How can you make FM training interactive and engaging?

Facilities management (FM) is a vital skill for property managers, but it can also be a complex and challenging topic to learn and teach. How can you make FM training interactive and engaging for your staff or clients, and ensure they retain and apply the knowledge and skills they need? Here are some tips and ideas to spice up your FM training sessions and make them more effective and enjoyable.

1 Use real-life scenarios

One of the best ways to make FM training interactive and engaging is to use real-life scenarios that relate to the problems and situations your trainees face or might face in their work. Scenarios can be based on actual cases, hypothetical situations, or simulations. They can be presented as stories, role-plays, videos, or games. The key is to make them realistic, relevant, and challenging, and to encourage discussion and feedback among the trainees and the trainer. Scenarios can help trainees to apply their FM knowledge and skills, to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and to learn from each other's experiences and perspectives.

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Pierre Kriegler

General Manager (AFP SAFMA) | African Facilities Management Association Ambassador (AFMA) for South Africa | Transforming Facilities Management | Sustainability, and Operational Excellence | Business Growth Strategist
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Making training interactive, is all about getting the attention of the group you want to train/guide/educate, and we all know that boring old facts are not going to cut it, so if you are like me, I have many great Facility Management stories to tell, in fact I could fill a book, but using these are a training tool I have, works well for me, and of course, be passionate about the subject matter, its a great help.

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2 Incorporate gamification

Gamification is the use of game elements and mechanics in non-game contexts, such as training and education. Gamification can make FM training interactive and engaging by adding fun, competition, rewards, and feedback to the learning process. Gamification can be implemented in various ways, such as using points, badges, leaderboards, quizzes, puzzles, or challenges. Gamification can help trainees to stay motivated, to track their progress, to test their knowledge and skills, and to receive immediate and constructive feedback. Gamification can also foster collaboration and social learning among trainees, as they can share their achievements, tips, and feedback with each other.

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3 Leverage technology

Technology can be a powerful tool to make FM training interactive and engaging, as it can offer a variety of formats, modes, and resources to suit different learning styles, preferences, and needs. Technology can enable trainees to access FM training anytime, anywhere, and on any device, making it more convenient and flexible. Technology can also enhance FM training by providing interactive features, such as multimedia, animations, graphics, audio, video, or chat. Technology can also support FM training by providing access to online platforms, tools, and databases, such as FM software, FM standards, FM best practices, or FM case studies. Technology can help trainees to learn more effectively, to explore more information, to practice more skills, and to interact more with the trainer and other trainees.

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4 Involve experts and peers

Another way to make FM training interactive and engaging is to involve experts and peers in the learning process. Experts can be external or internal FM professionals who can share their expertise, insights, and advice with the trainees. Experts can be invited as guest speakers, mentors, coaches, or consultants. Experts can help trainees to learn from their experience, to ask questions, to seek guidance, and to network with them. Peers can be other trainees or colleagues who can share their knowledge, skills, and feedback with each other. Peers can be involved as partners, team members, or mentors. Peers can help trainees to learn from each other, to support each other, to collaborate, and to build relationships.

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Pierre Kriegler

General Manager (AFP SAFMA) | African Facilities Management Association Ambassador (AFMA) for South Africa | Transforming Facilities Management | Sustainability, and Operational Excellence | Business Growth Strategist
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Being able to call on your peers to train others is a great way to carry over your message, but again, passion, know your subject, and do it in short bursts since many people have a very short attention span, and sometimes the information being carried over can be tedious.

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5 Customize the content and delivery

Finally, to make FM training interactive and engaging, it is important to customize the content and delivery to suit the specific needs, goals, and interests of the trainees. Customizing the content means selecting and adapting the FM topics, concepts, and skills that are relevant, useful, and applicable to the trainees' work and context. Customizing the delivery means choosing and adjusting the FM training methods, techniques, and materials that are appropriate, effective, and appealing to the trainees' learning styles, preferences, and levels. Customizing the content and delivery can help trainees to feel more involved, to relate more to the FM training, to learn more efficiently, and to apply more confidently.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Pierre Kriegler

General Manager (AFP SAFMA) | African Facilities Management Association Ambassador (AFMA) for South Africa | Transforming Facilities Management | Sustainability, and Operational Excellence | Business Growth Strategist
(edited)
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Training FM can be interesting or boring, you choose, but while I am not a professional trainer, I am a professional Facility manager, and my passion speaks in the training I give and I incorporate stories, real life experience and I make it a interactive as possible, you need your audience to be part of the exercise, that way they will come up with more questions which would lead to more interaction and other view points.

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How can you make FM training interactive and engaging?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Use real-life scenarios

2 Incorporate gamification

3 Leverage technology

4 Involve experts and peers

5 Customize the content and delivery

6 Here’s what else to consider

Property Management

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How can you make FM training interactive and engaging?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Use real-life scenarios

2 Incorporate gamification

3 Leverage technology

4 Involve experts and peers

5 Customize the content and delivery

6 Here’s what else to consider

Property Management

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