Employees in an office often come from different walks of life and different cultures. Their personalities are unique, their expectations diverse. But how can we ensure communication in the office is as effective as possible? This program explores the fundamental business skill of communication in the workplace. The many forms of verbal communication are covered, including oral and written methods such as meetings, speeches, letters and presentations. Similarly, the increasing importance of effective electronic communication is presented. Nonverbal cues such as body language are explored and in summary, the program discusses strategies for overcoming the barriers to workplace communication.
Grade levels: Adult
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Dave Hitz – Boom and Bust: Thriving through Major Business Cycles
NetApp has successfully navigated through every major cycle in business: from the frenetic mentality of a startup, through the tumultuous period of the dot-com boom and bust, and finally to the relative stability of a mature enterprise organization. Core values of candor, integrity, teamwork, and simplicity helped the company transition through these growth phases-and thrive.
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Chris Capossela – Driving Innovation in a Tough Economy
Microsoft is now in the midst of a multi-year initiative to transform itself once again-to a software-plus-internet-services provider. Despite the global economic downturn it sees opportunity in rallying all parts of the company behind “big, big bets” for the next five to ten years.
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Built to Change: How to Achieve Sustained Organizational Effectiveness
Organizations are built for stability, not for change. But in today’s highly competitive business environment, organizations must be ready to change-and change frequently. They need to replace long-term planning with a succession of short-term advantages. They must increase their “surface area” with the outside world; drive leadership to lower levels in the company; and reward decision makers for change management as well as results. Lawler and Worley discuss methods for creating strategies, structures, communication processes, and human resource management practices that are designed to facilitate an organization’s ability to change.
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Rapid Transformation
Organizations are built for stability, not for change. But in today’s highly competitive business environment, organizations must be ready to change-and change frequently. They need to replace long-term planning with a succession of short-term advantages. They must increase their “surface area” with the outside world; drive leadership to lower levels in the company; and reward decision makers for change management as well as results.
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Jack Zenger – The Inspiring Leader
Inspiring others is a “soft skill,” one that many believe you need to be born with to possess. But in their research, Dr. Zenger and his colleagues determined that inspiring others to greatness is, in fact, something that can and should be learned.
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Frank Flynn – Judging Talent
Hiring decisions and performance evaluations are affected by common biases, such as favoring tall or attractive candidates. Professor Flynn provides effective techniques for conducting objective employee interviews and evaluations.
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Chunka Mui – Billion Dollar Lessons
Chunka Mui and Paul Carroll researched 750 of the most significant business failures of the past quarter-century and found the Number 1 cause of failure was not sloppy execution, poor leadership or bad luck. It was, instead, misguided strategy.
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Anil Gupta – Leveraging China and India for Global Advantage
China’s GDP will catch up to that of the U.S. by 2025, predicts Professor Gupta. By 2050, GDP of both China and India will reach or surpass that of the U.S., Europe and Japan combined. Strategies that capture market share, talent, and innovation opportunities in these emerging giants necessitate understanding their unique yet complementary strengths.
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Caring for the Frail and Immobile
While some losses of strength and mobility are expected, it is easy to believe that the elderly are slowing down ‘just because they’re old’. Through a proper understanding of the ageing process, and the common pathologies that occur in the elderly, we can gain a more accurate understanding of what to expect and what can be done to maintain or even improve mobility in the elderly. Staying mobile is an important part of maintaining ones dignity, independence, and quality of life.