Career Development

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Define assertiveness and self-confidence, and list the four styles of communication
• Describe the types of negative thinking, and how one can overcome negative thoughts
• Explain the difference between listening and hearing, and understand the importance of body language and questioning skills in communication
• Define the importance of goal setting, and practice setting SMART goals for assertive behavior
• Utilize methodologies for understanding your worth — and the use of positive self-talk
• List reasons why a pleasing appearance and body language are critical for creating a strong first impression
• Practice sending positive communications phrased as “I-Messages”
• Use the STAR model to make your case during a presentation challenge
• Display rapport-building skills through assertive methods of expressing disagreement and consensus-building techniques
• Practice strategies for gaining positive outcomes in difficult interpersonal situations.

For the better part of every day, we are communicating to and with others. Whether it’s the speech you deliver in the boardroom, the level of attention you give your spouse when they are talking to you, or the look that you give to the cat, it all means something.

By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:

• Understand what communication is
• Identify ways that communication can happen
• Identify barriers to communication and how to overcome them
• Develop their non-verbal and paraverbal communication skills
• Use the STAR method to speak on the spot
• Listen actively and effectively
• Ask good questions
• Use appreciative inquiry as a communication tool
• Adeptly converse and network with others
• Identify and mitigate precipitating factors
• Establish common ground with others
• Use “I” messages

In the past few decades, psychologists and business people alike have discovered that successful problem solvers tend to use the same type of process to identify and implement the solutions to their problems. This process works for any kind of problem, large or small.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand problems and the creative problem solving process
• Identify types of information to gather and key questions to ask in problem solving
• Identify the importance of defining a problem correctly
• Identify and use four different problem definition tools
• Write concrete problem statements
• Use basic brainstorming tools to generate ideas for solutions
• Use idea generating tools, such as affinity diagrams, word chaining, the box method, the six thinking hats, and the blink method
• Evaluate potential solutions against criteria, including cost/benefit analysis and group voting
• Perform a final analysis to select a solution
• Understand the roles that fact and intuition play in selecting a solution
• Understand the need to refine the shortlist and re-refine it
• Understand how to identify the tasks and resources necessary to implement solutions
• Evaluate and adapt solutions to reality
• Follow up with solution implementation to celebrate successes and identify improvements

Creativity and innovation will improve your chances of success in business and in life. Fortunately, there are steps that can be take to inspire you and develop your creative mindset. By changing the way that you think and overcoming your fear of risk, you will improve your creativity and change your life. Implementing the guidelines in this module is the first step to forever changing your creative process.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Define creativity
• Act with confidence
• Engage in curiosity
• Stop acting out of fear
• Learn from introspection
• Take risks

The Internet has changed the way that people connect, communicate, and conduct business. The digital age has provided many benefits, but it does have a downside. Given the sheer volume of digital information that we send and receive each day, it is important to learn basic citizenship skills. These skills will help prevent missteps and keep your digital relationships running smoothly.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Define digital citizenship.
• Use technology appropriately.
• Use social networking to create your brand.
• Protect your reputation online.
• Practice safe use of technology.
• Understand digital etiquette.

So, you want to break into Entrepreneurship? Well, that’s great, but know that it is no easy feat. There are many steps you must take just to prepare yourself to embark on the journey, and once you have started your business, many more steps to maintain the business. This workshop is designed to give you the tools you need to start, run, and grow a business you can be proud of!

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand how to start a business
• Develop a business plan
• Get financing for your business
• Hire and train employees
• Run your business
• Grow your business

We’ve all met that dynamic, charismatic person that just has a way with others, and has a way of being remembered. This workshop will help participants work towards being that unforgettable person by providing communication skills, negotiation techniques, tips on making an impact, and advice on networking and starting conversations.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the difference between hearing and listening
• Know some ways to improve the verbal skills of asking questions and communicating with power.
• Understand what non-verbal communication is and how it can enhance interpersonal relationships.
• Identify the skills needed in starting a conversation, moving a conversation along, and progressing to higher levels of conversation.
• Identify ways of creating a powerful introduction, remembering names, and managing situations when you’ve forgotten someone’s name.
• Understand how seeing the other side, building bridges and giving in without giving up can improve skills in influencing other people.
• Understand how the use of facts and emotions can help bring people to your side.
• Identify ways of sharing one’s opinions constructively.
• Learn tips in preparing for a negotiation, opening a negotiation, bargaining, and closing a negotiation.
• Learn tips in making an impact through powerful first impressions, situation assessment, and being zealous without being offensive.

Although people often think of boardrooms, suits, and million dollar deals when they hear the word “negotiation,” the truth is that we negotiate all the time.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic types of negotiations, the phases of negotiations, and the skills needed for successful negotiating
• Understand and apply basic negotiating concepts: WATNA, BATNA, WAP, and ZOPA
• Lay the groundwork for negotiation
• Identify what information to share and what to keep to yourself
• Understand basic bargaining techniques
• Apply strategies for identifying mutual gain
• Understand how to reach consensus and set the terms of agreement
• Deal with personal attacks and other difficult issues
• Use the negotiating process to solve everyday problems
• Negotiate on behalf of someone else

In the information age, personal branding is necessary for the success of any company or individual. Failing to manage personal branding can lead to misinformation about you or your company becoming public. Taking control of your public image is no longer an option. Identifying and using the tools that affect personal branding correctly will ensure that the public sees the image that you want them to see. A positive brand is necessary for success.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Define your image.
• Control your image.
• Understand how to sharpen your brand.
• Use social media appropriately.
• Manage your brand in a crisis.
• Develop a professional appearance.

In the past few decades, organizations have discovered something incredible: principles that have been used to create enormous successes in large projects can be applied to projects of any size to create amazing success. As a result, many employees are expected to understand project management techniques and how to apply them to projects of any size.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define projects, project management, and project managers
• Identify the importance of the PMBOK and PMI
• Identify the five process groups and nine knowledge areas as defined by the PMI
• Describe the triple constraint
• Create key project documents, including the statement of work, project planning worksheet, and project charter
• Build a project schedule by estimating time, costs, and resources
• Understand and use the work breakdown structure
• Create project planning documents, such as a schedule, risk management plan, and communication plan
• Use planning tools, including the Gantt chart, network diagram, and RACI chart
• Establish and use baselines
• Monitor and maintain the project
• Perform basic management tasks, including leading status meetings and ensuring all documents are complete at the end of the project

For some people, working from home can seem like a dream opportunity. But they may not realize that this kind of position comes with a great amount of responsibility and challenges. Since these employees are not working in a centralized office, they may have the advantage of having flexible schedules and shorter or no commute, they can have disadvantages when it comes to receiving feedback and being able to communicate with teammates.

By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Know the skills required for working outside the office
• Learn keys to proper self-management
• Learn ways to manage time efficiently
• Know different methods of organization and planning
• Identify various forms of communication and their proper use
• Address and resolve challenges that teleworkers can face

Time management training most often begins with setting goals. These goals are recorded and may be broken down into a project, an action plan, or a simple task list. Activities are then rated based on urgency and importance, priorities assigned, and deadlines set. This process results in a plan with a task list or calendar of activities

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Plan and prioritize each day’s activities in a more efficient, productive manner
• Overcome procrastination quickly and easily
• Handle crises effectively and quickly
• Organize your workspace and workflow to make better use of time
• Delegate more efficiently
• Use rituals to make your life run smoother
• Plan meetings more appropriately and effectively