other useful resources; and is easy to read.  I do these in Word, rather than PowerPoint.  As shown below.

Be considerate of your readers when creating handouts.  Provide a useful summary, and references for further reading if you can.  If you are setting homework, don't forget to list it on the handout too.

...Geoff
www.performancepeople.com.au