Target Learning for Business

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Business Seminars

Target Learning for Business (Sample Outline)
A 12-Hour Seminar to Help Employees Learn & Communicate More Effectively in Any Work Environment

Objectives

In this 8-hour seminar, participants will learn how to:

● Identify what is important to current and future customers
● Recognize and overcome barriers to effective business thinking
● Turn new (and old) ideas into practical, real world solutions
● Effectively communicate creative ideas to others
● Lock new information into long-term memory
● Improve time management and organizational skills
● Improve listening and concentration skills
● Identify a speaker’s true intentions to avoid misinterpretation
● Take effective notes during meetings and conversations
● Listen and respond appropriately to difficult customers

For detailed information on each section click the underlined section title.

INTRODUCTION

A. About the Program
B. TLC Strategies Binder
C. About the Instructor
D. For the Future

       ● Online Reference Materials
       ● Print Reference Materials
       ● TLC 6-Month Advisor Program

SECTION 1 - UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF… & OTHERS

Page 1.1 ------► Learning Style Indicator
Page 1.2 ------► Thinking Style Indicator
Page 1.3 ------► Listening Skill Indicator
Page 1.4 ------► Memory Skill Indicator
Page 1.5 ------► Assessment Results Page
Page 1.6 ------► Definitions Page

SECTION 2 - THINKING AHEAD

Page 2.1 ------► The Memory Process
Page 2.2 ------► External Barriers to Effective Business Thinking
Page 2.3 ------► Internal Barriers to Effective Business Thinking
Page 2.4 ------► Problem Identification System
Page 2.5 ------► Using Both Sides of Your Brain
Page 2.6 ------► Putting It All Together

SECTION 3 - LISTEN, LEARN & REMEMBER

Page 3.1 ------► Recognizing Your Speaker’s Style
Page 3.2 ------► Situational Listening Mistakes
Page 3.3 ------► Note-Taking for Meetings & Conversations
Page 3.4 ------► Listening & Responding to Difficult Customers
Page 3.5 ------► Putting It All Together

SECTION 4 - TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION

Page 4.1 ------► Got Structure?
Page 4.2 ------► Reading Time Management
Page 4.3 ------► Writing Time Management
Page 4.4 ------► Goal-Setting & Multi-Tasking
Page 4.5 ------► Putting It All Together

SECTION 5 - APPENDIX

Page 5.1 ------► Program Worksheets & Templates
Page 5.2 ------► Online Resources for Future Study
Page 5.3 ------► Print Resources for Future Study

INTRODUCTION

A. About the Program

The instructor will describe not only what each participant will learn, but how & why the strategies will benefit them directly. The focus will be on helping the participants use their personal learning and thinking style to become more efficient and effective in every aspect of their job.

B. The TLC Strategies Binder

The binder contains:

● All learning strategies
● Step-by-step guidelines for implementing the strategies
● Templates for note-taking and research projects
● Templates for time management & organization
● Color-coded dividers for easy reference

C. About the Instructor

Click here for information about the instructor for this program.

D. For Future Reference

Online Reference Material

A list of web sites covering learning styles, strategies and adult learning.

Print Reference Material

A list of books and articles covering learning styles, strategies and adult learning.

TLC Advisor Program

For 6 months following the seminar participants can contact their instructor (online or via toll-free number) for additional assistance with the learning strategies covered in this seminar.

SECTION 1 - UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF… & OTHERS

1.1 Learning Style Indicator

This learning styles survey will help participants find their strongest method for receiving information. For a description of learning styles click here.

1.2 Thinking Style Indicator

This thinking styles survey will help participants find their strongest method for processing information. For a description of thinking styles click here.

1.3 Listening Skills Indicator

This survey will help participants assess their personal listening strengths and weaknesses.

1.4 Memory Skills Indicator

This survey will help participants assess their personal memory strengths and weaknesses.

1.5 Assessment Results Page

On this page participants will be able to record their results from all the surveys.

1.6 Definition of Learning & Thinking Styles

A clear description of each type of learning and thinking style will be provided, along with a summary of how the brain stores memory.

SECTION 2 - THINKING AHEAD

2.1 The Memory Process

This page illustrates how the brain receives and retains information. It also describes several physical, emotional and intellectual barriers to effective retention and recall.

Individual Activity

Participants will be given 30 seconds to memorize 18 random digits.

Purpose

To demonstrate how short-term and long-term memory works.

Individual Activity

Participants select a memory barrier that is common to them and apply a Target Learning Solution.

Purpose

To help participants recognize and overcome their personal obstacles to memory improvement.

2.2 External Barriers to Effective Business Thinking

This page describes several perceived physical and organizational obstacles individuals must overcome to make sound business decisions (with confidence).

Group Activity

Participants select a specific obstacle and apply a Target Learning Solution.

Purpose

To show participants how to use the organization’s current structure as an effective tool for completing their job.

2.3 Internal Barriers to Effective Business Thinking

This page describes several perceived psychological and emotional obstacles individuals must overcome to make sound business decisions (with confidence).

Individual Activity

Participants select a specific obstacle and apply a Target Learning Solution.

Purpose

To show participants how to transform their individual obstacles into effective tools for completing their job.

2.4 Problem Identification System

This page provides a proven questioning system to help individuals (and teams) identify the needs of prospective customers, and potential problems with existing clients.

Individual Activity

Participants select a prospective customer (or existing client) and apply the Problem Identification System.

Purpose

To help participants recognize the various perspectives involved in every business decision.

2.5 Using Both Sides of the Brain

This page describes how to “cross-over” and effectively complete tasks that don’t normally fit an individual’s personal learning and thinking style.

Individual Activity

Participants select a specific task outside their “comfort zone” and create a procedure for completing the task (using Target Learning methodology).

Purpose

To help participants overcome their hesitancy toward attempting difficult tasks… and to illustrate the challenges faced by co-workers (with opposite thinking styles).

2.6 Putting It All Together

This page provides a step-by-step guide for being an effective business thinker.

SECTION 3 - LISTEN, LEARN & REMEMBER

3.1 Recognizing Your Speaker’s Style

This page will show participants how to recognize and understand their speaker’s learning and thinking style to ensure the listener is on “the same page” as the speaker.

Group Activity

In small groups, participants will list (on a Target Learning worksheet) various speaking & listening characteristics of the people they know.

Purpose

To broaden each participant’s perspective regarding speaking styles and characteristics.

3.2 Situational Listening Mistakes

This page will describe how common listening mistakes can affect an individual’s comprehension and retention during:

● Meetings & Training Sessions
● Face-to-Face Conversations
● Telephone Conversations
● Attempts at Conflict Resolution
● Team-Building Efforts

Group Activity

Participants of Group A will present a mock meeting. Group B will attend the meeting and later summarize the content. Group C will observe both groups and report its findings.

Purpose

To demonstrate the numerous small (but detrimental) listening mistakes that can occur during routine business activities.

3.3 Note-Taking for Meetings & Conversations

This page (along with TL worksheets and templates) will show participants how to use their personal learning and thinking style to efficiently and effectively record (and apply) relevant information.

Group Activity

Participant A will describe a business situation or issue. Participant B will take notes using a Target Learning worksheet.

Purpose

To show participants how planning and structure can keep the listener focused… and guide the speaker toward a mutually desired outcome.

3.4 Listening & Responding to Difficult Customers

This page provides a variety of flexible strategies for recognizing the true needs of an upset customer (or colleague) - and how to ensure those needs are met.

Group Activity

Participant A will role-play the part of an upset customer. Participant B will apply the Target Learning strategies to meet the customer’s needs. Participant C will use a TL Checklist to observe and record the interaction between the participants.

Purpose

To help participants feel comfortable (and confident) when approaching a difficult situation with a customer.

3-5 Putting It All Together

This page provides a step-by-step guide for being an effective listener.

SECTION 4 - TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION

4.1 Got Structure

This page provides examples of common errors adults make when preparing to begin a new work-related task.

Individual Activity

Participants will plan and structure a future work assignment using Target Learning strategies.

Purpose

To demonstrate how mental preparation & structuring can help individuals avoid procrastination and complete a task more efficiently.

4.2 Reading Time Management

This page will show participants how to efficiently read memos, letters and reports.

Individual Activity

Participants will “survey” a work-related document (within a deadline) using the Target Learning methodology.

Purpose

To illustrate how quickly individuals can read, comprehend and retain new information (under pressure).

4.3 Writing Time Management

This page will show participants how to write memos, letters and reports that achieve their intended result…immediately.

Group Activity

Participants will create a business memo (within a deadline) using the Target Learning methodology.

Purpose

To illustrate how quickly individuals can communicate their message (under pressure)… and ensure their reader takes action.

4.4 Goal-Setting & Multi-Tasking

This page provides a variety of flexible methods for weekly, daily and monthly planning. It also shows participants how to use Target Learning worksheets to set realistic goals and pertinent priorities.

Individual Activity

Participants will use Target Learning worksheets to plan their upcoming month.

Purpose

To help participants immediately experience reduced stress through effective planning and organization.

4.5 Putting It All Together

This page provides a step-by-step guide for being more efficient and organized.

SECTION 5 - APPENDIX

5.1 Program Worksheets & Templates

This subsection contains pre-formatted worksheets that will help participants apply the various learning strategies during and after the seminar. Participants will have the option to receive extra worksheets after the seminar (at no extra charge), or create variations of the worksheets to fit their personal thinking style (using our templates in MS Word).

5.2 Online Resources for Future Study

Participants will receive a list of recommended web sites to help them explore learning theory, adult learning and learning styles more extensively.

5.3 Print Resources for Future Study

Participants will receive a list of recommended books and articles to help them explore learning theory, adult learning and learning styles more extensively.

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