Category: Business Improvement

Business Writing Skills

Duration

1 Day

Who Should Attend

People who need to learn the skills that are essential for writing clearly and effectively in business.

Overview

Written communication, in one form or other, is a large part of the working day for millions. However, many people are trying to get by with only the basic writing skills that they learned in school. To gain greater job-satisfaction and be more effective towards colleagues and customers, what they really need are business writing skills.
In the business environment, where time surely is money, it is vital to know how to present information that gets your point across in a highly readable form. Participants on this programme will learn how to produce documents that ensure that their written communication combines accuracy, brevity and clarity in order to achieve the desired result.

Outcomes

Participants will learn how to:

  • First, establish if the written word is the best tool for the job.
  • Write with ABC, accuracy, brevity and clarity.
  • Use verbs, nouns, sentences, paragraphs and punctuation.
  • Use language that creates a positive impression.
  • Plan and create a logical structure for a report or memo.
  • Create the right layout to ensure readability
  • Deal effectively with complaints or negative communications.

What past participants say about the training:

‘Very useful. A real eye opener.’
‘Very well presented. The practical examples really helped.’
‘Tutor had a relaxed approach which made everyone feel comfortable.’
‘Lots of useful information.’

Content

The programme is participative and practical in style. It involves discussion, exercises, the use of real examples and giving feedback to enhance learning.

Pre-Course Work

Participants are asked to e-mail something business-related, but not confidential, that they have written. The trainer will make an assessment of that work in order to give feedback and suggest improvements on the day of the course.

DURATION: 1 Day

The Lean Office

Please contact us for more details on these Lean Office services – thank you

Running Productive Meetings

Who Should Attend

Anyone who wants to know how to achieve greater productivity from meetings.

Overview

How long is it since you came out of a meeting saying, ‘That was great, I’m really looking forward to the next one!’? That may sound extreme but perhaps you get the point. The vast majority of meetings are regarded as being a waste of time and that’s the problem. There is an opportunity cost to spending time; time spent in a meeting can’t also be used for something else. If you look at every meeting as an investment of talent and organisational time, why is it that so very few meetings deliver the value of outcome that the investment demands? Running Productive Meetings focuses on the disciplines, the skills and the techniques involved in setting up, running and participating in meetings in order to ensure they deliver results that reflect the value of the participants’ time. Very soon, people will look forward to meetings because their presence actually counts.

Outcomes

Participants will know how to manage, structure and participate in meetings more effectively. They will:

  • Understand the different types of meetings, identify possible pitfalls and know how to avoid them.
  • Take account of the different roles and responsibilities of individuals, including those of key participants.
  • Use time more effectively in preparatory tasks, in meetings and between meetings.
  • Use verbal, non-verbal and visual communication more skilfully.
  • Follow-up on participants’ assigned actions in between meetings to maintain focus and momentum.
  • Ensure that the right people attend so as to make progress on the Agenda rather than simply talk about it.

Content

Our trainer will cover the following topics in useful depth:

  • Compiling and publishing the Agenda.
  • Making sure the right people attend.
  • Ensuring participants are aware of any pre-meeting work they are expected to do and why.
  • Making and circulating a record of the meeting.
  • Three vital meeting disciplines: courtesy, control and communication.
  • Using meeting time productively.
  • Troubleshooting.
  • The next meeting is only as good as what happens in between. The importance of maintaining the focus on action and momentum.

Pre-Course Work

None

Information

What past participants say about the training:
‘I found it very interesting. Should help to make my meetings shorter.’
‘A very refreshing and down to earth approach.’
‘I now know how to plan meetings better and this is going to save both my time and theirs. That’s a result!’

The programme is participative and includes the use of real examples as learning tools. Participants will receive a full set of Course Notes to support the learning.

DURATION: 1 Day

Chairing Effective Meetings

Who Should Attend

Anyone who wants to know how to achieve greater productivity from meetings.

Overview

How long is it since you came out of a meeting saying, ‘That was great, I’m really looking forward to the next one!’? That may sound extreme but perhaps you get the point. The vast majority of meetings are regarded as being a waste of time and that’s the problem. There is an opportunity cost to spending time; time spent on one thing can’t be used it for something else. If you look at every meeting as an investment of talent and organisational time, why is it that so very few meetings deliver the value of outcome that the investment demands? Chairing Effective Meetings focuses on the disciplines, the skills and the techniques involved in setting up, running and participating in meetings in order to ensure they deliver results that reflect the value of the participants’ time. Very soon, people will look forward to meetings because their presence actually counts.

Outcomes

Participants will know how to manage, structure and participate in meetings more effectively. They will:

  • Understand the different types of meetings, identify possible pitfalls and know how to avoid them.
  • Take account of the different roles and responsibilities of individuals, including those of key participants.
  • Use time more effectively in preparatory tasks, in meetings and between meetings.
  • Use verbal, non-verbal and visual communication more skilfully.
  • Follow-up on participants’ assigned actions in between meetings to maintain focus and momentum.
  • Ensure that the right people attend so as to make progress on the Agenda rather than simply talk about it.

Content

Our trainer will cover the following topics in useful depth:

  • Compiling and publishing the Agenda.
  • Making sure the right people attend.
  • Ensuring participants are aware of any pre-meeting work they are expected to do and why.
  • Making and circulating a record of the meeting.
  • Three vital meeting disciplines: courtesy, control and communication.
  • Using meeting time productively.
  • Troubleshooting.
  • The next meeting is only as good as what happens in between. The importance of maintaining the focus on action and momentum.

Pre-Course Work

None

Information

What past participants say about the training:
‘I found it very interesting. Should help to make my meetings shorter.’
‘A very refreshing and down to earth approach.’
‘I now know how to plan meetings better and this is going to save both my time and theirs. That’s a result!’
The programme is participative and includes the use of real examples as learning tools. Participants will receive a full set of Course Notes to support the learning.

DURATION: 1 Day