There is a massive difference between training and presenting.  I see many blogs and videos that talk about improving presentations and then speak of training and train the trainer courses.  This is not correct and sends the wrong message regarding their use.

When we are presenting, we are delivering a message; it is one-way traffic.  We may use presentations within a training role, switching from training to presenting in a heartbeat, but the skills required to train are different.

Presenting – Although similar in structure, effective presentations are about getting the message across.  We focus heavily on content and engage using useful body language and tone.  We utilise rhetorical questioning, where we pose a question and then answer the question ourselves.  Advanced presenters use anchoring techniques and embedded commands to get their message across.

Training – Many skills from presenting are used but in training, focus on active engagement is imperative to get to our Key Learning Point.  We use a wide range of questioning techniques to stimulate and engage in thinking.  We should involve others using a mixture of open questions and reasoning questioning techniques.

Competent trainers use a mixture of presenting and training techniques where presenters use presenting skills only.  Both are fantastic, both are effective, but they are very different.

Ralph Moody is the founder of Target Training and specialises in trainer and management development.  You can read more about him here.