To be an effective verbal communicator the following competencies should be sought:

• Ability to keep feelings and opinions neutral especially when under pressure  
• Assertiveness
• Confident in making presentations
• Empathetic and tactful customer skills
• Negotiation to mutually succeed in transactions
• Sensitive listening

Workshops in this group will be delivered both in person and through Microsoft Teams, with some involving short follow up exercises.

How to improve your assertiveness

Assertiveness - an essential skill for everyday interactions. Do you wish you had that little bit more self-confidence to be able to let people know how you feel? Or do you find it hard to say trouble saying “no?” This workshop will help you to become more assertive in yourself. With confidence you'll be able to say what you mean and mean what you say.

 

How to communicate in ways that delight your customers (formerly Business Communication Skills)

Have you experienced differing levels of service as a customer yourself? A recent survey showed that employees performed badly in areas such as “going the extra mile”. Would you like to be that special employee who provides customer delight? This workshop will also help you overcome difficult customer behaviour and bring transactions to successful conclusions.

 

How to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing

Session content includes:

• Different types of deafness.
• How and in what ways we can communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Several British Sign Language techniques

 

How to conduct a challenging conversation

Do you tend to shy away from difficult or challenging conversation? Would you rather they are left alone and hope the issues will go away? This workshop helps you develop the skills and techniques needed to have those awkward conversations so that they can become difficult no more.

 

How to be an effective listener

Why do some people have trouble retaining interest in conversations? Have you often jumped to a conclusion or butted in before the other person has had chance to finish? This workshop is designed to develop your active listening so that you don’t lose the thread of a discussion in meetings, lectures, tutorials and transactions.

 

How to negotiate successfully

Have you ever been persuaded to give up more than you get in return? Or have you reluctantly conceded without getting anything else in return? Do you always appear to be getting the “short straw?”. This workshop will improve your negotiating skills by looking at how to prepare your goals, take part in a negotiation situation and aim for a "win-win" situation each time.

 

Practical Presentations

This unit can be claimed in one of two ways:

• By signing up to a Practical Presentations session and delivering a 5 minutes presentation to your fellow students, then taking part in the audience while the other students present. This will be followed by feedback and completion of a self-reflection. This is a handy experience if you have a presentation to make later in your studies or in preparing for same at a job interview.
• By proving a presentation took place as part of your academia or work experience. You will need to complete a self-reflection and obtain a witness testimony from your supervisor or assessor and send both to the Skills Development Service.

 

How to sell your product and service to consumers (formerly Sales Skills)

Do you ever get lost when being given information on something you’re purchasing? Have you ever wondered how much information to provide about yourself, work or experiences? This workshop focuses on the consumer journey and will help you adapt your style and approach with different personality types. You will also learn some helpful points on consumer legislation as part of after-care responsibilities.

How to deliver an effective presentation (previously Speaking and Presenting)

Are you worried about the thought of having to stand up and speak in front of an audience? Do you ever wish you could have a different form of assessment instead of making a presentation? This workshop covers preparation, the route of your talk, speaking techniques and creating a positive attitude towards your presentation. It thus provides tips in practical skills and confidence to help you get your message effectively across to your audience.

How to deal with Presentations' Anxieties

If you're suffering from anxieties related to making a presentation your communication abilities are going to suffer as a result. This workshop will offer you effective strategies to gain control over your anxiety, enabling you to concentrate and think clearly when giving a presentation.

 

Personal Effectiveness is about you having the "get up and go," a "can do" attitude and a sense that you can make things happen. These are essential must haves for working effectively in any organisation.

 

Workshops in this group will be delivered both in person and through Microsoft Teams, with some involving short follow up exercises.

 

How to coach people in the workplace

Have you ever tried to help somebody learn something but to no avail? Have you ever found learning from another person difficult? This workshop helps you motivate and inspire others as a result of the helpful ways in which you encourage them to improve. 

 

How to acquire a commercial mindset

A Confederation of British Industry survey recently found that 35% of employers were dissatisfied with the business and customer awareness of graduates. Do you wonder what this commercial awareness is all about? Put simply, "commercial awareness" is an understanding of what makes any business or organisation successful and the factors that influence this success.

 

How to deal with perfectionism

Do you feel the need to do more than you need to? Are you unsure of when to stop because you might doubt the quality of your work? Sometimes the desire for perfection can cause stress, anxiety and depression. This workshop will help you to understand the process that leads into, and maintains perfectionism, and the effect it is having on your well-being. You’ll be taught techniques and strategies to help you to re-evaluate and change your perfectionist beliefs and behaviours. Having a healthy balance between high standards and your psychological well-being will enable you to not only achieve your goals, but enjoy life more whilst you are achieving.

 

How to develop your positive image

If one doesn't feel proud of oneself, it is very difficult to get that "person-prefect" image across in conversation with others. This workshop will help you build your personal brand, and understand the importance of positive self-talk and its relationship to self-esteem. You will also learn how to quantify your assets so that you’re able to sell yourself to an employer in a concise and confident way.

 

How to manage procrastination

TDo you find yourself constantly putting things off? This workshop will help you to understand the process that leads into, and maintains, your procrastination. You’ll be taught techniques and strategies to challenge and change your procrastinating behaviour. Working to deadlines, planning your time, and communicating well with others are all skills that many of you will use every day throughout your working life. Gaining control of your procrastination will enable you to develop these skills effectively and thus improve your employability.

How to motivate yourself to get things done

Have you ever had little drive or energy because the tasks you face are unappealing? Have you been able to accomplish some tasks with relish yet find you dislike others? Have you ever lost interest in something that you initially considered important? This workshop will help you to raise your standards and accomplish all tasks with enthusiasm.

 

How to build resilience

Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” after setbacks and disappointments. Resilience however, is something that should be part of our repertoire every day, a bit like carrying our own personal “first aid kit” of replenishments with us. In this workshop you’ll learn 10 top tips for building a more resilient lifestyle which will help you as you move towards and through graduation and into the professional world.

How to use the art of reflection

Do you know that there’s a likely chance you’ve done some wonderful things both in academia and in other areas of your life? Do you have trouble committing these experiences to writing or explaining what you’ve achieved at the most critical times? This workshop will help you capture and retain what you've accomplished, help you "own" your work and see the value of what you achieved. You will then be able to articulate these experiences more fluently and confidently when required to do so.

How to manage your time more effectively - Distance Learning

Do you find it easy to put things off? Ever wondered why you’re always doing that essay, assignment or research write up at the last minute, or you’re always late for meetings? This workshop is designed to help you prioritise and organise your life so you can get the most out of all of your commitments.

Recording Attendances

You are responsible for managing your learning including ensuring you confirm punctual arrival and completion of each online workshop, so that we can keep a copy of your attendance. It is recommended that you keep copies of all the exercises, activities and notes featured in each of the units. In this respect it is important that you attend each workshop on time and commit to both the learning and activities throughout. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any workshop where late arrival will mean a significant part of same won't be fulfilled. It will be necessary for you to keep the Personal Progression Record (mentioned at the top of this page) updated before and after each workshop. Once you have completed 5 units in the same group you will be asked to send in your completed PPR.

 

Certificates are issued in e-format and will be emailed to you around 1-2 weeks after receipt of your PPR. You can print the e-certificate at a library, University print centres or print it off yourself.

 

We will invite you to complete an optional online evaluation which provides us with some key information appropriate to the units undertaken.

All University students must gain leadership skills, says a recent report. 70% of employers believe leadership modules should be integrated into all degree subjects to boost employability. So we have these here for you - don't delay.

Increase your certification credibility: SDS has teamed up with the Institute of Leadership & Management who can accredit your Leadership certificate thus approving our award as external certification under the umbrella of one of the UK's major Leadership development organisations. See full details under the Externally-certified Courses & Sessions on this website./p>

 

Workshops in this group will be delivered in person and through Microsoft Teams except Team Briefings which is in self-study format and will be emailed to you.

Due to the fact that we are currently delivering these sessions digitally, there will be short follow up exercises to complete and a professional discussion with SDS staff to review your exercises. You will be informed at the workshops.

How to lead using a range of different styles

Do you aspire to be a leader? This workshop covers the roles and functions of leadership, the different types of leader and how to develop leadership qualities and characteristics within you. At the end of this session you should have identified your own leadership style and learnt to adapt according to the situations you face.

 

How to lead in difficult situations

Have you rejected the opportunity to step up and lead or go for a position because you’re afraid of confrontation and adverse reactions from the team members? Do you lack confidence in your own abilities to lead with determination? This workshop will help you make the transition from team member to leader and overcome some interpersonal challenges you may face in the leader role.

 

How to be an effective problem solver

When you faced with a problem are you pessimistic or optimistic? Do you see problems as perennially messing things up for you or can they be chances for you to shine? This workshop covers a range of techniques to identify the sources of problems and advice to help solve them.

How to be an effective team player

Do you have issues sometimes in fitting into a team? Do you, if in charge of a team, find it difficult to get people involved? Do you often feel you’d rather work alone than take part in an organised gathering? During this workshop you will explore the advantages of teams over groups. You will have the chance to identify your preferred team roles and how their strengths and attributes contribute to making the “ideal” team.

Team Briefing (e-learning)

Do you have worries over conducting a meeting or briefing? Are you concerned about the audience’s reactions to your content and delivery? This distance-learning workshop will help you select appropriate material and how to run the actual briefing process.

Completed in self-study format. For a copy of the turorial and exercise email SDS@cf.ac.uk