Linkage For Life, Jack Carney

Beijing, China Mobile: (8610) (010) 1591 0600 531 Office: (8610) (010) 8495 8306 Email: vonmises@hotmail.com Website: www.linkageforlife.com

35 Business Courses/Workshops/Self-Taught Units Descriptions I. 18 Career DevelopmentWorkshops

1. Advanced Writing Skills 2. Building Self Esteem and Assertiveness Skills 3. Business Etiquette: Gaining That Extra Edge 4. Business Writing that Works 5. Communication Strategies 6. Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People 7. Customer Service: Critical Elements of Customer Service 8. Public Speaking: Presentation Survival School 9. Public Speaking: Speaking Under Pressure 10. Skills for the Administrative Assistant 11. SpeakEasy: Conquering Your Fear of Speaking in Public 12. The Minute-Takers Workshop 13. Time Management: Get Organized for Peak Performance 14. Writing Reports and Proposals 15. Working Smarter: Using Technology to your Advantage 16. Getting Your Job Search Started 17. Creating a Dynamite Job Portfolio 18. Mastering the Interview

1. Advanced Writing Skills This is a one-day workshop for participants who already are good writers. The workshop will be devoted to writing letters of recommendation, of persuasion, of refusal or of action, that reflect current word usage and up-to-date formats. Participants can also become more skilled at writing business cases, proposals, and reports, and learn a bit more about e-mail etiquette. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Identify their writing challenges Make their writing clear, concise, and correct Improve sentence construction and paragraph development Identify ways to make their writing simpler and easier to read Use the readability index Develop effective business letters for tough situations Use proper e-mail etiquette Develop an appropriate writing style and format for letters, business cases, and reports Use standard ways of documenting materials 2 2. Building Self Esteem and Assertiveness Skills Building your self-esteem is essential for confidence and success, and it all begins with you. Of all the judgments you make in life, none is as important as the one you make about yourself. Without some measure of self-worth, life can be enormously painful. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Grow in the conviction that they are competent and worthy of happiness Make a positive first impression Turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts Make requests so that you get what you want Find ways of connecting with people 3. Business Etiquette: Gaining That Extra Edge Fear of embarrassment from doing or saying the wrong thing is one of the most common sources of stress in a business or professional setting. Many people have had some awkward moments where they arent sure which fork to use or which side plate is theirs, or they have had to make small talk with some VIP and been lost for words. However, what can be even more damaging to a person's career are those things they arent aware of, the social gaffes they arent even aware of making, such as e-mail and telephone etiquette. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: The elements of a good handshake How to manage business cards Professional telephone etiquette Tips on remembering names Ways to make a good first impression The basics of dining etiquette How to communicate properly and politely 4 4. Business Writing that Works We all know what good writing is. Its the novel we cant put down, the poem we never forgot, and the speech that changed the way we look at the world. Good writing is the memo that gets action, the letter that says what a phone call cant. In business writing, the language is concrete, the point of view is clear, and the points are well expressed. Good writing is hard work, and even the best writers get discouraged. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: Use the five Cs of writing

Ensure their writing meets basic grammatical standards, including word agreement, sentence construction, proper spelling, and punctuation Differentiate between the active and passive voice Write business letters, reports, memos, and e-mails

5. Communication Strategies Have you ever wondered why it seems so difficult to talk with some people and so easy to talk with others? Can you recall an occasion where you met someone for the first time and immediately liked that person? Something about the individual made you feel comfortable. A major goal of this workshop is to help participants understand the impact their communication skills have on other people, and how improving these skills can make it easier for them to get along in the workplace. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: Identify common communication problems that may be holding them back Develop skills in asking questions Identify what their non-verbal messages are telling others Develop skills in listening actively and empathetically Enhance their ability to handle difficult situations Deal with situations assertively 6. Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People The easiest way to deal with difficult people is to stay as far away from them as you can, suggests Robert Bramson Ph.D., organizational psychologist, management consultant with Bramson Gill Associates, and author of Coping with Difficult People. Great advice for those who work by themselves at home; its a doable option. But the vast majority of people cant avoid interactions with a wide range of personality types, including some who are inconsiderate, stubborn, incorrigible, inappeasable, indecent, or downright sleazy. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: How their attitudes and actions impact others New and effective techniques for dealing with difficult people Coping strategies for dealing with difficult people and difficult situations How to identify times when they have the right to walk away from a difficult situation Techniques for managing and dealing with anger 7 7. Customer Service: Critical Elements of Customer Service All of us serve customers, whether it's an external customer purchasing your product, or an internal customer like your supervisor. Being able to offer excellent customer service is a crucial component to anyone's career. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: Recognize that service delivery is an individual response value Understand how an individuals behavior impacts the behavior of others Develop more confidence and skill as a problem-solver Communicate more assertively and effectively Make customer service a team approach 8 8. Public Speaking: Presentation Survival School A great presenter has two unique qualities: appropriate skills and personal confidence. This confidence comes from knowing what you want to say and being comfortable with your communication skills. In this two day workshop, participants will master the skills that will make them a better speaker and presenter. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: Gain rapport with your audience

Reduce nervousness and fear Recognize how visual aids can create impact and attention Create a professional presence Prepare and organize information in different ways

9. Public Speaking: Speaking Under Pressure Speaking under pressure, or thinking on your feet, is based on being able to quickly organize your thoughts and ideas, and then being able to convey them meaningfully to your audience to modify their attitudes or behavior. It applies to formal speeches as well as everyday business situations. This two-day course is aimed at teaching participants some new techniques which will give them the persuasive edge when they are making a presentation, fielding difficult questions, or presenting complex information. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Quick and easy preparation methods whether you have one minute or one week to prepare What you can do to prepare for questions before you know what those questions will be How you can overcome the nerves that you may have when speaking in front of a group, particularly if the group is not sympathetic to what you have to say Presentation techniques that establish your credibility and get people on your side 1 10. Skills for the Administrative Assistant We all want some measure of success in life. However, our work should not be a burden to us, and our offices shouldnt be battlefields. We are human beings working with other human beings, so this workshop is about working to the best of your abilities, and encouraging the best in those who work with you or for you. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Understand the importance of professional presence on the job Learn how to self-manage to become more effective and efficient Improve their communications skills, including listening, questioning, and being more assertive Increase their effectiveness in recognizing and managing conflict, and dealing with difficult people 11. SpeakEasy: Conquering Your Fear of Speaking in Public Do you get nervous when presenting at company meetings? Do you find it hard to make conversation at gatherings and social events? Do you lock up in awkward social situations? If so, this one day workshop is just for you! Its aimed at anybody who wants to improve their speaking skills in informal situations. Participants will gain the confidence and the skills to interact with others, to speak in informal situations, and to present in front of small groups. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Enhance the ability to speak one-on-one with others Begin to feel more confident speaking socially or small groups such as meetings Practice developing these skills in a safe and supportive setting 12. The Minute-Takers Workshop If people cant remember or agree on what actually occurred at a meeting, how can the group effectively accomplish its objectives? This one-day workshop will enable participants to understand their role as a minute taker and the best techniques for producing minutes that include all the essential information needed. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Recognize the importance of minute-taking Develop key minute-taking skills, including listening skills, critical thinking, and organization Be able to remedy many of the complaints that beset minute-takers Be able to write minutes that are suitable for formal meetings, semi-formal meetings, and action minutes

Be an efficient minute-taker in any type of meeting Be able to prepare and maintain a minute book

13. Time Management: Get Organized for Peak Performance Time is money, the saying goes, and lots of it gets lost in disorganization and disruption. In this one-day workshop, participants will learn how to make the most of their time by getting a grip on their office space, organizing their workflow, learning how to use their planner effectively, and delegating some of their work to other people. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Better organize yourself and your workspace for peak efficiency Understand the importance of, and the most useful techniques for, setting and achieving goals Identify the right things to be doing and develop plans for doing them Learn what to delegate and how to delegate well Take control of things that can derail workplace productivity 1 14. Writing Reports and Proposals Many people are defeated by the attitude that writing is an awesome task. These people do not trust themselves with the language. They go to the files to see what has been done in the past. To overcome their insecurity, they try to write to impress. They hunt for big words to sound like an authority on the subject. They pad their reports to indicate thoroughness. That is not the path to confident, effective writing. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: The value of good written communications Develop paragraphs that introduce, connect, develop, and conclude some part of an idea Prepare reports and proposals that inform, persuade, and provide information Learn how to proofread your work so you are confident it is clear, concise, complete, and correct Provide an opportunity to apply these skills in real work applications 1 15. Working Smarter: Using Technology to your Advantage Rudeness in the workplace is increasing to the level that universities are studying it. Everyone is busy, everyone is stressed, and most people take it out on their colleagues at one time or another. Weve all been in a situation where we need to print something ASAP and someone has left the printer jammed, or we need coffee and the coffeepot is empty. Technology is supposed to make life easier and simpler, but most managers find themselves cleaning up the messes caused by too many gadgets. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: Make their workplace a technology-friendly place Make the most of computers, telephones, instant messaging, e-mail, contact management applications, and scheduling software Communicate better with the IT department Make the best software and training choices Set an IT budget Set expectations and responsibilities for security and privacy Keep their employees safe and healthy Develop and implement a system usage policy Implement policies for dealing with company property Decide whether or not employees should telecommute Make telecommuting work Deal with workplace rage Address technological issues

1 16. Getting Your Job Search Started While looking for work can be an exciting time, it can also involve fear and discomfort about change and the unknown. This workshop will help participants how to determine what their skill set is made up of, the kind of work that is important and realistic to include in their search, and how to get started. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Assess their skills, values, and beliefs about work and looking for opportunities Develop an understanding for the types of work available to them and where to find more information Recognize the differences and benefits available through career coaches, counselors, and mentors Learn different approaches to job searching, such as networking and tapping into the job market 17. Creating a Dynamite Job Portfolio The job market continues to change, as does the way we look for work. This course will examine the value of presenting yourself as a complete package by using a resume as an introduction to an employer, backed up by a portfolio presented at an interview. In order to make the most of this course, participants need to have recently completed the Getting Your Job Search Started workshop, or have identified target positions as well as completed a full skill assessment and goal setting exercise. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: How to describe themselves in descriptive language What the essential elements of cover letters and resumes are All about the need for pre-employment testing, and what to expect in their target market How to design a personalized portfolio How to develop a plan that moves them to a new job within 60 days 18. Mastering the Interview Going to an interview is one of the key elements of the job search process, and as with any skill, we get better at it with preparation and practice. In this one-day workshop, participants will explore how to prepare for an interview, what kinds of questions to expect, and the questions they should think about asking. They will also be ready for invitations to second interviews, testing, shadowing, and learn how to follow up on their interview sessions. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Understand the different types of interview questions and how to prepare to answer them Learn the most effective ways to prepare for an interview, including how to present themselves professionally Develop expertise at expressing themselves effectively Know how to ask for feedback following an interview

II. 17 Courses for Supervisors and Managers

1. Budgets and Managing Money 2. Business Leadership: Becoming Management Material 3. Coaching: A Leadership Skill 4. Delegation: The Art of Delegating Effectively 5. Human Resources Training: HR for the Non HR Manager 6. Inventory Management: The Nuts & Bolts

7. Marketing and Sales 8. Meeting Management: The Art of Making Meetings Work 9. Motivation Training: Motivating Your Workforce 10. Negotiating for Results 11. Project Management Training: Understanding Project Management 12. The ABCs of Supervising Others 13. Team Building: Developing High Performance Teams 14. The Professional Supervisor 15. Project Management Fundamentals 16. Intermediate Project Management 17. Advanced Project Management
1. Budgets and Managing Money For managers in todays business world, its essential to have a working knowledge of finance. We all play a role in our organizations financial health, whether we realize it or not. If an employee doesnt have training or a background in finances, they may be at a disadvantage as they sit around the management table. Understanding the cycle of finance will help participants figure out where they fit into their companys financial structure, and how to keep your department out of the red. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: The basics of accounting and finance How identify their role in finances How to look at financial reports, including a profit and loss statement, an income statement, and a financial statement Ways to track business expenses How to develop a good budget Things to think about when deciding what accounting method to use Simple ways to manage money to generate a profit Ways to compare investment opportunities What to do when finances affect people About the ISO9000 series Decision-making skills 2. Business Leadership: Becoming Management Material At its core, leadership means setting goals, lighting a path, and persuading others to follow. But the responsibility entails much more. Leaders must get their message out in a way that inspires, make the most of their limited time, and build roads to precious resources. They must negotiate alliances, improve their colleagues, and align the ambitions of the many with the needs of the organization. This three-day workshop will help participants learn: Master Peter Senges five disciplines Add Kouzes and Posners five practices to their life Build trust with their employees

Develop key management skills, including change management, time management, critical thinking, delegation, problem solving, presentation strategies, communications, strategic planning, and feedback techniques Use Robert Cialdinis six influence strategies to their advantage

3. Coaching: A Leadership Skill Coach, Role Model, Counselor, Supporter, Guide...do these words ring a bell? Being a coach involves being a role model, sometimes a counselor or supporter, and always a guide. Coaching is based on a partnership that involves giving both support and challenging opportunities to employees. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Use coaching to develop their team Develop the coaching skills that help improve individual performance Demonstrate the behaviors and practices of an effective coach Recognize employees strengths and give them the feedback they need to succeed Identify employee problems and ways you can help to correct them 4 4. Delegation: The Art of Delegating Effectively Effective delegation is one of the most valuable skills you can master. It reduces your workload and develops employee skills. Delegating prepares employees who work for you to be able to handle your responsibilities and simultaneously allows you to advance to other career opportunities within your organization. This one-day workshop will explore many of the facets of delegation, including when to delegate and who to delegate to. We will also go through the delegation process step by step to see where the pitfalls lie and what we can do about getting around them. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Clearly identify how delegation fits into their job and how it can make them more successful Identify different ways of delegating tasks Use an eight-step process for effective delegation Give better instructions for better delegation results Ask better questions and listen more effectively Recognize common delegation pitfalls and how to avoid them Test their delegation skills 5. Human Resources Training: HR for the Non HR Manager In todays fast-moving world, many managers and supervisors are expected to deal with some human resource issues. They may be asked to take part in developing job descriptions, sit in on interviews, or take responsibility for discipline. This three-day workshop will help participants learn: The latest trends in the human resource field and the changing role of the human resource professional How to write job specifications and identify core competencies Methods of finding, selecting, and keeping the best people using behavioral description interviewing techniques How to get employees off to a good start How to deal with compensation and benefits How to maintain healthy employee relations How to make performance appraisals a cooperative process 6. Inventory Management: The Nuts & Bolts No business can survive very long without an effective program of controls over the parts and materials that are used in producing or distributing goods and services of the firm. Like many other

things that depend on human interpretation, control means different things to different individuals. This is a workshop for the warehouse or stockroom manager, the person in charge of what comes in and goes out of the company. You want a smooth and cost-effective operation, with enough products on hand to satisfy needs without stockpiling too much. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Understand terms that are frequently used in warehouse management Identify the goals and objectives of inventory management, and measure their process against these goals Calculate safety stock, reorder points, and order quantities Evaluate inventory management systems Identify the parts of the inventory cycle Better maintain inventory accuracy 7. Marketing and Sales A small marketing budget doesnt mean you cant meet your goals and business objectives you just have to be more creative in your marketing tactics. This one-day workshop will show participants how to get maximum exposure at minimum cost. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Recognize what is meant by the term marketing Discover how to use low-cost publicity to get their name known Know how to develop a marketing plan and a marketing campaign Use time rather than money to market their company effectively Understand how to perform a SWOT analysis 8. Meeting Management: The Art of Making Meetings Work Meetings come in all shapes and sizes, from the convention to a quick huddle in an office hallway. This one-day program will be concerned with small working meetings; with groups that have a job to do requiring the energy, commitment, and talents of those who participate. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Understand the value of meetings as a management tool Recognize the critical planning step that makes meeting time more effective Identify process tools that can help create an open and safe forum for discussion Develop and practice techniques for handling counterproductive behavior 9. Motivation Training: Motivating Your Workforce Its no secret. Employees who feel they are valued and recognized for the work they do are more motivated, responsible, and productive. This workshop will help supervisors and managers create a more dynamic, loyal, and energized workplace. It is designed specifically to help busy managers and supervisors understand what employees want, and to give them a starting point for creating champions. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: What motivation is Common motivational theories and how to apply them About the carrot, the whip, and the plant How fear and desire affect employee motivation Ways to create a motivational climate and design a motivating job 10. Negotiating for Results People who can master the art of negotiation find they can save time, save money, develop a higher degree of satisfaction with outcomes at home and at work, and earn greater respect in the workplace. Negotiating is a fundamental fact of life at any level. This two-day workshop will help participants gain confidence when negotiating with both internal and external clients. This interactive workshop also includes techniques to promote effective communications and to

turn face-to-face confrontation into side-by-side problem solving. This two-day workshop will help participants learn: The benefits of good negotiation skills. The importance of preparing for the negotiation process, regardless of the circumstances Various negotiation styles and their advantages and disadvantages Strategies for dealing with tough or unfair tactics How to develop alternatives and recognize options Basic negotiation principles, including BATNA, WATNA, WAP, and the ZOPA 11. Project Management Training: Understanding Project Management Project management isnt just for construction engineers and military logistics experts anymore. Today, in addition to the regular duties of your job, you are often expected to take on extra assignments and to get that additional job done well, done under budget, and done on time. This workshop is not intended to take participants from a supervisory or administrative position to that of a project manager. However, these three days will familiarize participants with the most common terms and the most current thinking about projects. This three-day workshop will help participants learn: What is meant by a project What steps must be taken to complete projects on time and on budget How to sell ideas and make presentations Simple techniques and tools for planning and tracking any project Methods for keeping their team focused and motivated 12. The ABCs of Supervising Others This workshop is for people who are new supervisors or who are interested in a supervisory position, as well as those who are lead hands or part-time supervisors without a great deal of authority. This workshop is designed to help participants overcome many of the supervisory problems they will encounter in their first few weeks as a boss. Dealing with the many problems a new supervisor encounters isnt easy, but it doesnt have to lead to discouragement. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Clarify roles and responsibilities of the new job Adjust to the new role with confidence and an assurance you can handle the position Develop skills in listening, asking questions, resolving conflict, and giving feedback to employees Develop a technique for giving employees instructions that are clear and understood Identify techniques to deal with employee challenges, such as hostility, complaints, and laziness Understand the importance of developing good relationships with employees and peers 1 13. Team Building: Developing High Performance Teams The difference between a high-performance team and an average team is enormous. Average teams often struggle just to get through a meeting or to get a policy drafted. High performance teams work well together to maximize energy, resources, and creativity, resulting in amazing things. This three-day workshop will help participants learn: Identify different types of teams Build teamwork by recognizing and tapping into the twelve characteristics of an effective team Promote trust and rapport by exploring their team player style and how it impacts group dynamics Recognize the key elements that move a team from involvement to empowerment and how to give these elements to their team Develop strategies for dealing with team conflict and common situations Use action planning and analysis tools to help their team perform better

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14. The Professional Supervisor With a host of new challenges and responsibilities to tackle, new supervisors need training like never before. Learning how to supervise new employees on a trial and error basis can lead to discouragement. This three-day workshop will show participants how to overcome many of the problems a new supervisor may encounter. This three-day workshop will help participants learn: Clarify the scope and nature of a supervisory position Learn some ways to deal with the challenges of the role Recognize the responsibilities you have as a supervisor, to yourself, your team, and your organization Learn key techniques to help you plan and prioritize effectively Acquire a basic understanding of leadership, team building, communication, and motivation, and what part they play in effective supervision Develop strategies for motivating your team, giving feedback, and resolving conflict 15. Project Management Fundamentals Most people have had a project assigned to them at some point in their career with little or no training on project management. With just a little bit of project management knowledge, getting a project done on time and on budget can be a lot easier. This workshop is not intended to take a person from a supervisory or administrative position to that of a project manager. However, todays topics will familiarize participants with the most common terms and the most current thinking about projects. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Define the terms project and project management Identify benefits of projects Identify the phases of a projects life cycle Sell ideas and make presentations Prioritize projects Begin conceptualizing their project, including goals and vision statements Use a target chart and other planning tools Complete a Statement of Work 16. Intermediate Project Management Project management isnt just for construction engineers and military logistics experts anymore. Today, in addition to the regular duties of their job, people are often expected to take on extra assignments - and to get that additional job done well, done under budget, and done on time. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: Identify their projects tasks and resources Order tasks using the Work Breakdown Structure Schedule tasks effectively Use basic planning tools such as a Gantt chart, PERT diagram, and network diagram Prepare a project budget Modify the project budget and schedule to meet targets Identify and manage risks Prepare a final project plan Execute and terminate a project Develop and manage a change control process This workshop is intended for participants who understand the conceptual phase of a projects life cycle, including setting goals, creating a vision statement, and creating the Statement of Work. 17. Advanced Project Management Its easy to forget the manager part of the project manager title amongst all the activity

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during a project. However, it is crucial that project managers hone their management skills as they are a key part of success. There are also some advanced project management techniques that project managers can master to help bring their projects to the next level. This workshop presumes that the student has a thorough understanding of project management, including topics such as preparing a statement of work, setting project goals, scheduling, budgeting, managing project risks, and executing a project. This one-day workshop will help participants learn: How to choose the project team, or make the best of an assigned team Techniques for keeping a project team on track How to develop a project communication plan How to communicate with sponsors and executives

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