Quick Tips to Get the Most from the
Searchable Facilitator Database
The intelligent source for facilitation services and solutions, FindaFacilitator.com provides a wealth of information for choosing the facilitator best suited to your needs. Follow the tips below to make the most of this powerful resource.
1. Define your need.
- You will get a better result if you clearly formulate and define your facilitation services need first. With a clear picture of your requirements, you’ll be able to more easily narrow down the options and hone in on the criteria that is most relevant for your
organization and event. - You can contact a Relationship Manager for help at (770) 454-1440.
2. Add one criterion at a time during the
facilitation services search process.
- Suppose you are having a strategic planning session in Atlanta and you can afford a daily billing rate of up to $3,000. Your most important criteria might be strategic planning experience, followed by Atlanta-based, and then billing rate.
- In this case, you might start with a search by just entering “Strategic Planning” as the primary service area. If you receive a small enough subset, you might be satisfied; or, after viewing the results, you might use the back-arrow key to now try “Strategic Planning” and metro area “Atlanta.”
- Based on the second search you might be comfortable selecting facilitators from the list. But if there are still too many from which to choose, use the back-arrow key again to now try “Strategic Planning,” “Atlanta,” and a maximum billing rate of $3,000/day
- And remember, you always have the option of letting a Relationship Manager handle the search and selection for you.
3. Be sure to review each facilitator’s detail records.
- Once you have a suitable selection set, review the detail records for each facilitator.
- Pay close attention to the following:
- The certification level (e.g., Certified Master, Provisional Master)
- The self-rating for the service you need (e.g., strategic planning)
- The feedback from other clients
- The facilitation style of the facilitator
4. Identify more than one facilitator to contact
to account for scheduling conflicts.
- Many meeting facilitators are scheduled out months in advance. Identify two or three candidates so you will have a backup if one facilitator is unavailable
on the dates you need. - FindaFacilitator.com will send an email to those facilitators you identify. The facilitators are expected to contact you within 48 hours.
5. Expect the number of billable days to be
1.5 to 3 times the length of the session.
- Preparation is an important part of a facilitated activity. A one-day session will likely require a half-day to two-days of planning and preparation. Be sure to include facilitator preparation time when estimating your costs.
- In addition, it is not unusual for facilitators to charge for travel time if travel is required outside their metropolitan area. Travel time is typically charged at a
significantly reduced rate.
6. Select the group facilitator with whom you
feel the greatest level of comfort.
- Once your most important qualifications have been met, it may come down to “soft” factors that are difficult to quantify. Don’t discount the importance of communication style, level of professionalism, fit for your audience and other elements that will make the difference in terms of your event.
7. Communicate with the facilitator every step of the way.
- Be sure to give the facilitator all the relevant background information he or she will need to make the session a success.
- Keep the communication lines open with early feedback on concerns and information on scope or logistic changes.
8. Provide honest feedback on your experience.
- Once the assignment is completed, a Relationship Manager will contact you for feedback on the facilitator’s performance. Your open and honest feedback serves as valuable information for other clients and helps promote a positive,
helpful experience for everyone.