InfoDesign: Frequently Asked Questions about Training

Approach to Training

:: What is the mix between information (presentation) and experiential exercises?

:: Does your training approach lend itself to participation via remote location (video)?

Class Duration, Size, and Cost

:: How long do training courses run?

:: How many people can participate in a training session? Is there a maximum?

:: Do you have a per-person cost, a workshop cost with a maximum number of participants, or both? What are the costs?

Training Materials and Structure

:: Can I preview a copy of the training materials or an outline of the training program (agenda)?

:: Are you willing and able to customize the training to meet our specific needs? If yes, how might this affect the cost?

:: Do you offer brown-bag workshops or short training sessions?

:: Can you help us change our organizational processes?

About the Training and the Instructor

What do your past customers say they liked most about your training?

One participant recently commented: “Thom provided me with organized, easily accessible strategies for formulating and crafting information more powerfully. The course was excellent in every way.” Students respond to my ability to teach strategies for structuring information so others can find it, use it, and appreciate the experience. They discover what happens in people’s heads, and then use that understanding to decide how to craft our information to support them.

Can you provide me with more information about the trainer? Does the trainer have practical experience?

I have been teaching writing and information structure for more than 10 years to work-world, general-audience students (via a 10-week program through USDA Graduate School, where I received the prestigious USDA Faculty Excellence Award). During this period, I also designed and presented specialized instruction to organizations and federal agencies.

Specifically, I teach courses in Writing for the Web, Information Architecture, Information Design, Writing Creative Nonfiction, Business Writing, Technical Writing, and other understanding-focused courses.

I am completing my ninth year teaching at University of Maryland—via the Professional Writing Program. Previously, I taught with Johns Hopkins University’s Professional Communication Program, with Georgetown University’s Center for Professional Development, and with Washington, DC-area training vendors (from 1995 through 2001).

While my courses vary in title, the foundation remains the same: I believe we can structure information to help the people who use our documents. The more we know about our readers, the more we can help them.

Yes, I do have “real world experience,” and that I practice what I preach. I worked for professional services firms for 10 years before founding my own firm, Info.Design, Inc. (a consultancy and think tank), to explore strategies for conveying accessible, usable information, and to help others learn to present complex information as clearly as possible.

For more information, drop me a note.

Approach to Training

What is the mix between information (presentation) and experiential exercises?

I am an experiential learner, so I always work exercises into my instruction. I often incorporate a group or individual exercise to match each objective. I base my course design on “rules of thumb” from instructional systems theories, usability guidelines, and lessons I have learned during my journey in professional communication. I approach classes differently – depending on student needs and their learning styles.

Does your training approach lend itself to participation via remote location (video)?

I recently received a compliment from a student who was attending a class via telephone. “You do good phone,” she told me. When I work with people long distance I make my visuals available, and I am always careful to include the remote attendees. One organization included participants remotely. I found these participants to be fully engaged learners and I continue to marvel at how well they apply the lessons they learned.

Class Duration, Size, and Cost

How long do classes run?

Classes vary in length, depending on client need. Our shortest classes are informational sessions or brownbag workshops. Our longest classes are 10-week facilitated training classes. These sessions provide an opportunity for stakeholders to work on a specific project, such as rebuilding an Intranet. Each week participants receive instruction on developing user-focused communication products. They get homework related to gathering content, evaluating it, chunking it (sorting it), testing it, and optimizing the structure to meet measures of success.

How many people can participate in a training session? Is there a maximum?

The maximum student number differs according to the subject and the type of training. For example, when I work with federal clients for two- to three-day sessions, I typically work with 12 to 15 students. When I work on focused problem solving (usually a day or half-day session), I have six to eight students. I also work with small groups of students (4 or fewer) at my studio, Info.Design, Inc. In addition to the small size of these training classes to support individual learning, I often speak to audiences of 20 to 500.

Do you have a per-person cost, a workshop cost with a maximum number of participants, or both? What are the costs?

For the standard fee, students receive a copy of slide-based materials and handouts. You can also purchase a “reference style” workbook with a more integrated visual look. You can view both types of materials online at www.InfoDN.com/training.

You can view a pop-up table that identifies Workshop Rates

Are you willing and able to customize the training to meet our specific needs? If yes, how might this affect the cost?

As I prepare, I follow a process similar to that I teach my writing students: I get to know the audiences, their purposes, and how they measure success.

If your special needs differ significantly (in scope or measures of success), I will propose additional time for analysis, based on a $225 per hour rate. Typically, I will gather information about participant knowledge, skills, abilities, and measures of accomplishment. I recommend at least one additional day of contextual analysis—meeting with stakeholders, but also experiencing the class participants’ office environment, exploring barriers that often thwart well-intentioned training.

Training Materials and Structures

Can I preview a copy of the training materials or an outline of the training program (agenda)?

Certainly…A variety of training materials are available online. Following a training session or presentation, I provide workshop materials online. An example is available to view.

This summary includes samples of slides, workbooks, and syllabi. You can also learn more about my organization and me at www.InfoDN.com or www.ThomHaller.com, or by calling 202.328.8466.

Are you willing and able to customize the training to meet our specific needs? If yes, how might this affect the cost?

As I prepare, I follow a process similar to that I teach my writing students: I get to know the audiences, their purposes, and how they measure success.

Do you offer brown-bag workshops or short training sessions?

I will be happy to arrange a brown-bag or morning session so your organization can get a feel for my training. I typically charge a fee $600 for a brown-bag workshop or short information session, but can be flexible if we integrate information sessions into other training or facilitation packages.

Can you help us change our organizational processes?

You have an opportunity to build products that help people out. I provide a 10-week facilitation session in which I provide an opportunity for stakeholders to work on a specific project, such as rebuilding an Intranet. Each week participants receive instruction on developing user-focused communication products. They get homework related to gathering content, evaluating it, chunking it (sorting it), testing it, and optimizing the structure to meet measures of success. These sessions typically include support from one of Info.Design’s consultants. You will leave the 10-week session with a signed planning document that provides your team with focus for building a product others can use. Contact me for further details, I can provide a sample Statement of Work.