At some point every year (or perhaps every 2 years) someone in a pharmaceutical organisation will say “It’s time to think about this year’s GMP training”. This statement will usually be received with little enthusiasm from those who hear it, but nevertheless a plan will be formed to deliver the training over the next 4 or 5 months or so. On the day of the training the majority of delegates will arrive with equally low levels of enthusiasm as the annual chore of GMP training begins. “Right – let’s make a start” the trainer will say, as the delegates think “well let’s get this over and done with” as they listen (whilst trying to stay awake) to the focus area of this year’s training – which is usually what they did so badly wrong last year!
Now this might not be exactly what happens in your own organisation, but I am sure that some elements of the above ring true. This does beg some really important questions for me. We know we have to have GMP training – but why is it generally done so badly? Is there a way in which it can be done so much better than it often is?
Of course it is not always done badly, but GMP training by its nature is going to be difficult (but not impossible) to make a stimulating topic. What is important is that you offer a course that whilst getting your main message across is done in an interesting, fun and captivating manner. If you are involved in GMP training then here are some tips for you.
One problem for GMP training is who is going to present it? Few organisations these days have dedicated GMP trainers, but some still do. Often GMP training is done by Quality Assurance personnel who, whilst very knowledgeable, may not always be the best presenters. Try and select trainers on their ability to present the material rather than their expertise. If the presentation is poor – then the message is usually lost. Focus on presentation skills first and foremost.
Vary the presentation from year to year. Don’t show the same old video that they have seen 10 times before. Remind delegates of the reasons for and importance of GMP and then focus on your particular hot topics for this year. Try and bring in case-studies and real events as much as you can.
Give delegates a mix of presentations. Remember that you can usually hold a person’s attention for about 20 to 30 minutes, so it is no good going for 2 hours of “death by PowerPoint”. People will just switch off. By all means use PowerPoint, but use this to emphasise the important points. Never simply read the slides out – the delegates can read for themselves. Trainers who simply read out sides are no good – don’t use them! Consider using a number of trainers to vary the presentations. Also think about games, quizzes and exercises. If well thought out and well explained then these do work.
You can spend as little or as long as you like. Normally anything between 2 hours and a full day is normal. I like 1/2 day sessions, as this allows you to get two sessions in during a single day. The advantage of a 1 day course is you have time to go into detail in a number of areas. With a 1/2 day session you have less time, but you can focus here on just the main points of interest. Sometimes “less is more”. With 1/2 day sessions you can go for fast moving and high impact training – getting a few important points across rather than covering an enormous amount of ground.
Alternatively you could think about doing the course over lunch time – you get more delegates with the “free lunch” offer.
Choose a good room. Try and get a room with some natural day-light, comfortable furniture and a desk to write on. The U-shaped table plan is good as it allows the tutor to interact with the delegates more as well as the delegates to interact with each other. If you have large groups then go for cabaret style (around a number of tables) – this has the advantage that delegates are already positioned in work groups for any exercises that you do.
Have a range of activities that cater for different people’s needs. Some can be thinking related, some can be problem solving related, some can be “what does it actually say in GMP” or research related. Whatever you do – get the delegates doing something!
The external trainer:
It is always worth thinking about bringing in an external GMP trainer (like me) from time to time. Whilst the disadvantage of the external trainer not knowing the ins-and-outs of an organisation this does have the advantage of the trainer being seen as a specialist expert. The subject is so important that you have brought a specialist in to deal with it.
If you select an external trainer do make sure that they can actually train! Most external trainers are actually “Consultants” and training is one of a long list of things (such as validation, auditing and procedure writing) that most Consultants say that they can do. Here is a fact for you – all Consultants can train. But during their selection ask yourself “can they train well?”
- Engaging, actively sought audience participation, committed and energetic presenters. A very new way of presenting GMP.
- I thought that the presentation of the training was brilliant, the trainers were very good speakers and used all the correct body language to keep people engaged.
- Usually GMP training is a sign-in and give me a nudge if I fall asleep. The presentation was really impressive and with audience participation seemed to keep everyone focused. The presenters really knew their stuff.
- The best GMP training I have attended in 12 years!
- WOW – how refreshing. This has taken GMP training to a new level.
- The trainers made it fun, thought provoking and educational – whilst at the same time were very amusing.
- This was a striking example of great presentation – I looked around and everyone was engaged.