Seminars
Karen Mack Management Consultants LLC
Communication Seminars
Enhance Interpersonal Communication
Improve Personal and Professional Interaction
 Today's fast-paced, technology-driven society frequently negates the basics of effective communication. This session will build skills to enhance one's daily interaction with colleagues and increase productivity. Information covered meets the needs of individuals for whom communication is critical, whether for business development or personal growth. Training is a combination of lecture, tips/techniques, group work, and interactive exercises to reinforce effective interpersonal exchange. A large part of this seminar focuses on intrapersonal information (self-awareness) to enhance harmonious interpersonal communication.
What to Expect: Review the 3 V's to make better connections. Decipher communication and behavioral styles to identify and ascertain necessary adjustments needed to improve communication. Build skills to deal with difficult people and manage anger and conflict. Develop tact and diplomacy to ease tense situations. Make and maintain a positive, professional image and improve networking skills. Anyone with a desire to communicate more effectively will benefit from this course.
Note: The Insight InventoryTM (style assessment) is recommended to help participants determine professional and personal behavior/communication style(s). Assessments and subsequent training modules will be ordered upon request. Communication Seminars
Power Communication for Women (PCW)
Gender Specific Communication Skills
This interactive seminar speaks specifically to the communication challenges women face. The content revolves around techniques to be heard, taken seriously, and to speak with confidence. Participants become savvy in office politics while learning how to gain respect from managers and peers. They will identify and learn tips to resolve and manage communication anxieties and fears.
What to Expect: PCW provides methods to identify common mistakes that often result in misperceptions. The basics of public speaking are reviewed; tips on effective recovery from communication blunders are provided. Students improve voice quality and develop clarity in speech. The relationship between healthy self-esteem and communication are discussed; assertive techniques vs. aggressive behaviors are revealed. Participants also revisit nonverbal communication including personal appearance and presence. This result-driven seminar promotes confidence and professionalism.
Communicate Through Conflict - Use Communication to Resolve Conflict
Effective Presentations
Communication Seminars
Effective Presentations (EP)
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
Public speaking is a catalyst to career advancement, yet many shy away from opportunities to present in public.
The most prevalent areas of concern are:
- managing anxiety,
- maintaining confidence,
- preparing the presentation,
- responding to questions,
- managing the audience, and
- delivering with ease.
Videotaping is integral to training; participants will see themselves as an audience would see them. A minimum of two days is suggested to adequately cover the course material; three days provide opportunities for extensive practice and coaching. EP is most valuable to anyone delivering messages to the public, whether this involves sales presentations, delivering briefs, presenting proposals, or making speeches to individuals or large audiences.
What to Expect: Effective Presentations encompasses everything related to the art of public speaking. Areas of improvement are identified via real-time coaching to heighten the presenter's awareness. This session addresses public speaking from planning/preparation through delivery dilemmas, to making a positive and lasting impression. A significant part of training includes real-time coaching interspersed with taping and video review. This process ensures development and success.
Professional Development Seminars
Assertive Techniques & Self Esteem (ATSE)
Stress Management & Adapting to Change
 Assertiveness can overcome fear, shyness, passivity, and anger; it is a valuable skill particularly in competitive environments. When assertive skills are practiced, self-esteem is established. Being able to express one’s preferences, needs, or opinions tactfully - justly and effectively without feeling anxious or guilty - is the hallmark of assertiveness. This seminar sheds light on and identifies the consequences of passive/ aggressive thoughts and behaviors. It also pinpoints the values and benefits of being self-assured and challenges belief systems that prevent assertiveness.
What to Expect: Participants will discover their (current) level of assertiveness, identify beliefs, and learn techniques to become either more assertive or decrease aggressiveness to be more productive. Communicating assertively, verbally and non-verbally, are particularly beneficial; "scripts" are provided and practiced. Assertiveness skills are introduced and applied to conflict situations in a variety of role-play exercises. Participants are encouraged to think, feel, and behave in ways that will help them work and relate more positively and productively.
Professional Development Seminars
Successful Stress Managers (SSM)
Stress Management & Adapting to Change
 Stress is a normal and very functional part of life; however, unmanaged stress can wreak havoc in every area of one's life. The ability to manage stress effectively is a huge advantage when dealing with daily demands, professional as well as personal. Successful Stress Managers provides information and motivation to encourage behavioral changes that reduce stress, while promoting and maintaining a healthy life balance.
What to Expect: These sessions contain stress test(s), information, reminders, and exercises to manage one's reaction to stressors. Topics of discussion include identifying specific sources of stress, becoming aware of burnout, naming stress-prone personalities, changing perceptions, recognizing self-induced stressors, using time-saving techniques, valuing relaxation, and setting realistic goals. Discover ways to break old habits that produce fatigue, irrational thoughts, and stress.
A "Successful Stress Managers" audio presentation (2 hours) is available upon request. This program has been used to introduce tips/techniques and has proven to be an effective tool to increase retention.
In June 1997, I created and videotaped a three-part stress training series entitled "How to Manage Stress" for Fred Pryor Resources, which is distributed nationally and internationally through Nightingale Conant.
Professional Development Seminars
Emotional Control (EC)
Capitalize on Emotional Intelligence
E.Q. (Emotional Quotient or Emotional Intelligence) has proven to be a more substantive barometer than I.Q. (Intelligence Quotient) when determining one's personal and professional success. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand one's feelings to manage and use emotions to improve personal/professional relationships. People with high E.Q.'s can empathize with others and make use of emotional information to make connections and enrich relationships.
What to Expect: The class identifies perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors - while providing steps toward acceptance and change. Assertive techniques are taught to build confidence to better handle emotionally charged events. Managing anger, stress, and negativity is discussed in detail. Communicating effectively when dealing with criticism and conflict are among the most rewarding segments of training. Participants have many opportunities to review past behaviors that have produced negative or unproductive results. Troublesome situations and circumstances, as it relates to the work environment, are identified.
Note: EQ assessments/Anger Management tests can be ordered to evaluate how participants manage their emotions or anger.
Professional Development Seminars
Your Image--On Trial (YIOT)
Professional Image Development
Projecting a positive, professional image imparts a commanding, competitive edge. This is particularly true when organizations are under public scrutiny. Unfortunately, image is an area that is often overlooked or taken for granted. In this course, an inventory is taken to disclose one's image and can include (upon request) a 360-degree feedback assessment. This seminar takes a serious look at projecting images of choice with a focus on personal presentation.
What to Expect: Emphasis is placed on various components of nonverbal and verbal communication. Nonverbal communication covers visual presentation such as wardrobe, presence, and behavior. Verbal communication includes work on voice and vocal credibility.
Specific areas that can be incorporated into the training are:
- Appropriate Business Casual Attire;
- Flattering Various Body Types;
- Corporate Business Attire; and,
- Business Etiquette.
Note: (Dining skills are a part of etiquette training). A full day is recommended for this workshop; videotaping is an option.
Professional Development Seminars
Committing to Team Connections (CTC)
Teambuilding
Today's work environment is comprised heavily of self-directed teams, many of which experience only a modicum of success.
There are three basic reasons why teams don't succeed:
- teams are created in name only, with no true purpose or goal;
- interpersonal conflicts and personnel problems are tolerated with no deliberate effort toward resolution; and,
- previous team efforts have not been equitably compensated.
This course helps groups identify the challenges unique to their team and determine the best steps to overcome potential problems.
What to Expect: Responsibility and accountability are critical to the success of a team and are the underlying theme of Committing to Team Connections. Communication, interpersonal skills, and emotional management are components that are central to this seminar. This course is a combination of lecture, group discussion, and exercises designed to help teams learn to help themselves. Please note that teambuilding is an ongoing process; therefore, a six-hour training day will only identify basic principles. To successfully promote change, consider a series of customized programs to produce desired results.
Professional Development Seminars
Training Retreats/Partnering Sessions
One or Multiple Day Training Facilitation
 Retreats are designed to develop work relationships, overcome underlying issues, and build cohesive teams. Discovering more about co-workers, while developing cultural competencies, are targeted outcomes of these sessions. Success increases when retreats are held offsite in an atmosphere to encourage people to "open up." While retreats may not offer a single source solution, they will offer a nonthreatening avenue to begin to work toward harmonious resolution. Communication, interpersonal skills, and emotional management are training components incorporated into many retreats.
Partnering Sessions are unique "team building" opportunities for parties involved with major construction projects. Anyone in this business knows the range of "rocks in the road" that are integral to getting the job done within budget and on time. Customarily, a day is devoted to meeting new partners, becoming familiar with "acquaintances", and developing relationships that will garner successful interaction throughout the duration of a project. While formal in design, the day is facilitated in an informal manner to encourage interaction, invite discussion, and lay the foundation to build trust. Contact me for ideas for your session.
What to Expect: Retreats and Partnering Sessions are customized based on desired outcomes. Experience has proven that learning takes place when people are relaxed and enjoying the process; therefore, anticipate a variety of activities. When sensitive issues need to be addressed, they are presented in a nonthreatening manner as "rules of the day" are established by participants. Retreats have served as the initial step in organizational teambuilding.
Professional Development Seminars
Leadership Enhancement Learning Programs (LELP)
 Leadership Enhancement Learning Programs uncover the intricacies of leadership, management, and supervision. Courses are independent, comprehensive, and include a variety of exercises that promote experiential learning. These programs are designed to be a systematic, competency-based approach to leadership development as stated within (your) organizational guidelines. Emphasis is placed on increasing an individual's awareness of competency needs, and addressing those needs at each level of leadership development. Leadership Enhancement programs are an excellent vehicle for continuing education. Participants leave with skills appropriate for their level, an action plan for improvement, and a workbook that captures information from the week.
What to Expect:
Phase I (Entry-level or basic supervisory skills). Participants will be introduced to the skills necessary to transition more effectively to supervisory and leadership roles. Competencies addressed are: Judgment and Decision Making, Problem Solving, Analyzing Performance, Oral Communication, Listening, Leading the Work Unit, and Workforce Management. A week is recommended to adequately cover course material.
Phase II (Advanced-level for experienced supervisors). Participants focus on leadership, supervisory, and managerial training to address the changing roles and competencies. Competencies include: Leadership in the Work Unit, Oral Communication, Developing Employees, Analyzing Performance, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Listening, Managing Conflict, Coaching, and Workforce Management. A week is recommended to adequately cover course material.
Phase III (Mid-level managers). Participants should be experienced managers preparing to move up into senior or executive positions. These competencies include: Leading and Managing Work Units, Analyzing Performance, Problem Solving, Communicating Effectively, Developing Partnerships, Managing Conflict, Coaching/Mentoring, and Fostering Employee Growth/Professional Development and Motivation. A week is recommended to adequately cover course material.
Image Impact Seminars
Overall Image, Personal and Professional
Image: Self-Analysis
In-depth Personal Image Evaluation
Image: Business Casual
Personal Development Seminars
Image: Business Casual
Clarify Business Casual Attire
 Casual dress is no longer a trend; it is the mode of dress for many professional environments. An employee's personal choice of attire reflects the overall image of the organization. This workshop clarifies the levels of business casual attire that reflect various levels of responsibility. Parameters for appropriate business casual are defined; what is and what is not acceptable based on organizational dress codes is clarified. Participants leave this session with the confidence to either build an effective business casual wardrobe or to make a successful transition to a dress-down policy.
Note: Business casual dress codes can be written (customized) for your organization. Clarify Business Casual Attire
Image: Business Etiquette
The Difference Between Novices and Professionals
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