Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

One day

Course Description
Sexual harassment is a serious concern in today's business world. The balance of power in the workplace has changed dramatically in the past several decades as more and more women have entered the workforce, and as men and women have had to adapt to new "rules" governing behavior. This revised course helps students understand what sexual harassment is, what actions can be considered sexual harassment under federal, state, and local laws, how to set up procedures to handle claims of sexual harassment in the workplace, and how to create a positive workplace free of sexual harassment.

Course Outline
Part 1: Understanding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

• Origins of Workplace Sexual Harassment
• The Shifting Balance of Power Between the Sexes
• How Prevalent Is Sexual Harassment?
• Who Are the Victims and Who Are the Accused?
• Effects of Societal Stereotypes
• Effects on Individuals and the Workplace

Part 2: Defining Sexual Harassment Under the Law

• The EEOC Addresses Sexual Harassment
• EEOC Guidelines
• Sexual Harassment and the Courts
• What Actions Are Sexual Harassment?
• Vicarious Employer Liability
• Potential Costs of Legal Defense and Damages
• Sexual Harassment vs. Sex Discrimination

Part 3: Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

• Developing a Policy Against Sexual Harassment
• Communicating the Organization¿s Policy
• Instituting Training to Prevent Harassment
• Step 1: Auditing Current Policies and Patterns
• Step 2: Designing the Training Program
• Step 3: Implementing the Training
• Step 4: Evaluating the Training¿s Effectiveness
• Counseling Employees Who Have Felt Harassed
• Handling Employee Privacy Concerns

Part 4: Handling Sexual Harassment Complaints

• Investigating Sexual Harassment
• Choosing Suitable Investigators
• Collecting Documentation
• Interviewing the Complainant
• Interviewing the Accused
• Interviewing Witnesses
• Resolving the Complaint

Part 5: Involving Governmental Agencies and the Courts

• Seeking Assistance Outside the Organization
• Filing an Administrative Charge
• Settling the Case Through Mediation
• Understanding the Agency Investigative Process
• Receiving the Agency¿s Determination
• Going to Court

Part 6: Maintaining a Positive Work Environment

• Valuing a Harassment-Free Workplace
• Putting a Stop to Unwelcome Behavior

Team Building Courses

Problem Solving for Teams

One day

Course Description
After taking this course, you will discover five tools that will help you recognize a problem, learn how to analyze a problem and its cause, find out how to outline your problem solving/decision making, and learn the eight tips that can improve a team's process. Bringing together a group of people with varied skills and talents to solve a common problem sounds simple enough. However, it's important to understand problem-solving techniques, problem analysis, decision-making tools, and solution implementation to effectively tackle problem solving as a team.

Course Outline
Part 1: Problem Solving and Decision Making

• The Benefits and Skills
• Team Learning Objectives
• Team Commitment

Part 2: Process Overview

• What Is a Problem Anyway?
• Problem Characteristics
• Consumer Tech Case Problem
• Problem-Solving Methodology
• Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Outline

Part 3: Communication Dynamics

• Communication Dynamics
• What Makes Team Meetings Work?
• Team Meeting Roles
• Documentation During Team Meetings
• Evaluate Your Team Meeting
• The Bottom Line
• Six Steps to Team Problem Solving

Part 4: Problem Recognition

• Step One: Problem Recognition
• Problem Recognition Tools
• Team Case Problem: Problem Recognition
• Questions to Uncover Problems
• Brainstorming Guidelines

Part 5: Problem Labeling

• Step Two: Problem Labeling
• How to Find a Problem Label
• Force Field Analysis: A versus B
• Force Field Analysis: Obstacles
• Team Case Problem: Problem Label

Part 6: Problem Analysis

• Step Three: Problem Cause Analysis
• The Consumer Tech Root Cause
• Distinguishing Cause from Effect
• Team Case Problem: Cause Analysis
• Six Tools to Identify Problem Causes
• Have You Found It?

Part 7: Optional Solutions

• Step Four: Optional Solutions
• The Consumer Tech Problem Unfolds
• Team Case Problem: Optional Solutions

Part 8: Decision Making

• Step Five: Decision Making
• How to Make a Decision
• Team Case Problem: Decision Making
• The Consumer Tech Ranking

Part 9: Implementation

• Step Six: Implementation
• The Value of Action Planning
• Consumer Tech Action Plan
• Six Action Planning Tools
• Team Case Problem: Action Planning

Part 10: Summary

• Evaluation of Objectives
• Summary

Team Building

One day

Course Description
Building a team is similar to building a house--you have to start from the ground up. A team is made up of individuals with different talents, skills, and personal working styles. Learning to work together as a group can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Team Building, is a primer on how to formulate strong teams through a climate of open communication, trust, and accountability. Like building a house, the course takes students step by step through the process from creative ways to encourage teamwork to tips for handling conflicts effectively.

Course Outline
Part 1: Designing a Successful Blueprint for Your Team

• The Purpose of a Blueprint
• Distinguishing Teams from Groups
• Defining Group vs. Team Characteristics
• Group-Centered Managers vs. Team-Centered Leaders
• Increasing Productivity Through Teamwork
• The Benefits of Team Building

Part 2: Building a Strong Foundation

• The Importance of a Strong Foundation
• Taking the Time to Plan
• Using Organizational Skills
• Building a Climate for Motivation
• Establishing Accountability

Part 3: Constructing a Solid Framework

• Assembling Your Team
• Combining Various Behavior Styles
• The Promoting Style
• The Directive Style
• The Analytical Style
• The Supportive Style
• Engaging the Strengths of Each Style
• Building a Solid Team Through Training
• Promoting Teamwork Through Your Management Style

Part 4: Installing Windows to Better Communication

• Facilitating Open Communication
• Fostering Team Commitment Through Collaboration
• Involving the Team in Setting Goals and Standards
• Making Problem Solving a Team Effort
• Seven Steps to Solving Problems
• Creating a Climate for Team Problem Solving
• Examining Conflict
• Conflict Resolution Styles
• Helping the Team Resolve Conflict Positively

Part 5: Erecting a Stable Roof of Trust

• Building Trust Within the Team
• Recognizing Employees for a Job Well Done
• Implementing Positive Discipline
• Coaching: A Key Ingredient in Team Building
• Six Tools for Effective Coaching

Virtual Teaming

One day

Course Description
Virtual teaming skills are used to break the boundaries of time and place. This course outlines the principles for using technology to maximize team productivity, working without time and place restrictions, developing good collaboration skills, building trust, and avoiding miscommunication. Virtual teams are not just an idea for the future, they are a reality in today's workplace. Global economies, new technology, and increased mobility have made virtual teaming an essential tool for modern day business problem solving. You will learn how to foresee and overcome challenges associated with global and mobile team members, so that these teams can implement solutions that work effectively across geographic and cultural boundaries.

Course Outline
Part 1: Introduction

• Why the Move Toward Virtual Teams?
• Different Ways to Work Together
• Virtual Teams: Benefits and Barriers
• Communicate, Coordinate, and Collaborate
• Trust: A Foundation for Teamwork
• Trust Builders and Trust Busters

Part 2: Joining a Virtual Team

• Focusing on Success
• A 'Day' in the Life of a Virtual Team Member
• Recipe for Success: Four Key Ingredients
• Urgent Need to Work Together
• Shared Accountability
• Commitment to Teamwork
• Active Communication

Part 3: Getting Started: Considerations, Assessments, and Tools

• Checklist for Virtual Teams
• Leading a Virtual Team
• Cultural Considerations Associated with Virtual Teams
• How Will You Benefit?
• Individual Readiness Assessment
• Sample Team Start Agenda
• Create a Team Profile
• Team Operating Principles

Part 4: Technology and Communication

• What Are Your Options?
• Common Definitions for Technology Options
• Benefits of Technology-Supported Teamwork
• Common Communication Challenges for Virtual Teams
• Tips for Successful Communication: Online Etiquette
• Guidelines for Using Voicemail
• Effective Email Practices
• Email vs. Groupware
• Common Online Communication Symbols and Acronyms

Part 5: Case Studies and Review

• Ten Essentials for Virtual Teams
• Two Case Studies of Virtual Teams
• Understanding Technology and Teamwork
• Test Your Learning: Games for Review and Fun
• Can You Unscramble These Virtual Words?
• Word Search

Working in Teams

One day

Course Description
Designed for anyone who works in teams, this timely course addresses such crucial issues as what team membership is, what team rules are, and how to function effectively as a team. It explains how to make meetings work, reach agreement, create a team "family," and conduct post-project follow-up. Especially of value are the tips on how to establish communication, closeness, and commonality. Also covered are the five roles of an effective team leader, the four functions of team members, and the three Ps of project management, as well as techniques for promoting creativity and participation.

Course Outline
Part 1: Team Nuts & Bolts

• Team Direction
• Road Maps
• Helping Your Team Succeed
• Contracting
• Team Ground Rules

Part 2: Organizing Your Team

• Team Support Roles
• Meeting Hats
• Team Member Job Description
• Delegating Team Functions
• Team Charter
• Master Plans
• Action Plans
• Team Public Relations

Part 3: Working Together

• Building Your Team
• How to Run Team Meetings
• Virtual Teaming
• Team Communication
• Feedback
• Consensus Decision-Making
• Handling Differences
• Win-Win Negotiating

Part 4: Monitoring Progress

• Monitoring Team Progress
• Project Management

Working Together

One day

Course Description
Today's workplace brings together a variety of people with very diverse backgrounds and behaviors. Discover how culture and politics impact your organization, and learn to reverse prejudicial thinking and understand how gestures and body language can differ between cultures. This course will guide you through mastering how you think about yourself and others, how to speak and listen effectively to people with different backgrounds, and how to pay attention to the non-verbal language of "where, when, and how" you do things.

Course Outline
Part 1: Manage Your Mind

• Which Side Is Up?
• What Makes People Different?
• Who Influences You?
• Is It One or Many?
• Prejudice Others Everybody Does It
• The Good vs. the Bad
• Turning Fear into Curiosity

Part 2: Manage Your Words

• Name-Calling
• Use Humor Appropriately
• The Ouch! Technique
• How to Bridge the Language Barrier
• When Common Sense Isn't Common
• How Words Work
• Cultural Double Binds
• Culture and Politics Add Value to the Workplace

Part 3: Manage the Unspoken

• Gestures and Body Language
• Marking Time
• Making Space
• Touching Moments
• Match Your Partner's Unspoken Behavior
• Talk Sense
• Sexual Orientation
• Americans with Disabilities
• Beauty in the Workplace

Part 4: Taking Action

• Two Sides of Diversity
• Culture--Living, Growing, Changing
• How to Deal with the Prevailing Culture

Part 5: Diversity and Globalization

• What Is Globalization?
• Managing Your Words
• People on the Move
• Managing Your Actions in the Face of Global Stress

Part 6: Conclusion

• Diversity Asks Something of Everyone
• What Next?
• Learning to Value Our Differences
• Author's Notes on the Case Studies
• Author's Responses to the Exercises
• Resources
• Additional Reading

Time Management Courses

The Telephone and Time Management

One day

Course Description
Improve your work day by learning to control your time on the telephone. This friendly, course helps you identify telephone time stresses, communicate a message more effectively, and get more done.

Course Outline
Getting the Most from this Course
Section 1: Telephone Time Stress

• Are You Getting Short-Changed on the Phone?
• Telephone Technology and the Human Factor
• Assess Your Telephone Stress Level

Section 2: It Starts with the Time of Your Voice

• Voice Tone Says It All
• Confessions of a Midnight Operator
• The 30% Solution
• You Can Hear a Smile
• Three Strategies for Toning Up Your Voice
• In Case of Emergency
• Case Study

Section 3: Tackling Telephone Interruptions

• Interrupt Interruptions
• Put a Clock on Personal Calls
• Help Your Callers Come to the Point
• Bridge Back to Your Point
• Wrap It Up Without Being Rude

Section 4: Getting Through to People

• Five Strategies for Reaching Your Target
• Use the Five W’s and an H
• Don’t Grow Old on Hold
• Reduce Callback Confusion

Section 5: High-Tech Telephone Etiquette

• Smooth Your Transfers
• Positive Self-Protection
• Proper Use of Names
• Use Key Words to Solve Problems
• Six Essential Steps to Taking Messages
• Screening Calls
• When Calls Are On Hold
• Callback Strategies
• Review

Section 6: Fast and Friendly Wording

• Clean Up Your Dirty Word List
• More Fast & Friendly Wording

Section 7: Set the Stage for Your Success

• Organize Yourself for Success
• Use a Telephone Journal
• Give Your Telephone Some Space
• Telephone Technology
• Telephone Answering Machines
• Find the Real Villain
• Make the System Work for You
• Getting the Most from Your Telephone and Your Time

Section 8: Worksheets for Group Use

• Interview 1
• Interview 2
• Interview 3
• Turn Your Telephone into a Time Management Tool
• Practice and Use Fast & Friendly Language
• Double-Check Your Skills

Time Management

One day

Course Description
Get a grip on priorities, identify your "time traps," and make every minute count by using these practical planning aids. Control your use of time. Make the best use of your personal energy. Set your priorities.

Course Outline
Tyranny of the Urgent
Part 1: Time Management Principles

• The Basics of Time Management
• What Controls Your Time?
• Three Tests of Time
• Benefits of Better Time Utilization
• Prime Time
• Setting Priorities
• Criteria for Setting Priorities
• How to Control Your Use of Time

Part 2: Time Management Techniques

• Planning
• Long-Term Planning Aids
• Short-Term Planning Aids
• Characteristics of Good Planners
• Common Time-Wasters
• Self-Generated Time-Wasters
• Needs Profile Analysis
• Environmental Time-Wasters
• When Things Go Wrong
• Five Tips for Effective Time Management

Part 3: Time Management Innovations

• Telephone Enhancements
• Computer Enhancements
• Other Technological Enhancements
• Meeting Alternatives
• Saving Time on the Internet

Part 4: Time-Saving Tips for Travelers

• Plan Your Travel Wisely
• Saving Time at Your Hotel
• Put Your Travel Plans in Writing

Part 5: Action Planning

• Applying What You’ve Learned
• Keeping a Daily Time Log
• Planning for Improved Time Utilization
• Conclusion
• Additional Reading