Course Title: Advocacy Skills

 

Overview:

 

How you engage with other people, organisations, communities and stakeholders may shape the image and future success of your organisation.  You may need to influence, persuade and negotiate with people. You may need to understand  and recognise their perceptions, expectations and alternative priorities. This programme discusses strategies and techniques for getting your message across. It will be valuable for those managing others to achieve the same outcomes. Whether dealing with public meetings, negotiations, surgeries or on the street, the tools and techniques gained will provide practical, pragmatic guidance.

 

Objectives:

 

At the end of the programme you will be able to:

• enhance your organisation's reputation
• identify suitable means of communication with a range of audiences
• recognise and manage sensitive issues
• handle hostile and emotive questioning with confidence

Content:

 

The programme is designed to build on existing skills and will include:

• the principles of successful communications
• the principles of effective planning
• understanding your audience and acknowledging expectations
• influencing chairpersons and other bodies to ensure your interests are properly represented
• dealing with emotive and negative questioning
• dealing with strong emotions and controlling interruptions
• managing your communication, your reputation and handling uncertainty
• selling a professional image
• action planning

Training Style:

 

The training will focus on improving existing inter-personal, influencing and advocacy skills, together with guidance on new approaches. The processes will be led by trained facilitators to best fit with your organisational style and culture.

 

Duration:            1.0 day