Use the ASK Technique During Your Next Q&A Session

There are many strategies that work when you are having a question and answer session. I have a little mnemonic that can help you remember three simple tips.

A-Assume there will be questions.

Now this may seem absurd. Someone is probably saying, If I did not assume there were going to be questions I would not ask if there were any questions. As Spock on Star Trek would say, that sounds illogical. But actually there is some logic to that statement. Consider the following points:

1. The question many presenters ask is Are there any questions. This closed ended question can often shut down rather than open your audience to ask questions. How? So often by the time this question is asked it is close to a break, lunch or end of the workshop.

If the presenter looks at his or her watch, arranges papers or any thing that signals that there is not much time for questions, the audience may not ask. I prefer the open-ended question What questions do you have? This question is asked a probing eye scan on the audience and a short pause for response. Your entire body shows that you assume there will be questions and you welcome them.

2. ASSUME that some in your audience may be anxious, fearful or shy about asking a question in front of the entire group. This may be due to a host of personal concerns. The concerns can range from their perceptions about the audience s perception of them to their concerns about the correct wording of their question.

As a result, we can help make the process easier by addressing some of the concerns. You could say:

I know that many of you may not want to ask questions now because you may be still trying to form it in your mind. Take a few minutes to think about a question and share it with us.

Or, Some of you may think your question is not worth asking. But please know that I expect you to have a question and if it is important to you it just might be important to someone else. So, What questions do you have?

Another thing you could do is to create time in the schedule for a group of 2-4 people to generate questions. There is always comfort in numbers.

S-Sum Up

Take a few minutes before inviting questions to use summary techniques. Whatever activity you use to summarize what you have covered in your presentation should be used now.

For example, I often give out a prize to everyone who shares something they have learned. I may briefly comment on those points as I continue with each person in the room.

When you sum up the points made in your presentation it gives the audience an opportunity to reflect on more questions they may have. Some people may ask a question while you are doing the summary. But if you do answer at that time it is important to go back to the summary points you were making.

K-Keep Focused

This is probably the most challenging tip. It is hard to stay focused when someone asks a question that has nothing to do with the material you have presented. My suggestion is always communicate that fact. Let the person know that it may be material that will be covered later or in another workshop. However, do communicate the fact that the person s question will be addressed.

There may also be times that you, the presenter, will digress. This especially happens if someone taps into something you are passionate about. I am not saying that you should not digress but communicate or ask permission from your audience before you do. For example, if someone asks a question about gardening and you digress to answer the question with your views on the cars used to transport gardening materials, you must answer for yourself if this is really answering the question.

If and when I go away from the main focus of the question I ask, Did I answer your question?

The bottom line is you never want to sound like a space traveler. Stay focused with your answers.

When you use the ASK technique you will have a dynamic Q&A session.

Copyright, Rosie Horner, 2007 Feel free to reprint if all link information is retained.

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