Workshops | Day One | Day Two |
Pre-Conference Workshops
February 23, 2010
Melcrum conference participants say our workshops are one of the true highlights of their conference experience. These workshops provide interactive settings with seasoned professionals. Get ready, roll up your sleeves and delve into your favorite subjects.
Workshop A
9:00am - 12:00pm
Developing a Business-Driven Engagement Strategy
Workshop leader:
Chris Gay, Co-Founder, Bridge Consulting
It is increasingly challenging to engage employees in the business in meaningful ways that create high levels of commitment. Difficult economic times, an accelerated pace of change,and decreased morale and trust all contribute to making it tough for employees to stay motivated and connected to the organization. Companies that focus on employee engagement during these times can gain a competitive advantage, attain better business results, and attract and retain high-performing talent.
In this workshop, you will learn, through simulation and best practices, how to develop a data-driven, businessfocused and inspiring engagement strategy that:
- Assesses the internal and external landscape to drive engagement objectives
- Establishes an effective data-driven action planning process that results in high employee engagement and strategic value to the business
- Defines and supports the leaders' role in engagement
- Results in truly engaging the hearts and minds of employees
- Identifies ways to measure business impact
Workshop B
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Storytelling and Powerful Presentation Methods - for You and Your Executive
Workshop leader:
Terry McKenzie, Partner, Fibonacci Design Group
In the words of futurist Watts Wacker, "A good storyteller helps his audience find a message in a story; a great storyteller helps his audience find themselves in the story."
Engaging your audience in your message to the point where they feel personally involved increases your opportunity to change attitudes and inspire action. In this 3-hour workshop, you'll learn how to influence stakeholders and employees through great presentations - and how to help your executives do the same. The secret lies in compelling storytelling enhanced by powerful visuals and a strong stage presence.
- The first part of the workshop will focus on storytelling and message creation. You'll learn how to turn your messages into a memorable story that sharpens the points and engages your audience. The session will put you through a series of exercises to focus you (and the executives you coach) on the takeaways and the "ask."
- The second workshop section helps you think through your presentation materials, and how to make them a support tool rather than a crutch.
- The final section will focus on presentation skills. How to use your voice, pauses, and body language will be covered. In addition, the session will cover how to translate these skills into phone presentations.
Workshop C
1:00pm - 4:00pm
You're Already Doing It - What to Do When You Can't NOT Communicate
Workshop leader:
David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founder and President,
The Grossman Group (formerly dg&a)
The reality is that everything you do and say communicates something. Not communicating is't an option. The most successful leaders know that communication is the competency most critical to moving business forward, is the best defense in managing change and difficult situations, and is the driving force in engaging others. Whether you are running a thriving organization, trying to create growth in your company, or leading under the pressure to do more with less, you are always communicating - so you might as well be great at it.
In this session, Grossman will share practical insights on how top leaders differentiate themselves.
You'll learn:
- Why leaders have shifted into the communicator role
- Why leadership communication means business
- The three fundamental truisms every leader must understand
- Two myths leaders believe, and that every communicator must address head-on
- The most common traps leaders face
- The Great Eight communication basics: What great leaders do
You'll walk away with valuable perspective, best practices, and proven, actionable tools that you can start using right away. This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn winning strategies you can use every day and engage in thought-provoking discussion so you can differentiate yourself, elevate your leadership impact, and accelerate business results.
Conference Kick Off
February 23, 2010 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Three-Part Engagement Experience: Engagement is Now!
Explore what engagement means to you and your organization, how to maximize it, and the pitfalls you encounter to building a highly-engaged workforce. This will set you up for success for the rest of the conference. Beware: this is hands-on. No bystanders allowed!
Tim McCleary, Principal, The Involvement Practice