Communication Skills

Betty Parker Ellis, facilitator

If drafting memos, e-mails and business letters is a chore for you, this class will equip you with the right tools for getting the job done. Learn effective business correspondence outlines and formats, and receive vital tips for better business writing.

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Communications in Leadership
Days:(1)

Betty Parker Ellis, facilitator

This course focuses on giving presentations as well as conducting productive meetings. Learn to work with guest speakers, handle difficult participants and effectively use visual aids. Gain hands-on experience in giving a prepared or impromptu presentation. In addition, you will learn the mechanics of conducting a smooth-flowing meeting that will yield results instead of criticisms.

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Face-to-Face Communications
Days:(1)

Betty Parker Ellis, facilitator

This course will examine all the verbal and nonverbal aspects of interpersonal communications such as improving listening skills, practicing common courtesies and exhibiting professional behavior. Learn what it takes to be a professional, regardless of one's position, and discover the power of increased listening skills and the impact of nonverbal communication.

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Dining with Confidence
Days:(1/2 with meal)

Betty Parker Ellis, facilitator

Meeting clients in restaurants, attending business luncheons and dinners, and networking at business socials are an integral part of the successful professional's calendar. Let this course boost your confidence as your instructor navigates you through a social hour and a three-course luncheon or four-course dinner with tips on networking, making conversation, polishing your table manners and eating difficult foods.

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Writing More Concisely
Days:(1/2)

Betty Parker Ellis, facilitator

If solving wordiness is at the top of your self-improvement list, this course will identify key areas where this problem occurs. In this hands-on workshop, participants will polish their routine correspondence from e-mails to special reports and develop the tools for writing more concisely. As a result, they will communicate more clearly and will see their projects run more smoothly.

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Effective Media Relations
Days:(1)

Robyn Zimmerman, facilitator

In today's technologically advanced society, the media is playing an ever-increasing role in "creating" a positive or negative image for an organization. It is not enough for the CEO and the public relations director to understand the significant impact the media has on their company; they must master the skills necessary for effective communication. Whether in a crisis or in a proactive effort to improve the image of the organization, knowing how to present the information via the news media is essential for community understanding and support. In this workshop, you will learn how to be interviewed by both the print news media and television, find techniques that maximize the good news and turn the bad news around for your benefit, and manage the media so that it does not manage you.

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It Takes All Types: Understanding and Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicatorª in Your Organization
Days:(1)

Bill Stubbs, facilitator

Understanding yourself and others is the first step to becoming a successful manager. This program exposes participants to the basics of personality theory and helps them understand practical application for its use. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is taken by two million people per year and is considered the world's most effective and widely used tool for assessing personality styles and preferences. Used and studied extensively by the military, the government, educational institutions and businesses, this exciting tool unfolds for you in this dynamic and interactive session.

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What's My Style
Days:(1/2)

William Wilder, facilitator

In this course you will learn how to identify your preference for one of four basic behavioral styles: spirited, direct, considerate or systematic. You will also learn the impact of each style in the workplace. In addition, you will explore your communication style and consider the strengths and weaknesses of other styles.

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You are the Power Behind the PowerPoint
Days:(1)

Marianne Frederick, RPT, MHSA, facilitator

Technical presenters and people who have jumped on the electronic media presentations bandwagon must learn interactive ways to stay connected to their audiences. Don't make the mistake of simply becoming the person who pushes the button to shift to the next screen. Learn to make PowerPoint® presentations that are designed to promote interactivity and interdependence with your audiences so that the technology is only part of the message. Your audience needs to remain the focal point and YOU the power behind the message.

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Getting Your Message Across: Presentation Skills for Leaders
Days:(3)

Cynthia Cushing, facilitator

Genuine, compelling and clear communication is a cornerstone of effective leadership. This fast-paced workshop builds and improves upon existing presentation skills of managers and key individual contributors who need to speak before or facilitate a group. Participating leaders learn and practice new skills including preparing and making presentations, facilitating discussions and leading meetings. Practical demonstrations of the various aspects of presenting and facilitating are given as well as individual coaching and reviewing of practice videotapes. (note: maximum group size 8 people)

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Business Etiquette and Professionalism
Days:(1/2)

Ann Moore, facilitator

This workshop explains the importance of good business etiquette and how to apply professionalism in your business style. Good manners are part of working smart and are the very keystone of good human relationships. How to introduce yourself, business table manners, tipping, "safe" business topics, sharing work space, and e-mail and telephone etiquette are covered in this workshop.

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50 High-Impact, Low-Tech, No-Cost Ways to Improve Your Customer Service
Days:(1)

John Branning, facilitator

Using humor and allegory as a springboard to creativity, this workshop inspires participants to develop a series of customer service improvement initiatives that can be implemented at no cost, using existing resources, and delivering immediate impact. You will be reminded of what you already do well, discover where there are opportunities for improvement, develop ideas and concepts of your own, and have the chance to share your insights with everyone present. While the program advertises "50" ways to improve your customer service, you will in fact walk away from this program with many more ways, of your own design, under your belt and ready to go.

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Information Sorting Styles for Improving Problem Solving and Communications
Days:(1)

Scott Simmerman, Ph.D., facilitator

Each of us has preferences in how we think and handle information. These differences often lead to conflict or ineffective implementation. Use a simple model of "how people think" to improve communications and problem solving. Then, learn how to apply this same model with the work groups in your organization. This is NOT a program using one of the complicated psychological instruments. Information Sorting Styles frames up thinking into a dozen easily understood patterns that clarify differences and suggest specific frameworks for implementing improvement in the workplace.

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Business Etiquette Basics: From Email Etiquette to Dining Skills
Days:(1/4 - 1/2)

Shannon Wilson, facilitator

In today’s fiercely competitive professional environment, companies need to take every opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. Enhanced customer service and business etiquette knowledge is often all that is required to set oneself apart. This course covers the basic principles needed to display exemplary business etiquette skills. Topics covered include the art of conversation, formal introductions, attracting and keeping a client, mingling with confidence, proper handshakes, and telephone and email etiquette. A four course meal may be added to expand topics to include business dining skills, tipping, and entertaining a client.

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