Course Outline
Foundations of Communication
- Communication styles
- Communication flow
- Structuring conversations
- Non-verbal communication: Definitions & principles
- Written communication
- Telephone etiquette
Exercise/Case Study
Understanding Communication Dynamics
- Characteristics of a successful communicator
- Essential traits of effective communicators
- Defining persuasion and influence
- Self-belief, confidence & assertiveness
- Push and pull styles
- Structuring communication
Exercise/Case Study
Adapting Communication Style
- Selecting appropriate communication styles based on the context
- Learning to respond rather than react
- Open, leading, and closed questions
- The Funnel technique
- Understanding values
- Questioning techniques to uncover values and build relationships
Exercise/Case Study
Overcoming Resistance
- Causes of resistance
- Strategies for managing resistance
- A practical guide using six steps
- Managing conflict
- Handling difficult situations without emotional involvement
- Presenting your argument with impact, considering others' values
Exercise/Case Study
Avoiding Poor Communication
- Examples and reasons for frequent communication breakdowns
- The Ladder of Inference
- Top-down, bottom-up, or 360-degree approaches
- Collaborative versus dictatorial styles
- Selecting the most effective style and understanding why it works
Exercise/Case Study
Integrating Skills
- Providing feedback
- Questioning & Listening
- Asking powerful questions
- Conveying the key message effectively
- Making effective requests
- Promises – blessing or curse?
- Strategies for improving communication skills moving forward
Exercise/Case Study
The Art & Skill of Persuasion
Understanding Persuasion
- Attributes of a successful persuader
- Qualities of effective persuasion
- Influencing and persuading, not manipulation
- Defining persuasion and influence
- Principles of effective influencing
- Self-belief, confidence & assertiveness
- Understanding push and pull styles of persuasion
- The psychology of persuasion – the basics
Example/Exercise
Preparing to Persuade
- Building Trust
- The “Mocking Bird” Theory
- Non-verbal communication
- Building trust and rapport
- Discovering others' needs through listening and questioning
- Perception – how you view situations and how others perceive you
Example/Exercise
Exploring Others’ Desires
- Setting clear objectives for the scope of your persuasion
- Effective questioning techniques
- Recognizing the values and motivations of others
- Refining listening skills and overcoming barriers to active listening
- Identifying individual ‘filters’ and strategies to overcome them
- The power of positive thought – preparing for persuasive discussions
Example/Exercise
Communication Style
- Selecting appropriate communication styles based on the context
- Learning to respond rather than react
- Open, leading, and closed questions.
- The Funnel questioning technique.
- Understanding values and persuading around them
- Questioning techniques to uncover values and build relationships
Example/Exercise
Overcoming Resistance
- Selecting one of the six levels of assertiveness without compromising others' values
- Applying a practical 6-step Influence Model
- Using FAB to match needs gathered from stakeholders
- Managing conflict – handling difficult situations without emotional bias
- Presenting your case with impact, considering others' values
Example/Exercise
Persuasive Case Presentation
- Presenting at the appropriate stage.
- Adopting strategies that suit your style
- Stating your case assertively and convincingly.
- Understanding your audience
- Gathering relevant content
- The 10/80/10 rule for structuring presentations
- Delivering a presentation
Example/Exercise
Handling Objections
- Identifying frequently encountered objections.
- Pre-empting objections.
- Developing appropriate responses.
Example/Exercise
Negotiation Skills for Finance Professionals
Introductions
- The Negotiation Process
- Objectives in negotiation
- Communication Skills of the Effective Negotiator
- Assessing information
- Establishing parameters
- Defining the “win-win” outcome
Case Study/Discussion Point
Understanding “Interests”
- Interests
- Differences between positions and interests
- Identifying and prioritizing your interests
- Common mistakes when handling interests
- When is negotiation advisable?
- Elements of an effective negotiation
Case Study/Discussion Point
Exploring “Options”
- Generating and evaluating possible options
- Identifying your ideal outcome
- Common errors when generating options
Case Study/Discussion Point
Understanding Negotiation Outcomes
- Evaluating the options
- Predicting potential endings
- Determining if a “win” is feasible or if compromise is better
- Setting clear objectives
- Being prepared to concede when it makes sense
Case Study/Discussion Point
The Negotiating Process
- Making proposals and giving/receiving concessions
- Breaking Deadlock
- Agreeing on a remedy
- Understanding the negotiator’s role
- Key stages of the process
- Sharing information
- Reading signals
- Creating a plan.
- Reviewing assumptions
- Navigating the meeting/discussion process
- Probing to develop understanding
- Reaching agreement
Case Study/Discussion Point
Challenges
- Different personality types
- Behavioral approaches & body language
- Deadlocks, Standstills & Concessions
- Tricks, Traps & Tactics
- When & Where to Negotiate – Electronic Media are not ideal
Live Practice
- Simulations
- Debrief
Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals
The Essentials - The Presenter - You
- Conducting ‘essential checks’
- P projecting the ‘right’ image
- Using words, tone, and body language
- Leveraging the qualities of your voice
- Acknowledging and overcoming nerves
- Using relaxation techniques
- Using mannerisms and gestures to enhance impact
- Qualities of a successful presenter
Example/Exercise
The Essentials – The Material – What Are You Going to Say
- Performing a needs analysis
- Drafting the basic outline
- Researching, writing, and editing
- Establishing a clear purpose
- Using successful information gathering techniques
- Choosing the best route through your material
- Identifying key points
- Creating strong openings and closings
- Understanding the pros and cons of different visual aids
- Making it big, bold, and brilliant
Example/Exercise
The Essentials – The Audience – Who Will You be Speaking To
- Knowing your audience to develop appealing presentations
- Building rapport
- Gaining and maintaining their support
- Managing questions
- Handling difficult individuals
- Understanding group dynamics
Example/Exercise
Next Step – Delivery Methods
- Basic methods
- Advanced methods
- Basic criteria to consider
- Selecting appropriate communication styles based on the context
- Listening and Hearing: They aren't the same thing
- Asking questions
- Communicating with power
Example/Exercise
Next Step – Communication Skills
- Defining Communication
- Mental preparation
- Physical relaxation techniques
- Appearing confident in front of the crowd
- Non-Verbal Communication Skills
- Body language
- The signals you send to others
- It's not WHAT you say, It's HOW you say it
- Presenting your case with impact,
Example/Exercise
Perfecting your skills
- Injecting humor
- Asking them a question
- Encouraging discussion
- Managing questions
- Creating Fantastic Flip Charts
- Creating Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
- WOW your Audience
- Vibrant Videos and Amazing Audio
Example/Exercise
What is Mediation
- Textbook definition
- Mediation in practice
- Effective and ineffective mediation
- A SWOT analysis
- The goals of mediation
- Reaching a compromise
- WinWin – is this always possible
- Plugging the gap between avoidance and formal action
Exercise/Case Study
Understanding Mediation
- The principles of Mediation
- What it can achieve.
- When it is appropriate
- Are there times when mediation is inappropriate
- Taking a strategic approach
- Alternative dispute resolution practices
- HR Policies: help or hindrance in conflict situations
Exercise/Case Study
Preparing for Mediation
- Essential skills.
- Critical discussions
- Understanding why people behave the way they do in conflict
- Identifying the issues
- Exploring compromise
- The ‘least worst’ outcome
- BATNA/WATNA
- Setting the parameters
Exercise/Case Study
Mediation
- Structuring the process
- Creating a ‘safe’ environment
- Building rapport and trust
- Maintaining impartiality
- Assisting with win-win outcomes
- Managing destructive conflict
- Dealing with deadlock
- Engaging resistant parties constructively
- Closing the mediation
- Confirming the outcome
- Selecting alternatives
- Follow-up and review mechanisms
Exercise/Case Study
Testimonials (3)
The excercises were really fun
Jakub - AXA XL
Course - Business Communication Skills
Charisma of trainer and knowledge.
Bartosz - AXA XL
Course - Business Communication Skills
Open atmosphere without judgment