Business Communications Electives
Business Communications Elective Courses.
Building Teams - Building Culture
How do leaders successfully develop high-performing teams while fostering a harmonious, culturally-driven environment? Identify techniques to increase staff engagement levels, create stronger interpersonal connections, and maximize performance results.
- After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the stages of team development, the functions at each stage, and the benefits of teaming
- Assess individuals’ strengths to ensure the best possible team performance
- Set goals successfully, and avoid common goal-setting mistakes
- Explain how to foster accountability among team members to ensure all members succeed
- Develop esprit de corps and coordinate effective team-building activities
- Explore the effect of a virtual environment on teams.
Collaboration Skills and Strategies
Explore collaboration models from three unique perspectives -- individual, team, & cross-functional -- within various job settings (virtual, in-person, and blended). Work to build trust and identify mutually beneficial internal/external relationships.
Creative Strategy & Visual Thinking
We'll develop your design and problem-solving skills as we explore innovative visual thinking strategies surrounding theory, aesthetics, and practice. Build your creative confidence and sharpen your talents utilizing design tools and applications.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Articulate basic creative design principles, processes, and theory to support in developing and enhancing creative design projects
- Develop visual thinking skills and creative design strategy
- Facilitate a creative visual strategy with effective deliverables
- Develop, analyze and refine creative concepts from initial idea to final product
- Analyze and apply visual thinking and creative design strategies to challenges of specific problems
Effective Communications for Project Managers
Utilizing effective communication skills with stakeholders helps manage expectations while providing a cohesive project environment and a better chance for success. Join us to improve your project communications via role-play, lecture, and exercises.
Stakeholders becoming disconnected from projects can lead to cost overruns, schedule delays, poor quality, lack of scope management, and rework – and these problems often result from poor communication. Utilizing effective communication skills, tools, and techniques to set and maintain expectations with all stakeholders provides a cohesive project environment and a better chance for success. Participants will learn how to improve project communications through a combination of role-play, lecture, and exercises, as well as how to develop and implement a comprehensive communications management plan. These skills can help you become a more effective communicator while improving the likelihood of success for your projects.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Effective Emails, Memos, and Letters
The ability to clearly communicate your thoughts, plans, and proposals is a highly effective method to advance your ideas and earn the respect of your peers. Join us to improve your business communication skills via practices, tips, and techniques.
Communicating clearly and concisely in written formats like email, memos, and letters is very important in a workplace setting. Clearly communicating your thoughts, plans and proposals is a highly effective means to advance your ideas and earn the respect of your peers. This course will help you improve your use of these common business communication vehicles by providing best practices and effective tips and techniques.
This course grants 5 PDUs for successful completion. Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
Essentials of Conflict Management
Conflict management can distinguish good workplaces from great workplaces. Analyze conflict to understand the issues and emotions involved. Explore personal conflict management style and resolve issues in a sensible, equitable, and efficient manner.
Conflict management is the practice of identifying and handling conflict in a sensible, equitable, and efficient manner. While conflict is inevitable in the workplace, the way conflict is managed can distinguish good workplaces from great workplaces. Participants will learn to analyze conflict to understand the issues and emotions involved. Then, they will learn to resolve conflict using a proven 4-step method. This course allows participants to explore their personal conflict management style and develop skills to manage conflict more effectively.
After this course, students will be able to:- Manage conflict by understanding and exploring what it is
- Recognize all five styles of conflict.
- Know which style of conflict is their preferred style by assessing their own personal style
- Develop basic skills in the five styles so they can use any one of them
- Learn to diagnose situations in order to chose the most appropriate style
- Learn troubleshooting techniques and other skills for successful conflict resolution
Introduction to Online Learning
Our course introduces the major models, tools, and techniques for effectively creating and delivering online learning, including a review of general learning theory fundamentals and how to apply these principles to online design and instruction.
This course grants 0.5 CEUs for successful completion. Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Describe key trends in online learning
- Differentiate between the constructivist and transmission models of learning
- Devise techniques for active learning
- Identify the steps common to course development processes and their roles in creating effective learning
- Explain how learning objectives may be used to ensure that a course is meeting the need it was designed for
- Identify the condition, performance, and qualification components of measurable learning objectives
- Describe Bloom's Taxonomy and explain its application in instructional design
- Describe the use of blended learning
- Explain the benefits of narrative, adaptive, peer, and social learning
- Discuss the instructional design needs specific to adult learners
- Describe how to employ Whole-Part-Whole learning techniques
- Recognize how worked examples advance learning
- Describe instructional scaffolding and explain its use
- Explain the 5E Learning Model
- Explore the need for variety in online learning
- Identify ways to incorporate video in online learning
- Describe how to measure for success in online learning
Leading Through Change
Great managers recognize change and help employees adjust in a realistic and strategic manner, using sound principles and workable tools. We can't control uncertainty, but we can guide, shape, and influence this variable. Learn how and why in this class.
After this course, you will be able to:
- Prepare for change by conducting change analysis
- Communicate consistently about change to engage the organization
- Manage emotions that arise during change
- Shrink the change to keep employees focused
Managing Difficult Conversations and Situations
Identify basic communication strategies that can work across many difficult situations. Managing yourself properly can build the confidence to better manage problematic workplace events. Learn how to have open, robust, and fearless conversations.
After this class, you will be able to:
- Understand how and why we use confrontation language and escalate situations.
- Create prevention strategies to handle sensitive issues to avoid escalation and recognize problems before they become a crisis.
- Determine the manner in which they come across to others.
- Identify and perform the three line assertion communication technique to conduct difficult conversations.
- Identify the most common types of difficult conversations in their organizations and apply strategies for dealing with them.
Negotiations: Making Business Deals
This course is designed to help executives and other potential deal-makers learn the essential strategies and skills to conducting successful business negotiations. Key topics include preparation, goal-setting, commitments, relationships, and outcomes.
This course grants 4 PDUs for successful completion. Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Distinguish between Dispute Settlement Negotiation (DSN) and Deal Making Negotiation (DMN)
- Explain the importance of BATNA in Deal Making Negotiation
- Describe the relationship between bargaining and negotiation
- Distinguish between interests and positions, and describe the importance of each
- Explain the five steps of the negotiation process
- Identify the types of information that should be assembled prior to negotiation
- Describe the five principal approaches to negotiation
- Identify the two types of commitments, and explain how they affect negotiating flexibility
- Explain the importance of the opening position
- Describe Leigh Thompson's mental models of negotiation
- Explain the importance of active listening in the context of Deal Making Negotiation
- Identify the challenges posed by multiparty negotiations, and describe strategies for meeting those challenges
- Describe the circumstances under which a negotiator should call for a timeout, and when she should walk away from a negotiation
- Explain the additional preparations needed before undertaking international or cross-cultural negotiations
- Apply the principles of Deal Making Negotiation to real-world examples
Negotiations: Resolving Disputes
Managers and decision-makers can learn to settle workplace and interpersonal disputes via case studies and the application of proven negotiating principles and strategies. Topics include conflict management, assessments, and cooperative resolutions.
The course begins by comparing and contrasting the two major types of negotiation: Dispute Settlement Negotiation (DSN) and Deal Making Negotiation (DMN). Key topics converged in the course include the causes of conflict; different styles of conflict management; how to conduct a conflict diagnosis; the uses of a strategy and interest assessment; and methods for avoiding stalemate and achieving a cooperative resolution.
Case studies that simulate real-world conflict-resolution negotiations are incorporated, to illustrate the practical application of the principles and strategies covered in the course.
Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Distinguish between Dispute Settlement Negotiation (DSN) and Deal Making Negotiation (DMN)
- Articulate the advantages and disadvantages of negotiation, compared to other methods of conflict resolution
- Explain the importance of BATNA in Dispute Settlement Negotiation
- Describe the most common causes of personal and workplace conflict
- Explain the steps involved in conflict diagnosis
- Describe the five conflict management styles identified by the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)
- Identify the main impediments to achieving a cooperative resolution, and explain how best to circumvent them
- Describe how to develop a strategy and interest assessment
- Explain the importance of active listening in the context of negotiation
- Define ZOPA, and explain its importance in Dispute Settlement Negotiation
- Explain how the ability to identify different negotiating currencies can help negotiators break a stalemate
- Distinguish between "sacred" and "pseudo-sacred" values
- Apply the principles of Dispute Settlement Negotiation to real-world examples
Optimizing Virtual Teamwork
Our workshop will provide helpful tools and best practices -- based on up-to-the-minute research -- for virtual teams, including how to conduct effective meetings, presentations and evaluations.
After this class, you will be able to:
- Communicate effectively in virtual settings so that video, email, presentations, IMs, etc. are clear, courteous, and timely
- Conduct an effective virtual meeting
- Raise issues and discuss sensitive topics with colleagues using virtual communication tools
- Assess and manage their virtual team member “reputation” so that blind spots and behaviors do not have unintended negative impact
PowerPoint for Business
Learn how to plan and design effective Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow presentations, including practical tips and examples for mapping the presentation, incorporating research, using templates, selecting visual elements, and delivering the results.
This self-paced course grants 3 PDUs for successful completion. Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Define effective communication
- Describe the qualities of a well-designed slideshow presentation
- Describe the qualities of a well-designed slideshow presentation
- Identify common problems when using PowerPoint to design slideshows
- Differentiate between effective and ineffective PowerPoint slides
- Discuss the importance of having a clear purpose or goal for your presentation
- Explain the four components of goal-oriented communication
- Consider the importance of understanding your audience
- Conduct audience analysis
- Map your presentation using the "Forecast, Present, Echo" structure
- Incorporate research into your presentation
- Assess websites for reliability and credibility
- Use slideshow templates effectively
- Select images that are professional and well-designed
- Choose visually appealing colors and fonts
- Consider how design trends can be applied to slideshows
- Identify the signs and symptoms of speaking anxiety
- Describe methods for managing speaking anxiety, including relaxation strategies
- Design a PowerPoint presentation that features recommended design principles
Presentations: The Power to Persuade and Inspire
Build confidence in your presentation style via practical exercises, best practices, and constructive peer feedback as you work to take the fear out of public speaking. Strengthen your ability to communicate with words, visuals, and body language.
- Build greater confidence for public speaking
- Learn how to connect and engage any audience by applying the ADEPT model
- Describe the do's and don'ts of great presentations
- Build presentations skills through practice exercises
Speak with Confidence
We often allow stress and nerves to impede our ability to deliver a clear message -- our course is designed to help learners understand the causes and signs of speaking anxiety and learn practical ways to address their speaking fears.
Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Define speaking anxiety
- Identify the common signs and symptoms of speaking anxiety
- Explain the typical causes of speaking anxiety
- Discuss the role of self-confidence in combatting speaking anxiety
- Practice confidence building strategies
- Explain and demonstrate relaxation techniques, such as equalized breathing, tension release, and visualization
- Consider how to manage anxiety in one-on-one and small group interactions
- Identify tips and tools for handling anxiety when delivering a speech in front of a large audience
Teaching Online
When students and teachers don't meet face-to-face, tactics and strategies are adjusted to help engage learners and identify struggling students to help ensure course material absorption. We'll survey online teaching models, tools, and techniques.
This course grants 0.5 CEUs for successful completion. Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Discuss some of the benefits of online learning for students and instructors
- Describe differences between online and face-to-face classroom teaching
- Explain the role of an online instructor
- Assess your own practices as an online instructor
- Discuss effective ways to lead online discussion
- Describe the Flipped Classroom and blended learning models
- Outline ways to introduce collaborative learning (discussion forums, videoconferencing, Question of the Day, group projects, etc.) into an online program
- Discuss key challenges in online learning and how to handle them
- Describe methods for evaluating and assessing online instruction
- Apply your understanding to case studies
Visual PowerPoint
Learn the importance of effectively selecting/arranging images and photographs for PowerPoint slides, as well as the use of tools like Shapes and SmartArt, methods for presenting data, and proper color/font selection to help increase content readability.
Students have 90 days from the day they are granted access to complete this course.
Please note: Access to this course will be granted as soon as possible but may take up to 1 business day
After this class, you will be able to:
- Define basic design principles, such as readability, color, consistency, contrast, arrangement, and information display
- Explain how font choice and color can affect slideshow readability
- Design slides that effectively implement the principles of consistency and contrast
- Place images throughout a presentation while adhering to the principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, space, and the "big picture"
- Select appealing and appropriate images to use in a slideshow
- Use photographs in a slideshow as an attention grabber and storytelling device
- Utilize the Shapes and SmartArt tools to communicate concepts visually
- Present data clearly and effectively
- Consider how design trends can be applied to slideshow presentation
Win-Win Negotiations
No set of problem-solving skills is more important than negotiation. Win-win negotiation is a specific strategy that uses carefully defined skills and techniques to produce results that are beneficial and acceptable to everyone at the negotiating table.
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After this class, you will be able to:
- Describe Win-Win Negotiation
- Use Win-Win Strategies to achieve mutually beneficial results
- Stay tough on the problem, but easy on the people
- Leverage their negotiating power
- Develop a negotiation plan