Seminars and trainings

Are you looking for a customized, individual training to learn interactive methods for facilitating interactive workshops, large groups or conferences? Our trainers are experienced professionals from the field and are happy to pass on their knowledge to you.

What we offer

Customized training of interactive methodologies for large-group workshops and seminars
Large-group training: training in the use of large-group methods
Easy interaction-triggering methodologies for any seminar/workshop
Methodological toolbox for strategy development, action planning, feedback and structured discussions

What you will learn:

Our trainings are always individually suited to your needs, because we train “tailor-made and precisely fitting“, adjusted to your needs, requirements and concrete objectives.
Depending on your objectives, we will teach you the “classic” large-group formats or provide you with an individual “toolbox” – or even both. As mentioned above, this depends entirely on which specific workshops/events you want to plan and hold.
In any case, you will receive a great deal of tried and tested practical knowledge for planning, implementing and facilitating modern, interactive methodologies. For workshops, large groups, interactive conferences of all conceivable sizes.

Selection of methodologies

The “classic” large-group formats:

World Café
Open Space
Barcamp
Future Conference
Real Time Strategic Change
Fishbowl
Storytelling
Appreciative Enquiry
Liberating Structures
Circle Work

Individual formats for any purpose and objective

In addition, you can also choose a fully-stocked methodologies toolkit, from which you can put together activating and interactive formats for every initial situation and objective. For example:

Activating workshop scenarios
Involving all participants
Individual formats
for meetings, workshops, interactive conferences

With our methodological knowledge you can:

Develop strategies with any and all conceivable group constellations and sizes
Make plans for action
Skillfully resolve polarities and differences and transfer them to common ground and a feasible action plan
Generate insights and knowledge
Generate feedback
and with it, continue to work in a focused and constructive manner
Gather opinions quickly and efficiently
Collect different ideas and perspectives, bring them together and achieve a joint result – regardless of group size or topic
Skillfully apply interaction-triggering methodologies that don’t take much time – but are highly effective
Make presentations more interactive
… and many other application scenarios with the “gold nuggets” from our tried-and-tested methodologies kit

Possible training contents

Choose from

the topics you would like to learn about in greater depth – we always provide training specifically “tailored” to your requirements and objectives and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

A selection of possible modules

Facilitation of large-group processes and interactive workshops

Workshop methodologies and formats for large, small and medium-sized groups
A variety of formats for conferences, trade fairs, information events
Expanding your toolbox
Finding the right “mix of methods”
Learning large and small formats “in-depth” and “hands-on” and how to apply them

Professional preparation and implementation

Scenarios and methodologies for interactive, activating workshops
for small and medium group sizes
and also for (large) group processes such as Open Space, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry, Real Time Strategic Change, Future Conference
Methodical and logistic preparation

Finding the right methodologies and formats

to achieve the goals set
in the time available
under the existing framework conditions

Appropriate mix of methodologies and activating arrangements

Make plans of action
Develop strategies
Use feedback constructively
Create useful networks among the participants
Conduct dialogs on equal terms

Get results

Achieve actionable results within a short time
in large and small formats, even within a short period

Create energy for implementation

Coordinate, make decisions, create commitment, “hand over” responsibility for content in a targeted manner

Meaningful embedding

of interactive formats in conference settings
and/or in on-going processes in organizations / companies

Concrete planning for facilitation formats:

From clarification of the assignment to presentation of the results and planning follow-up formats
Structuring, presentation and visualization in an interactive workshop

Tips and tricks

Planning tools, templates, best practices, workshop toolbox

Developing suitable, meaningful questions

for the respective formats
Systemically develop frameworks, topics and specific issues for large groups

Role clarification

What is the task of the facilitation and planning team, and what is not? How can responsibility be distributed sensibly at this early stage between several stakeholders?

Advance communication

Announcement of the event through suitable media (culturally appropriate sensitization and attunement) and involvement of the participants in the run-up to the event.

Event Management

Technology, premises, organization

Evaluation and follow-up

Proven end-of-event and follow-up formats

Possible training scenarios

How does such a methodologies training course work?

As already described – our training courses are always “tailor-made” and individually tailored to your needs. However, here are two examples of processes for a first overview:

Example 1: Focus on "classic" methodologies

We train the “classic methodologies” (Open Space, World Café, Future Conference, Appreciative Enquiry, etc.) in a mixture of “frontal input”, experimentation and reflection:

Overview training approach — Beispielhafter Trainings-Ansatz

Example 2: focus on developing your own toolbox

If the main goal is to develop our own “toolbox” in order to create individual workshop formats yourselves, we often proceed in slightly steps:

Understanding the basic mechanics of large groups
- Which basic steps are underlying the majority of formats?
- How do they build on each other?
Overview of different methodologies for each step
- Which methodologies fit each step?
Placing each methodology into the context of an application matrix
- Build your own methodologies toolkit
Deciphering the “classic” formats: how do the well-known formats fit in with the respective basic steps?
- How can these be sensibly varied according to the objective?
Case studies
- Showing scenarios from our consulting practice
- Discussion & Transfer
“Case Clinic”
- Developing your own large-group methodologies with the acquired methodologies toolkit
- against the backdrop of upcoming events
Optional: “on the job” coaching for workshop planning, preparation, implementation

Training approach

Interactive and activating methods (“action learning”)

We not only teach interactive methods, we also use them in our trainings! In this way, you learn from us on two levels:

Theorie (Input)
und Praxis der Anwendung

“Practice what you preach”

We use the methodologies we teach in our training of you:

Alternation of concise input and transfer/”do-it-yourself” phases

Evaluation and transfer:

Warum funktionieren die Methoden so gut
Vertiefende Erläuterung der psychologischen und gruppendynamischen Grundlagen, so dass Sie in der Tiefe verstehen, was Sie da eigentlich anwenden – und warum die Methoden so gut funktionieren
Welche Einsatzmöglichkeiten und –Szenarien gibt es
Nützliche Variationen und Abwandlungen
(stets bezogen auf die Ziele und den jeweiligen Kontext der Anwendung)
Q&A – Runden – damit keine Fragen offen bleiben.

Work on “real world” case studies

We will show you real case studies from our consulting and associated effective methodologies. In this way, you will quickly develop a feeling for which methodologies are suitable for which occasion.

It is not uncommon for our participants to bring case studies from their own job contexts. This is very welcome, because it ensures an ideal transfer to your own working environment.

This is why you should participate

Passgenaue Trainings-Inhalte
Wir passen unsere Trainings stets an die genauen Bedarfe der Teilnehmenden an. Sind Sie Anfänger*in, möchten vorhandenes Wissen auffrischen oder weiter “in die Tiefe” gehen? Wir haben für jedes Ausgangs-Szenario die passenden Trainings-Inhalte.
Modernes, aktuelles Methoden-Wissen
vermittelt von erfahrenen Trainer*innen.
Bei uns lernen Sie nicht nur die “Original-Formate”, sondern auch praktische “Abwandlungen” der Original-Methoden.
So sind Sie fit für die Grossgruppen-Praxis und entwickeln aus bestehenden Bausteinen Ihre eigenen Formate – passend für jede Ausgangssituation und Zielstellung!
Wir wissen, wovon wir sprechen
Denn wir sind erfahrene Anwendungs-Praktiker und entwickeln unser Methoden-Repertoire stets weiter.
Hier finden Sie einige unserer Referenzen aus unserer Grossgruppen-Arbeit.
Moderne und interaktive Wissensvermittlung
Aktivierende, interaktive und diskursive Trainings-Formate
Top-Referenzen und Zufriedenheit
Wir erstellen Ihnen gerne ein passgenaues Angebot mit überprüfbaren Referenzen.

Advantage of the “in-house training” approach: Tailor-made to your needs!

We always adapt the content of our in-house training courses to your individual requirements.

In the past we trained, among others:

Consulting company (“train the trainer”)
Internal consultants and trainers from corporations and SMEs
Internal strategy departments
HR developers
Change agents
Managers with planning and facilitation responsibilities
Pedagogical staff
Teams of event agencies who want to expand their methodological toolbox
Trade fair organizers and agencies
and many other teams.

Our approach

To ensure that you receive the best possible quality for your training or seminar, we attach great importance to a thorough clarification of the job and context:

What exactly do you need?
additional assessment of the existing challenges among participants via telephone, videoconverence or survey form
Creation of an individual training approach: tailored to your needs. Guarantee: You will not learn anything that you already know!
Alignment and finalization of the training design
Implementation
Structured evaluation of benefits and success

Money back guarantee

If you are not satisfied, you get your money back. Without “ifs and buts”. Period.

Your benefit

You will learn:

aktuelle, aktivierende und interaktive Methoden für Konferenzen, Trainings und Seminare kennen und können diese nach dem Seminar selber anwenden („Anwendungskompetenz“)
Elemente einzelner Methoden zu neuen, individuellen Formaten zusammenzufügen – je nach Zielgruppe und Bedarf („Baukastensystem“)
durch die Anwendung interaktiver Methoden im Seminar-Setting werden interaktive Methoden vermittelt und vertieft („Lernen auf zwei Ebenen“)

You will get:

Trainers who work mainly as consultants, so they have lots of “hands on” experience in “real world” facilitation
Our trainers use the methodologies virtually “every day” in their jobs as consultants. So we are all seasoned practitioners and are happy to share our knowledge.
Always “fresh” and “up to date” approaches
.We know current methodological trends and know from experience which variations achieve which effects.
Best training quality
Activating and interactive training, didactically well laid-out, proven many times and constantly tuned and refined.
Documents with practical tips
.So that you can apply the methods yourself afterwards.

Arrange a free initial consultation here!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about our methodologies trainings

When will the next large-group methodologies training courses be offered?

Whenever you want. We offer the initio methodologies training flexibly anywhere in Germany. Training at short notice is also possible!

Are there any open methodologies training courses for individual participants?

Our training courses are aimed at existing, permanent groups from companies, organizations, associations, clubs, public authorities… We do not offer any open seminars for individual participants.

For which objectives are the large-group methodologies suitable?

Developing strategies and action plans, making decisions, weighing up risks, generating ideas, developing innovations – the whole range. We design our training courses precisely to your needs!

How much does the large-group methodologies training cost?

You pay us according to the time spent, not according to the number of participants. This pays off even with a small group ! Here you will get your non-binding offer, specially tailored to your group and your objectives.

For which group sizes are the large-group methodologies suitable?

For truly any group size: From small groups (3-4 people) up to 1000 people, we have a bulging toolkit of methodologies that we are happy to teach you.

Who are the trainers?

Our trainers come from the field – and work primarily as passionate and experienced users of the methodologies that we ourselves use in our consulting practice. Get first-hand application tips and tricks from experienced practitioners!

Kostenfreies Erstgespräch

Noch nicht überzeugt? Testen Sie uns in einem kostenfreien Erstgespräch:

Wir erörtern gemeinsam Ihre Herausforderung
Wir zeigen Lösungswege auf
Bei weiterführendem Interesse erstellen wir ein Grob-Konzept
Kalkulation der anfallenden Kosten

Hier bekommen Sie alle Informationen, die Sie brauchen:

Vereinbaren Sie hier ein kostenfreies Erstgespräch!

Arrange a free initial consultation here!

Thank you for these really good, efficient days! The workshop was received positively throughout.
Thank you very much for your support!

The mission statement process was straightforward and creative. A very good result all around!

4 days workshop and yet: playful, creative, inspiring and structured with good methodology. Absolutely recommended.

By your professional steering of the process, you have played a significant part in the success of the project. Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for the really helpful seminar!

A model of this quality would not have been possible without your help. The result, however, is thoroughly gratifying and is already finding its way into our daily work.

The well-prepared and professionally accompanied team event gave us valuable suggestions and insights. Together we are now implementing this in further concrete steps. Thank you very much!

Thank you for the valuable insights into your practical work and the many tips and facilitation tricks that gave a lively insight into method implementation.

Rarely received such a well-structured seminar with excellent content.

It was impressive to see how much came out of our workshop. That was outstanding!

We are more than satisfied with the result. Thanks again for doing an excellent job! We hope to continue working with you!

The method training was very helpful. We can highly recommend initio Consulting for future seminars.

After the workshops with initio, we can clearly see how we can develop and proceed further and which tasks have high priority now. Thank you very much for your support!

The strategy workshop was extremely productive. You have always kept the group focused on the essential issues. We fully recommend your facilitation!

Kathleen Ernst

NP Immobilien Gruppe

Prof. Norbert Jardin

Ruhrverband

Dr. Siegfried Gelbhaar

Deutscher Bundestag

Sven Becker

Trianel GmbH

Dr. Vivien Lutz

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Dominik Krämer

Deutscher Anwaltsverein

Hans-Jürgen Oster

Stadt Köln – Amt für Integration und Vielfalt

Brigitta Kelb

Bistum Essen

Anne Demmering

ILB Investitionsbank Brandenburg

Jörg Graichen

Brose Fahrzeugteile

Christiane Winter

Senatsverwaltung Berlin

Claudia Krohs

Investitionsbank Brandenburg

Detlef-Mutterer

Toys R Us Zentraleuropa & Polen

S. Folke

BASF

Related publications on the topic of interactive methods

Collection of workshop methods Overview of facilitation methods

Let’s talk!

We have more than 21 years of experience as consultants in strategy processes and would be happy to advise you!

Book our free initial consultation. We will get in touch with you.

Further publications:

Successful companies benefit from our services:

Alle Referenzen →: Training / seminar for workshops, large-group methodologies & interactive conferences