"Guerilla Learning Programs" with Nick DeMarco and Marjorie Winther
Program Description:
What do people expect when they sign up, or are required to sign up, for training?
Death by PowerPoint? A forced march through “next, next, next” eLearning screens? Crammed agendas and entrenched presentations?
We can do better! When tried and true training techniques have gotten stale and don’t deliver the results you want, it’s time to go Guerrilla. We can surprise, delight and impact our learners with engaging, challenging, authentic Guerrilla Learning!
Join the Trainer’s Edge SIG on Saturday, March 22nd as we explore tips, tricks and techniques to transform our training programs into a surprising, entertaining, effective and memorable series of events, tools, games and materials. Part presentation, part interactive demo, part flash mob, we’ll explore different ways to make training fresh and unexpected. We’re hoping for your ideas as well!
This SIG Session will explore the aspects of training that are unconventional, fresh and occasionally necessary to break a temporary logjam of growth in an organization. Call these techniques “guerrilla training”. All it takes is guts, imagination and guts again.
About the Speakers:
Nick DeMarco, Technology Training Consultant employed by Premier Logic, LLC (www.premierlogic.com), is a professional training contractor on long-term assignment to Philadelphia Gas Works. He’s an instructor, promoter, course author, administrator and manager of the technical training program for the nation's largest municipally owned natural gas utility.
Nick has never met a training opportunity he didn't enjoy. He loves to create and augment training programs of all types. Nick holds to the philosophy that there's no such thing as a stupid question. Nick tends to be enthusiastic about his students and his work. He’s a collaborator, motivator, cheerleader, evangelist and, where necessary, instigator. Using a motivational and practical approach to the subject matter, Nick customizes the learning experience wherever possible for the student or group.
Nick is not an insurgent, as far as you know. Find out more about him and visit his LinkedIn profile.
Marjorie Winther is the Learning and Development Manager at Philadelphia Gas Works (www.pgworks.com). From science teacher to corporate learning and development manager, Marjorie has been teaching and learning in a variety of settings for over 20 years. She has experience in a variety of industries including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial services and energy. Currently she manages the learning and development function at PGW, the nation’s largest municipally owned utility.
Winther’s talent lies in creating engaging, interactive, challenging and authentic programs where people can learn and grow in an atmosphere of support and camaraderie.
In addition to Learning and Development, Winther writes and performs true stories at various events. She recently performed a story at the WHYY Connections Fest at Penn’s Landing and at the Women in Comedy Festival at Plays and Players. She was the winner of the First Person Arts Grand Slam in 2012, earning the title “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia.” Visit Marjorie's LinkedIn profile.