This seminar trains the participants in
strategies for structuring and delivering informative, persuasive, and
motivative presentations plus intercultural awareness training plus
English language support (correction and feedback, effective phrases,
vocabulary expansion).
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The Communicative Sequence
— This is a
framework for creating presentations according to their overall purpose:
to inform, to persuade or to motivate. The nature
of the framework shows the relationship of the three types of
presentation: the persuasive builds on the informative and the
motivative builds on the persuasive. It is easy to learn, easy to
remember, and very effective, particularly for sales presentations where
products and services are presented to potential customers.
Clarity of Purpose —
This is a simple tool that allows the speaker to become absolutely
clear about the purpose of the presentation. After deciding the
topic, the audience, and the general purpose of the presentation (to
inform, to persuade, to motivate), the speaker must write out the
specific purpose (of this specific topic for this specific audience)
and the core message. If done with care, this exercise will help the
speaker stay focused on the main goal, and it will help the audience
connect with the main message.
Attention Devices
—
A good presenter takes responsibility for helping the audience to
remember what is said. Therefore, he or she makes it as interesting
and memorable as possible. There are different devices, or
techniques, for doing this. And they differ from culture to culture.
The participants
practice some of
the important
ones in oral
exercises and use some in their presentations in front of the group.
Delivery
— Participants will learn effective delivery techniques and how to make
their visual aids better. By emphasizing key words and phrases,
giving variation to their voices (pitch, speed, and strategic
pauses), and paying attention to body language, participants learn
to make their presentations more
lively, easier to listen to, and easier to remember.
Practice and Filming —
Course participants must bring material to use for a 15- to 20-minute presentation. As the
participants build their presentations, they practice each step along
the way and receive feedback from the trainer and the other
participants as well.
Participants are
welcome to bring their notebook computers and to use their
Powerpoint slides with the beamer.
All performances
are filmed, including the feedback sessions. Each person receives
copies of his or her performances as video files transferred onto
their notebook or, if the participant has no notebook, burnt onto a DVD to take away after the course.
CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Cultural Dimensions
—
Participants learn various ways that cultural differences are measured
and compared, the so-called “dimensions” of culture. Participants also
contemplate their own culture in these terms as a necessary basis for
interacting with other cultures.
The Three Basic Types
of Culture
— Participants learn an alternative way of grouping the
cultures of the world into three basic culture types. This
easy-to-remember concept is forms a sensible basis for discussing
cross-cultural conflict.
Cultural Profiles
—
Information about specific foreign cultures regarding topics such as
meeting and greeting people, doing business, dress, dining, social
entertaining, gift-giving, and body gestures is provided and discussed.
Where possible, new behaviors are practiced.
ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY
Correction and Feedback
—
Corrections
are made throughout the course and helpful suggestions for improvement
are made as much as possible. Questions from the participants about
English are always welcome and short explanations of the rules are given
as necessary.
Vocabulary Building
— As much as
possible, participants will be given not only correction for their
mistakes but also alternatives for what they have said correctly, to
expand their English horizons. Additionally, when participants say
something especially well, this is pointed out for the benefit of
everyone.
Classic Mistakes
—
Some
mistakes are typical for Germans. Some of the more important ones will
be explored in a spirit of fun.
Language Level Requirements
— Participants must be
able to speak English at an intermediate level or higher. In other
words, one
must be able to take part comfortably in English discussions. English
corrections will be given and explained, and vocabulary improvements
will be offered.
OPEN SEMINARS
SCT open seminars run over three
days, starting at 09:00 and ending at 17:00 each day. Scheduled
dates are listed on the
Home Page.
PRIVATE SEMINARS
Private seminars are for groups or teams from a single
organization.
They can take
place at the client's site or a conference hotel of the client's choosing.
Private seminars
can run from 09:00 to 17:00 each day
or they can include evening programs and overnight stays in a hotel.
Group size:
maximum 8
Duration:
3 days
Pricing Information: Please
contact SCT.
GOALS
·
To learn
and practice effective language for English presentations.
·
To learn
a simple but effective method for structuring informative, persuasive, and
motivative presentations in English.
·
To learn
to capture and keep the audience’s attention throughout a presentation.
·
To learn
some of the cultural differences regarding audience expectations.
·
To
improve one’s delivery — voice, body language, gestures, etc.
·
To
improve one’s English accuracy and vocabulary.
METHODS
Methods for gaining and maintaining audience attention are
practiced as short oral exercises. The participants practice their
presentations in front of the group and are filmed. They take part
in the question and answer sessions after each presentation. Each
participant is encouraged to offer constructive criticism to their
colleagues during the feedback phase. The concepts taught on this
course are given as text and as Powerpoint presentations by the
trainer.
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