Dealing with Change in the Workplace

Hi

Once again I am in Bahrain and I am honoured to speak at the Bahrain Society for Training and Development from 7.30 to 9 pm on 14 May. The event takes place at BIBF, is open for all and free.

Change is all around us. I will show you the process you go through when you deal with change and some case studies in companies where they had to go through major changes. We will talk about communication and gossip and I will teach you how to change your own or others’ behaviour.

The event will be interactive and I will conduct a trouble shooting session for the audience. Feel free to come along.

An Swinnen

BECS’s 8th Birthday Speech

Hello

Today is a wonderful day for me. It is BECS’s 8th birthday. Today I look back at the last twelve months and what we have achieved.

First of all, we bought our own premises and moved the South West Office to a new location in Paignton last June. Now we feel right at home. When I am here I look out over our sunny English flower garden and think how lucky we are.

Secondly, this year we delivered Dealing with Change, Advanced Negotiations Workshop, Strategic Planning and Report and Business Letters writing to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The feedback was fantastic again. BECS is a preferred supplier and I have been classed as “Outstanding Consultant” which is a real honour.

I have also been heavily  involved with “Business and Professional Women Kuwait” (BPW) and delivered training courses and two conferences for them. These workshops were to help Kuwaiti women start up their own companies, survive in business and empower them through the eight United Nations principles.

Once again I had a fantastic year. I met up with good friends and made some new ones. Life is busy and exciting and I would not have it any other way. I would like to thank everyone who helped make BECS a success in the last eight years. I couldn’t have done it without you!

An Swinnen

“How to Survive in Business” Workshop in Bahrain

Hi

I am very pleased to announce that I will be delivering a “How to survive in Business  (because it’s a jungle out there)” Workshop in Bahrain on 27 February 2012. The workshop will take place at the exclusive Capital Club in the Financial Harbour in Bahrain from 9 to 5 on 27 February 2012.

Topics include:

• Presenting yourself, your company and your product/service professionally
• Negotiating the best deal for you
• Avoiding “Death by PowerPoint”
• Improving your telephone technique for more sales, appointments and leads
• Increasing your visibility and credibility through e-marketing
• organising your time effectively between work, family and yourself

I will also be organising a business trouble shooting session so if you have any business questions or would like some advice, come along.

For more information and to register (only 18 places available!), see the attached form. Each participant receives a signed copy of “The Business Survival Guide (because it’s a jungle out there)”. See you there!

An Swinnen

Participation form

Telephoning Tips

Hi

We are nearing the end of January so a few more tips to keep you going. Stay positive and focused and don’t forget to enjoy life. Have a look at the cartoon. I am sure that you have all had a moment like that! Enjoy …

TELEPHONING SKILLS

1. Smile while you dial. The other person will hear the smile in your voice.
2. Introduce yourself slowly at the beginning of a call. The receiver needs to register who you are before you can give them more information.
3. Never shout at an operator, especially if they need to help you because your file will go to the bottom of the pile.
4. Spell information slowly and use examples e.g. N for November.
5. Always thank the other person at the end of a call e.g. “Thank you for your help” or “Thank you for phoning”.

 

Social Chit Chat

SOCIAL CHIT CHAT

1. When you welcome visitors, ask about their journey, if they have been to the city before, discuss the weather (UK) or ask where they come from (USA).
2. Never discuss politics or religion.
3.  Social chit chat makes you feel at ease so relax and enjoy the conversation.
4. If you run out of things to talk about, look around and start talking about what you see (the furniture, pictures on the walls, the view).
5. Your host will move on to business when he/she is ready. Do not change the subject to business yourself.

 

 

And some more tips …

Presentations

1.  Allow plenty of time for preparation. The more you prepare, the less nervous you will be.
2. Check the equipment before you start your presentation.
3. Structure your presentation into introduction, body, conclusion and questions.
4. Use simple language and speak slowly and clearly.
5. Establish a relationship with the audience through eye contact and asking questions.

 

New Year Resolutions

Hi

I wish you all a fantastic 2012 filled with good health, love and friendship. We all make New Year resolutions and find that in the middle of January we have already given up.

To help and give you that little push, I am giving away free top tips and cartoons of “The Business Survival Guide (because it’s a jungle out there)” throughout January on this blog and my Facebook page.

So here goes: the first top tips are on communication skills:

Communication Skills

1. Speak slowly and clearly.
2. Do not use complicated words or words only used in your company.
3. Do not rely on spoken communication if you want to give a group of people the same information because the content will change from person to person. Send an email, letter or memo instead.
4. If you are not sure if you understood the message, ask for repetition or ask for an explanation.
5. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification several times. Do not stop until you have understood because the consequences could be terrible (dangerous situations, missed flight, wrong medication, …).