How to Conduct a Seminar in Your Place of Employment: Organizing a Successful Seminar

Conducting a seminar in your place of employment may seem overwhelming. The word seminar might even seem frightening until you understand what it means and how to conduct a seminar.    

      

Thefreedictionary.com defines the word seminar as “a meeting for an exchange of ideas” or “a conference”.

Consider the following guidelines with respect to how to conduct a seminar in your place of employment.

Scope:

The scope of your seminar will vary depending upon your place of employment, the reason for holding it and its anticipated outcome. Perhaps your employer has invited you to conduct a seminar at your place of employment. If not, you may have to request permission to conduct a seminar.   

Location, date and time:

When initially planning your seminar, your choice of location may depend upon the number of people expected to attend. The availability of your employer, employees and other participants or guests, is another factor to consider. What appears to be the most appropriate location, date and time for everyone?

The date and time for your seminar may depend upon when your location is available. Perhaps you will need to book it ahead of time. Choose a location conducive to participant interaction and an exchange of ideas. Many seminars take place in work environments, so an appropriate location might be a boardroom, conference room or a large office. Other facilities may be larger but more expensive, so plan how to cover any costs ahead of time.

Theme:

The choice of your seminar theme depends upon the topic or topics to be covered. Preliminary seminar planning should address a primary theme, with further development of topics and sub-topics by proposed leaders and assistant leaders.

Supplies:

Supplies like reading material, paper, note pads, pencils, awards or gifts may be necessary. Arrange for a large computer screen, individual computers, laptops or tablets ahead of time, if these are not readily available. Do you have sufficient tables, chairs or desks? Perhaps you will need extra rooms.

Format:

The format of your seminar can be formal or informal, depending upon the desires and expectations of your employer, employees and other participants, including guests. Obtaining a consensus with respect to the format of your proposed seminar will ensure your seminar runs smoothly.

Good organization and careful planning are vital in terms of seminar success. 

An appropriate format may include a welcoming introduction, mini-group sessions led by topical leaders or assistant leaders and appropriate closing remarks. Make a point thanking leaders, assistant leaders, participants and other guests.

Providing coffee or snacks, lunch or dinner, during or after your seminar may be optional. Perhaps everything is available at your place of employment. Make certain that your preliminary, seminar arrangements include them. Arrange for cleanup after the seminar.

Participants:

Your seminar may be open to everyone, or its participants restricted to certain levels of employment, for example, employers, groups of employees, new recruits, etc. Decide who should attend the seminar, or assign this task to someone else.

Advertising:

Each participant should be aware of the theme of your seminar. The attendance depends partly upon participant awareness. Obligatory attendance or registration as a requisite (including payment in advance), can help ensure seminar attendance. Positive, constructive and motivational advertising encourages seminar attendance and participation. Word of mouth is important when advertising your seminar. Entertainment often increases attendance also.

When the day of your seminar arrives, you should be sufficiently prepared and be assured that you have organized your seminar well.  Always allow time for unexpected situations. 

Conducting a seminar often means taking a back seat and overseeing everything while your designated leaders and assistant leaders enjoy the limelight. On the other hand, you need to prepare to do the opening and closing remarks, or to fill in wherever needed. While there are numerous responsibilities in conducting a seminar in your place of employment, but your seminar should prove to be a success.