Whether we are working in an organisation, managing a child, dealing with customers, colleagues, bosses or members of the public, we cannot always rely on our authority to get others to do what we want them to. We need to apply persuasive skills in such a way that the other person will do what you want them to do willingly.  We need to change our approach to relating to people. In order to be more persuasive and influential in any situation, we need to use all of our communication skills including our visual, vocal and verbal skills. Through active listening, observation and involvement we become more alert and develop empathy for others. This will help us to achieve greater understanding and make us more persuasive and influential when dealing with people at all levels and situations

Course Benefits

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to;

• Understand the fundamentals of persuasion and how it is used effectively
• Enhance visual, vocal and verbal communication in order to be more assertive
• Learn how to listen effectively so that you can understand and manage others
• Apply the skills to given situations so as to become more persuasive

Target Audience

Anyone who needs to persuade an individual or group to be more co-operative, to collaborate, to adopt their ideas, to listen to their advice.  Those who need to manage teams and get groups to work together. Those who need to convince their customers or bosses. Those who need to manage relationships at home.

Course Outline

• The difference between persuasion and other forms of communication
• The most persuasive people and their strategies
• Group activity – Who do you need to persuade and how do you do it currently
• Evaluate your own persuasive skills through questionnaire and discussion
• Understand the difference  between Aggressive, passive and assertive communication
• How interpersonal skills like blending, contribute to the persuasiveness
• The importance of listening to enhance communication
• Listening skills questionnaire followed by a discussion
• How to enhance our visual communication, facial expression, mannerism
• How to connect in 90 seconds or less through visual communication
• Vocal qualities when speaking ie volume, tone and speed
• Case study on persuasiveness in the workplace
• Review of learning points from the previous session
• Different conversational styles and applying them in order to persuade
• How to use influence and be a role model in order to persuade others
• How to start, maintain and end a conversation
• Conversation starters and how to apply them
• Practice session in pairs and groups
• Group sharing and presentation of key points
• The advertising approach to persuasion ie AIDA
• Being persuasive in informal conversations, meetings and negotiations
• Taking on different roles in order to be more persuasive
• Persuading yourself before you persuade others
• Individual practice – persuading others to consider/adopt an idea

Available Course Sessions

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Trainer Profile

James Suresh

James Suresh is a trainer, PR consultant and author. The co-creator of Singapore’s comic icon ‘Mr. Kiasu’, He has co-written a series of comic books as well as authored books on his military experience. He develops comic strips for magazines and writes scripts for various media. His recent book entitled ‘On a Street in Singapore’ was featured in the Sunday Times’ bestseller list and was awarded the Reader’s choice award 2011.

James started his career as an army officer and eventually moved into education and public relations. Following his 15 year stint in the army, he set up a publishing and design company with some friends. After five years in the publishing business, James left to pursue his interest in training and PR Consulting. He conducts seminars and workshops on creative thinking, communication, motivation, anger and stress management in Singapore and the Asian region. James is also a certified EQ trainer and enjoys working with corporations, charity organizations, schools, youth groups and helping individuals to achieve their personal potential.