November 20, 2024
Moderation and Facilitation services are essential tools for organizations seeking to optimize their meetings, workshops, and other collaborative events.
In this edition of ‘FAQs with Jenny’, Founder and CEO of Ready to Launch Research, Jenny Karubian shares that she and her team offer Moderation and Facilitation solutions in and around California. Ready to Launch, headed by Jenny, also offers Online Moderation and Facilitation services for people or organizations based outside of California.
Moderators and Facilitators act as neutral third parties, guiding discussions, managing time, and ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard.
They create a safe and inclusive space where participants can share ideas freely, resolve conflicts constructively, and work towards common goals.
Organizations often employ Moderators and Facilitators for Focus Group Moderation and Facilitation sessions, Workshops, In-Home Ethnographies, and other group based events that require greater cross functional collaboration.
While the terms Moderator and Facilitator are often used interchangeably, they have contrasting roles and responsibilities.
While Moderators are essentially tasked with ensuring that a group event goes smoothly: Effectively managing event time, steering topic discussions between participants, ensuring participants stay on track with the agenda of the day. Here’s a quick reference list of the role and responsibilities of a Moderator in Market Research:
Focus: Manages the flow and structure of a discussion or debate
Role: Keeps the conversation on track, ensures everyone gets a chance to speak, and manages time
Style: More directive, often seen in panel discussions or debates
Primary Goal: Ensure a structured and orderly conversation
On the other hand, the role of a Facilitator is often more demanding. While Facilitators are also expected to guide group conversations, Facilitators have the added responsibility of guiding the conversation toward achieving goals or outcomes predetermined by the team.
Facilitators are generally expected to take on a neutral role while also promoting greater group collaboration and group engagement between members. Here’s a quick reference list of the role and responsibilities of a Facilitator in Market Research:
Focus: Guides a group toward a specific outcome or decision
Role: Encourages participation, builds consensus, and helps the group work collaboratively
Style: More participatory, often seen in workshops, brainstorming sessions, or team-building activities
Primary Goal: Help the group achieve a specific goal or solve a problem
In the event of conflict between participants, Facilitators are expected to nip it in the bud by employing Conflict Resolution techniques and Mediation designed to resolve corporate conflicts. Additionally, Facilitators are also expected to step up to the plate to coach or strengthen their teaching/training skills.
Kirsty Lewis, a Facilitator and Founder of ‘School of Facilitation’, sharing her expert insights states that a great Facilitator and trainer has a blend of the following qualities:
‘A curious and flexible mindset
An ability to dance with uncertainty
Listening to what is and isn’t said
Open questions that are meaningful to the situation at hand
Awareness of where to find relevant exercises and activities
The ability to adapt said exercises to meet the need of the group
Practice, practice, more practice and purposeful feedback’
Our Market Research professionals possess both the Moderation and Facilitation expertise to guide diverse groups through complex discussions, ensuring productive outcomes and fostering an environment conducive to your team’s growth.
Types of Events We Moderate and Facilitate:
Jenny shares that the Ready to Launch Research team has Moderated and Facilitated a variety of events in California and Online. These events range from Focus Groups to Interviews to In-Home Ethnographies, and Workshops.
She goes on to say, ‘We do Ideation Workshops, we do Strategic Plan Workshops, we have done workshops among business owners in the Beauty Industry. We’ve done workshops with influencers, a whole variety of different types of workshops depending on what’s needed for the client.’
Languages We Offer:
There’s a growing trend in the industry towards making Moderation and Facilitation more inclusive.
In a bid to expand our Moderation and Facilitation offering to a wider audience, our team of Market Researchers now offer Moderation and Facilitation services in English and Spanish. Jenny adds, ‘We also do other languages by request, in the past we’ve offered sessions in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
Digital Tools We Use to Conduct Online Moderation and Facilitation:
While our Market Research agency is based in Los Angeles, California we also offer remote or Online Moderation and Facilitation services.
According to Jenny, ‘We offer Moderation across different types of platforms and technologies.’
Our Market Research Moderators and Facilitators will use either regular conferencing tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or more specific research platforms like Discuss.io and itracks to conduct your Online Moderation and Facilitation services.
Our Booking Structure:
Our Market Research Moderators and Facilitators can either be hired on an hourly basis or for a whole day, depending on your requirement.
Whether you’re looking for an In-person Moderator/Facilitator based in California or Online Moderation/Facilitation services, get in touch with us to discuss your requirement and we’ll be happy to provide you with a quote.
Enhanced Productivity: Moderators and Facilitators streamline discussions, prioritize key issues, and keep meetings focused, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
Improved Decision-Making: By fostering open dialogue and critical thinking, Facilitators help groups make informed and well-considered decisions.
Stronger Relationships: Effective Facilitation builds trust, rapport, and collaboration among team members, strengthening relationships and fostering a positive work environment.
Increased Engagement: Moderators and Facilitators use a variety of techniques to keep participants engaged, ensuring that everyone feels valued and contributes meaningfully.
Conflict Resolution: Skilled Facilitators can identify and address potential conflicts, helping groups navigate difficult conversations and reach amicable solutions.
When selecting Moderation and Facilitation services in California or elsewhere consider the following factors:
Experience and Expertise: Look for Facilitators with relevant experience in your industry or field
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for successful Facilitation
Neutrality: A neutral Facilitator can create a safe and unbiased environment for discussion
Adaptability: A good Facilitator can adapt their approach to suit the specific needs of your group
Cost: Compare pricing and service packages between a pool of Moderators and Facilitators to find the best fit for your budget
Get in touch to discuss your Moderation and Facilitation strategy and how we can help you get there.
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