Courses&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Overview: The folks at Fed Week had a sense of humor, so we decided to go along by editing the announcement, but if you are serious about simplifying your writing, saving time in doing it, and seeing results quickly, then this two-day intensive course is for you. It supports your agency’s compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010. You’re taught "plain writing" -- writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject and intended audience.

You’ll become skilled in writing clearly and briefly while understanding your reader’s needs. By writing documents in plain English, you’ll save valuable time not having to clarify your meaning to your reader or your boss.

Practical exercise are conducted throughout the course. You’ll review, critique, and re-write sample government documents, and prepare and present original documents.

Benefits to You: Having this "Plain Writing" skill will increase your promotability because being known as a good writer translates into your being able to think clearly, analyze problems, make decisions and persuade others - all highly sought after skills.

Benefits to Your Organization: Increased agency productivity, mission effectiveness, and image; improved public understanding and satisfaction; and more effective,

professional, and promotable employees.

Who should attend? Federal employees, managers, and supervisors wanting to write well in Plain Language.

Prerequisites: Basic business writing or Write 2 the Point! recommended

Objectives: By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Produce quality documents faster and with greater ease

Spend less time drafting, reviewing, and editing

Make documents easier for readers to understand

Save paper and storage space (hardcopy and electronic - think green)

Increase your efficiency, productivity, and self-confidence

Topics:

Develop clear and complete purpose statements

Formulate and mindmap purpose, points, and details

Integrate mindmaps into sound document outlines

Create first drafts with ease by overcoming writer’s block

Prepare well-crafted paragraphs with main points, supporting material, and transitions

Form and organize clear and concise sentences

Use plain English and edit out "Bureaucratese"

Review and edit your work and the work of others

Present documents clearly and concisely in final form

Prepare "on-target" emails based on do's and don'ts

Length: Two days

Students' Comments

Tuition: $389.00

Note: This is a performance-based workshop. Size is limited due to extensive one-to-one attention to students by the instructor.

Simply Grammar

The Least You Should Know about English

Overview: Have you experienced the embarrassment of having your grammar corrected; would you like to correct other people's grammar; and finally, would you like to project confidence and present a more polished, professional image? Some of the most fundamental grammatical problems can baffle even the most intelligent people. Here's an intensive two-day course focusing on grammar, punctuation and basic English composition.

This course demystifies grammar by outlining "must-know" rules no professional can do without. Other topics include: making your communications

Click to see inside easily understood, avoiding sexism in your writing and speaking, limiting adjectives for more powerful communications and avoiding the glaring "singular or plural" errors most people make.

The theme of the course is how to make both your verbal and written communications easily understood. Be a take charge communicator. Lose your anxiety over writing and grammar! And best of all you will take home a valuable, college text desk reference.

Who Should Attend? Those who want to "brush up" on English grammar to become better writers and speakers.

Prerequisites: None

Objectives: By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Identify and avoid common mistakes in grammar and usage.
Increase the impact, clarity and overall effectiveness of your verbal communications and written products by following the basic guidelines of grammar and word usage.

Topics:

Use standard English in written and oral communications
Use the correct form of verbs and "tricky" pronouns
Avoid duplication in your writing and write succinctly
Use punctuation correctly
Polish your writing by avoiding offensive mistakes

Length: Two days

Tuition: $389.00

Note: This is a performance-based workshop. Size is limited due to extensive one-to-one attention to students by the instructor.

Write 2 the Point!

Professional Writing

Overview: More energy is wasted on worthless writing - in both creating and reviewing it - than just about any other business activity. Fortunately, good writing can be easy with this course which lays the foundation for writing more precise and direct correspondence, documents, reports, etc. The theme of the course is how to make your written communications straight-forward, credible and easily understood.

Many people who have no trouble getting their point across when speaking have nothing but trouble when writing. Your words on their own, must capture your reader's attention and convey your meaning-quickly and accurately.

Stressing conciseness, clarity and good organization in correspondence, this course is lively, informative and practices what it preaches. The manual is a useful guide of key points and rules that makes correct structure easy and painless.

Who Should Attend? Those who want to become more articulate, effective and powerful communicators, or those responsible for reviewing/editing other's work.

Prerequisites: None

Objective: By the end of the course, you will be able to write more effectively with less effort by applying the principles in the step-by-step process for effective writing.

Topics:

Use the prescribed basic steps for more effective writing
Overcome "poor writing" tendencies
Determine your goal in writing
Organize your thoughts
Overcome writer's block
Revise your material
Develop on-target paragraphs
Write dynamic products with powerful word choice
Critique and edit the work of others

Length: Two days

Tuition: $389.00

Note: This is a performance-based workshop.

Expert Presentation Skills

Overview: If your job requires you to make presentations or if you want to gain important visibility, this is a short course you can’t miss. Since most of us have difficulty putting our thoughts into words, this course will give you the simple methodology to improve your speaking style and presentation delivery. Since superior presentation skills are crucial to personal/professional growth, you’ll learn how to prepare material easily and communicate more effectively just as the experts do.

Since the old expression: "Practice makes perfect" isn't true in public

speaking - it's important to know the basics of what works and what

Click to see inside doesn't. The expression is actually: "Practice makes permanent." And who

can afford to solidify bad presentation habits?

The training manual is timely, relevant and designed to help you get long-term results. It includes valuable tips and checklists with the very latest information to equip you with the tools necessary to present highly professional, effective briefings.

Who Should Attend? Those interested in learning about public speaking as well as those more seasoned speakers who want to stay abreast of the latest information in the highly visible field of public speaking.

Prerequisites: None

Objectives: By the end of the course, you will understand the dynamics of expert public speaking.

Topics:

Uncover the myths in public speaking
Review the tips to overcome nervousness
Understand how to conduct an audience analysis
Understand what it takes to present like a pro
Review proven techniques that work
Understand style and how to use it

Length: One day

Tuition: $279.00

Public Speaking - Effective Briefing Techniques

Overview: Every day thousands of presentations are given, a few of them will be on target, get the listeners' attention, influence their thinking, inspire them or even persuade them. This course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to become one of the few accomplished presenters.

Understanding that superior presentation skills are crucial to personal/professional development and career enhancement, you will be able to prepare material easily and communicate effectively.

This is a concentrated three-day course which identifies and demonstrates techniques for delivering effective presentations. The course involves lectures and practical exercises. After the instructor's lecture on each topic, you are given an opportunity to practice newly learned information in practical exercises to reinforce and develop those skills. Five types of presentations are analyzed and you are taught how to determine which would be the most appropriate for every audience.

The training manual is a detailed reference book written in a lively, anecdotal style with easy-to-follow formats immediately useable to begin your upward success in effective speaking. The information is timely, relevant and designed to help you get long-term results. It includes valuable tips and checklists to equip you with the tools to present highly professional, effective briefings and other types of verbal presentations.

Who Should Attend? Those interested in sharpening their pubic speaking and presentation preparation skills, particularly those who wish to overcome "speaking jitters." Effective verbal communications are of vital importance in any government or business organization. Display confidence and poise the next time you are called upon to deliver an address.

Prerequisite: None

Objective: By the end of the course, you will be able to develop and deliver an effective presentation with greater confidence, credibility and presence.

Topics:

Use simple tips: know what works and what doesn't
Present like a pro
Determine your audience's needs
Practice effective listening techniques
Structure your material in a logical manner
Create and use dynamic audio/visual aids

Length: Three days

Tuition: $525.00

Effectively Managing Your Stress

Overview: Would you like to de-stress your life? By uncovering the

stressors in your life, you’ll learn that stress can be controlled. If you suffer from low energy and fatigue during the day, you may have one of the many symptoms of stress. Since stress is at epidemic proportions in our country today, it’s important to recognize its causes so you can

manage your responses to it better. That means learning about the many techniques available to help you cope just by doing what the experts do.

This course covers the difference between good and bad stress (even though your body only has one reaction), signals of distress, the

changing workplace and that effect on you, avoiding burnout, 101 stress Click to see inside

relievers as well as 25 ways to simplify your life. You’ll notice a difference

instantly by learning how to "change the way you think" and "change the way you breathe." And finally, you’ll walk away with an action plan to take charge of your life in your invaluable course reference manual.

Who Should Attend? Anyone who would like to understand stress complications and manage stress effectively.

Prerequisite: None

Objectives: By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Understand stress and overcome its risks by practicing stress reduction techniques.
Develop a personal action plan to improve the quality of your life.

Topics:

Uncover hidden sources of stress in your life
Understand burnout and its causes
Learn how to react with less anxiety
Balance work, family and personal needs
Improve your coping skills
Practice techniques for stress relief

Length: One day

Tuition: $279.00

O Beyond Time Management Revised

Overview: Would you like to have extra time each day to take care of business? Or would you to overcome the vicious stress cycle that comes from being time-starved? By using the countless tips, techniques and common sense advice from this session, you'll be more productive and able to free up your schedule. It all boils down to using your time more effectively. You must know how to achieve a balance between what you're doing and what you should be doing. Once you've mastered that, you're on your way to getting more done.

And finally, you'll learn how to set priorities, devise "to do" lists and reduce stress simply by doing what the experts do in effective time management. Click to see inside

Who Should Attend? Anyone who would like to make realistic goals and manage your time more effectively while achieving more with less stress.

Prerequisite: None

Objective: B y the end of this session, you will be able to analyze how you currently use your time by identifying time wasters, set goals and priorities to better use your time by using time-saving tips.

Topics:

Analyze your typical time wasters both external and self-generated

Prioritize your daily activities and get the important ones done

Determine career or personal goals and be coached on achieving them

Communicate more effectively in less time (orally and in writing)

Deal with interruptions with "State Department" diplomacy

Organize yourself by using 15 different tips

Understand the "Can't Say No?" syndrome and reverse it

Understand delegation (both upward and downward)

Deal effectively with procrastination

Understand stress and its effects on you and your time

Learn how rituals improve your life

Find out how to manage a crisis

Learn tips for e-mail and texting

Find out the tips for running highly effective meetings

Length: One day

Tuition: $289.00

Mastering the Art of Business Communications

Overview: Are you looking for new ways to communicate to your co-workers and employees, increase your productivity and advance your career? Are you communicating to make the right visual, vocal and verbal impact? This two-day course is filled with information to become a better communicator. Nothing can be achieved without the combined cooperation, commitment and action of people. That's why your interpersonal skills are so critical to your own effectiveness and performance boosting your productivity and promotability.

Communication with colleagues is no longer just a matter of having a good

working relationship. Today, successful communication has become a

business imperative and an ingredient for success. It' s the art of savvy

business interaction.

The course covers developing communication skills that will help foster

collaborative relationships in the workplace. This includes identifying factors

that can positively influence others and develop skills to become flexible

in your actions, thoughts and feelings to better handle any situation.

Who Should Attend? Those who want to master the keys to communication for handling any communication situation with greater flexibility, confidence and professional presence.

Prerequisite: None

Objective: By the end of the course, you will be able to use proven interpersonal communication techniques to successfully achieve your goals.

Topics:

Give clear instructions and motivate others
Use successfully-proven communication techniques to get your message across.
Listen actively to your advantage
Understand and use the power of body language
Increase your effectiveness when speaking in public
Give and receive criticism for positive change
Understand the varying communication styles of men and women
Learn the keys to communicating in the workplace
Talk your way to success

Length: Two days

Tuition: $389.00

Coaching Yourself and Others for Peak Performance

Overview: This course is an introduction to coaching. By now, nearly everyone has heard of this powerful, dynamic new discipline. Since its inception in the early 90's, coaching has become a must for progressive work environments. Many of today’s top performing organizations and individuals turn to coaching to achieve success. Coaching helps senior executives, mid-level managers and employees to perform at their full potential.

Successful coaching requires trust, respect, sincere interest and personal regard as well as finely tuned interpersonal communication skills. It’s not just counseling or advising employees; rather, coaching is a structured process

Click to see inside intended to enable truly exceptional performance. It applies advanced models

and techniques to bring out the best in your employees. These methods can

also be used in coaching yourself toward peak performance.

By taking this workshop, you’ll learn the basic theory and techniques of coaching. You will understand primary personal motivators, impediments to progress and ways to overcome these hurdles. Find out what drives you and those around you and begin to tap into the reserve making your organization top notch.

Who Should Attend? Those who want to understand coaching and help themselves and others improve their performance and achieve their goals.

Prerequisite: None

Objective: By the end of the course, you will be able to use specific coaching techniques to enhance your performance as well as those whom you coach.

Topics:

Recognize your own strengths and weaknesses and maximize your strong points
Demonstrate active listening and give positive feedback
Recognize the significance of today's coaching practice
Demonstrate effective coaching skills using powerful questions
Establish a non-threatening, positive coaching environment
Promote a win-win situation in the work place and at home

Length: Two days

Tuition: $389.00