Course Outline
What is Communication
- Communication styles
 - Communication flow
 - Framing conversations
 - Non-verbal communication Definitions & principles
 - Written communication
 - Telephone skills
 
Exercise/Case Study
Understanding Communication
- What makes a successful communicator
 - The qualities of a successful communicator
 - Defining persuasion and influence
 - Self- belief, confidence & assertiveness
 - Push and pull styles
 - Framing communication
 
Exercise/Case Study
Communication Style
- Choose from a range of communication styles depending upon the situation
 - Learn to respond, rather than react
 - Open, leading and closed questions
 - The Funnel technique
 - Understanding values
 - Questioning techniques to understand values and build relationships
 
Exercise/Case Study
Overcoming resistance
- What causes resistance
 - How to deal with resistance
 - A practical guide using six steps
 - Dealing with conflict
 - Handling difficult situations without emotions
 - Presenting your case with impact, taking the values of others into account
 
Exercise/Case Study
Poor Communication
- Examples and why does this happen so frequently
 - The Ladder of Inference
 - Top down, Bottom up or 360 degree
 - Collaborative versus dictatorial
 - Selecting the best style and understanding what makes this the “best”
 
Exercise/Case Study
Putting it all Together
- Feedback
 - Questioning & Listening
 - Asking powerful questions
 - Getting the key message across
 - Making effective requests
 - Promises – blessing or curse?
 - How to improve communication skills going forward
 
Exercise/Case Study
The Art & Skill of Persuasion
Understanding Persuasion
- What makes a successful persuader?
 - The qualities of a successful persuader
 - Influencing and persuading, not manipulation
 - Defining persuasion and influence
 - Principles of effective influencing
 - Self- Belief, Confidence & Assertiveness
 - What do we mean by push and pull styles of persuasion
 - The psychology of persuasion – the basics
 
Example/Exercise
Preparing to persuade
- Building Trust
 - “Mocking Bird” Theory
 - Non verbal communication
 - Building Trust and rapport
 - Finding out what others want or need - listening and questioning
 - Perception – how you perceive situations and how others may perceive you
 
Example/Exercise
Explore what others want
- Setting clear objectives on the scope of selling you wish to embark on
 - Effective questioning techniques
 - Realise the values and motivations of others
 - Hone your listening skills and overcome barriers to active listening
 - The identification of individual ‘filters’ and how to overcome these
 - The power of positive thought – preparing for the persuasion discussion
 
Example/Exercise
Communication Style
- Choose from a range of communication styles depending upon the situation
 - Learn to respond, rather than react
 - Open, leading and closed questions.
 - The Funnel questioning technique.
 - Understanding values and how to persuade around these
 - Questioning techniques to understand values and build relationships
 
Example/Exercise
Overcome resistance
- Select one of the six levels of assertiveness, without compromising the values of others
 - Apply a practical 6-step Influence Model
 - Using FAB to match the needs gathered from customers
 - Dealing with conflict – handling difficult situations without emotions
 - Presenting your case with impact, taking the values of others into account
 
Example/Exercise
State your case persuasively
- Presenting at the right stage.
 - Adopt strategies that work for you
 - State your case assertively and convincingly.
 - Knowing the audience
 - Gathering the content
 - The 10/80/10 rule for structuring the presentation
 - Delivering a presentation
 
Example/Exercise
Handling Objections
- Identifying frequently encountered objections.
 - The pre-emption of objections.
 - Developing appropriate responses.
 
Example/Exercise
Negotiation Skills for Finance Professionals
Introductions
- The Process of Negotiation
 - Objectives in negotiation
 - Communication Skills of the Effective Negotiator
 - Assessing information
 - Establishing the parameters
 - What is the “win-win” outcome
 
Case Study/Discussion Point
The “Interests”
- Interests
 - The difference between positions and interests
 - Identifying and prioritising your interests
 - Common mistakes when handling interests
 - When is negotiation a good idea?
 - The elements of an effective negotiation
 
Case Study/Discussion Point
The “Options”
- Generating and evaluating possible options
 - Identifying your ideal outcome
 - Common errors when generating options
 
Case Study/Discussion Point
Understanding Negotiation Outcomes
- Evaluate the options
 - Where do you think it will end
 - Is there a “win” or would a compromise be better
 - Setting clear objectives
 - Being prepared to lose when it makes sense
 
Case Study/Discussion Point
The Negotiating Process
- Making proposals and giving and receiving concessions
 - Breaking Deadlock
 - Agreeing a remedy
 - Understanding the negotiator’s role
 - Key stages of the process
 - Giving information
 - Reading signals
 - Making a plan.
 - Reviewing assumptions
 - Working through the meeting/discussion process
 - Probing in order to develop understanding
 - Reaching agreement
 
Case Study/Discussion Point
Challenges
- Different types of people
 - Behavioural approaches & body language
 - Deadlocks, Standstills & Concessions
 - Tricks, Traps & Tactics
 - When & Where to Negotiate – Electronic Media are not ideal
 
Live Practice
- Simultaions
 - Debrief
 
Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals
The Essentials - The Presenter - You
- Carrying out the ‘essential checks’
 - Presenting the ‘right’ image
 - Using your words, tone and body language
 - Working with the qualities of your voice
 - Acknowledging and overcoming nerves
 - Using relaxation techniques
 - Using mannerisms and gestures to enhance impact
 - The qualities of a successful presenter
 
Example/Exercise
The Essentials – The Material – What Are You Going to Say
- Performing a needs analysis
 - Writing the basic outline
 - Researching, writing and editing
 - Establishing a clear purpose
 - Using successful information gathering techniques
 - Choosing the best route through your material
 - Identifying the key points
 - Creating strong openings and closings
 - Knowing the pros and cons of different visual aids
 - Making it big, bold and brilliant
 
Example/Exercise
The Essentials – The Audience – Who Will You be Saying it To
- Knowing your audience to develop presentations that appeal
 - Building rapport
 - Getting and keeping them on your side
 - Working with questions
 - Handling difficult people
 - Understanding group dynamics
 
Example/Exercise
Next Step – Delivery Methods
- Basic methods
 - Advanced methods
 - Basic criteria to consider
 - Choose from a range of communication styles depending upon the situation
 - Listening and Hearing: They aren't the same thing
 - Asking questions
 - Communicating with power
 
Example/Exercise
Next Step – Communication Skills
- What do we mean by Communication
 - Preparing mentally
 - 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
- Make them laugh a little
 - Ask them a question
 - Encouraging discussion
 - Dealing with 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
 - Good and bad 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 can it achieve.
 - When is it appropriate
 - Is there ever a time 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
 - What are the issues
 - Is there a compromise
 - 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
 - Assist with the win-win
 - Dealing with destructive conflict
 - Dealing with deadlock
 - Engaging resistant people in a constructive manner
 - 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