Course Outline
Foundations of Communication
- Communication styles
- Communication flow
- Framing conversations
- Non-verbal communication: Definitions & principles
- Written communication
- Telephone etiquette
Exercise/Case Study
Decoding Communication
- Characteristics of a successful communicator
- Essential qualities for communicative success
- Defining persuasion and influence
- Self-belief, confidence & assertiveness
- Push and pull styles
- Framing communication
Exercise/Case Study
Adapting Communication Styles
- Selecting appropriate communication styles based on 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
Managing Resistance
- Identifying causes of resistance
- Strategies for handling resistance
- Practical six-step guide
- Conflict management
- Handling difficult situations with emotional intelligence
- Presenting your case effectively while considering others' values
Exercise/Case Study
Addressing Communication Breakdowns
- Common examples and reasons for frequent failure
- The Ladder of Inference
- Top-down, bottom-up, or 360-degree approaches
- Collaborative versus dictatorial styles
- Selecting the optimal style and understanding its advantages
Exercise/Case Study
Integrating Skills
- Providing feedback
- Questioning & Listening
- Asking powerful questions
- Conveying the key message
- Making effective requests
- Promises: blessing or curse?
- Strategies for continuous improvement in communication
Exercise/Case Study
The Art & Skill of Persuasion
Understanding Persuasion
- Attributes of a successful persuader
- Essential qualities for influencing others
- Influencing and persuading without manipulation
- Defining persuasion and influence
- Principles of effective influence
- Self-belief, confidence & assertiveness
- Understanding push and pull persuasion styles
- Persuasion psychology: Basics
Example/Exercise
Preparing for Persuasion
- Building trust
- "Mocking Bird" Theory
- Non-verbal communication
- Establishing trust and rapport
- Discovering others' needs through listening and questioning
- Perception: How you view situations vs. how others view you
Example/Exercise
Exploring Others' Perspectives
- Setting clear objectives for your engagement
- Effective questioning techniques
- Recognizing values and motivations of others
- Refining listening skills and overcoming barriers to active listening
- Identifying individual filters and overcoming them
- The power of positive thinking in preparation
Example/Exercise
Communication Style
- Selecting appropriate communication styles based on 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 a level of assertiveness without compromising others' values
- Applying a practical 6-step influence model
- Using FAB to align with customer needs
- Conflict management: Handling difficult situations without emotion
- Presenting your case with impact, respecting others' values
Example/Exercise
Persuasive Case Presentation
- Presenting at the optimal stage
- Adopting effective strategies
- Stating your case assertively and convincingly
- Knowing your audience
- Gathering content
- The 10/80/10 rule for structuring presentations
- Delivery techniques
Example/Exercise
Handling Objections
- Identifying common objections
- Pre-empting objections
- Developing appropriate responses
Example/Exercise
Negotiation Skills for Finance Professionals
Introductions
- The negotiation process
- Negotiation objectives
- Communication skills of an effective negotiator
- Assessing information
- Establishing parameters
- Understanding the "win-win" outcome
Case Study/Discussion Point
The "Interests"
- Understanding interests
- Difference between positions and interests
- Identifying and prioritizing your interests
- Common mistakes in handling interests
- When is negotiation advisable?
- Elements of effective negotiation
Case Study/Discussion Point
The "Options"
- Generating and evaluating potential options
- Identifying your ideal outcome
- Common errors in option generation
Case Study/Discussion Point
Understanding Negotiation Outcomes
- Evaluating options
- Predicting the endpoint
- Deciding between a "win" or compromise
- Setting clear objectives
- Knowing when to walk away
Case Study/Discussion Point
The Negotiating Process
- Making proposals and exchanging concessions
- Breaking deadlocks
- Agreeing on remedies
- Understanding the negotiator’s role
- Key stages of the process
- Giving information
- Reading signals
- Creating a plan
- Reviewing assumptions
- Navigating the meeting/discussion process
- Probing for deeper 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 – limitations of electronic media
Live Practice
- Simulations
- Debrief
Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals
The Essentials - The Presenter - You
- Conducting essential checks
- Projecting the right image
- Using words, tone, and body language
- Leveraging vocal qualities
- Acknowledging and overcoming nervousness
- 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
- Conducting a needs analysis
- Drafting the basic outline
- Researching, writing, and editing
- Establishing a clear purpose
- Using successful information gathering techniques
- Choosing the best flow through your material
- Identifying key points
- Creating strong openings and closings
- Understanding the pros and cons of 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 keeping audience support
- Working with 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 context
- Listening and Hearing: Distinctions
- Asking questions
- Communicating with power
Example/Exercise
Next Step – Communication Skills
- Defining communication
- Mental preparation
- Physical relaxation techniques
- Projecting confidence
- Non-Verbal Communication Skills
- Body language
- 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
- Incorporating humor
- Engaging with questions
- Encouraging discussion
- Handling questions effectively
- Creating effective Flip Charts
- Developing Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
- WOW your Audience
- Vibrant Videos and Amazing Audio
Example/Exercise
What is Mediation
- Standard definition
- Mediation in practice
- Effective vs. ineffective mediation
- SWOT analysis
- Goals of mediation
- Reaching a compromise
- Win-Win – Is it always possible?
- Bridging the gap between avoidance and formal action
Exercise/Case Study
Understanding Mediation
- Principles of Mediation
- Capabilities and achievements
- Appropriate contexts
- When is mediation inappropriate?
- Strategic approach
- Alternative dispute resolution practices
- HR Policies: Help or hindrance in conflict?
Exercise/Case Study
Preparing for Mediation
- Essential skills
- Critical discussions
- Understanding conflict behavior
- Identifying issues
- Exploring compromise
- Least worst outcome
- BATNA/WATNA
- Setting parameters
Exercise/Case Study
Mediation
- Structuring the process
- Creating a safe environment
- Building rapport and trust
- Maintaining impartiality
- Facilitating win-win outcomes
- Managing destructive conflict
- Resolving 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