Customer Reviews

101 Stupid Things Trainers Do To Sabotage Success

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the wittiest books I've read about educating people. It is filled with humor and honest reasons why not to do so many of the things we often do. The authors clearly know what they are talking about. I especially liked stupid thing number 82; I have been "slideswiped" all too often. It's a great gift book.

This is THE WORST book I have ever bought. Wonder if the two 5-star reviewers know the writers? One of them say the book is easy to comprehend - yes - there is nothing to comprehend. And easy to apply - yes - theres nothing to apply either. A few stupid things:

#17 Being clumsy: Basicly their adwise is - Don't be ;-)

#100 Forgetting Your Glasses: One of their adwises - Have corrective eye surgery...

Well they had to make it to 101 advices! My advice #1 on writing books - don't let form be more important than information.

The book is stupid, useless, and not funny - AT ALL!!!

I was a little disappointed with this book. While it contains a few helpful reminders of what you should and shouldn't do, anyone who is a professional trainer (or a business professional with public speaking experience in general) won't find much new here.
I can't say there isn't anything of value, becuase it does contain some good pointers on improving your visual aids, how not to overdo class interaction, etc.
A good "reminder" checklist for folks just getting into public speaking & training.

This book would be very useful for "NEW trainers, speakers, and presenters"; I wish I'd paid more attention to the word "new." I've only taught a few courses at work, but most of these don'ts were familiar or common sense. On the plus side, it is a quick and easy read, it's upbeat and amazingly well presented, they are great reminders (no one does it perfectly), and they tell you how to do it differently.

Great book! It's about time someone had the insight to record our lessons learn. The Success Strategies are an added bonus. K.C. Brady, Assistant Vice President, Science Applications International Corp.

Good presentation, interesting ideas, but some of these `things' are downright ridiculous - probably put there to complete the count for the title. For example, 'forgetting your glasses' and `too tight shoes' are aptly put under a special section for `Other Stupid Stuff' and the book would probably have been better off without that section altogether.

Having said that, however, some of the problems and the solutions are quite valid and useful especially for the beginning trainer. The book would have a lot better if the problems were chosen based on quality rather than quantity and the solutions explored in greater depth.

The Book deals with 7 categories of problems:
1) Places you go.
2) How you Look and Act.
3) Things you Say or Hear.
4) Methods & Materials you Use.
5) Media and Equipment you depend on.
6) Its about Time
7) Other Stupid Stuff.

Never having been in front of an audience before, I found this book to be very helpful. It is loaded with practical tips for beginning trainers. It's easy to read, too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this little book. It's easy to read and reminds us what not to do. Very good for people just starting out in the field.