Workshops

These highly engaging workshops focus on developing critical thinking and skills for leaders and individual contributors alike.

Participant comments:

“Overall, this is one of the most engaging workshop that I have attended”

“This training was probably the best “non-technical” class I ever attended.”

“Cris was a pleasure to work with. I really enjoyed the training class and his teaching style”

“I think this workshop was great and very helpful. I felt comfortable participating on all of the activities we had.”

“Really enjoyed the workshop. Facilitator was great.”

Professional Presentations:

The ability to make an effective presentation is generally regarded as a critical skill to move forward in one’s career. While being able to clearly articulate one’s thoughts and ideas is an important element in making an effective presentation, there are many other factors that separate a “good” presentation from a truly powerful, impactful presentation.

We often tend to believe that the primary objective of a good presentation lies in having a good PowerPoint slide deck prepared. In reality, over-reliance on PowerPoint slides can detract from achieving your objective, and serve to “dis-engage” your audience rather than engage them.
In this workshop, you will learn and practice the following skills:

• Telling a compelling story to engage your audience and increase their interest in what you have to say
• Using non-verbal techniques and body language to make an authentic connection with your audience
• Overcoming nervousness

Target Audience:

• Managers and individual contributors. Anyone who makes presentations as part of their job.

 

Making Authentic Customer Connections:

Sales professionals are typically trained in techniques for “strategic solutions selling” that involve developing an in-depth understanding of the customer’s business strategies and operations. And while this knowledge can certainly aid in developing a solutions-based presentation, it often neglects the critical skills of making an authentic connection with customers, and creating a foundation for a lasting relationship.

This workshop focuses on developing an authentic connection with customers through the use of more effective communication and body language skills. Participants will receive direct, honest, and supportive feedback on the impression they give while making a presentation and while engaging in a one-on-one conversation. Based on this feedback, they will experiment with behaviors in listening, responding, asking questions, and making statements to foster a more positive and engaging conversation, and to set the foundation for a positive, lasting, and caring relationship.

Target Audience:

• Professional Sales People.

 

Taking Charge of Change

Change is a constant in today’s organizations, whether from new technology, mergers, acquisitions, or downsizing. Responses to unplanned change are typically fear, denial, anger, and resistance. This highly engaging workshop focuses on providing participants with some targeted insights into their own personal reactions to change through personal reflection and group exercises. Participants leave with a set of personal strategies and a plan for taking charge of anticipated changes.

Target Audience:
• Individual contributors impacted by organizational change

 

Managing Conflict

Conflict is an inevitable occurrence in our lives, both at home and in the workplace. Many of us try to avoid conflict at all costs, while others seem to almost enjoy creating it. In any case, conflict tends to engage us on both an intellectual and an emotional level, often leading us to respond with a “fight or flight” response.

The term “managing conflict” suggests that conflict can be broken down into parts, better understood, and even steered toward a resolution that leads to deeper understanding, improved relationships, and personal growth.

This workshop will examine the sources and causes of conflict in our interactions with others, and help us to better understand our preferences for dealing with conflict when it occurs. We will explore and practice different strategies and approaches for confronting conflict, keeping our emotions intact, and working toward a positive resolution that leaves both parties in a better place than before. This is known as a “win-win” outcome.

In this workshop we will explore:
• The sources of conflict
• The behavioral dimensions of conflict
• Recognizing conflict “triggers”
• A model of conflict
• Assessing our preferred approach to dealing with conflict
• Strategies for resolving conflict

Target Audience:
• Managers and individual contributors.

 

Building Employee Engagement

Managing your team effectively, and strengthening employee engagement, requires that you understand how to adapt your leadership style to the person and to the situation. Whether you are coaching someone on a new skill, assigning a project to someone, or determining how best to allocate your scarce resources across several different projects, there will be times when it may be appropriate to “micro-manage” a bit, and other times when it is appropriate to simply delegate a seemingly complex task.

Many managers have one preferred style of managing their team, and apply that style to every member of the team. Unfortunately, this can leave some people on the team feeling confused and lacking focus, while others feel angry or resentful for being overly directed.

Situational Leadership provides a time-tested and proven model and set of tools for improving communication, developing competence, and helping your team to become self-reliant. Done well, it can also improve employee engagement, focus, and commitment to the work.

This workshop will help you develop skills and knowledge in:
• Assessing a situation
• Adapting your leadership style to that situation
• Applying the appropriate amount of supportive vs. directive behavior
• Assess employee’s competence level
• Improve both employee competence and confidence

Target Audience:
• All people managers