Ateliers
Workshops
Survey Design
Wowing your Audience with Dynamic Presentations
The Art of Writing Speeches
Effective Facilitation
Strategic Communications Planning
Survey Design
Obtaining input from employees, clients and stakeholders is a vital component to a project or program's success. However, often these consultative tools do not allow for the information originally sought. This two-day workshop will provide concrete information on how to effectively word and craft survey questions, providing clear instructions on what types of scales to use when, common mistakes that people make in designing surveys and the most effective ways to order items. Participants will be taken through hands on exercises that allow them to practice their skills and identify errors in sample survey questions. Participants have the option of bringing in a survey they are working on to obtain immediate feedback and advice.
Wowing your Audience with Dynamic Presentations
While public speaking is often associated with apprehension and anxiety, professionals are required to practice these skills on a routine basis. Whether it is to provide others with information, convince clients of your value or deliver a speech at a ceremony or event, effective communication of messages can make the difference between success and failure in many organizational settings. In this three day workshop, participants will acquire practical skills for confronting their anxiety and learning to speak competently and dynamically to diverse audiences. Participants will learn how to organize their presentations, research their audiences, build credibility, use visual aids effectively and deliver with poise and dynamism. Participants will have opportunities to practice their skills in a safe learning environment.
The Art of Writing Speeches
In addition to writing speeches for themselves, communicators are often called upon to write speeches for others. In this two-day workshop geared toward inexperienced speechwriters and seasoned writers looking for additional tips and techniques, participants will learn about the steps required to produce a ghostwritten speech, including gathering background material, structuring and developing the speech and making choices on language. They will also acquire practical techniques for preparing a manuscript for delivery and discuss ethical issues around speechwriting.
Communicating in a Diverse Workplace
Through interactive activities and discussions, participants in this one day workshop will examine the importance of inclusive communication in the development of an organizational culture that celebrates diversity. Examples of subtle ways in which managers and employees communicate bias and the importance of considering the meaning behind our verbal and nonverbal messages will be explored. Participants will also consider how their perceptions and beliefs influence their communication. They will emerge from this workshop with concrete ways in which they can improve their communication with their employees and colleagues.
Effective Facilitation
Facilitation skills differ in important ways from presentation skills. This dynamic and interactive two-day workshop covers methods for establishing a positive climate during a facilitated session, focus group or meeting, fostering open and honest communication, framing questions to promote communication, actively managing discussions, using visuals and providing a formal closing to the session. Geared toward beginner facilitators, the course will provide participants with opportunities to practice their skills through a series of applied and concrete scenarios, role plays and activities designed to illustrate the concepts discussed and model effective strategies.
Strategic Communications Planning
This two day workshop will introduce basic planning models. Participants will learn the components and steps in writing an annual or multi-year strategic communication plan for their department, branch or program. They will also learn how operational/work plans and support plans for managing specific events and issues flow out of this strategic process. A number of planning exercises will give participants the opportunity to practice writing the different kinds of plans. There will be a brief introduction to contingency planning for crises. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the context and rationale for planning. The most important take-home value of the course should be an understanding of how the different types of plans fit together and the critical elements of each form of planning. Time will also be devoted to the topic of evaluation, with a related discussion on framing desired communication outcomes and performance indicators. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to discuss trends in their planning environments and share experiences with other participants.