This course teaches strategies and technique
From the Association of North East Councils for whom we ran a series of 40 courses:
"As this week marks the end of the training you have been providing for the Association, I should like to thank you for the significant contribution you have made in helping North East local government step up to the mark in how it communicates with the outside world, and how it influences policy and decision-making, through effective advocacy and negotiation.
"The training you have so effectively delivered has been particularly important at what is a time of great change in the sector, arising from local government reorganisation and central Government devolving more powers to local authorities."
How you engage people, organisations and communities shapes the image of your organisation. We work with staff at every level to help them develop their role as advocates for your organisation, showing how they can influence people and negotiate with them. We offer practical guidance on the right approach to different situations underpinned with the analytical skills needed to understand and manage perceptions and expectations.
This course teaches strategies and techniques to influence and, if necessary, persuade them of the right course of action. We examine how to manage formal and informal discussion with powerful organisations, interested parties or emotional individuals to achieve the desired outcome.
Outcomes
At the end of the programme delegates will be able to:
- analyse customers, partners and other stakeholders involved in a situation and better understand their motivation and mindset, thereby being in the best position to influence them
- apply a defined (and proven) template to a range of different situations
- identify the right approach and select the techniques to match
- recognise specific communication challenges and apply the right strategies for dealing with them
- work with others to review and implement new approaches to advocacy and influencing
The programme includes:
- the principles of successful advocacy, influencing and negotiation
- understanding audiences, acknowledging and managing expectations
- choosing your approach – the advocacy and influencing toolkit, when and how to use it
- the preparation checklist – knowing your advocacy and influencing objectives
- lines of communication – including networking, media engagement and embracing ‘social media’
- successful influencing – from theory to practice
- specific guidance on risk communication, reputation management and handling uncertainty
- strategies for handling strongly-held opposing views or direct conflict
Training style
The training focuses on improving existing communication skills and giving guidance on new approaches.
The programme is a powerful mix of well-established models and action-based learning. It includes short lectures, managed discussion to develop key issues and confirm best practice and practical sessions that will help delegates understand how different approaches may work in practice.
