Grammar Gremlins

Building Boundaries

Speaking to Decision-Makers

Graceful Disagreements

Listen Up!

Put Power in Your Communication

Can’t decide?  Let us put together a session on your topic, or a series of topics on whatever your folks need.

—
Judy Pollock
President
Language at Work
646-491-1089
[http://languageatwork.com

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

The post Microlearning – Another Training Option appeared first on Language at Work.

Hear me out: when we read a book or article we invite the author to speak to us. We commit to receiving whatever idea or information is being offered. To help us understand these ideas we notice the words that are used, the tone of voice, the structure and format of the presentation. To be sure we understand, we carefully consider what the author intends for us to know. Finally, based on our reading, we decide what we think or feel or believe about the topic and the writer, and we act or don’t act, accordingly.

People with whom we interact are offering ideas or information all the time, and that information is available to us – IF we are reading them. They’re saying what they think, how they’re interpreting what they hear, which words or topics are disagreeable, which terms resonate positively. They show when they’ve finished listening; they reveal when they want to hear more. They may use words, but often they use facial expressions and the language of their movements and gestures. All are clues to be considered if we are able to read them.

Does this reading skill help us? Imagine the success of your communication if you have all that information about your audience! Our new course, People Literacy, can open that book for you and turn the page on your communication.

The post Learning to Read appeared first on Language at Work.

Even during the dog days of summer Alice and Jane understand the importance of continued training.

They know how important it is to help their people be good communicators, and they know that consistent training is the key to success.

It is tempting during the hot, busy, chaotic summer days to avoid formal training, but Alice and Jane caution that even a few short sessions can keep good skills current.

Dog Days tips from the experts:

• Speak up- let your folks know what you need
• Be consistent – let everyone know what to expect
• Reward good behavior- a smile goes a long way

Language at Work has a few tricks and treats for these days, as well.  Let us know if we can help you during the summer paws….uh, pause.

Contact us at 202-298-7700 for more information.

The post Dog Days of Summer appeared first on Language at Work.

Few and fewer refer to items we can count.

“I have a few more rubies in my crown than you have in yours.”

(We can count those rubies.)

“If you want fewer complaints, get yourself some more rubies.”

(We can count those complaints, too.)

Less refers to a mass of something that isn’t countable.

“I’d like a little less fairy dust.”

A quick way to remember:

• One or two? Use “few”
• A big mess? Use “less”

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And how about number and amount?

Number is for the things we can count:

“A large number of elves came to the castle.”

Amount is for an uncountable mass:

“There is always an amount of trouble when the elves come.”

Some examples might seem tricky:

“He gave the witches a large amount of money.”

“He ended up giving away a number of dollar bills.”

Some of you may now be thinking about the express lane at the grocery store where the signs incorrectly say,

“Ten items or less.”

Now you can feel smug.  And correct!

The post Some Things Bear Repeating appeared first on Language at Work.

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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