ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - Bristol

Introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus – 2 days

“I went on a course run by Martin and found it really helpful. Martin established a really good group learning process and displayed mastery of his subject. I am very glad I went on it and very glad he ran it!” - Mike Pounsford, Employee engagement, communication and change specialist

This course is scheduled in partnership with ICA:UK, the participation & development charity. If you are interested in the course but do not find dates to suit you please contact me for alternatives.

Who this course is for

The course is for all those who want to be able to engage people more effectively to build shared understanding and consensus, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. This course has no pre-requisite, but is the pre-requisite for Participatory Strategic Planning. It is recommended both to newcomers to facilitation, and to experienced facilitators who are new to our approach.

IAF endorsed trainingPreparing for CPF certification? Meetings That Work, Group Facilitation Methods and Facilitating Client Collaboration together comprise the ICA Associates ToP Facilitation Essentials Program that has been endorsed by the International Association of Facilitators for those preparing to become an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF).

IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount - see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members.

Questions this course answers

“How can I have more purposeful & productive conversations, bring out the wisdom of a group, encourage feedback between people, and reach shared awareness in meetings? How can I generate and weave together a diverse range of ideas, develop creative solutions and build a group consensus?”

This course provides a structured introduction to the ToP Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop methods, which form the foundations of the ToP Action Planning method, Participatory Strategic Planning and other applications.

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you will

• be able to identify when and how to use the Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop methods
• have gained confidence in the use of these methods
• have recognised and explored elements of participation, creativity, teamwork and action
• have built links with others to promote future collaboration and support in the use of the methods

The Focused Conversation method provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate.

The Consensus Workshop method is a five stage process thatenables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus.

These methods have been featured in publications including:

• Brian Stanfield’s ‘Art of Focused Conversation: 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in the Workplace‘,
• Jo Nelson’s ‘The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools: Over 100 Ways to Guide Clear Thinking and Promote Learning‘, and
• Brian Stanfield’s ‘The Workshop Book: From Individual Creativity to Group Action’

See also my own blog posts Four steps to a universal principle of facilitation and learning and Responding to changing situations and needs with ToP Consensus Workshop.

Learning style

The course presents the two methods in a practical and participatory way. Each method is first demonstrated, then analysed and discussed, and then practiced in supportive small groups with guided reflection & feedback. Finally, participants plan how they will apply each method in their own situations.

What do participants say about this course?

93% of GFM participants rated the course 8/10 or higher. Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

• brilliant – a must-do if you want better, more effective meetings
• provides two practical, easy-to-use methods to discover deep insights from diverse groups – useful tools for any group, organisation or community
• benefits for experienced facilitator and novice alike
• worth every penny – excellent content & great presentation

What your fee includes

Your fee includes a comprehensive facilitator's manual and one hour's free telephone coaching after the course. Also included are refreshments and lunches during the course, but not accommodation. 

For further details

Please contact me with any questions or for further details. For in-house and tailored training, see ToP facilitation training at your place – and free places for you! and please contact me.

Transfers and Cancellations policy

Course cancellation – with 10 days’ notice. Please note, we reserve the right to cancel any course with no less than 10 working days’ notice, without liability for any consequential or indirect loss. In this case, we will let you know by email and refund your booking with no charge.

Booking cancellation – with over 30 days’ notice. If you let us know by email more than 30 days before your course, then we can refund your booking less an administration charge of 10% of the course fee.

Booking cancellation – with 30 days’ notice or less. Unless you let us know by email more than 30 days before your course, we regret that we cannot cancel your booking. In this case the full fee for the course will remain payable and no refund will be made.  Also if for any reason you fail to attend a course that you have booked, the full fee for the course will remain payable and no refund will be made. We are, however, happy to transfer your booking to an alternative participant to attend the course that you have booked in your place. Please let us know as early as you can if you will be unable to attend, and if another delegate will attend instead.

Full payment must be received more than 10 working days before a course to guarantee your place.

Host or Publisher Martin Gilbraith