Writing and Presentation Skills for Engineers and Technical Staff
Course overview
In today’s fast moving business environment, having the ability to make yourself understood in a clear, concise and persuasive manner is vitally important if colleagues, clients and suppliers are to collaborate with you in delivering your business objectives.
The vast increase in the use of modern technology – and the sheer quantity of written information people receive – means that written communications must be short, to the point and written with the audience in mind.
But the facility to easily communicate in writing across a global business doesn’t negate the requirement to actually talk to people, either face to face or via video conferencing or web links. Indeed, presenting something to a live audience is still the most effective way of communicating.
This course will assist staff - particularly technical staff - to perfect their communications skills both in writing and face to face for greater impact on the reader and/or audience.
The course is designed for
Technical, engineering, scientific and other staff in specialised roles such as finance who need to positively influence others within or outside their organisations.
Course outline
Communicating effectively on the telephone
When to use the phone and when to use other media
Planning your telephone call
Telephone voice power techniques
What to say and what not to say
Telephone skills practise
Talking face to face
Why will people remember you?
Will they remember what you say?
Will they do what you want?
Two ears, one mouth - developing listening skills and building rapport
Perception and the impact we make
What communication style is ‘you’ and how does that relate to others
Adapting your style to that of others
Adapting your style to different situations
Fundamentals of presenting
Knowing your audience
Presentation issues
Information and content
Visual aids
Overcoming nerves
Dealing with mistakes
The question and answer session
Communication explained
How can we define successful communication?
The barriers to successful communication
The characteristics of an excellent communicator
Different methods of communication
The common link – story telling
Written communications
Types of written communication
Understanding the appropriate style for the communications type
Keeping it brief
The emotional dimension
The pyramid principle
Believability
Generating action on the part of the reader
Communicating effectively with e-mails
How to construct effective e-mail
Getting your point across effectively
E-mail etiquette – the do’s and don’ts of e-mail
Will the recipient do what you want?
Writing effective reports
How to construct effective reports
Getting your point across effectively
The do’s and don’ts of report writing
Will they do what you want?
Writing effective proposals
How to construct effective proposals
Getting your point across effectively
The do’s and don’ts of proposal writing
Linking proposals to a pitch presentation
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