50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers [Paperback]

Bob Pike (Author), Lynn Solem (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2000 | ISBN-10: 0787953032 | ISBN-13: 978-0787953034 | Edition: 1

Open your next training session with a BANG!

One of the hardest tasks you'll face as a trainer is pulling participants' thoughts away their daily duties long enough to engage them in your training. According to training master Bob Pike, two of the most important learning concepts are "primacy" and "recency." People don't remember middles; they remember beginnings ("primacy") and ends ("recency"). That's why, if you want your training to be a success, you have to gain their attention as soon as they walk in the door.

Following up on the success of 50 Creative Training Closers, the most trusted and recognized names in training bring you 50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers. These lively, interactive session openers, ice breakers, and attention grabbers are what you need to inspire continued application, learning, and skill development. And you don't have to be a professional trainer to use this collection--business presenters and educators of all kinds can immediately incorporate these creative designs into their work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BOB PIKE, CSP, CPAE, has been a pioneer in the HRD industry since 1969. Pike has well earned his reputation as the "trainer's trainer." He is founder and president of Creative Training Techniques International, Inc. A prolific author, Pike has written or edited over 20 books, seminars, and training videos. He is the editor of the popular Creative Training Techniques Newsletter. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. LYNN SOLEM was a senior trainer at Creative Training Techniques International, Inc. and an inductee into the United Nations Women's Hall of Fame.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787953032
• ISBN-13: 978-0787953034
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.4 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Vocational Guidance

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meeting and Training Openers and Warm-Ups that Work!, January 24, 2003

By 

Les Lauber (Lawrence, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers (Paperback)

Honestly, I have no time for activities/events when I train or facilitate meetings that accomplish only one goal. So I look for things that simultaneously meet multiple needs, or desires. This book contains 61 such tools.

Pike and Solem write clear, concise directions for each opener or energizer. With very little effort, each can be adapted to different needs by changing questions. (Instead of asking "What is your favourite hobby," for example, you can ask "What skill do you most use on the job?") In the opening pages, they provide a matrix so you can identify at a glance whether an activity is most useful as an Icebreaker, Networker, Team Builder, Task Tension Reducer, Relationship Tension Reducer, Personal Tension Reducer, or Focussing Activity. Better yet, each of the 61 activities falls into a minimum of three of these categories--accomplishing multiple goals for me in my meetings and trainings. The nine-page introduction offers hints and tips from Pike & Solems' years of experience. The combination of the matrix and the introduction are incredible added value.

I have been consistently pleased with the results I get from these activities. The four-quadrant name-tent, dreams and nightmares, group milling, and uniqueness and commonalities are consistently useful for me. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to trainers and meeting facilitators.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, June 25, 2008

By 

Barbie D (Maryland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers (Paperback)

This book has many energizers and openers that are very effective. They are easy to plan and prepare for, and different than most I have been exposed to in the past.