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Using Stories, Anecdotes, and Metaphors to Make your GXP Training Come Alive
Author: David Markovitz

“GXP Training Tips” provides ideas and suggestions associated with the planning, management, and execution of training programs for regulated industries.

Reader comments, questions, and suggestions are requested. Case studies illustrating training applications submitted by readers are most welcome. Please send your comments, questions, and suggestions to column coordinator David Markovitz at david@gmptrainingsystems.com or to coordinating editor Susan Haigney at shaigney@advanstar.com.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
As a consultant and trainer with over three decades experience in US Food and Drug Administration-regulated industries, I know that this proverb is true. I have seen numerous companies improve their communications with their employees by expressing ideas and concepts through stories and word pictures.

Likewise, effective training sessions are often filled with stories, anecdotes, and metaphors. These visualization techniques help people remember key points and help personnel better understand what can be complex issues and situations.

If you’ve ever attended a technical conference, convention, or symposium, you’ve likely encountered a presenter who is in love with his or her data. They use slides with tiny numbers and lots of them (both slides and numbers). They put these slides up on the screen for everyone to see and wait for the “oohs and aahs.” Usually the presenter is the only one oohing and aahing while the people in the audience are squinting trying to figure out what’s on the screen. These presentations often result in a forgettable experience. People rarely remember what was discussed in these boring sessions.

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