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Business Communication Skills  ||  Cross-Cultural Competence  ||  English Proficiency
High-Effect with Low-Stress

OVERVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This seminar is for anyone who is looking for new ways to improve communication within a single team or between teams. It focuses on the problems that undermine communication, even when everyone is trying their best to understand and be understood. 

This course is designed for existing teams.  

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The Business of Paradigms — Using Joel Barker's film of the same name, participants learn about paradigms:  how they serve us and how they also limit our ability to see new ideas. The participants discuss the concepts in the film and talk about how they relate to their own experiences.

Paradigm Pioneers — This is another film by Joel Barker about paradigms. Using many familiar examples in business, the film shows that you can benefit from the momentous ideas of other people best if you are truly open to new, sometimes radical, thinking. 

Dialogue — We look at some of the writings of David Bohm, an emminent physicist who drew upon his experience as a research scientist in plasma physics to pioneer new thinking in collective intelligence and coordinated action. Discussions are sure to be very interesting.

Balancing Advocacy and Inquiry — This is a concept developed at M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). It deals with the tendency of western business people to concentrate on advocating (befürworten) their own ideas and solutions. This strategy looks for possible solutions by becoming more open to feedback about one’s own ideas and becoming more open to the ideas of others. It also has application in cross-cultural situations.

The Ladder of Inference — Also developed at M.I.T., this concept highlights the way we choose data that supports our beliefs and how this process strengthens those beliefs. Going back down the ladder helps us to become aware of, and to test, our assumptions.  

Discussions — Participants take part in discussions of interesting topics with the goal of implementing the strategies learned in Balancing Advocacy and Inquiry as well as The Ladder of Inference. 

Conflict Management Styles Assessment — Participants fill out a questionnaire to identify their particular styles for dealing with conflicts.

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.

Classic MistakesSome mistakes are typical for Germans. Some of the more important ones will be explored in a spirit of fun.

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.

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 

At this time, this SCT seminar is not offered as an open seminar. 

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 become more aware of pitfalls in the communication process. 

  • To learn to take personal responsibility for the quality of every discussion.

  • To learn methods for enhancing the communication process. 

  • To get speaking practice plus individual correction and feedback in English.

  • To identify the most important English mistakes and to correct them.  

METHODS

The concepts given on this course are presented as text, as presentations by the trainer, and as video input. Theoretical points that are given often lead to open discussions about how they can apply to the participants’ individual situations. Communication concepts and strategies are practiced in short situations and role plays. We want our course participants to be as active with meaningful tasks as possible.

 

Home Page

American-German Business Interface

Conversing in the Global Arena

Customized Seminars

Half-day On-site Training

Improving Team Communication

Meeting in the Global Arena

Negotiating in the Global Arena

Practicing Enterprise Topics in English

Presenting in the Global Arena


English Phrases for Business

English Rules

Glossaries  
     (Business Expressions, Common 
     Expressions, and US Sports
     Expressions)


Course Participant Feedback

Interesting Website Links

SCT Contact Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

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