online learning Archives - Language at Work ..//category/online-learning/ Improving Communication with Customized Training Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:07:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Sign Up For our Spring Webinars! ..//sign-up-for-our-spring-webinars/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:07:48 +0000 ..//?p=17820 Just in time for busy spring schedules, our short, compact, lively webinars deliver tips and resources for popular training topics. Each 90 minute webinar provides instruction and discussion, with helpful resource material for further learning. Sign up now for one, or for all. Here’s the...

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Just in time for busy spring schedules, our short, compact, lively webinars deliver tips and resources for popular training topics.

Each 90 minute webinar provides instruction and discussion, with helpful resource material for further learning.

Sign up now for one, or for all.

Here’s the schedule:

April 26, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Office Etiquette – Common problems are shown, along with suggestions for behaviors that promote good will.  Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240146597958168

May 31, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Keys to Clear Writing – Learn what quick steps you can do take make your writing accessible to the reader, and ensure the reaction you want. Register here:  https://form.jotform.com/240533987787171

June 28, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Managing Up:  Help Your Boss Help You – Learn to read your boss and adapt your speaking and working style so you both can benefit from your relationship. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240564523933154

July 26, 2024, 12:00-1:30pm

Grammar Bootcamp – A return of our popular, must-have course that will answer your questions and correct the common pesky grammar goofs.  Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240525054517148

Payment Information 
Individual Registration Fee     $179.00
Additional Notes:
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Upon payment, a confirmation email with webinar access details will be sent to the provided email address.

For any inquiry or assistance, please contact: contactus@languageatwork.com.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

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]]> The What and How of Personal Branding ..//the-what-and-how-of-personal-branding/ Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:44:49 +0000 ..//?p=17809 The personal brand concept is not new, but there are many ideas and questions about it. What is it, what does it mean for you or your organization, what does one do with it- essentially what is the So What of Personal Branding? And –...

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]]> The personal brand concept is not new, but there are many ideas and questions about it.

What is it, what does it mean for you or your organization, what does one do with it- essentially what is the So What of Personal Branding?

And – how do we do it?

Personal Branding is meant to be the picture of you that others see – a picture created by you.  You get to decide what you want to promote about yourself and about what you do, and you get to do so in words and actions that you choose.

Others will see you and make decisions and judgments about you, anyway,  so why not be the author of whatever story they’re seeing?

That’s the ‘What’.

Designing and planning your brand is fun and rewarding but it can be overwhelming.  There is a lot to say about you, but your brand needs to be short and strong, so getting your terrific self into a marketable package can take some work.

That’s the ‘How’, and we can help with that.

Whether you are offering Personal Branding to your team of individuals, or to your department, or even considering personal branding for  your organization – our class will help you do it.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

Thanks!Judy   Judith Pollock, PresidentLanguage at Work4931 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20016Phone 646-491-1089www.languageatwork.com

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]]> The Courses You Want #3: Reframing: Turning Problems into Opportunities ..//the-courses-your-want-3-reframing-turning-problems-into-opportunities/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:54:44 +0000 ..//?p=17781 There are 3 sides to every story:  yours, theirs, and the reality.  Clearly, there is some overlap, and the version attributed to reality is often obscure, especially in stories in which the stakes are high, so it seems reasonable to say that any version of...

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There are 3 sides to every story:  yours, theirs, and the reality.  Clearly, there is some overlap, and the version attributed to reality is often obscure, especially in stories in which the stakes are high, so it seems reasonable to say that any version of the story could stand some adjustment.

What if we could adjust our version of the story to make it more palatable- and to make it one that offers us some benefit?  If a story that leaves us feeling deflated or dismissed could be adjusted to be a story that invites action and possibility, would we not want to make that change?

Reframing can do that.  Consider:

Hema and Ortiz made a fabulous presentation in their bid to run the next project and they were turned down.   Not only that, but now they have to work with- and answer to- the team that won the bid.  Anger, disappointment, and resentment flags are flying.

A colleague sees Hema and Ortiz developing their story of victimization and bias, and suggests an alternative story:

Now you can learn from this project what you can do in the next bid; now you can demo your grace and cooperation; now you’ll have more time to check out other projects;  now you have OPPORTUNITY, not failure.

It’s a slight adjustment; it’s an adjustment that risks insincerity in implementation; it’s an adjustment that might yield none of the suggested outcomes.  But, by reframing their experience, Hema and Ortiz have a chance to move from negativity to at least, neutrality, if not positivity, and this outlook is no small thing in the work world.

Reframing is a simple concept but it can be complex in execution.  Some specific guidelines can make it a habit that will help you, and, as a manager, will help you steer your team.

Ask us about this course you want:  Reframing:  Turning Problems into Opportunities.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.Thanks!

Judy   Judith Pollock, PresidentLanguage at Work4931 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20016Phone 646-491-1089www.languageatwork.com

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]]> Speak Up! ..//speak-up/ Mon, 26 Jul 2021 22:01:53 +0000 ..//?p=17481 Speaking up, or saying what you want or need, is difficult for most people.  When we disagree, have questions, want clarity, or feel uncomfortable in a situation, we face the speak up challenge.  Be silent and hope for the best?  Or say something to indicate...

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]]> Speaking up, or saying what you want or need, is difficult for most people.  When we disagree, have questions, want clarity, or feel uncomfortable in a situation, we face the speak up challenge.  Be silent and hope for the best?  Or say something to indicate our preference for a different direction?  But what to say- and how to say it?

Some people use sarcasm or humor to deflect.  Others feel defensive and respond accordingly.  Others attack. Others make vague and neutral noises, hoping for deniability if things don’t go their way. Usually these responses cause more trouble; they certainly don’t solve the immediate problem, or move things along.

Reasons for not speaking up are usually fear that others will become angry or defensive, making the situation worse, and not knowing the words or tone that will convey the message without sounding aggressive.  Lack of confidence prevents most people from trying.  They wonder if they have a right to say something that might sound disagreeable or uncooperative, so they either remain silent, or indicate disapproval in other ways, ways that can be unhelpful, unwelcome, and certainly confusing.

Help is available.

Speak Up! – The Webinar is our first open enrollment project.

One hour, many tips, budget-friendly, and easy to fit into the day.

August 24, 2021 from 1-2pm EST – call to enroll your group.

Come on – speak up!

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700
www.languageatwork.com

Image by Z RAINEY from Pixabay

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]]> What’s Hot with the Cool Kids? ..//whats-hot-with-the-cool-kids/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:23:33 +0000 ..//?p=17417 What’s Hot with the Cool Kids? That was to get your attention! The ‘cool kids’ are our clients who doggedly and inspiringly press on with training even tho their classrooms are closed and their teams are dispersed. They offer training in topics that they know...

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]]> What’s Hot with the Cool Kids? That was to get your attention!

The ‘cool kids’ are our clients who doggedly and inspiringly press on with training even tho their classrooms are closed and their teams are dispersed. They offer training in topics that they know workers need, but as it’s harder to know what these distant workers need, they often ask us for suggestions.

“What’s popular now?” is a common query.

As we put together our list of *Top Hits I wondered how interest in these topics reflects how people are feeling. Interest in communication and self-development suggest that we want to stay connected with one another and to continue to look forward.

These seem to be good goals. They must be the cool kids.

*Top Hits Virtual Training

Virtual Workplace
Effective Virtual Meetings
Managing Your Team Remotely
Holding Your Own When Working Remotely
Finding Work/Home Balance
Maintaining Communication with Your Distant Team

Communication
Speaking With Power
Listening for Results
Get a Grip on Conflict
Presentation Skills
Assertiveness
Influencing and Persuading
Collegial Communication

Self-Development
Developing Personal Initiative
Develop Your Inner Leader
Aligning Personal and Professional Goals
Take Charge of Your Career
Emotion Management

Cultural
Communicate Effectively in English
Cross Cultural Communication

Writing
Professional Writing
Clarity and Brevity in Writing
Persuasive Writing
Editing and Proofreading for Error-Free Writing
Grammar Gremlins

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com/www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700
www.languageatwork.com/www.languageatwork.com>

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]]> Hot Virtual Training Topics ..//hot-virtual-training-topics/ Mon, 05 Oct 2020 18:38:34 +0000 ..//?p=17404 Most organizations have smoothly transferred their training from the on-site classroom to a virtual format. The change has been successful, and many of our clients have asked us what topics are being delivered remotely. While most communication-related content can be successfully provided in this format,...

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]]> Most organizations have smoothly transferred their training from the on-site classroom to a virtual format. The change has been successful, and many of our clients have asked us what topics are being delivered remotely. While most communication-related content can be successfully provided in this format, we’ve found that some topics are more popular than others. Here’s a list of some of them.

Courses for Virtual Training
Virtual Workplace
Effective Virtual Meetings
Managing Your Team Remotely
Holding Your Own When Working Remotely
Finding Work/Home Balance
Maintaining Communication with Your Distant Team
Communication
Speaking With Power
Listening for Results
Get a Grip on Conflict
Presentation Skills
Assertiveness
Influencing and Persuading
Collegial Communication
Self-Development
Developing Personal Initiative
Develop Your Inner Leader
Aligning Personal and Professional Goals
Take Charge of Your Career
Cultural
Communicate Effectively in English
Cross Cultural Communication
Writing
Professional Writing
Clarity and Brevity in Writing
Persuasive Writing
Editing and Proofreading for Error-Free Writing
Grammar Gremlins

If you have other topics in mind, let us know. We’re happy to add your preferences to our list!

If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.
Judith Pollock, President

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]]> How Can We Help? ..//how-can-we-help/ Tue, 05 May 2020 16:54:35 +0000 ..//?p=17375 We want to be responsive to our training partners, so let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Telephone coaching with individuals having trouble with adjustment? Brainstorming ways to polish your in-house communication? Writing some communication or teleworking guidelines? Developing a...

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]]> We want to be responsive to our training partners, so let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

  • Telephone coaching with individuals having trouble with adjustment?
  • Brainstorming ways to polish your in-house communication?
  • Writing some communication or teleworking guidelines?
  • Developing a quick program on an issue that you need addressed?
  • What else?

And, of course, let us know if a webinar will help keep your training program alive. Any topics you’d like to address?

Call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700
www.languageatwork.com

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]]> Webinar Programs from Language at Work ..//webinar-programs-from-language-at-work/ Fri, 01 May 2020 16:46:28 +0000 ..//?p=17370 Keep your training program active and your workers engaged.  Participating in a webinar is energizing, and will remind your workers of your continued investment in their learning.  Here are some topics that are popular.  You may have others- just let us know! Influencing and Persuading...

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]]> Keep your training program active and your workers engaged.  Participating in a webinar is energizing, and will remind your workers of your continued investment in their learning.  Here are some topics that are popular.  You may have others- just let us know!

Influencing and Persuading
This program will help participants learn the skills and behaviors that cause others to follow their lead.  When working apart from colleagues, it is important to be able to gain cooperation and to communicate in ways that advance work projects.  Participants will learn to frame ideas in ways that others can understand and accept.

Crisis Communication
This program will help participants recognize and address the fears and suspicions that accompany crisis and change, and better communicate with staff, colleagues, and coworkers in ways that inspire trust, demystify issues, and promote clarity.

Clarity and Brevity in Writing
This program will help participants create clear and effective documents that are readily accessible to the reader.  Participants will learn to plan and organize their writing so that purposes are identified, and proposed action is clear.  They will learn strategies for editing in order to avoid wordiness.

Basics of Better Business Writing
This program will help participants learn basic guidelines for producing error- free documents.  Participants will review elements that make writing effective, and will consider tone, language, format, grammatical and structural conventions, and consistency in their documents.

Getting a Grip on Conflict
This program will help participants anticipate and manage situations that can lead to conflict.  Participants will explore common causes of conflict, particularly those that arise from the need to adapt to new work conditions, and will learn skills to address conflict in productive ways.

Listening is Not Just Hearing
This program will help participants improve the quality of their communication by developing strong listening skills. Challenging situations present barriers to communication that can be overcome by active listening. Participants will learn strategies for improving concentration and maintaining focus in the face of distractions.

Speaking With Power
This program will help participants speak with confidence and competence in a variety of settings by learning to apply basic communication skills to all situations.  Participants will learn that they can use the same communication strategies when speaking in conversations, meetings, and in responding to impromptu requests.

Grammar Gremlins
This program will help participants recognize their own grammar usage, and identify misunderstandings in structural and grammatical conventions.  Participants will understand the effects on their own writing and speaking of errors, and will learn and review common rules.

Managing Up
This program will help participants develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with those in positions of authority.  During challenging and changing times, communication is a key element in working together, and the ability to express opinions, ideas, and concerns is important.  Participants will learn how to take active roles in their interactions, and will learn strategies for communicating assertively with confidence.

Be An Effective Team Member
This program will help participants recognize the importance of being a strong team member, particularly when teams are scattered, and are working together in new ways.  Participants will learn skills and strategies for making and being recognized for contributions to their teams, and for continuing to develop their own work performance.

Tips for Teleworking
This program will help participants make the best of a remote working situation, and learn to maintain their effectiveness and productivity.  Participants will develop plans and routines that promote efficiency, and will learn time and self management tips, as well as ways to adapt communication and teamwork skills to their extended workplace.

Managing Your Remote Workforce
This program will help participants identify the many changes that employees face in adapting to a new work format, and will learn to guide their teams to continued productivity.  Participants will learn practical strategies for organizing work flow as well as techniques for maintaining morale and motivation.

Dealing With Difficult
This program will help participants better manage situations, people, and conditions that cause concern.  During stressful times it is harder to be calm and resourceful in the face of unwelcome behavior or situations.  Participants will learn to consider what causes difficulty, and what strategies could be employed to help reduce tension and disorder

Learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Judith Pollock,

President, Language at Work

 

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