Another Day, Another Workshop !

The hardest part of facilitation isn’t designing the workshop.It’s convincing the client to try it in the first place. And once you’ve done that… you have one job: don’t screw it up. In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m sharing the 10 expensive mistakes I’ve made that cost me clients and what to do instead so your clients keep coming back. I split them across the workshop journey:👉 5 mistakes during preparation👉 5 mistakes in the roomIn this episode, you’ll learn:✅ How to say “no” and manage expectations so the scope is actually feasible ✅ Why too many activities kills depth (and burns participant energy) ✅ Why simplifying your activities is part of your job as a facilitator ✅ How to choose the right people (and keep the group size manageable) ✅ Why rehearsing your intro is non-negotiable (confidence comes from prep) ✅ How to set the stage so people trust you quickly (goal + purpose + agenda) ✅ Why it’s not about you (and how to avoid “TED Talk mode”) ✅ Why skipping breaks destroys outcomes (and what a real break looks like) ✅ How to read the room and adapt instead of blindly following the plan ✅ Why you can’t show doubt if you chose the activity — you need to sell it ✅ Bonus: how to close with commitment + clarity so action happens after 🛠️ Resources & Links📩 Want to design and run better workshops?https://facilitatorscorner.substack.com/Or connect with me on LinkedIn for daily ideas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-en-naizi-75b533116/ 📌 Chapters:00:00 — The hardest part: convincing the client00:35 — 10 mistakes that cost clients (and how to avoid them)01:30 — Prep mistake 1: not daring to saying no 04:23 — Prep mistake 2: too many activities (surface thinking) 06:02 — Prep mistake 3: overcomplicating activities 08:31 — Prep mistake 4: wrong people in the room (and too many people) 12:03 — Prep mistake 5: not preparing your performance (rehearse intro) 15:03 — In-room mistake 1: not setting the stage properly 19:03 — In-room mistake 2: making it about you 20:42 — In-room mistake 3: skipping breaks 23:30 — In-room mistake 4: not adapting to what’s happening in the room 25:27 — In-room mistake 5: showing doubt / not “selling” the activity 29:39 — Bonus: how to close properly (commitment + clarity) 33:00 — One thing to change next workshop + outro

Inclusion isn’t a checkbox. It’s the foundation of better collaboration.In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by Vivian Acquah, certified inclusion strategist, facilitator, and consultant, to explore what inclusive collaboration really looks like in practice.

We talk about cultural intelligence, psychological safety, neurodiversity, empathy, and why so many teams struggle not because people lack talent, but because the conditions for trust and understanding were never designed in the first place.Vivian shares practical ways to create more inclusive team experiences, how to think about sustainable workshop design, and why inclusion work should never be treated like a one-off event.

In this episode:

✅ Why putting smart people in a team doesn’t automatically create collaboration

✅ The common mistake companies make when they focus only on hard skills

✅ Why cultural intelligence matters more than ever in global teams

✅ How to use simple exercises like rose, thorn, bud to surface inclusion challenges

✅ Why psychological safety is harder when power dynamics are present

✅ How to create safer, more sustainable sessions for neurodivergent participants

✅ Why empathy is a skill you can strengthen

✅ How team turnover changes the “team recipe” and why realignment matters

✅ Why inclusion work needs continuity, not just a one-off workshop

🛠️ Resources & Links

Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianacquah/

Vivian’s livestream / platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwy0ko83hy8&list=PLlc8r5u8xqe3Nj2i1Ni26DTZddvqsQ1Br

More about Vivian’s work: https://amplifydei.com/Inclusive Facilitation Exchange: https://inclusivefacilitationexchange.com/

Kindness isn’t soft. It isn’t weak. And in facilitation, it might be one of the most underrated strengths. In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by Jenny Martin (aka the Collaboration Coach) to explore kindness, psychological safety, neurodiversity, and what inclusive facilitation actually means in practice. 

We also run a mini experiment with Lego Serious Play and unpack why it can unlock deeper thinking and more inclusive participation.In this episode:

✅ Why kindness takes courage (and often involves sacrifice) 

✅ “Kind is clear, unkind is unclear” and how passive-aggressive dynamics show up in workshops 

✅ What NOT to do: shutting people down, putting people on the spot, letting one voice dominate 

✅ “Safe enough” psychological safety (safety isn’t comfort, and conflict can be healthy) 

✅ Lego Serious Play explained: the 4 steps, why silence matters, and why it’s so inclusive 

✅ Practical ways to use Lego in workshops (warmups, takeaways, values, ways of working) 

✅ Inclusive Facilitation Exchange: why it exists and what it’s about 

🛠️ Resources & Links

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyjmar/

Jenny’s website: https://thecollaborationcoach.net

Inclusive Facilitation Exchange (London, March 20): https://inclusivefacilitationexchange.com/

Lego Serious Play explainer video Jenny mentions: https://youtu.be/R7ZwRB8DsK4

What does it take to build a successful facilitation business in 2026 and start generating revenue?

In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I share my full 2025 review (what went well, what didn’t), and how I’m turning those lessons into a clear 2026 plan now that I’m going all-in on my facilitation business.

You’ll hear real numbers, real strategy, and the exact actions I’m taking to grow.

In this episode:

✅ My 2025 revenue breakdown (and what surprised me)

✅ Why I’m doubling down on corporate clients in 2026

✅ How I’m using my network, warm outreach, and cold outreach

✅ The ACA outreach framework (acknowledge, compliment, ask)

✅ Why training is my best “foot in the door” strategy

✅ How the Workshop Deck helps as a marketing asset and upsell path

✅ Why content is the long game (and outreach is the short game)

✅ How I’m structuring my week to keep a healthy pipeline

✅ Pricing, value-based pricing, and premium positioning

Chapters below.

Facilitators Corner Bootcamp

Want to become a more confident facilitator with structure, practice, and feedback?

The next cohort starts March 2. More info here: https://facilitators-corner.com/bootcamp

📌 Chapters:

00:00 Why I’m going all-in on my facilitation business in 2026

00:20 My background + why this episode is personal

02:05 2025 review + what surprised me

06:05 The decision: double down on corporate in 2026

07:10 Corporate growth plan: network → warm outreach → cold outreach

11:20 My outreach script framework: ACA (Acknowledge–Compliment–Ask)

13:05 The Workshop Deck as a marketing asset + upsell into corporate

23:40 My weekly system: daily sales + content as the long game

🛠️ Resources & Links

The Workshop Deck: https://facilitators-corner.com/workshopdeck

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-en-naizi-75b533116/

Weekly Newsletter: https://facilitatorscorner.substack.com/

Most workshops don’t fail because of bad ideas.They fail because people don’t feel safe enough to share them.

In this solo episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m sharing 5 books (plus a bonus) that genuinely made me a better workshop designer and facilitator, from running more inclusive brainstorms to designing memorable experiences… and even using humor the right way.

Some are the usual suspects. But two of them are not (and they’ll surprise you).

In this episode:

✅ Why “I’m not the creative type” is a myth (and how to respond as a facilitator)

✅ The workshop “recipe” that helped me start with confidence

✅ A simple way to make sessions more inclusive (introverts included)

✅ How to design workshops people actually remember (beginning, peak, end)

✅ Two humor techniques you can use without being a comedian

✅ How to improve fast with deliberate practice (instead of vague “get better” goals)

Facilitators Corner BootcampWant to become a more confident facilitator with structure, practice, and feedback?The next cohort starts March 2.

More info here: https://facilitators-corner.com/bootcampChapters below.

🛠️ Resources & LinksThe Workshop Deck (28 activities to design workshops faster): https://facilitators-corner.com/workshopdeck

Jake Knapp’s “17 tips” article:https://sprintstories.com/23-facilitation-tips-for-design-sprints-34d876aa5317

📌 Chapters:

00:00 — “I’m not the creative type” (and how to handle it)

01:10 — Intro: 5 books (2 you’ve never seen)

01:54 — Book 1: Sprint (the workshop recipe)

03:35 — Moving forward beats being right + timeboxing

03:55 — Together alone (inclusive and reduces bias)

06:33 — Book 2: Creative Confidence (everyone is creative)

07:45 — Fear of judgment + making it safer (anonymous notes)

08:55 — Creativity warm-up: small steps before big ideas

11:10 — Four-step sketch + inspiration as a creativity hack

13:40 — Why breaks matter (your best ideas come when relaxed)

15:40 — Reframing problems (surgeon scalpel example)

16:55 — Book 3: AJ and Smart Workshopper Playbook (4Cs + LDJ)

20:37 — Book 4: The Power of Moments (beginning, peak, end)

24:40 — Book 5: The Comedy Bible (callbacks + act-outs)

28:35 — Bonus: Grit (deliberate practice to improve fast)

31:56 — Outro + support the show

Most entrepreneurs don’t need more ideas.They need a direction and the capacity to actually execute it. 

In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by Silvia Coco, Aka la Creative, brand & business strategist, facilitator, and self-described generalist to talk about strategy that’s rooted in real life (not fluffy theory). If you have 10 skills, 3 priorities, and a brain that never stops… this one will feel like a deep exhale.

In this episode:

✅ Why being a generalist is an advantage (if you stop being dispersive)

✅ The “copilot” positioning: work with you, not for you

✅ What strategy actually is and why it’s NOT fluff 

✅ How to set goals that are anchored in reality (not “shoulds”)

✅ Capacity planning: why 1 hour with a client is never just 1 hour

✅ “Confidence feels like fear” — how to move anyway 

✅ Delusional → Done: dreaming big, then backtracking the steps

✅ How facilitation + workshops become a strategy tool (retreat example) 

📌 Chapters:

00:00 — Why “confidence feels like fear” 

01:18 — Meet Silvia (La Creativa

03:30 — Embracing the generalist identity 

10:24 — How she discovered facilitation (and wanted in with the “cool kids”) 

16:55 — The “copilot” role: coach vs consultant vs facilitator

24:17 — What strategy really means (and why small businesses need it most)

31:18 — Real capacity: goals that match your season of life

44:10 — Delusional → Done + the fear behind “brave” decisions

57:17 — Workshops as a strategy format (retreat + momentum map)

01:16:19 — Where to find Sylvia 

🛠️ Resources & Links

💬 Follow Silvia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviacoco/

🌈 La Creativa website: www.lacreativa.ch

💼 Work with Silvia: [email protected]

📅 Silvia Events: https://luma.com/user/lacreativa

Most facilitators think their job is to run the agenda.Great facilitators know their job is to serve the room.In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by Kerri Price, award-winning facilitator with over 20 years of experience to talk about what really makes facilitation powerful (and sustainable).We go beyond tools, canvases, and frameworks to explore deliberate generosity:the ability to think deeply, act with intention, and do what’s most needed in the moment, ven when it means letting go of the plan.If you’ve ever: • Felt torn between the agenda and what the group actually needs • Struggled to trust yourself enough to adapt in the room • Over-prepared… then felt stuck following the plan • Loved facilitation but felt exhausted, underpaid, or close to burnoutThis episode is for you.⸻In this episode:✅ What “deliberate generosity” really means in facilitation✅ Why following the agenda can actually block the outcome✅ How to prepare deeply — without becoming attached to the plan✅ Trainer vs facilitator: where many people get stuck✅ Reading the room and responding without losing direction✅ Why generosity isn’t about being “nice” (and sometimes means saying no)✅ Low-tech facilitation, presence, and trusting your own style✅ The real reason many facilitators undercharge — and burn out✅ Pricing your work based on value, not hours✅ Being generous with yourself as a facilitator (first!)⸻📌 Chapters:00:00 — Why facilitation is about making things possible (not following plans)01:45 — Meet Kerri Price & her journey into facilitation05:10 — From teaching children to facilitating adults08:15 — Trainer vs facilitator: a critical distinction11:40 — What is deliberate generosity?15:05 — Agenda vs reality: what to do when the room resists18:30 — The “leave it at the door” exercise22:10 — Serving the outcome without forcing the plan25:00 — Why fear and control hold facilitators back28:40 — Preparation, toolkits & trusting yourself33:15 — Finding your own facilitation style (low-tech, no slides)37:20 — Being generous with yourself as a facilitator40:10 — Why most facilitators undercharge44:30 — Pricing based on value, not time48:50 — Niching, positioning & your facilitation message53:30 — Final advice for emerging facilitators55:10 — Wrap-up + where to find Kerri⸻🛠️ Resources & Links📥 Free facilitation resources from Kerri Price (activities, conversation starters & more)👉 Check the show notes for all links🔗 Follow Kerri Price on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-price/🔗 Visit her website for free facilitation tools :https://kerriprice.co.nz/free-stuff/

Most facilitators don’t have a business.

They have a paid hobby that depends on the next client email.

In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by Nathy Ravez, facilitator, founder of La Workshoppeuse and creator of the Facilipreneur Mastermind to unpack what it really takes to go from freelance facilitator to business owner (while living in Bali!).

If you’re tired of trading time for money, customizing every workshop from scratch, or feeling lost about sales and offers, this one is for you.

In this episode:

✅ Freelance facilitator vs facilipreneur: what’s the actual difference?

✅ How Nathy said no to a promotion and built a business from Bali

✅ Why your clients don’t care about “facilitation” and what they do care about

✅ How to use your existing network to find your first (or next) clients

✅ Turning experience into signature workshops and repeatable offers

✅ Positioning yourself so it’s clear what you do and who you help

✅ Using facilitation skills in sales conversations (without feeling pushy)

✅ Why giving value for free can be your best sales strategy

✅ Inside the Facili-preneur Mastermind and Nathy’s upcoming free class

📌 Chapters:

00:00 — Why many facilitators struggle to build a real business

01:22 — Meet Nathy: from corporate France & Germany → facilitator in Bali

04:05 — The turning point: surgery, daughter’s challenge & the big career leap

06:30 — Saying no to a promotion & choosing freedom instead

09:00 — Freelance facilitator vs. facilipreneur: key differences

12:03 — How to stop trading time for money

14:15 — Building signature workshops and repeatable offers

17:40 — Using your existing network the smart way

20:30 — What clients really care about (hint: not “facilitation”)

23:10 — Finding your positioning: what problems do you solve & for who?

27:45 — Why clarity in your offer changes everything

30:20 — Treating it like a business, not a hobby

33:08 — Sales as a facilitator: conversations, not pressure

36:15 — Outreach without fear: Nathy’s “12 calls in a week” example

39:40 — Giving value first & the “karma of business”

42:19 — Designing your product ecosystem & planning your year

45:55 — Inside the Facili-preneur Mastermind

49:33 — Final advice for emerging facilitation entrepreneurs

51:15 — Wrap-up + where to find Nathy

🛠️ Resources and Links

🎟️ Join the free free training session →https://freeclass.laworkshoppeuse.pro/

📥 Get more info about the facilipreneur mastermind → https://laworkshoppeuse.pro/mastermind

Follow Nathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathyravez/

📺 Subscribe to Nathy's Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laworkshoppeuse

The world has moved to Zoom. Have your sessions caught up?

In this episode of Another Day, Another Workshop, I’m joined by virtual facilitation expert Gwen Wansbrough to explore how to turn “just another online meeting” into a meaningful, high-energy live experience.

We go back to Gwen’s very first online session during Spain’s strict lockdown and how one simple prompt in the chat completely shifted the mood from heavy and disconnected to energized and hopeful.

From there, we unpack the Breakthrough Arc she uses to design engaging sessions again and again.If you ever feel drained after online workshops, stuck talking to black screens, or overwhelmed by tools and tech, this one is for you.

In this episode:

✅ The 3 phases of a powerful online experience (safety → challenge → new possibilities)

✅ Gwen’s 8-step Breakthrough Arc for designing live sessions

✅ How to open a Zoom call so people actually want to turn on their camera

✅ What a “power prompt” is – and why it beats “Where are you joining from?”

✅ How to use the chat as your secret engagement superpower

✅ Managing tech without losing your mind (and when to keep it very simple)

✅ Why you should always protect time for a proper closing

✅ The Online Engagement Scorecard and how it helps you see where to improve

✅ How stand-up comedy made Mehdi a better facilitator

📌 Chapters0

0:00 Why most Zoom calls feel so exhausting

02:05 Meet Gwen: from UN work to global facilitation

06:45 Her first online session in lockdown Spain

09:09 Using the chat to change the emotional state of the group

13:51 The 3 phases of transformative online experiences

15:50 The 8-step Breakthrough Arc explained

16:16 Creating safety in virtual rooms

18:41 Power prompts vs “Where are you based?”

20:56 Getting cameras & mics on without being pushy

25:45 Keeping energy and focus throughout the session

28:03 Tools Gwen actually uses (Zoom, Miro, StreamAlive)

32:40 Slides or no slides? Finding your own style

35:01 Handling tech when it feels overwhelming

37:21 Why a tech co-pilot can change everything

39:45 How to close sessions so people remember them

42:10 The tiny details that make a huge difference

44:29 1% better every session (and what Mehdi learned from stand-up)

46:54 The Online Engagement Scorecard

49:17 Why virtual facilitation is here to stay

54:08 Mehdi’s reflections on webinars vs workshops

58:54 Facilitation as a lifelong craft

1:01:15 Where to find Gwen & final goodbye ritual

🛠️ Resources and Links

🧭 Gwen’s website https://www.gwynwansbrough.com/

📰 Gwen’s newsletter The Quest https://www.gwynwansbrough.com/newsletter/

📊 Online Engagement Scorecard https://www.gwynwansbrough.com/scorecard/

💌 Mehdi’s site & newsletter www.facilitators-corner.com💼

Connect with Mehdi on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-en-naizi-75b533116/

The world of facilitation is evolving.

Are your workshops keeping up?

In this special crossover episode of Another Day, Another Workshop and There’s a Workshop for That, I’m joined by fellow facilitator Nathy to dive into the art and chaos of workshop design.

We unpack the biggest mistakes facilitators make when planning sessions and how to avoid them.

You’ll learn the essential ingredients every workshop needs to be effective, how to manage client expectations, and the logic behind The Workshop Deck, a tool I created to make workshop design easier, faster, and more impactful.

We also share practical tips on reading the room, setting the vibe with music, and adapting in real time, even when a session goes sideways.

In this episode:

✅ The 3 biggest workshop design mistakes (and how to avoid them)

✅ The 4 key ingredients that make every session work

✅ How to choose the right activity for your goal

✅ The 6C framework and why it helps you create flow

✅ Tips on using music to create workshop energy

✅ A behind-the-scenes look at The Workshop Deck

✅ What to do when you need to pivot mid-session

✅ Real talk on working with clients and staying flexible

🎁 Join my free live event on Oct 23 to celebrate the launch of The Workshop Deck!You’ll learn my full design process and get a gift I usually sell for €299.Sign up here → https://facilitators-corner.com/launch

📌 Chapters

00:00 Why Most Workshops Miss the Mark

01:16 Meet Nathy & Mehdi: Crossover Time

02:42 Mehdi's Path to Facilitation

04:27 The Ownership Effect in Workshops

06:12 Mistake 1: Not Enough Information

07:27 Why You Must Ask More Questions

08:50 Helping Clients Clarify What They Really Want

09:36 Mistake 2: Too Many Goals, Not Enough Time

11:14 Mistake 3: Overstuffed Agendas = Shallow Results

13:21 The 4 Ingredients of a Great Workshop (Pizza Metaphor)

16:13 Music in Workshops: Mood, Energy, Flow

19:24 Playlist Tips and Patterns That Work20:11 What’s Inside The Workshop Deck

22:46 How the Cards Are Designed to Help You Choose

26:05 The 6C Framework Explained

30:02 Reverse Engineering Your Agenda

33:01 A Peek Inside the Cards: Layout and Logic

35:14 The What–Why–How Instruction Formula

38:10 The Secret Behind the Launch

40:27 Free Gift and What You’ll Get at the Event

42:00 Wrap-Up and How to Get the Deck

🛠️ Resources and Links

🎟️ Join the free live launch event → https://facilitators-corner.com/launch

📥 Get free preview cards and Miro templates → https://facilitators-corner.com/deck

🎵 Spotify Playlist: I’ve Never Workshopped This Way Before →https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1XMdNZRpPWYrNfRyb3SG1D?si=f529f69865544813Follow Nathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathyravez/

📺 Subscribe to Nathy's Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laworkshoppeuse/videos