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 Mistakes
—
Some
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.
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