Introduction

In an ever-increasing pace of Life and Business, it becomes even more important to remove stress and operate with heightened sensory acuity. As the cost of stress to the employer continues to grow, organizations must recognize stress in their employees and train management to manage stress productively. A recent survey showed that 1 in 5 people report their work to be very or extremely stressful, citing the nature of their work, relationships at work, or their employer as the cause.

It has been stated, that “The ability to ‘communicate well’ is ranked the number one key to success, by leaders in business, politics and the professions.” To be really successful in business, it is essential to learn, appropriate, practice and develop, vitally effective communication skills, both on a one-to-one basis, and to small and large groups. This two-module seminar covers these strategic areas in a unique, proactive manner, and result in top-quality performance.

Participants attending this seminar will:

• Identify and deal with the causes of stress and how Time affect you and others
• Increase self-confidence and increase personal motivation
• Understand communication and persuasion and what impact they have on an organization’s ability to function.
• Be able to use communication and influence to improve an organization’s productivity, profitability, morale, etc.
• Have Increase self-awareness and develop the skills to deal confidently and professionally with colleagues and customers

The seminar is split into two modules:

MODULE I - Setting Priorities, Time Management & Stress Reduction: Managing Stress & Pressure at Work

MODULE II - Personal Effectiveness & Influencing Skills: Communicate, Negotiate, Influence & Persuade

Each module is structured and can be taken as a stand-alone course; however, delegates will maximize their benefits by taking Module 1 and 2 back-to-back as a two-week seminar.

Course Objectives Priority Management

In this seminar, delegates will be able to:

• Actively identify and reduce stress in themselves and others
• Develop ways of Managing the most Important element - TIME
• Maximizes performance and motivation at work
• To see how every area of life is affected by Communication
• To upgrade their personal communication and presentation skills

Course Methodology of Priority Management

This seminar will be presented in a highly interactive manner, with a very impactive computer presentation style. Individual and group activities will intersperse the sessions. Video and role-plays situations will highlight major teaching features.

A variety of Practical Sessions and Role Plays, and group inter-action are programmed into this Communication Course. These sessions are most informative, inspiring, fun, and presented in a relaxing atmosphere, that is conducive to learning and overcoming any fear or inadequate tendencies.

Organizational Impact of Priority Management

• Stress is an individual physical response to a given stimulus and therefore everyone responds differently in different situations. What is acceptable for one person can be extremely stressful for another
• Only by providing employees with a clear understanding of why they feel stress, and providing them with the ability to do something about it, can companies hope to truly protect their employees.
• This program introduces delegates to the close relationship between mind and body, how physical responses are influenced by thinking patterns, and how personal conditioning can lead to stress, task avoidance, even phobic reactions.
• Effective communication enhances company performance and profit. When staff can communicate confidently and professionally with colleagues and customers, everyone benefits.
• In today’s competitive environment, having staff that can communicate with impact is a strong competitive advantage. Learning how to influence others also results in increased productivity and performance.

Personal Impact of Priority Management

• Reduction of Stress is a unique stress management program. It addresses problems caused by stress, by providing delegates with practical solutions for dealing with stress in any situation. Each Delegate will develop their own set of resources to deal and eliminate stress in seconds.
• Learn to Reframe situations and always see the positive
• Delegates learn how to relax, regain control and focus on taking personal ownership and Responsibility for their state of mind and achieve positive outcomes to any situation
• Participants will identify and develop their communication skills and learn how to use these skills constructively in interpersonal behavior. Incorporating these skills and techniques into their work behavior, participants will demonstrate more effective work-based skills, such as leadership, negotiation and team-based problem-solving.
• Ultimately, this type of training allows people to better understand their own behavior and develop higher self-esteem, self-understanding, and confidence.

Course Outlines of Priority Management

Module I

Setting Priorities, Time Management & Stress Reduction:
Managing Stress & Pressure at Work

DAY 1

Managing Your Job

• Managing yourself and the resources at your disposal
• What are you and your team trying to achieve?
• Defining your objectives and key result areas
• Establishing responsibilities and priorities

Practical Time Management & Planning Activities

• Effective use of diaries, time planners, time logs, etc.
• Criteria for prioritizing – urgent and important
• Planning and scheduling your activities
• Dealing with interruptions and distractions – staying focused
• Managing time under pressure
• Developing a proactive approach to short, medium and long term plans

DAY 2

Managing Yourself

• Investing time and effort in order to achieve more in the future
• Your time management behavior – preferred working styles
• Personal effectiveness – a guide to self-discipline
• Highlighting personal ‘time-stealers’ and areas of weakness

Managing Others & Meetings

• Managing people managers, colleagues, team members, and customers
• Getting more things done through assertive behavior
• Making the most of meetings as participant or chairperson

Effective Delegation

• The rules of effective delegation - overcoming personal preferences and prejudices
• Using delegation as a means of coordinating the workload of your team/department

Delegation

• Freeing up your time
• Developing staff

Ongoing Self-development

• Reviewing your management of time at regular intervals?
• Overcoming your old habits - maintaining your new standards?

DAY 3

Communicating with Excellence Getting Results

• The Rules of Communication - overcoming personal attitudes. Stereotypes, Prejudices and Beliefs
• Why people do what they do and Influencing for Results

Managing Pressure in the Workplace

• Moving from reactive to proactive
• Working to priorities when everything is urgent
• Taking control through planning and time management
• Managing conflicting demands from more than one person

DAY 4

Understanding Stress and its Causes

• What is stress? - Recognizing the physical and behavioral signs, Stress in the mind and body
• What contributes to workplace pressures? – The top ten causes
• The impact of stress on personal performance – the positive and negative effects of stress
• Recognizing the signs of stress in ourselves
• Maintaining an effective balance between home and work
• How gaining control of your Mind can reduce or eliminate stress
• The symptoms of short term and long term stress
• Recognizing your individual stress response and that of others
• Learning to recognize your stress level and key stressors
• The major causes of stress at work and at home
• How to develop self-belief to overcome stress
• When stress aids performance and when stress detracts from performance

DAY 5

Different Stress and Behavioural Patterns

• Learning behavior types: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive
• How conscious and sub-conscious thinking affects behavior
• Developing self-assertiveness to achieve greater control over stress
• Improving your communication skills to manage aggression, stress and conflict from others

Handling Stress Positively, A Positive Mindset

• Stress handling strategies for you and your team
• Maintaining an effective balance between home and work
• Changing your mindset – seeing the positive side of change in the workplace
• Motivating yourself and others under pressure
• Developing a preventative rather than remedial approach to team problems
• How the Mind Focus techniques can reverse negativity into positive action

Module II

Personal Effectiveness & Influencing Skills:
Communicate, Negotiate, Influence & Persuade

DAY 6

Personal Inner Communication Essentials

• What is Communication?
• What does effective communication mean?
• Understand the 3 major levels of Communication .
  • Intra- Personal (with Oneself).
  • Inter-Personal (with another Individual).
  • Inter-Active synergy (with a group of persons).
• Appreciate the different ‘fields of experience.’
• Discover the power of Non-Verbal Communication.
• Study the 8 Non-Verbal empowerments.
• Understand why your personal Self-Image has a great deal to do with your presentation, language, style, and content.
• Controlling your subconscious mind to communicate effectively.

DAY 7

Understanding Communication and Persuasion

• Understanding the communication cycle.
• Analyze the Communication Pyramid.
• Know the power of words in the communication process.
• Discover the powerful I-A-D-A communication format.
• Understanding the brain, during the communication process.
• Understand the keys to successful public speaking.
• How to develop and present a vital speech.
• How to dress professionally and appropriately.
• Find out the right and wrong ways in body posture.
• How to use your voice effectively.
• Discover the power of illustrations and stories.
• Learn how to overcome Public speaking fears.
• How to listen actively and respond accordingly.
• Know the power of influence.

DAY 8

Communicating and Presenting Effectively

• Learn how to organize your presentation.
• How to prepare and present a computer / Power Point presentation etc.
• What to do prior to a presentation.
• Understand the impact of Visual communication.
• Understand the psychology of the Smile in communication.
• How to present to a cross-cultural audience.
• Observe what features attract an audience.
• Learn how to analyze your audience.
• Using positive visual imaging.
• How to use the telephone effectively and professionally.

DAY 9

Communication Strategies for Professional Excellence

• How to an effective decision-maker, in the communication process.
• How to use strategic communication negotiation skills.
• Discover the 9 Keys to making an effective presentation.
• Learn how to develop a systematic filing system.
• Learn how to obtain good source material.

DAY 10

Applying Personal Influence and Persuasion

• Analyze the 9 strategic principles for effective communication.
• Apply these Communication principles into a “Plan of Action” for your life and incorporation into your Company infra-.structure.
• How to be proactive and make things happen.
• Essential communication practices for ongoing success.