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Tool 2
A Story with an Outcome
A few years ago we were invited to devise a
communication course for staff in a manufacturing firm who were unused to
attending meetings. They were members of an employee / management committee.
Some representatives were more confident than others, but most didn't really
know how to go about putting across their ideas without being rather long
winded, unfocused or too emotional!
The aim was to help them put their points
across more clearly and to handle themselves with more confidence and control.
A useful technique they learnt was the importance of preparation and setting
outcomes - to understand exactly what they wanted to achieve from the meeting -
and to have practical suggestions about how to make it happen. A simple
technique but one which can turn potential confrontations with management into
a productive partnership. The course was highly praised by both participants
and management. A perfect example of how improving our understanding of others
and how we relate to them can have such a positive result for both parties.
Learning point:
For
any presentation or meeting to be effective we should be well prepared and have
a clear idea of our desired outcome.
"A man going nowhere usually gets
there."
Dale Carnegie
Preparation techniques and ways to
achieve our desired outcomes are an important module on all our communication
and presentation skills courses.
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