Improve Your Communication Skills

Alan Barker is Managing Partner of Direction, a learning consultancy that works to develop creativity and skilled communication. A prolific writer, he is the author of How to be Better at Managing People, also published by Kogan Page.

1.the process of communication what is communication?; the three levels of understanding; conversation: the heart of communication 2.how conversations work what is a conversation?; why do conversations go wrong?; putting conversations in context; working out the relationship; setting a structure; managing behaviour 3.seven ways to improve your conversations 1. clarify your objective; 2. structure your thinking; 3. manage your time; 4. find common ground; 5. move beyond argument; 6. summarise often; 7. use visuals 4.the skills of enquiry paying attention; treating the speaker as an equal; cultivating ease; encouraging; asking quality questions; rationing information 5.the skills of persuasion character, logic and passion; what's the big idea?; arranging your ideas; expressing your ideas; remembering your ideas; delivering effectively 6. interviews: holding a formal conversation when is an interview not an interview?; preparing for the interview; structuring the interview; types of interview 7. making a presentation putting yourself on show; preparing for the presentation; managing the material; controlling the audience; looking after yourself; answering questions 8. putting it in writing writing for results; making reading easier; writing step by step; designing the document; writing a first draft; editing the draft; writing for the web