Training sessions aim to develop one's skills and knowledge on a particular subject, generally to the benefit of one's professional performance (Hubbard, 2004, p. 124). Preparation is inevitably one of the first steps in training sessions. According to Polonsky and Waller (2004), “effective presentations, whether academic or business, require preparation” (p. 432). This stage can be divided into three subcategories: training, storming and normalization. Yeung (2000) defines forming as when the team comes together and storming when discussion intensifies among group members (p. 18). Finally, the stage where the group begins to develop and build its project is called norming (Yeung, 2000, p. 18). This article will focus on reflecting on the preparation phase as a whole, based on the recent percussion training session led by James Gilmore, Tik Man Mok (“Henry”), Nguyen Duc Danh (“Daniel”) and me -even, Courtney VanGent. Overall, the training session was rated satisfactory; I found that the main strengths were in the preparation area and included regular meetings and no conflicts between group members. Although the training was successful, evaluation forms completed by participants suggest that some trainers lacked appropriate knowledge on the subject and that the group should have spent more time practicing. Recommendations will also be made throughout the process so that future training sessions can be considered effective. Before looking at the weaknesses of the training session, it is important to highlight the strengths which I believe center around the meetings and lack of conflict within the group. West (2004) strongly believes that "interaction and meetings are vital to team functioning...... middle of article...... from http://search.proquest.com .libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/234918164?accountid=14543Beagrie, S. (2007). How to... speak confidently in public. Personnel Today, 31. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/229900111?accountid=14543Marquart, M. and Sorden, A. (2007). Drop the script. T+D, 61(4), 26-26,28. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/227021399?accountid=14543Presentation preparation. (2002). In P. McCarthy & C. Hatcher (Eds.), Presentation skills. (pp. 48-70). London, England: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: http://dx.doi.org.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/10.4135/9781849209595.n4Messmer, M. (2002). Lead effective meetings. The National Public Accountant, , 15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/232339370?accountid=14543