It is well documented that effective communication is a key factor in business success. What was once considered a “soft” skill has been proven to have a “hard” business impact. How effectively are your executives, managers and supervisors communicating with your employees?

The Branch Out Communication programme is an engaging blend of interactive input sessions, case studies and practical assignments where participants work both individually and in pairs to put into practice concepts taught while strengthening their communication skills.

Participants will see an improvement in their communication skills bringing benefits for themselves and the organisation.

Who is it for?

Communication skills are important for everybody from frontline managers through to senior management.  They are a critical factor in business success and professional achievement.  If you want to succeed, or want your organisation to be successful in today’s fiercely competitive business environment, then this course is for you.

 What are the benefits?

At the end of this program, the participants will be able to:

• Be aware of  their communication strengths and weaknesses and implement strategies to build on strengths and counteract weaknesses
• Implement strategies that result in clear, concise and purposeful communications and ensure that the message received is what was intended
• Use their voice, posture and body language to ensure it matches the intent of the communication
• Use strategies learned to manage nerves and increase confidence while connecting with colleagues in different business situations, e.g. meetings
• Be appropriately assertive when communicating, able to set clear boundaries and say no to non-core tasks
• Adapt their communication style ensuring appropriateness for audience
• Listen at a deeper level so that the real message is the one that is heard
• Discern inappropriate or unhelpful communication and be able to refocus communications back to the real issues.
• Conduct feedback sessions with confidence and effectiveness
• Face conflict with confidence and in a timely manner avoiding escalation

Course Content

Branch Out programmes are customised to the specific needs of the client. The list below are some topics from which you may wish to choose to develop your communications course:

• The dynamics of communication – sender, receiver & interference
• Understanding & analysis of different communication styles, such as extrovert versus introvert; task-oriented versus people-oriented
• Understanding your own preferred style and how that makes or breaks communication
• Communicative Flexibility - learning how to communicate comfortably in different styles
• Games at Work – understanding Parent, Adult, Child styles
• The 3 degrees of listening – developing advanced listening and responding skills
• Giving and receiving feedback –  techniques & skill development
• Dealing with conflict – how to handle difficult situations with confidence so message is received and relationships remain intact
• Non-verbal communication – how it makes or breaks communication
• Barriers to communication & how to overcome them
• Male and female communication – are we really that different?
• Saying more with less – techniques for getting straight to the point, being clear and saving time
• Understanding the Unsaid - developing the ability to recognise the words behind the words and therefore helping both parties to get to the real topic in an instance
• Cultural Communications – tips to be aware of when communicating with different cultures

Call your Branch Out advisor to discuss course possibilities.