I’m taking a coffee break between client meetings on Teesside. I’ve just been with a world class engineering company, mapping out the content of two training seminars I’m doing for them, one on CSR and one on Sustainability & Design. While they’re fresh in my mind, here are three top tips on sustainability training:

1. Sell the course to delegates

Many people are cynical about training. Many people are cynical about sustainability. You need to sell the purpose of the course to the delegates, both at the start and at points through the session. In this case I’ll be pointing out how ‘green’ can win tenders and the business opportunities for this company in the low carbon agenda.

2. Mind the gap

If you leave a gap between the content of the course and the implementation of those ideas back at the desk, most of your hard work will fall straight through it. I always get delegates to apply the knowledge and skills they are learning to their day job during the session – closing the gap up before it occurs.

3. Make it thought provoking

Challenging your delegates is more effective than lame attempts to make the session fun. Ask questions, puncture myths and put people on the spot. If you can do fun too, then do it.

I think these are the most important three. Do you have any more?