Corporate customised training.

Graeme provides a unique range of training solutions covering business communications. The training can be tailored to suit the needs of each organisation. Addressing the diverse disciplines found within the communications industry, Graeme is also able to assist across the different levels of existing skills within the business – from entry level, to middle and advanced management.

Graeme has spent a great amount of time in classrooms and lecture halls; he has lectured for many communications schools, universities and marketing institutions. He has written many course programs and prepared innovative examination models. He applies his knowledge of the learning process, uniquely, for each group, or for each individual, as and when the occasion demands.

Some of the customised training subjects:

Business writing – getting back to basics.

With a reduction and interest in reading and writing, with more ‘instant’ responses required, with more people being asked to write in a language that is not a mother tongue, the level of acceptable business writing has dropped. Communication suffers. Frustrations are created.

‘Back to basics’ covers the potential problem areas, addressing the fundamentals of thought, structure and method. This common sense and practical workshop looks at the habits that create mistakes and the awareness that creates good understanding.

With practical tools and actions to follow, this course covers the many writing needs within the organisation – memos, briefs, contact reports, procedural instructions, status reports, presentations and more. Simple mistakes, errors in communication and the blaming game are all wasteful and can be avoided with a little effort.

Presentation skills – preparation and the speaking performance.

In the communications industry a thoughtful, well executed and creatively powerful presentation is most often the difference between acquiring the business – or not. In fact, it can be those two or three hours at the end of months of hard work, that determine the outcome of so much.

But communications is ‘showbiz’!

The team are actors – performers on a stage and they need to be up for it.

The presentation skills workshop covers all aspects of presentation performance: Preparing the presentation, talk structure, preparing argument, understanding audiences, practical matters, authenticity and working on individual performance. Using practical methods and surprise, individuals can find and improve their performances.  

The creative communications brief – the beginning creates the end.

The search for distinctive and memorable communication ideas is one of the hardest challenges of all. And contrary to some belief, this is not the sole responsibility of the creative department of an advertising agency.

Knowing how ‘big ideas’ are born helps in defining the requirements that lead to the creation of them.

A well prepared creative brief can eliminate costly hours of re-do’s, remove huge frustrations and make for great team spirit development.

The practical instruction used in ‘the beginning creates the end’ will immediately raise the level of briefing preparedness. The workshop takes a very close look at the simple fundamentals, why, what, who, where and how. And in a challenging way explores the unpredictable – the stuff that ultimately makes all the difference. 

Positioning to concept – how deep is the Brand.

Sometimes, it is easy to rush into solving Brand communication challenges because of the pressure to act, or the need for an instant response. Sometimes, the rule book is followed to the letter with everything correctly executed at each and every stage, only to reflect latter as to the ‘shallowness’ of the output.

Brands are complex structures that shift continuously, as they do so, their relationship to the Brands around them, also changes. The greater the Brand discovery, the more options open for the Brand solution.

Working through ‘how deep is the Brand’ provides renewed enthusiasm and energy for all involved. This simple, yet very practical workshop helps clarify and determine objectives, set’s in place strategies and leads to collective action.

Corporate Social Investment – real responsibilities.

Businesses recognise South Africa will continue to require assistance in providing fundamental social needs. The days of charitable (tax deducted) donations have long passed, the rules of the game changed – significantly!

Beginning with an historical overview this CSI workshop uncovers the real responsibilities shouldered by business today. Through looking at good practice guidelines and debating some contemporary Brand examples, better perspective is gained of this critical marketing function. New insights can be gained and experiences shared. 

What was until only recently a largely philanthropic activity is now a whole new part of how a business, conducts business. Today you can’t do business without CSI!   

Managed thinking – what is it you are not thinking of?

Really great communications begin with really great thinking.

But thinking can be considerable harder than we think it is? And thinking can often be wrong – although we can think, it wasn’t?

This workshop deals with the processes that partner thinking. It tackles the debate of who is having our thinking. It introduces some practical and simple tools for ensuring a better understanding of thinking methods. It can also open personal insight and discovery of how one goes about thinking. It certainly reminds everyone of the power of managed thinking.

Other training, other matters and costs.

Graeme can develop training requirements to meet any need within the scope of communications. Graeme can also assist with brainstorming, motivation, facilitation and other group management needs. For timing and costs contact Graeme today.