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Leverage Subject Matter Experts

Written by: Kendra Lee

Article Overview: Effective trainers must be able to break through the SME (Subject Matter Expert) wall to access the expert knowledge they hold. SMEs are the golden key to training and tools that deliver the results their clients expect. However, it often isn't easy to tap into all a SME has to offer.

Leverage Subject Matter Experts

Effective trainers must be able to break through the SME (Subject Matter Expert) wall to access the expert knowledge they hold. SMEs are the golden key to training and tools that deliver the results their clients expect. However, it often isn't easy to tap into all a SME has to offer.

There are four "Critical Paths" to success:

1. SET EXPECTATIONS
As a first step, SMEs must fully understand the objectives of the training project. By providing SMEs with information about why the company believes the training is important, and how they can help, it will make them more accommodating to the entire process. Clearly define the vision of the project, as well as the required timelines, the key players, the audience, the SMEs' role and responsibility, and the final deliverables. Doing so will go a long way toward fully engaging the SMEs in the process.

2. ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP
One of the foremost challenges in working with SMEs is getting their feedback. It's important to establish a relationship of communication and trust, and the onus is on you to do so. Be open about expectations and goals, and fully inform SMEs about why their role is important to the final outcome. Don't expect that a project plan and timelines will be enough. Follow up and keep the process with SMEs on track. By doing so, SMEs will come to trust you and the process.

3. COMMUNICATE REGULARLY
Provide regular updates (on a weekly or bi-monthly basis depending on the length and priority of the project), follow up on questions or concerns, and volunteer ways you may be of assistance to SMEs. When communicating with SMEs, be clear about your needs, and follow up on more than one occasion.

4. GIVE SMES YOUR SUPPORT
To maximize SMEs' expertise, it's your job to support them throughout the process. For example, if a SME provides graphics and charts that aren't entirely impressive, find a way to improve them. If a SME is asked to train, but he isn't a skilled trainer, work with him on presentation skills by sharing speaking tips and techniques of your own. Make the SME a star, and he will support you on this project and others to come.

These "Critical Paths" can help to avoid the frustration a SME may be feeling and help your training project deliver the business results you-and your client-are targeting.

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Article Tags: audience, critical paths, deliverables, expert knowledge, foremost challenges, golden key, job, onus, presentation skills, priority, relationship, skilled trainer, subject matter expert, volunteer



Related Forum Posts
Creating unique forum post titles - Hi Evan, As one of the people who spends the most time in these forums, I don't really think it's a sustainable idea to ask users to create unique "Subject Titles" for every post. Even forum loyalists (including myself) are bound to forget on occasion, while the average user won't even care. Instead, would there be a way to leave the "Subject Titles" blank and only allow posts with manually created titles to be submitted? Most people would be too lazy to copy the original title and would therefore be forced to think of a new one (which would likely be unique).
Subject line Etiquette - Another email rant: Is there some place on the internet that outlines proper "Subject line" headings? There mus be a system out there that people use to be more efficient email senders. Not everything that comes into my mail box requires my immediate attention. I would love to educate myself and the people who send me emails on proper subject lines. Maybe something like: "Urgent Review: <<Title of document>>" "Decision Required: "<<Subject matter>>" just something for me to quickly scan the subject lines and decide which ones need my immediate attention. Anyone know of such email standards that exist out there?
Funnies - Hi There, Here are some bad headlines: Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge Eye Drops Off Shelf Hospitals Are Sued By 7 Foot Doctors Inclued Your Children When Baking Cookies Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted Kindest regards Beat
Re: Subject line Etiquette - [quote="jvprosperity":btyoa0j1]Another email rant: Is there some place on the internet that outlines proper "Subject line" headings? There mus be a system out there that people use to be more efficient email senders. Not everything that comes into my mail box requires my immediate attention. I would love to educate myself and the people who send me emails on proper subject lines. Maybe something like: "Urgent Review: <<Title of document>>" "Decision Required: "<<Subject matter>>" just something for me to quickly scan the subject lines and decide which ones need my immediate attention. Anyone know of such email standards that exist out there?[/quote:btyoa0j1] Hi Andy, The only system I know of at the moment is the "Set Priority" feature on MS Outlook. It allows you to add an exclamation mark to flag the message as being of high, normal or low priority. However, I'd say that a "sender" is still better off using the phone rather than sending an email that's labeled "urgent".
Quality Member - Hi there, I just like compliment my previous post, where I ommitted the 'Subject' title. Check it out. An additional question: What do you think attracts the members to this Forum? Kindest Regards Beat


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