Facilitators Kitbag

I’ve recently been working with some new colleagues at Skillfluence delivering training and it is always fun to compare the essential items in our facilitation kitbags. I have now spent around a decade delivering training and thought it was time to let people have a little peek into mine.

For a quicker read I've popped a list without text at the end

Laptop – If you deliver training a lot it is worth investing in something lightweight. You are going to cover a lot of miles together.

HDMI Cable – Usually available at venues with a screen but they can go amiss, safer to bring your own. ?

Adapters – As an apple user I have a range of adaptors to link to my device to various systems. I carry 2 of these as they are pretty critical to connect to screens.

USB stick – Useful to share slides and when you must use embedded systems. I often have speakers come along with their own presentations. Good to have a USB to enable transfer if you want to keep these together.

Wireless Presentation Clicker (and spare Batteries) ?- Indispensable so you can move freely, a small wireless clicker that connects via USB is a must have for me. Nothing fancy, The simpler the better. Always good to have spare batteries.

Bluetooth Speaker – HDMI will suffice to link to sound system, but I carry a small Bluetooth speaker as sometimes standalone sound setups can be more complex, or I inherit legacy systems setups (a personal favourite was the sound piping into the next room and no one at the venue could fix) a Bluetooth speaker is great to have for a quick failsafe. I currently use a BOSE Soundlink micro but previously had more basic models that did the job just as well.

Portable Wifi Hub - OK, this is a bit of a luxury – I admit but has been a worthwhile investment for me. It means I have failsafe wifi access and can also set this up for participants if an exercise requires going online. It has been useful when I have been working in historic venues or community spaces with limited connectivity (I have done work in museums, stately homes, town halls and castles) and when I’m in Universities who tend to have an Eduroam link which can be hard to access for an outsider like me. Most venues have really good guest WIFI but this gives me security when it is not available. ?

Merchandise – If your company has any pens, notepads, or promotional merchandise these are good to add to the bag. I often have some small prizes (usually sweets) that can be used to incentivise and reward things. It’s amazing the joy that a lollipop or two can bring to a room.

Worksheets / Canvases - I’m trying to use less printed material but for some exercises having printed canvases and worksheets is beneficial. I keep a printed stock of those I use most regularly to save ordering for each event.

Post it notes - The ubiquitous post it – great for getting feedback, ideas and input from participants and ensuring everyone gets an equal share of voice in the process.

Blu Tack – Where allowed can help convert a space, putting up posters, canvases, or outputs so people can reflect and look back on these. Do check, it stays in my case in the stately homes. ?

Cleaning Wipes (Biodegradable) – Again, most spaces I work in are clean and professionally set up, this is nice to have when using shared spaces or classrooms. ?Not a necessity but those coffee stain rings on the table bug me.

Colour Pens - A personal favourite. I bring sets of colour pens (Crayola washable) in pencil cases for each group to use. It is a good tool to get people involved and sets the scene that this will be a creative / participative event and not business as usual. It usually brings the inner kid out in any participant when they arrive and see this on a table.

Voting dots / stickers - Name badges, democratic voting systems, mapping – these little beauties can do the lot.

Blank Paper and pens – Always good to have for participants who arrive without and for note taking / feedback in group discussions.

A1 Flip chart paper – You’ll usually see a roll sticking out of my case (or some folded within when I’m flying) I use a lot for groupwork, mapping and feedback. The larger format really helps get people involved and unleash creativity in the process.

Photo cards – Great to kickstart discussion or reflect on a topic. These are abstract images that people select and share to get the conversation going. My absolute essential to get conversation going in a quiet room.

Dice / Cards / Icebreaker Games - I have a variety of games and small fun icebreakers that can be used for a range of topics. Usually, a deck of cards or lots of dice make their way into my kit bag. I have about 10 go to games and 10 go to exercises I use across different training themes and for different outcomes. ?

Paper bags – A recent addition. Food waste is a huge problem where catering has been ordered or attendance is lower than anticipated. With paper bags you can invite participants to take home any food that has gone unused.

Have i missed anything ? Would love to hear what other essential people have in their training and facilitation kitbags For those starting out, hopefully this gives you some useful tips for things you might need.

The Facilitators Kitbag List

o? Laptop

o? HDMI

o? Adapters

o? USB stick

o? Wireless Presentation Clicker (and spare Batteries)

o? Bluetooth Speaker

o? Portable Wifi Hub

o? Merchandise / Prizes

o? Worksheets / Canvases

o? Post it notes

o? Blu Tack

o? Cleaning Wipes (Biodegradable)

o? Colour Pens

o? Voting dots / stickers

o? Blank Paper and pens

o? A1 Flip chart paper

o? Photo cards

o? Dice / Cards / Icebreaker Games

o? Paper bags ( for food waste)