Effective Briefings
The Art of Persuasion

This course provides an in-depth overview of briefing preparation including research, audience analysis and the key components of a sound argument. Students receive a briefings worksheet providing structure to improve oral delivery. Students also gain professional persuasion tips that focus on both verbal and nonverbal communication techniques. Learn how to effectively manage Q&A sessions and use visual aids to maximize impact.

Some participants will deliver a short mock briefing and Q&A session, while the instructor discusses ways to build on presentation strengths and improve weaknesses.

This course strengthens skills in the art of persuasion and practical presentation, ideal for GS 13 through SES levels. It is designed to meet the executive core qualification, building coalitions/communications, by instructing students in ways to explain, advocate and present facts and ideas in a convincing manner.
 

More Information
Agenda	When	Where	Related Training	Policies	Related Resources

The leadership competencies for this course include:

• Influencing
• Interpersonal Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Written Communication
• Resilience
• Political Savvy

Also see

• Speechwriting: Preparing Speeches and Oral Presentations

• Writing to Persuade
   

Bring this course to your site. This course and any combination of its topics are available as custom on-site training for your organization. For more information about how this training can help your members and staff, please contact our client liaison.

This is an elective course for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy.

Space is limited. 
 

Course materials include "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers," by Keith Evans. "Not just for lawyers! Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers contains valuable insights and practical lessons for anyone who advocates for a living, including mediators, facilitators, and others who may not readily admit to practicing the subtle art of advocacy." -- Steve Clymer, J.D., mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator with ACCORD Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.

Course Details

Agenda	Effective Briefings: The Art of Persuasion 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (networking lunch at approximately 12 noon)   Briefing Preparation All aspects of briefing preparation will be discussed, including research, audience analysis, and the process of persuasion. Components of writing a sound argument will be presented in detail including position, reasons, support, and explanation. Drafting and Delivering Briefings The first part of this session will concentrate on drafting the document that will summarize the briefing. The instructor will review a "briefing worksheet" with participants and walk them through important techniques for organizing the written summary in a way that improves oral delivery. The second part of the session will review effective delivery styles and techniques, including the use of visual aids. How should briefings be structured Composition Delivery styles Appropriate handouts & visual aids Question and Answer Techniques The "art" of responding to questions at briefings and the importance of preparing written "Q and A modules" for possible questions will be discussed. Keys to Success and Simulated Briefing Exercise Participants will be given background information on an issue that will be the subject of a mock briefing. Some participants will have an opportunity to deliver a short mock briefing that will include a brief question and answer session. When giving feedback, the instructor will focus on the following areas in order to reinforce concepts taught during the morning session: Effective eye contact and body language Transitions and use of repetition Using persuasion to gain acceptance of your recommendation The elements of the argument Don'ts-don't read notes; don't use technical jargon and acronyms; and don't be defensive handling Q&A   For a printable course description, agenda with dates, and registration form, click here.  PDF This course is also available as a custom program.   Do you need a training course we don't offer or coverage of an additional topic in this course? If you have suggestions for courses or topics you would like to see us offer, please contact us or complete our online suggestion form.
Suggested Prerequisites	3 to 4 years of work experience. If you need help deciding which courses you should take based on your work experience or training, please contact us via email or phone: 703-739-3790.
Time and Dates	8:30 am to 4:30 pm F, October 19, 2012
Location	October 19, 2012:  Location in Washington, DC will be announced before course.  Other dates:   Location in Washington, DC will be announced before course. Our courses are held at these Washington, DC, locations.
Course Materials	Course materials include "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers," by Keith Evans.
Certificate of Training and CEUs	A Certificate of Training is available for this course. To get a Certificate of Training, your registration fee must be paid in full, and you must attend the entire course. This is an elective course for the Certificate in Communication and Advocacy. This course is approved for .7 CEUs from George Mason University.
Related Training	Advanced Media Relations Workshop Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony Speechwriting: Preparing Speeches and Oral Presentations Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing Writing to Persuade
Policies	For this course, cancellations and transfers must be submitted in writing to us.  Substitutions must be submitted in writing - include substitute's name, phone and email. Our transfer and cancellation fees are outlined below.   Transfer and Cancellation Fee Time Before Course Substitutions Allowed Transfer Fee Cancellation Fee More than 4 weeks No charge No charge No charge 15 days to 4 weeks No charge 10% of tuition 25% of tuition 4 days to 2 weeks No charge 20% of tuition 50% of tuition 1 to 3 days No charge 30% of tuition 75% of tuition day of program (no refunds to no-shows) No charge No refund No refund No refunds for no shows. We reserve the right to change this fee and time period.  Cancellation, Substitution and Transfer Policy  Weather Policy TCN reserves the right to cancel any course in the event of insufficient registrations. All statements and discussion at all of our courses, workshops and seminars, public and custom, are off the record and not for attribution, unless specified otherwise. The resulting confidentiality ensures a frank and free exchange of views.
FAQs	FAQs about our training including suggested attire.
Register	$595 Payment methods we accept include checks, EFT/ACH, and Intuit Payment Network (IPN).     For a printable course description, agenda with dates, and registration form, click here.  PDF Fax or Mail: Print out and complete the registration form (in Adobe pdf). The completed form should include your method of payment.    Fax the completed form to us at 703-739-1195.    Mail the completed form to us at TheCapitol.Net, Inc., PO Box 25706, Alexandria, VA  22313-5706
Related Resources	Essential Hill and Political Washington Web Sites Lobbying and Advocacy Lobbying and Advocacy links Media Relations Handbook Persuading Congress Politics and Political News Quick DC Links - Washington Essentials Testifying Before Congress Capitol Learning Audio Courses TM Business Etiquette: Keys to Professional Success Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations: A Trial Lawyer's Perspective Keys to Effective Presentations: Invigorate Your Delivery and Increase Your Confidence
Educational Tracks	Media Training Communication and Advocacy
Available as custom, on-site training?	Yes.  This program can be tailored for on-site agency, association and corporate training.  Please call 703-739-3790 for information.
Need more information?	Phone: 703-739-3790 Email: registrar -at- TheCapitol.Net Complete our online information request.
Non-Partisan	TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.

 

URLs: www.thecapitol.net/PublicPrograms/presentations_executivebriefings.html
EffectiveBriefings.com
ExecutiveBriefingWorkshop.com
ExecutiveBriefingSkills.com
EffectiveExecutiveBriefings.com
EnhancedPresentationSkills.com
GivingGreatPresentations.com
PresentationSkillsWorkshop.net
TCNEEB.com
 

Next Course
October 19, 2012
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location (below)
$595 

   
Approved for .7 CEUs from George Mason University.

All of our courses and workshops include extensive interaction with our faculty, making our courses and workshops both educational and mini-consulting sessions with substantive experts.

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"Excellent instructors."
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"Very interesting course."
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"This provided an excellent refresher on optimum presentation techniques that I can apply throughout the rest of my Washington visit and on into the normal workplace activities which follow."
-- Course Attendee, NASA

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