Effective SMEs: A Trainer's Guide for Helping Subject Matter Experts Facilitate Learning

Content expertise isn't enough for the training room.

Partnering with subject matter experts can really pay off. SMEs (we pronounce it smees) bring credibility and relevance to live training. They enrich learning programs with their insight and depth of experience. But content expertise alone isn't enough to deliver effective training. . . .

SMEs want to do well in the classroom, but it's often unfamiliar terrain. They're authorities on content, not talent development. Without guidance, they may overshare or find themselves unable to facilitate a productive discussion---all of which frustrate learners. But, with the right approach, you can bring SMEs into the training room successfully, in a way that makes learners, instructors, and managers feel like their goals are being met.

Effective SMEs: A Trainer's Guide for Helping Subject Matter Experts Facilitate Learning is the blueprint to managing SME-led training. Authors Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger offer first-rate advice gleaned from decades helping presenters, instructional designers, and SMEs become better communicators. Underlying all their tips is their belief that SMEs and instructional designers must get comfortable with each other's role. The authors lay the groundwork for you, describing the fundamental principles of a successful training event and the personal approach they contend every SME and ID bring to the training table. You'll discover how to design learning events with the needs of SMEs in mind. And you'll try out best practices for coaching SMEs to deliver training efficiently and effectively. The authors also share detailed and relatable workplace scenarios drawn from their vast business experience as well as job aids to assist you in a variety of learning situations.

Effective SMEs is the rare book that addresses both designing for SMEs to deliver training and coaching them to be effective once they're in the training room. Don't plan your next live training event without it.