Subject Matter Experts CAN be the perfect addition to your training department IF you know how to select and prepare them for success. If the strategy in your organization is to “Wind’em up and let them go!” then this workshop is for you!

In this session you will learn to:  

• Develop and implement criteria for SME selection
• Craft a strategy for developing their role as adult instructors  
• Know when they are ready to go solo!

The first thing on the checklist when turning SMEs into trainers is selecting a viable candidate. Sharing a tried and true Training Clinic system, participants will review some core SME Selection Criteria and then make some additions to customize it to their organizational needs. Once selected, SMEs need to be trained in the ways of adult learning and facilitation. Examples are given of content and processes that must be taught to SME’s to help them transition into trainers.  A start to take-up process is shared and discussed, outlining how to begin to prepare the SME’s to train on their own and showcase their newly found skills along with their breadth of subject matter.

Maria Chilcote is Managing Partner of The Training Clinic, a training consulting firm specializing in state-of-the art design, delivery, management and evaluation of training through development and delivery of workshops, certificate programs, on-line courses, publications, training products and job-aids. Since 1977, The Training Clinic has trained over 200,000 people on five continents in train-the-trainer techniques and other topics including interpersonal, sales, management development, communication, administrative and self-management skills workshops.

As a consultant, trainer and designer with over 30 years of experience, Maria specializes in performance consulting, management development, the train-the-trainer process and marketing the training function. Maria has conducted hundreds of workshops for a wide variety of industries including government, retail, manufacturing, hospitality & food service, financial and non-profit. In addition to public and in-house workshops, Maria regularly facilitates webinars, workshops and certificate workshops for Training Magazine and ATD. She is author of many white papers and articles on learning and development best practices. Maria is a very engaging trainer in the classroom, modeling the skills she teaches and blending examples from her breadth of corporate experience with just the right amount of humor!

Melissa Smith is Managing Partner of The Training Clinic, a training consulting firm specializing in state-of-the art design, delivery, management and evaluation of training through development and delivery of workshops, certificate programs, on-line courses, publications, training products and job-aids. Since 1977, The Training Clinic has trained over 200,000 people on five continents in train-the-trainer techniques and other topics including interpersonal, sales, management development, communication, administrative and self-management skills workshops. 

Melissa has extensive preparation in adult learning theory, workshop facilitation and instructional design. Her methodology, which is based on action learning principles, is designed uniquely for each client and is tailored for a specific purpose and output. In addition to public and in-house workshops, Melissa regularly facilitates webinars, workshops and certificate workshops for Training Magazine and ATD. She is co-author of Temperament and Type Dynamics: The Facilitator's Guide, Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types and Teams, and Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types in Organizations and author of many white papers and articles on learning and development best practices. Melissa is a fun, dynamic presenter and course designer who stimulates individual participation, group involvement and learning.