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Creating a Materials List
When it comes to materials, being over prepared is a good idea. As you design your
lessons (and if you have used the template for lesson plans that we provided
earlier), you will also be creating a running materials list that you need to bring to
training. Double check the list and your supplies to make sure that you do not run
out of a particular item, and that everything works as it should. There are few things
more embarrassing for a trainer than to start training and realize that the key parts
of an activity have been left at home, that the felt pens are all dried out, or the bulb in the projector
needs replacing.
What to do if you have forgotten something: Take it all in stride! Murphy’s Law says, “What can go
wrong, will go wrong,” and if you’ve ever had a day that went from bad to worse, you know that it can
happen. You forget your handouts, or the bulb in the projector goes, or the laptop that has been
provided won’t read your memory stick or disk. What to do?
Have a backup plan! The longer that you train, the more likely you can come up with a related activity
on short notice that will cover any serious problems, such as allowing for an IT technician to get your
equipment up and running. This is where having extra material comes in handy.
As trainers, we can exercise some caution when it comes to electronics and training. If your entire
presentation relies on an electronic slide presentation (such as PowerPoint) and projector, then you will
want to get in the habit of carrying an extra bulb with you at all times. It is also where your
professionalism and ability to go with the flow are important; don’t let the absence of a video clip or a
crashing computer derail the day.