Here are some suggestions to help you help your group get the most out of their conversation on the day. Remember, it’s not your job to run the workshop, but to be there to help the conversation flow and the guidelines be followed.

1. To get a session started, kick it off with a question or quick show of hands, ie “Who is already…” or “Who is looking to find out more about …” to get the ball rolling. You can also go around the room and get a response from each person if it’s appropriate.

2. If a group gets stuck, ask another question. Questions could either be around problems or solutions – “Who has a strategy for dealing with …”, “What have people found to be the best …” etc etc. You can also segue from one point to another (provided it’s still on topic), eg “x raised some interesting points about newsletters, what other methods are people using to stay in touch with clients?”

3. Ensure that participants share the air-time. If someone seems to be dominating the discussion simply and respectfully acknowledge the participant (hopefully they’ll pause for breath at some stage) and move it on. “Thank you (name). It would be good to get some other input and perspectives on this issue/point.” Or you can point to the guidelines on the wall and say “Thank you (name). To make sure we share the air-time, are there any other questions, comments or inputs people would like to make?”

4. Check in with the group mid-way. Ask, “Is everyone ok with where this conversation is at? Are there any other questions, issues or inputs people have that they’d like to raise before the end of the sessions?”

5. It’s ok for people to leave. If the conversation isn’t working for them they are free to take themselves elsewhere – it’s not a reflection on you or the group – just allow things to continue.

6. Adding value is ok, selling is not. Participant contributions need to add value to the conversation and the learning experience. If someone is overtly flogging their system or company as a solution we need to politely move the conversation on and if necessary, have a chat to them in the break. It’s ok to mention a product or solution in the context of the conversation, provided it’s relevant and not all plug plug. Try requesting people take the product out and talk about the point instead (ie database marketing versus the features of a specific CRM product).

7. Don’t take it too seriously. REBarCamp and learning should be fun. It’s ok for things to divert, just bring it back gently if it needs to.