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Many people consider that to run a successful business, one must ensure they are:
developing the art of identifying and seizing opportunities—the culmination of planning and luck,
influencing great staff and training or preparing them for the challenges of the business world, and;
developing great connections and effective networks.
These are all good points but the essential element to any successful business is also effective communication. Strong communication, more than any other factor, maybe the leading predictor of business success.
Externally, communication contributes to all those other key factors. Communication helps us learn about new business opportunities, manage our training, and ultimately find, maintain and cultivate important connections.
Internally, good communication helps a business; with employees, customers, and shareholders; and in virtually every other aspect of the business.
Take this opportunity to improve your communication skills and ensure you’re making the most of them.
For those of you who like to watch a short video, here are just a few interesting ones that consider different aspects of communication including how to communicate effectively, how to optimise your communication in meetings and the communication traits of different personality types and much more...
In a world of increasing complexity but decreasing free time, the role of the trusted ‘explainer’ has never been more important.
Knowing how many meetings are held in today's business world how do you ensure meetings are kept to time, achieve the objective, and include everyone?
Katherine Hampsten describes why miscommunication occurs so frequently, and how we can minimize frustration while expressing ourselves better.
Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Here's Julian Treasure to help you fix that. As the sound expert demonstrates some useful vocal exercises and shares tips on how to speak with empathy, he offers his vision for a sonorous world of listening and understanding.
Improve your telephone skills, in this video Miranda Smythe explains the secrets to handling telephone calls with confidence.
Introducing 10 barriers to effective communication. Why effective communication is important in your life? This video will help you to explore the barriers connected with effective communication and help you to remove these all barriers and start effective communication.
In her new book, voice and dialect coach Denise Woods offers tools to help readers articulate clearly, become powerful public speakers, and gain confidence in any situation... read more
When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty,
If you prefer to read, we have selected a range of articles for you below including effective communication tips and techniques; the power of the voice; understanding communication styles; your personal brand; first impressions and much more...
As with all knowledge, it only becomes truly useful when we start to use it! Here we have sourced a range of short courses and resources to help you to develop your communication skills in different ways. Pick a course that interests you and start turning your knowledge into useful business skills.
Business Presentation Skills
Sign up for a live online Skills Session. Our 2-hour online sessions, encourage active participation allowing you to exchange ideas with tutors and fellow apprentices.
By participating, you will:
Learn how to plan and select the most relevant content for your presentation.
Develop the art of creating engaging and effective presentations.
Discover valuable tips and techniques for preparing yourself to deliver with confidence and effectively manage your nerves.
Click on the link below to find out when the next session is running
Learning to stretch our thinking skills is integral to accelerating our development. This is a really important part of the learning process, and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and show progression in your Apprenticeship.
Here are two challenges for you to pick from- should you choose to accept, this will help you to develop critical thinking, evaluation skills and encourage creativity.
Challenge 1
Choose two business communications that you have produced, they must be at least 300 words and have been written by you, not using a template. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each communication and critically evaluate and conclude, which communication was more effective and identify points for your development in this area. Discuss your reflection with your Talent Coach and agree on an action plan to take the next development steps.
Challenge 2
The resources above will help you to consider your own brand and communication style. Using no more than 280 characters, write a tweet that represents your brand. Ask your manager or a peer to write a few sentences that they feel represent your personal brand. Do not show them your version, as you are going to compare this to their feedback.
Compare the feedback with your tweet. Identify any similarities and differences between how you are perceived and how you would like to be perceived. Are there any surprises? Identify two areas where you can improve your personal brand and discuss this with your Talent Coach. Write a SMART target together to help you develop this area.
Update your Learning Journal in OneFile with your evaluation and your reflections ready to discuss with your Talent Coach at your next review.
Reflective practice is, in its simplest form, thinking about or reflecting on what you do. It’s a really important part of learning from experience.
Within your apprenticeship you will be encouraged to reflect throughout your programme, the reason for this is two-fold.
Regular reflection will accelerate your development and help you to identify areas to develop helping you to constantly move forward.
A summary or log of your reflections on your development will be required as part of your endpoint assessment activities. These reflections should demonstrate your ability to 'critically evaluate' your performance and development.
Reflection is a skill and practice will make it easier, it should also be an enjoyable experience and a chance to concentrate on what you need.
To support you to develop this skill we have gathered a range of resources and articles to help you find a reflective model that works for you.
Click on the button below to access the Reflective Practice page for additional resources.