Week minus 1 – The Rehearsal
Week Minus 1
Getting Yourself Ready for the Start-up Workshop
You are now just seven days away from “Day 0.” This week is your final opportunity to prepare for the most critical event in the 100-Day Challenge: the Start-Up Workshop. A successful workshop accounts for at least 50% of the overall success of the challenge. This is where your group of individuals officially becomes a high-performing team ready to hit the track.
Podcast
Click here to listen to two Coaches discussing the mission and tasks this week – with great tips!
Your Essential Tasks This Week
Tie-up Loose Ends
Before you can focus on facilitation, you must clear the “track” of any remaining hurdles. Ensure the following are 100% complete:
Recruitment: Confirm all team members are on board.
The Challenge Note: Verify that the “starting orders” have been shared with everyone.
Venue Confirmation: Double-check that your location is locked in and ready for a high-energy session.
Master the "Playbook" (Facilitation Skills)
You need to become an expert on the four high-impact zones of the workshop. Take a “Deep Dive” into learning how to guide the team through:
Understanding our 100-Day Challenge: Helping the team see the big picture
Set our 100-Day Goal: Ensuring the destination is “SMURFy” (Strategic, Measurable, Unreasonable, Reesults-focused, Fast)
Shaping our Team Agreement: Helping them define their own rules for success.
Develping our 100-Day Work Plan: Moving from talk to a concrete roadmap for action.
There is a Learning Deep Dive this week on each of these four topics, as well as one on a fifth agenda item:
Feedback and Close-out.
Please take the time to review these Learning Deep Dives before the Workshop. If you have questions, please post them on the WhatsApp group or join the webinar.
Final Logistics & Environment Check
A smooth workshop relies on a well-prepared environment. Use your Workshop Logistics Checklist to ensure you have everything needed to keep the energy high:
The Right Setup: Arrange tables for small group huddles rather than a formal boardroom style.
The Toolkit: Stock up on flip-chart paper, markers, and plenty of Post-it notes for brainstorming.
Tech Readiness: Test your projector and sound system. Always have your videos downloaded for offline use in case the Wi-Fi “stumbles”.
Team Vitals: Ensure water and refreshments are ready to keep the team hydrated and focused.
See the Learning Deep Dive: Final Preparations for the Start-Up Workshop.
Prepare Your Facilitation Tools
Don’t walk onto the track empty-handed. Prepare these two key resources:
The Slide Pack: Download and customize the slides with your own specific examples. This is a large file because the training videos are embedded—make sure it works on your laptop today.
Facilitator’s “Crib Notes”: Print your facilitation guide. These are your “short-hand” notes to keep you on track and remind you what to say during each critical transition.
Coach's Pro-Tip: Anticipate the Questions
As you review your materials, think like a participant. What might make them nervous? What might they find confusing? Being prepared with clear, supportive answers is what transforms a “meeting” into a launchpad for impact.
Review the Workshop Logistics Checklist one last time. By the end of this week, your templates should be printed, your slides customized, and your venue confirmed.
