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Open Enrollment Courses 
         Leadership Development Programs


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Leadership Through People Skills

Dates Offered:  September 8-11   |   December 8-11
$2,565  |  $2,265 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
Strong interpersonal skills are an essential component of successful leadership. Managers must coach people to improve their
Came in apprehensive, left educated and glad I attended.  The skill will take time to develop and hone, however it is a worthwhile investment in time.
— Robert Ballard
    Southeast Regional Manager, QS1
performance, coordinate group efforts, and win support across department lines.  This program, one of our most highly rated, is designed for middle and upper-level managers, as well as up-and-coming managers who have mastered the basic skills of managing subordinates and are now ready to extend their skills to peers and supervisors. It is also for those managers who wish to fine-tune skills and develop strategies for dealing with people-related problems. This unique, challenging experience has proven to produce a positive and permanent change in the performance of the graduates.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Effective use of power and
  collaborative leadership
• Communication with direct
   reports, peers, and managers
• Conflict resolution and
   mediation
• Handling difficult or 
   negative people
• Facilitating open exchanges
  of ideas and information


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Leading and Facilitating High-Performance Teams

Dates Offered:  April 1-3   |   October 7-9
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)     
When individuals become team leaders or multi-team facilitators, they must master a variety of skills that allow them to resolve disputes, evaluate performance, and keep teams on the right track. This program, taught in an experience-based workshop format, offers you a 360° view of teams from the perspective of an organizational team member. Relevant to team leaders who wish to “ retool” and to managers who are just beginning the process, participants will practice skills that enhance team performance in experiential learning situations and then receive direct feedback on their personal performance.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Sharing leadership and building trust
• Creating an empowered team
  environment
• Leading collaboratively
• Facilitating meetings and group
  sessions
• Utilizing team development models


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Supervisory Skills for New Supervisors

Dates Offered:  May 6-7   |   October 21-22
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
New supervisors assume an incredible amount of responsibility when people issues are thrust squarely in their laps. With all that is at stake, the "sink or swim" approach is unacceptable. This program is designed to enable the new supervisor to "swim" by taking the mystique, fear, and uncertainty out of the supervisory challenge while enhancing their own personal productivity. This experience builds a strong foundation for growth and effectiveness by creating confident, competent supervisors. Participants receive a realistic perspective about their roles and responsibilities and will employ new skills on the latest techniques in successful supervision.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Developing the role of a leader • Analyzing and solving problems  


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Critical Skills for Supervisors: Beyond the Basics

Dates Offered:  April 8-10   |   September 23-25
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
This program gives experienced supervisors advanced skills that will enable them to perform at a higher level. Participants will conduct a self-analysis to find their strengths and weaknesses and create a personal action plan for improvement. Participants will become better planners, implementers, and problem solvers. Interviewing skills, learning how to resolve conflict more effectively, and learning how to identify personalities in order to improve performance are the building blocks of this unique experience. After learning practical real-world employment law, supervisors will be able to correct behaviors that may lead to litigation against the individual and/or the organization.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• 360° leadership profile
• DISC profile (behavioral style
  assessment)
• Conflict resolution
• Employment law
• Advanced planning and problem
  solving


Open Enrollment Courses  
         Business Skills Programs



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Strategic Thinking and Analysis

Dates Offered:  March 17-19   |   September 16-18
$1,545  |  $1,265 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Managers spend so much time coping with the day-to-day operations that they can fail to grasp the larger organizational goals. This natural tendency prevents managers from making decisions that are in the company’s larger and best interests. Managers must be able to assess how decisions and a unit’s performance, fit into the “big picture” of an organizations goals and objectives. This program focuses on the integration and coordination of operations, marketing, and finance that are paramount to running a business unit. You will gain skills in understanding and anticipating future market conditions, developing long-range strategies, and making multi-year financial projections, all of which enhance the quality of managerial decisions.
Case studies and exercises will be used to provide hands-on strategic thinking and analysis experience.   Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Understanding competitive environments
• Setting organizational strategy, design,
  and structure
• Identifying opportunities and evaluating
   risks
• Developing benchmarks and strategic
  goals


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Finance for the Non-Financial Manager

Dates Offered:  April 22-24     |   October 14-16
$1,545  |  $1,265 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Corporate restructuring has resulted in broadened responsibilities for many managers. Consequently, financial concerns are an increasing part of the equation, even for those who don’t have a financial background. With today’s increasing emphasis on quantitative measurement of performance, it is virtually imperative that all managers understand the basics of financial analysis. Participants are taught how to evaluate quantitative data and incorporate it into the decision-making process.   Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Cost-management and cost-control
  strategies
• Budget management
• Business income tax requirements
• Value-enhancing investments for the
  organization
• Financial statement interpretation


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The Balanced Scorecard

Dates Offered:  September 11-12  
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
The Balanced Scorecard is a widely used concept which helps managers at all levels monitor results in their key areas. The Balanced Scorecard process was launched from an HBR article entitled "The Balanced Scorecard – Measures That Drive Performance" and later by the best-selling book The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action.  There’s nothing new about using key measurements to take the pulse of an organization. What’s new is the process of broadening the scope of the measures to include four key performance areas: 1. Financial Performance; 2. Customer Knowledge; 3. Internal Business Processes; and 4. Learning and Growth.   The Balanced Scorecard allows for the monitoring of present performance but also tries to capture information about how well the organization is positioned to perform well in the future. The Balanced Scorecard has proven equally effective for corporations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies.  In this two-day program you will learn how to apply the basics of the Balanced Scorecard to your organization or operation and also how to adapt the system to fit your specific needs.  
Some of the benefits of using the Balanced Scorecard:
• Focusing the whole organization on the few key things needed to create breakthrough performance
• Helping to integrate various corporate programs, such as quality, re-engineering, and customer service initiatives
• Breaking down strategic measures to local levels so that unit managers, operators, and employees can see what’s
  required at their level to roll into excellent performance overall. 


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High Performance Coaching

Dates Offered:  May 27-28   |   November 18-19
$1,545  |  $1,265 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
High Performance Coaching is a two-day program for managers and leaders that assists them in the strategic skill of coaching.
It is of great value to me as an instructional leader and supervisor.  The coaching clinic affirmed areas of strengths as well as areas that need further development.
— Basil Harris, Education Associate
    South Carolina Department of Education
It is a powerful course applicable to business settings so that managers can learn, practice, and master coaching skills.  It is an interactive model that managers, leaders, and coaches can implement immediately in their organizations to promote innovation and accelerate results, develop and retain valuable organizational members, improve organizational communication and team effectiveness, and deepen commitment to personal, professional, and organizational goals. 
Competencies Addressed:
• Teamwork, leadership, and high
  performance
• Communication Skills
• Effectiveness of recruitment,
  development, and retention of key
  employees
• Enhance employee morale, loyalty, and
   motivation


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The Power of Negotiation

Dates Offered:  April 30-May 1  |  October 15-16
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Negotiating between competing interests is a routine part of every manager's work experience. In any situation, whether you’re
You guys offer a valuable learning experience that can’t always be obtained in a normal classroom experience, but needs to come from someone who’s been in the work world.
— Chris Shealy, Technical Assistant, CMC Steel SC
dealing with customers, suppliers, or co-workers, the most successful negotiating strategies are those that let everyone come out ahead. Conflicts, negotiations, and agreements are not resolved by simply out-negotiating your opponent. By using collaborative negotiation and winning through mutual gain, you will learn how to clearly communicate your position and achieve the results you are seeking. Participants in this workshop will practice individual and team negotiating role-plays that teach a simple yet dynamic model that can be put into practice immediately. 
Competencies Addressed:
• Strategies for collaborative negotiation
• Needs and motivation of the opposition
• Individual and team negotiation skills
• Maintaining a positive outcome
• Negotiation on the personal front
• Understanding negotiation styles
• Negotiation vs. haggling
• Being tough on the problem, soft on the 
  people
• Overcoming devious tactics
• Figuring your "BATNA," the best
  alternative


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Advanced Negotiation

Dates Offered:  June 3-4 
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Whether dealing with suppliers, demanding customers, or internal company dynamics, successful negotiating is more than pulling tricks out of a bag. Although certain tactics are more effective than others, negotiations are a framework of bargainer characteristics (such as listening ability) and situational factors (power differences) combining to influence the negotiation process (persuasion), which produces a certain outcome (profits, future deals). The advantage goes to the negotiator who has a plan and is always aware of where he or she is in the negotiation process. In this "MBA-level" skill-building workshop, participants will learn how to successfully manage the negotiation framework. Negotiation by nature is experiential - the course includes case discussions and simulations in a broad range of contexts, as well as negotiation skill assessment and improvement tools. This program is for the individual who has experience in negotiation but wants to take it to a higher level.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Listening and questioning skills
• Discovering true interests behind
  positions
• Dealing with hardball tactics
• Disclosing the "right kind" of internal
  information
• Making concessions without "giving
  away the store"


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Project Management

Dates Offered:  April 8-9   |   October 28-29 
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Project Management has been demonstrated to improve the chances of successfully completing work efforts within the constraints of time, budget, and quality. While project management originated in advance-technology areas, its usefulness extends well beyond its original engineering, construction, and product development applications and has become essential for individual and organizational productivity in today's business world. This two-day course prepares you to immediately start to implement the principles and techniques of modern project management in your business and work environment. You will learn to integrate the basic functions of project management throughout the life cycle of a project; execute project planning, development, implementation, and control techniques for successful project completion; and understand the philosophy of modern project management and begin to think in project terms. This course should be attended by project managers, project team members, executives, functional managers, and any individuals involved with the planning, implementation, and control of projects.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project HR Management
• Project Communication
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management


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Time Management

Dates Offered:  April 15-16  |  November 18-19
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
Studies show that we are working harder and more hours than ever. What they don’t show is that sometimes we aren’t working very smart, especially where time is concerned. Organizations have four primary assets: money, people, equipment, and time. Time is the most elusive, yet managing it efficiently is critical to personal and organizational success. This program teaches how to work smarter, not harder. Research shows that poor time management is one of the leading causes of stress. This hands-on program is about getting control of our time so we can accomplish the most important things, have lower stress levels, and increase personal and organizational productivity.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Delegation and follow-up
• Staying on task
• Overcoming procrastination
• Organization skills
• Prioritizing
• Aligning personal and organizational
  goals
• Forming good habits
• Maintaining a POSITIVE approach
• Follow-through on commitments
• Organizational systems - paper vs.
  computer


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Business as Unusual

Dates Offered:  February 19  |  August 19
$595  |  $495 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
Change is an individual, emotional, and psychological matter for each of us. The bigger the organization and the bigger the scope of change, the more difficult it is to keep people focused on their jobs and meeting the needs of both internal and external customers. This one-day seminar focuses on successfully managing change and transition in the workplace. Participants will complete a self-assessment instrument that will enable them to deal more effectively with stress and conflict associated with change. Participants will also examine case studies of organizational change efforts. 
Competencies Addressed:
• Understanding and implementing
  organizational and individual changes
• Learning coping strategies for facing
  uncertainty and ambiguity in the
  workplace
• Learning how to be more open to
  change and deal realistically with the
  tendency to resist change
• Dealing more effectively with stress and
  conflict associated with change


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Power of Emotional Intelligence

Dates Offered:  February 20  |  August 20
$595  |  $495 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Emotional Intelligence is the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, and for motivating and managing emotions effectively in ourselves and others. Emotional competence is a learned capacity that contributes to effective performance in all aspects of life. Research has shown that “EI” is an important predictor of success. Studies indicate that emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional quotient (EQ) accounts for 15% to 45% of an individual’s success on the job.  In this one-day seminar, participants will gain the skills to insure they become strong, emotionally intelligent leaders. They will develop the ability to recognize and positively manage emotions in themselves, in others, and in groups. Participants will also explore cutting-edge developments in leadership theory and practices that will enable them to apply emotional intelligence to specific leadership situations.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Honest and accurate self-awareness
• Influencing and motivating others
• Developing emotionally intelligent
  teams
• Creating an atmosphere that fosters 
  emotional intelligence
• Adapting to change in the environment
• Being positive and accountable for
  results
• Helping others grow and develop new
  skill sets


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Writing with Impact

Dates Offered:  February 12 - 13
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Clarity and persuasiveness should be our primary concerns in contemporary business writing. Telling people exactly what we intend to say and giving them convincing reasons to agree with us are the keys to writing that gets the job done. Through them we create writing that has impact.  We won't have to write as many additional emails, letters, and reports - or make numerous phone calls - because someone has misunderstood us or not been persuaded by what we have said. When we reduce the amount of additional correspondence needed about a problem or a project, we accomplish another important goal of effective business writing: brevity.  Learning to use descriptive writing and effective persuasion are the techniques through which we can write with genuine impact.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Demonstrations of specific writing
  techniques
• Practice using those techniques
• Instant critique of your writing
• Useful tips for organizing and getting
  started with writing tasks
• Proven methods for editing and proofing
   your work


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Advanced Writing with Impact

Dates Offered:  August 5 - 6
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  
Clarity and persuasiveness should be our primary concerns in contemporary business writing. Telling people exactly what we intend to say and giving them convincing reasons to agree with us are the keys to writing that gets the job done. Through them we create writing that has impact.  We won't have to write as many additional emails, letters, and reports - or make numerous phone calls - because someone has misunderstood us or not been persuaded by what we have said. When we reduce the amount of additional correspondence needed about a problem or a project, we accomplish another important goal of effective business writing: brevity.  Learning to use descriptive writing and effective persuasion are the techniques through which we can write with genuine impact.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Demonstrations of specific writing
  techniques
• Practice using those techniques
• Instant critique of your writing
• Useful tips for organizing and getting
  started with writing tasks
• Proven methods for editing and proofing
   your work


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Behavioral Based Interviewing

Dates Offered:  April 29-30  |  November 5-6
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Behavioral interviewing eliminates the time consuming and unproductive elements of traditional interviews and concentrates on what really works. Your managers will conduct interviews that are consistently accurate, efficient, and legally defensible. Plus, they give potential new hires a favorable impression of your organization - essential in today’s competitive market.  This very interactive workshop provides a guide to understanding and implementing effective behavioral interviewing techniques to identify top talent, improve your hiring ROI, and increase your organization’s competitive edge in today’s labor market. The training is efficient and thorough, with an interactive format that provides hands-on practice and feedback. Extensive video taping will be used to improve interviewing skills.
Competencies Addressed:
• Learn strategy, principles, and history
• Identify the best techniques for your
  organization
• Learn to develop an interview plan to
  maximize the effectiveness of the
  interview process
• Build skills in the use of effective
  questioning techniques at all stages of
  the interview
• Perfect your probing techniques to
  reveal core competencies
• Identify critical success competencies
  for specific positions
• Learn to analyze and report interview
  results
• Improve interviewing and selection ROI
   and processes


Open Enrollment Courses  
         Communication Skills Programs



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Communication Strategies for Improving Performance

Dates Offered:  February 26-28   |   June 23-25   |   December 9-11
$1,545  |  $1,265 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
Strong communication skills are vital for improved performance in individuals, groups, and organizations. In today’s rapid
Outstanding!  I would recommend this course to anyone.  It is a great opportunity to improve on necessary communications skills.
— Chris Pierson, IT Manager, SCANA Corp.
business environment, if your message isn’t clear and persuasive the first time, you may not get a second chance.  Using The Birkman Method®, you have a tremendous opportunity to discover how you behave and react in interpersonal relationships, conflicts, and decision-making. The first focus is on helping you understand your individual traits and how you are perceived by others. Once you understand how you relate to others, you will begin to develop the skills necessary for communicating effectively.  In addition, you will learn to coach good communication skills in others and how to become a coach for effective group performance.  Read more 
Competencies Addressed:
• Persuasive communication
• Interpreting body language
• Communicating effectively as a leader
• Perceiving communication styles
• Understanding group dynamics
• Reactions under stress
• How to be inclusive in teams
• Understanding motivational needs


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Advanced Communication Strategies

Dates Offered:  June 3-4  |  December 2-3
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization)  Prerequisite:  Completion of The Birkman Method®
In the Communication Strategies for Improving Performance program, we utilize The Birkman Method® to guide the participant to greater self-awareness, resulting in an understanding of how their unique communication styles can benefit an organization. We accomplish this through classroom discussion and exercises, both in groups and individually. We also provide hands-on, experiential opportunities to see the "Birkman colors" come to life. This is a two-day "refresher" course that will build on this understanding.  Day 1 will include a review of the Method and individual scores, followed with an in-depth look at scoring combinations, and descriptors of people with different or opposing profiles. Day 2 will include a one-on-one coaching session and group exercises designed to enhance communication and general leadership skills. Special attention will be paid to spotting stress behaviors in others and developing strategies to deal with that behavior. The outcome of this give-and-take is better communications within the organization. This program will include hands-on exercises, case studies, participatory discussions, and lecture.
Competencies Addressed:
• Communication
• Influence/persuasion
• Negotiation skills
• Persuasion and influence
• General leadership skills


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Assertiveness Training

Dates Offered:  March 25-27  |   July 22-24  |   December 2-4
$1,265  |  $1,115 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
When signing up for the class, I was very skeptical, but I really enjoyed the class.  This is a great program and all levels of management should take.  Instructors are excellent.
— Kenny Goodson, Superintendent
    CommScope, Inc. Catawba
The way you interact with others plays a large role in how your job performance is measured and it’s difficult to perceive how we come across. The key to communicating more assertively and more effectively lies in developing a better understanding of your basic communication style and then learning how to modify it through the constant application of basic assertiveness principles. In this comprehensive workshop you will learn whether your current behavior is assertive, non-assertive, or aggressive and what you must change to ensure that your communications lead to positive results.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Recognizing your own and others’ 
  communication styles
• Handling negative or difficult people
• Persuasive communication
• Coaching, training, and mentoring
• Speaking up in front of a group
• Building self-confidence


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Developing Effective Presentation Skills

Dates Offered:  May 13-14
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
These highly interactive, experiential two-day program provides participants the opportunity to assess their current and typical communication styles and practice effective presentation skills, with the goal of becoming a more relaxed and competent speaker. You will work toward those goals with individual coaching and group experiences that reveal how to be assertive and influential. You will learn the importance of trust and respect in building rapport and using communication to persuade and reach agreement. Participants will learn tips and techniques for presenting information and ideas to large and small groups. By the end of the second day every past participant has remarked on his or her lessened fear and increased confidence. Our program in September 2005 was rated 5.0 on a 5-point scale, the highest evaluation our instructors can receive.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Managing feedback
• Communicating to various audiences
• Seeing how we are perceived
• Improving body language
• Planning
• Learning dynamic opening and closing
  skills
• Handling difficult questions and people
• Overcoming distracting habits
• VIDEO taping--a picture is worth a
  thousand words


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Advanced Presentation Skills

Dates Offered:  November 12-13
$995  |  $895 (2 or more registrants / same dates & organization) 
These highly interactive, experiential two-day program provides participants the opportunity to assess their current and typical communication styles and practice effective presentation skills, with the goal of becoming a more relaxed and competent speaker. You will work toward those goals with individual coaching and group experiences that reveal how to be assertive and influential. You will learn the importance of trust and respect in building rapport and using communication to persuade and reach agreement. Participants will learn tips and techniques for presenting information and ideas to large and small groups. By the end of the second day every past participant has remarked on his or her lessened fear and increased confidence. Our program in September 2005 was rated 5.0 on a 5-point scale, the highest evaluation our instructors can receive.  Read more
Competencies Addressed:
• Managing feedback
• Communicating to various audiences
• Seeing how we are perceived
• Improving body language
• Planning
• Learning dynamic opening and closing
  skills
• Handling difficult questions and people
• Overcoming distracting habits
• VIDEO taping--a picture is worth a
  thousand words