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Communication Skills

Business Training Media offers a wide selection of communication skills training programs. We also offer Online Communication Skills Training Programs for employee training and development.
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Communication Breakdown - DVD

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2007 Release!

Free Online Preview

Communication is the foundation for everything we do in the workplace. It happens every day, all the time. This program identifies the seven communication breakdowns most likely to undermine organizational success, and gives tips on how to avoid them.

Most employees never receive training in the development of their communication skills. Even more importantly, employees aren't provided with the knowledge and skills to help them avoid the frequent communication problems that arise. The good news is that the most common communication potholes in the road can be easily spotted and avoided.

Illustrated in this program are Seven Common Communication Breakdowns:

  • Believing there is one reality
  • Choosing the wrong method
  • Responding defensively
  • Failing to share information
  • Failing to be direct
  • Breaching confidentiality
  • Failing to listen

Program inlucdes: A 18 minute DVD or VHS, Leader's Guide, PowerPoint Presentation on disc and 10 Employee Handbooks (additional copies sold in packs of 10 for $29.50)

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The Four Styles - DVD

Do you want to be a better communicator? You're not alone if you've ever had a tough time getting through to someone.

Do you want to be a better communicator? You're not alone if you've ever had a tough time getting through to someone. One of the biggest problems in business today is getting along with and communicating with others. And it's one of the top reasons why most people are limited in their relationships and limited in their ability to communicate well on or off the job.

Scientific research shows that people communicate, think, and behave differently. But, when large numbers of people were analyzed research has shown that they generally fall into four categories called behavior or communication styles:

  • Supportives
  • Emotives
  • Reflectives
  • Directives

In Part One of this three-part video program you'll learn about these four behavior styles and what's included in them. Part Two teaches you how to identify these styles in others.

Part Three talks about how to change your behavior to better communicate with others - what is called being FLEX-able - able to flex out of your style and into the other person's style.

Do you remember the golden rule? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The golden rule would be great if we were all the same style. But because people are different they want and need to be treated differently.

This program teaches you to become FLEX-able and introduces you to The Platinum Rule - "Do unto others as THEY want to be done unto."

Program Highlights:ul>

  • Learn about the 4 styles
  • Learn to identify the style of others
  • Learn to be FLEX-able, changing your behavior to better communicte with others
  • Pop quizzes throughout the program reinforce learning

    Program includes: 22-minute DVD, Comprehensive Leader's Guide, and 10-pack of Participant Guides

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    A World of Difference - Working Successfully Across Cultures - DVD

    Produced - 2006

    Working internationally is difficult and demands special skills to ensure success. However, highly effective managers and professionals often under perform when working with people from different cultural backgrounds, who do not share the same values and working practices. This challenge is yet more complex in multicultural teams where managers are required to build relationships and achieve business success across a number of different realities, values and perspectives.

    A world of difference is for organizations whose business depends on high-quality international relationships, and who need support in making international teamwork effective. The program focuses on a video dramatization of an international team, brought together to launch a new product. It illustrates the complex challenges that individuals and teams face in working internationally. It covers:

    • How conflicting assumptions about communication style, feedback, task and relationship handling if unmanaged can lead to poor results
    • The essential international skills needed to work successfully and manage effective teamwork across cultures
    • Issues of building trust, teamwork, people management and remote communication in a multicultural context.


    The benefits
    • Clearly illustrates how business counterparts from other cultures can have differing approaches and attitudes to basic business variables
    • Provides a clear framework for experienced and inexperienced international professionals to understand the challenges and complexities of working in a world of difference
    • Helps to develop the practical skills and attitudes required to work with differences, rather than against them, in the pursuit of an organization's international goals

    Program includes: DVD (35 & 42 min version), with English and Italian subtitles, facilitator guide, self-study workbook and trainer's resources CD-ROM

    • A World of Difference - Working Successfully Across Cultures - DVD $870.00 [Add to Cart]
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    Talk Isn't Cheap - DVD

    Free Online Preview

    Poor communication costs money. And it's not just money that's wasted; it's energy, enthusiasm for the job and relationships as well. In this age of empowerment and shared accountability for the bottom line, everyone must take responsibility for communicating clearly.

    This video demonstrates four practical, effective techniques for improving communication in the workplace: making yourself clear, adding reinforcement, becoming an active listener, and finding hidden messages. The video also dramatically illustrates how expensive a careless communication error can be. The cumulative cost of these sometimes small, sometimes devastating errors can chisel away at a company's profitability.

    Using the skills demonstrated in this video, viewers will communicate more clearly and reduce unnecessary costs in time, morale and money.

    Program includes: A 19 minute DVD or VHS(available in English and Spanish), 32 page comprehensive training leader's guide with reproducible worksheets. DVD contains PDF version of leader's guide. (Guide and PowerPoint files available as a download.) DVD is subtitled.

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    Tall Ships: Building Effective Teams (Complete Kit)

    Raise your team’s effectiveness with Tall Ships, the fast-paced simulation that challenges teams to race against the clock — and others teams — to build the tallest ship mast at the lowest cost. Participants learn about and practice the 7 skills critical to effective team performance: Clarity, Capability, Collaboration, Commitment, Communication, Continuous Improvement, and Creativity.

    The Scenario

    The Seven Seas Company has selected your company to collaborate with them in an attempt to win a lucrative contract for designing and building a tall ship. But your company must first demonstrate that it can successfully perform the “Seven C’s” upon which The Seven Seas Company is founded. Can your team rise to the challenge to win the deal? How It Works

    Three game rounds reveal the team dynamics that impact team effectiveness. In Round 1, teams are asked to assemble the tallest ship mast possible in the least amount of time. Lessons learned from this round are discussed and applied to the Seven C’s model. Round 2 challenges teams to rethink their strategy and build yet a taller mast in the same amount of time, but at the lowest cost. Following a team performance assessment and debrief, teams make one last attempt at the task, assembling the mast according to new specifications and requirements. Finally, an action-planning phase provides teams and team members with an opportunity to improve their performance.

    Uses for Tall Ships

    Perfect for both newly formed and intact teams, Tall Ships can be used as a stand-alone learning event, integrated into a larger training initiative, or adapted to address such topics as leadership, change management, quality awareness, process improvement, and safety awareness.

    What to Order/Product Contents

    Each Complete Game includes materials to simultaneously train 3 teams of 5-7 participants. All parts except for the Participant Guides are reusable. Participant Guides Refill 5-Packs are also available for individual purchase.

    For larger groups, order one Game Pack for each additional team of 5–7 participants.

    The Tall Ships Complete Game includes:

    • 1 Facilitator Guide
    • 3 bags of reusable game parts
    • 3 sets of laminated Game Cards
    • 21 Participant Guides
    • 1 tablet of observer and materials cost worksheets
    • 1 stopwatch
    • 1 tape measure
    • 1 sturdy tote bag

    The Tall Ships Extra Game Pack includes:

    • 7 Participant Guides
    • 1 set of reusable parts with tape measure
    • 1 set of 3 game cards
    • 1 mesh bag

    Participant Guide features:

    • The “Seven Cs” model and dimensions
    • Team assessment
    • Questions to Consider
    • Planning worksheet
    • Action planning

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    Communication Derailed - (Game)

    Sorting out how communication impacts organizations can be difficult. Communication is so pervasive in organizational work that we often overlook it as a source of problems.

    Communication Derailed helps you tackle even the most challenging communication problems in today’s organizations. This popular simulation game challenges individuals to work in groups to design and/or construct a toy out of flexible toy pieces. Three modules – which can be run independently or in a series – demonstrate the profound impact of poor communication – and then teach the skills needed to communicate more effectively.

    The Scenario

      Team Module:
      You work for the product development team at a toy company. Your team is asked to create a prototype for a new and different toy. You receive instructions from the CEO.

      Lateral Module:
      You are asked to complete an important specified project for the toy company. You must work together as members of 2 separate teams: marketing and production.

      Organizational Stress Module:
      As part of the production team, you and your team members must work together to assemble a specified toy prototype.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Discover the impact of both effective and ineffective communication
    • Identify damaging communication techniques and environments
    • Learn to handle unique communication problems

    How It Works

    Participants work in groups to design and/or construct a toy out of malleable toy pieces. Each module takes 2-3 hours to complete and follows the same general framework, which consists of 5 parts: poor communication, midpoint debrief, effective communication, final debrief, and action planning.

    Uses for Communication Derailed

    Communication Derailed can be used as a stand-alone learning event or integrated into a larger training initiative.

      Team Module
      Designed to help new or existing teams to anticipate potential communication problems or surface current problems, this module teaches groups how to negotiate shared meanings, give and receive direct feedback, and share information freely. The module can also be used for general team communication skill building with participants who do not work together. Number of participants: Up to 3 groups of 4–7 people

      Lateral Module
      This module is appropriate for organizations that require cross-team or cross-departmental work and for those with scaled-back levels of management. In this module, participants will learn why teams that work together should align communication norms, discuss shared needs and goals, and clarify expectations. Number of participants: Even number of groups with 4–8 persons per group

      Organizational Stress Module
      Use this module in any organization that is about to undergo or is in the middle of major change. Participants will learn to seek and share needed information, communicate with empathy, and choose the best method for communicating. Number of participants: Up to 3 groups of 5–7 people

    What to Order/Product Contents

    Each Complete Game includes materials to simultaneously train 3 teams of 4-8 participants. All parts are reusable. For larger groups, order one Game Pack for each additional team of 4-8 participants.

    Our Customer Service Team is available to assist you with determining your training material needs.

    The Communication Derailed Complete Game includes:

    • 1 Facilitator Guide
    • 3 bags of reusable game parts
    Facilitator Guide features (included in the complete game):
    • Step-by-step administrative guidelines
    • Theoretical background for game
    • Process models for each module
    • Reproducible participant materials (including roles cards and action planning worksheets)
    • Reproducible transparency masters

    Optional Extra Game Pack

    The Communication Derailed Extra Game Pack includes: Reusable game parts for one extra team of 4-8 participants

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    Assert Yourself: Learning to Be Assertive - DVD

    Produced - 2007

    Assertive behavior means saying what we want, need, feel, think or believe in ways which are direct, honest and appropriate, but also respects the rights of those we are addressing - treating ourselves and those we work with as professional adults. It's the balance between passive and aggressive behavior.

    Passive behavior has the advantage of avoiding confrontation but fails miserably at getting what you want. While aggressive people often appear to be successful, they rarely win the willing co-operation of their colleagues in the long run.

    Being assertive, on the other hand, is much more advantageous. Assertiveness does not conflict with listening and accepting the views of others, such as a colleagues or customers, and is more likely to lead to a satisfactory solution to any problem.

    By behaving more assertively your staff can be more positive, more creative and better equipped to get their job done effectively.

    This new program looks at:

    • What assertiveness is
    • Passive and aggressive behaviors and their advantages and disadvantages
    • Getting your inner dialogue right
    • Honesty and relevance when communicating
    • Assertive responses to different types of behaviors
    • Assertive requests

    The techniques of assertive behavior are shown in the new program in a series of real life situations from in an office, within meetings, to even in a hospital looking both at the wrong way and right way scenarios.

    Program Includes: DVD (28 mins), DVD extras (10 mins)

    • Assert Yourself: Learning to Be Assertive - DVD $870.00 [Add to Cart]
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    Managing Me - DVD

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    Produced - 2007

    Free Online Preview

    As the leader of any group, problems are inevitable. So…how do you react? Do you lead with your gut…or your head? This is the dilemma that the host of Managing Me grapples with. When problems arise at work, he can choose to react with either impulse or reason. As each situation plays out, the better reaction is clear. Viewers recognize that how you react often has a far greater impact—on morale, on retention, on productivity—than any specific problem ever could. The key to managing other people is learning how to manage you.

    Key Learning Points:

    • Don’t attack. Teach.
    • Don’t take sides. Mediate.
    • Don’t blame. Solve.
    • Don’t close doors. Open doors.
    • Don’t argue. Negotiate.
    • Don’t avoid. Confront.

    Includes: DVD, 28 page comprehensive training leader’s guide with reproducible worksheets. DVD contains PDF version of leader’s guide and supporting PowerPoint graphics.

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    Yes Lives in the Land of No - DVD

    It’s no secret that we live in a world full of negativity. It seems like everywhere we turn, we’re confronted by difficult, negative people, with their shaking heads, thumbs down, brush-offs, closed doors, and put-downs. Negativity surrounds us — in our workplaces, in our communities and places of worship, in government, in social settings, in schools, and even within our families. Dealing with negative individuals is one of the most common problems that people complain about.

    But that’s only half the story ... sometimes it’s our own negativity that stands between us and success. Our pessimistic thinking, apathy, and over-cautiousness can be bigger barriers than everyone else’s negativity combined!

    Some days we wonder, “Why bother?” Trying to find happiness and success in an endless landscape of negativity is just too hard, it often seems.

    Sound familiar? If so, we have good news for you: Help has arrived!

    Understanding the sources of negativity — both our own and others’ — is essential for people to work together effectively. This video-based training program is designed to help workshop participants develop skills for their own journeys in the Land of NO — overcoming others’ resistance, roadblocks, and rebuffs.

    The video provides simple, how-to instruction that's both practical and entertaining. It will help participants deal with negativity faster, more effectively, and with a lot less discouragement and despair.

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    Put it in Writing - DVD

    Produced - 1998

    Free PreviewAbout the program Everyone can improve their written communication skills. This training pack succeeds in explaining the techniques required to get your point across in writing clearly and persuasively, even if you are not a natural writer. Nisha coaches two of her colleagues: Marcus who is struggling to write a letter and Alan who I trying to write an email.

    Nisha explains the importance of uncovering the 'purpose of writing', which is what they hope their written communication will achieve. She encourages them to construct a plan in order to ensure they include everything they wish to say.

    She also reveals how to draw a spider diagram, which requires them to order their points to ensure they flow in a logical sequence.

    She then reviews Marcus's and Alan's first drafts, explaining how to improve their writing with some fine tuning

    The summary section of this video recaps the learning points and offers tips on the importance of:

    • Gathering the relevant information
    • Planning
    • Identifying the 'purpose of writing'
    • Using the active voice
    • Avoiding business jargon
    • Avoiding pomposity
    • Short sentences
    • Short paragraphs
    • Checking and proofing

    Program includes: DVD (20 mins), trainer's guide and self-study guide.

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    Working with Aggression - DVD

    Free Online Preview

    Violence and aggression at work can be emotional as well as physical. This powerful drama, based on the research of specialist consultant Roy Braithwaite, will help people manage aggressive situations at work by seeing how such behaviour is expressed.

    It covers the body language and verbal indicators of aggression, diffusion techniques and preparation and ideas for reducing risk and preventing violence. Written materials also provide information and exercises on levels of acceptable behaviour, causes of aggression, anger and its constructive use, assertive communication and body and verbal language from a multi-ethnic perspective.

    The benefits

    • Comprehensive, wide-ranging and high-impact resource
    • Note: for realism, video contains language that may be found offensive

    Program includes: DVD (39 mins)

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    Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts - DVD

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    Produced - 2007

    Just one person speaking up can inspire others to do the same.

    Free Online Preview

    What do you do if someone you care about is the target of demeaning stereotypes? What if you are being demeaned or stereotyped? How often do you speak up on behalf of respect? This new program, based on the book by Leslie Aguilar, can be used for training on Diversity & Inclusion, Communication, Teamwork and Leadership.

    Why is OUCH! important?

    Staying silent in the face of demeaning comments, stereotypes or bias allows these attitudes and behaviors to thrive. This undermines our ability to create an inclusive workplace where all employees are welcomed, treated with respect and able to do their best work. Yet, most employees and leaders who want to speak up don't know how. So, we say nothing.

    What Does OUCH! do?

    In a unique and powerful way, viewers will experience the impact of stereotypical comments, explore why people don't speak up against stereotypes and other biased behaviors, and learn six techniques for speaking up without blame or guilt.

    OUCH! Learning Objectives:

    • Understand the impact of stereotypes and biased statements, even when casually said.
    • Identify the most common reasons people sit silent in the face of bias and stereotypes.
    • Enhance skills for speaking up against stereotypes without blame or guilt.

    Program includes: 12 minute DVD or VHS video, Speaking Up Activity 5 min., OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts with vignettes 13 min., CD-ROM with Leader's Guide, Powerpoint presentation, 1 OUCH! book and 10 OUCH! reminder cards

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    Communicating Non-Defensively - DVD

    This course is also available for online training, see details below.

    Communicating Non-Defensively shows five essential skills that promote a productive work environment.

    Viewers gain a clear understanding of why all people are naturally defensive, as well as learn the symptoms and consequences of inappropriate defensiveness. This video shows that we all must be responsible for how we deliver AND receive messages. Communicating Non-Defensively shows how to disengage from a defensive position, how to empathize and disarm a defensive person, how to inquire and focus on the issues, how to disclose ones own needs and goals non-defensively, and how to depersonalize the issues.

    Participants will learn to:

    • Express themselves openly and effectively
    • Shift away from the defensive
    • Guide others toward better communication

    Program Contents: A 19 minute VHS or DVD, Leader's Guide, sample Participant's Workbook.

    Online Training Option:
    This program is also available for online training, click here for details

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    Writing for Business Results - DVD

    This program is also available for online training. See details below.

    If you write well, you will often do well. It's that simple. But many of us haven't taken a writing course since high school or college. When we sit down to write, we confront a frustrating, time-consuming task. Words and meaning elude us. Precious hours march by as we stare at a blank computer screen. Don't despair. You don't have to be a best-selling author to write clearly and effectively. You just need to follow the program in Writing for Business Results. This clear-cut, non-threatening approach gives you the principles you need to make your writing powerful, interesting and relevant to the reader.

    You'll improve all aspects of your business writing from memos to e-mails to detailed annual reports by learning how to:

    • Put the "Five C's" of effective writing to work
    • Create a plan for letters, memos and e-mail
    • Keep your messages short and simple
    • Grab your readers with a strong opening line
    • Provide the detail needed to support your writing
    • Apply the Six Principles of The Writer's Edge

    Sharpen your pencils, fire up your computer, and write for results! This new training program comes complete with a DVD, CD audio and copy of the book Writing for Business Results by Patricia E. Seraydarian, which is part of the Business Skills Express Series published by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

    25 minutes.

    Online Training Option:

    This program is also available over the web or over your company’s network. This option makes it is easy for you to deliver video to any employee’s desktop at any location with web access. The online program includes:

  • Post training test and reporting results 24/7
  • Certificates of completion
  • Digital copies of the support materials

    Online Training Pricing:

    • 1 to 1000 $6 per person
    • 1001 to 3000 $5 per person
    • Minimum order for any one program $395.00

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    Communicating Effectively In Teams

    Improve all key communication skills within the context of achieving team goals. This workshop systematically presents core communication skills such as active listening, giving and receiving feedback constructively, and reacting to others' ideas.

    Workshop Includes:

    • Instructor's Guide
    • Lesson plans and activities
    • Instruments(if applicable)
    • Participant Coursebook
    • Transparency Masters

    Time Required: 4 hours