Effective communication is a core competency for every part of every business. Success in sales and service depends upon it. Managers who are leaders should be competent in it. Teams, which are the basis of an organisation, are formed through it. Effective communications is a ‘life-skill’ upon which sound relationships are established.

PDM’s two-day communications skills workshop is suitable for participants from any level in an organisation. This highly participatory workshop has three primary objectives.

	Raise awareness – dramatically and surprisingly. People are usually not aware of the way in which they communicate and the effects of their own ‘style’. We work to help participants discover the effects they have on others, both positive and negative, in a supportive and non-threatening environment.
	Develop skills – both experientially and permanently. A series of carefully designed exercises is complemented with sound process and plenty of practice.
	Implement plans – pervasively and consistently. Supporting the ‘business plan’ through a communications plan. Reviewing priorities, gaining commitments and systematising regular communications processes.

Effective communications means increased results

Interpersonal relationships, morale, and motivation are improved through mutual understanding and trust. Teams achieve synergy, and become easier to form, enabling management to deploy and re-deploy resources in response to changing market needs. Plans become more effective through clarity and commitment. Productivity is increased as skills and processes are applied.

PDM’s training approach

Although we think we do it every day, effective communication is not easy. Just ‘paying attention’ requires effort.

In a series of small-group exercises participants gain awareness of how some facet of communication can cause problems, and then apply proven techniques to overcome these issues. We gradually increase the sophistication of analysis and response as participants begin to handle difficult situations successfully.

By day two participants are listening with empathy and understanding, dealing effectively with highly charged emotional topics and applying controlled processes for assertion. 

Video is used to help participants become aware of personal blind spots and at several stages throughout the program participants review their learning and develop specific action plans to sustain improved practices. Through discussion and debate each person is helped to relate newly discovered issues, and newly acquired skills, to their own work and social situations. 

Participants apply their new skills in a meaningful way at the end of the very first day of the course. 

We believe in small group interactive sessions, so places are strictly limited to ensure quality. 

Workshop components

Definition and overview

Creating awareness – communication problems and their effects.

Spoken Communications

Demonstrations
Listening – theory and practice
Asserting – theory and practice

Written communications

Demonstration
Recommendations and discussion

Summary and action planning

Getting It Together - Personal development planning.

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