Report:: Second eDialogue Course in Copenhagen well received

I always thought that being alone with two women was a bit intimidating. So one should think that placing me in a setting  alone with eight women for a whole day would be terrifying.  Well, I just had the pleasure of spending a full day in Copenhagen with no less than eight great female marketers from leading Danish companies. It was a great experience. Here is my brief report about the experience.

Luckily some time ago I had the pleasure of managing a department consisting of quite a few female employees. It taught me a thing or two about female behavior in the work place. Mostly positive things.
And the advanced email marketing / edialogue course organized by the Danish Marketing Association (Huset Markedsføring), was a very positive learning experience for me as a trainer. In fact, I would love to be training a group of women again anytime soon. But not for the reasons some male readers may think.

No one likes to be questioned.
You see, as a marketing trainer it can be highly annoying to be questioned. Especially if a trainer is tired or stressed or in a difficult mood, as I was at the eDialogue course. And I was indeed questioned during the latter part of the day. And rightfully so. You see, I was saying one thing while my documentation was showing something else. Most audiences would not comment. But this audience did. And although I found it a bit annoying at the time, I have to say I am glad they took a critical approach and took time out to point out my flaws (as Danes often do). 

Furious at myself for being so unprofessional, I left the Danish Marketing Association in a rather bad mood. Had it not been for my obligations to my family, clients and projects, I would most probably had gone somewhere to drown my sorrows. But of course I did not. I met with Viktoria - my wife - and talked to her about the experience. Seeing that she is a member of the more refined gender tribe, she of course was able to understand and suggest a course of action.

Now I am thankful to the attendees. Because the experience reminded me of my responsibilities as a trainer. I sometimes forget that, more often than not, delegates take whatever we speakers-trainers communicate to heart. I do the same. If I trust someone, I tend to believe every word that person tells me. And - what's worse :- ) - follow that persons directions.

Moreover, I must remember to thank the attendees for the great degree of participation before and after the course. It is very rare that 100% answer the pre-course survey. And even more rare to see every single person complete the evaluation-form. But these girls did :- )

The course was well received
Having received the result of the evaluation, I am happy to say that the course was well received by the attendees. A few numbers for you - all from a 5 point scale, where 5 is max, 1 is low:

Overall evaluation: 4,5

Competence: 4,8
Presentation: 4,4
Engagement: 4,6

The four content elements covered received from 3,9 to 4,4. And I have to agree on that range. One part of that course really needs a serious overhaul. Not that it is bad or unimportant. I can present it in a more clear and actionable way.

To the attendees: Thank you for a wonderful day. I learned quite a few things from you as well

PS: If you haven't been to Tivoli - you need to check this