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Telephone Conferences and Webinars Are
Economical Alternatives to Expensive
On-Site Training
Let Sondra Thiederman Help You...
Reduce Workplace Bias
Learn Cross-Cultural Skills
Move Your Diversity Effort Forward
See What You'll Be Getting
Special Offer - Sample Sondra's Programs Before Buying
The
Programs:
Sondra Thiederman has developed two three-part programs each of which can be presented in either a webinar or telephone conference format. Each of the three parts is 1 1/4 hours long. The topics are:
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How to Reduce Conscious and Unconscious Bias
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How to Turn Diversity Tension into Diversity Dialogue.
The Offer: Sondra is prepared to offer
Part I of either program
free of charge. All you need to provide is the technology for a web-based webinar or a simple telephone conference.
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Program Content - "How to Reduce Conscious and Unconscious Bias":
Part I: Part I begins by exploring the nature of bias and debunking myths that have hindered our efforts to defeat bias in the workplace. It then discusses the business impact of bias in the workplace and focuses on specific skills for identifying bias in oneself and others. It concludes with a specific Follow-Up Action designed to facilitate the workplace application and retention of the material.
Part II: Part II begins with a brief recap of Part I. It then discusses why human beings acquire and, in turn, cling to biases. The bulk of Part II, however, is devoted to providing three practical skills that will allow the listener to weaken the foundation of their biases and, thereby, minimize its impact on their thinking and decision-making. As with each part, Part II ends with one or more Follow-Up Actions.
Part III:
After a brief recap of Part II, this section discusses how identifying what we share can help reduce bias. It then discusses five skills and strategies for achieving this goal in the workplace while continuing to respect the diversity around us. Part III then takes participants through a seven-step process for “Acting as If” a bias does not exist and demonstrates how the process, not only create positive responses in the workplace, but it also has the power to remove the bias altogether. Finally, Part III discusses how to work around those biases that we are unable to remove from our thinking. This section ends with more Follow-Up Actions and a summary of the entire series.
Program Content - "How to Turn Diversity Tension into Diversity Dialogue":
Part I:
Part I begins with a discussion of the business-necessity of dialoging respectfully and effectively in the face of diversity-related tension. It then surveys the types of conversations that can arise in a diverse workplace. Examples of such conversations are individuals feeling offended, misunderstandings, accusations of a biased attitude, and the necessity of discussing delicate diversity-related issues. It then follows with a specific strategy for becoming “Diversity Fit” (that is, preparing for difficult conversations that might arise). It concludes with a Follow-Up Action that will assure the material is retained and applied in the workplace.
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Part II:
After a brief re-cap of Part I, this section surveys five cognitive skills and strategies for enhancing the participants’ ability to turn tense conversations into opportunities for greater understanding and a better working relationship. An example of just one of these skills is how to identify productive goals for the conversation. The program then concludes with one or more Follow-Up Actions.
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Part III: In contrast to Part II of the program which focuses on cognitive skills, Part III is primarily concerned with discussing verbal skills for communicating effectively in the face of diversity-related tension. Included, among others, is how to use tone of voice more effectively, how to identify the most effective words, and how to find alternatives to dogmatic or dismissive language. The program concludes with one or more Follow-Up Actions and a summary of the entire series.
The Rates: If you like Part I -- and we think you will -- Sondra will facilitate Parts II and III at the following rates:
Corporate:
Webinar:
$2,500 per Part
Telephone Conference: $1,500 per Part
Association/Not-for-Profit:
Webinar: $1,500 per Part
Telephone Conference: $1,000 per Part
The Next Step: Contact Sondra's office at 619-583-4478 to
discuss how this special offer might be
customized to meet your diversity/inclusion goals.
Suggested Participant Groups
Diversity Councils that can benefit from knowledge and insights into bias in the workplace.
A
sales force that seeks knowledge of how to sustain business in a multi-cultural marketplace.
The
association staff that seeks to gain increased understanding of the importance of diversity.
Association members who seek an economical way to understand diversity better.
Diversity Champions who need to be energized by a fresh perspective on their diversity/inclusion challenges.
Team members in health care and other industries who require specific cross-cultural knowledge in order to do their job better.
Affinity/Resource groups whose meetings can be enhanced by an interactive diversity message.
Managers whose jobs will be easier if they better understand how to spot and diffuse bias in their workplace.
Any group that can benefit from a
content-rich and stimulating presentation on an aspect of diversity/inclusion specifically designed for them.
The Options
Whether it be in a conference room, office, or home -- wherever you have access to the internet and/or a telephone -- you and your team will receive customized cutting-edge training on Bias-Reduction, Diversity, or Cross-Cultural Business topics.
Webinar: Perhaps you prefer a technologically-sophisticated Webinar in which participants view PowerPoint slides on their individual computers while listening to Dr. Thiederman on a speakerphone or individual telephone.
Telephone Conference: As an alternative, you might arrange for a simple telephone conference call on which Dr. Thiederman is a formal participant. In this case, each participant will receive support materials prior to the call that will help them follow along and readily apply the material covered in the workplace. If all participants are at the same location, PowerPoint slides can be provided for showing in your meeting
Whichever Option You Choose, You Provide the Technology, We Provide…
Customized content on the diversity topic of your choice.
Click here to see the wide selection of programs available
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Custom designed
pre-program materials sent to participants to prime interest and lay the groundwork for the program.
Electronic
PowerPoint slides.
An
article by Dr. Thiederman on a topic of value to your team for use in your electronic or hard copy publications.
Permission for the client to
electronically record the session for in-house use.
Electronically transmitted
participant handouts.
Custom-designed
promotional copy.
Copies of the revised second edition of Dr. Thiederman's book,
Making Diversity Work: Seven Steps for Defeating Bias in the Workplace
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to all participants at a substantial bulk discount.
A presentation delivered in such a way as tofully engage each participant regardless of his or her location.
Follow up support: Sondra Thiederman will be available following the program to answer -- via telephone or e-mail -- any questions that she was unable to answer during the session.
Scheduling/Format Details
- Each program is 60-90 minutes in length.
- Each program will be scheduled to meet the needs of the largest possible number of participants.
- Early morning West Coast hours are available for easy East Coast scheduling.
Sondra’s Webinar and Telephone Conference-Savvy Skills (Testimonials)
It takes experience and skill to reach through the telephone line and deliver effective training to people on computer screens and telephones hundreds of miles away. The question always is:
Will
it be effective? Here are just a sampling of comments from those who have participated in Sondra's webinars:
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"Your teleconference was excellent and
readily applicable to our practice. Though you were not physically with us, your passion, warmth and humor came through loud and clear. I don’t think there are many speakers that can do that!" Young Hee Kim, Program Chair, Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association
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"Your approach to the topic of
unconscious bias was fantastic. Not just theories, and ideas, but
practical 'how tos' on how to identify and change them." Participant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
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"For 90 minutes, Sondra
kept the participants engaged as she spoke from her office in San Diego. She told amusing anecdotes, employed
industry-specific examples, and took an involving approach that got her important message across. No matter what your industry, if you are thinking of producing a Web conference on any aspect of diversity, bias-reduction, or cross-cultural issues,
I would highly recommend Sondra Thiederman.”
Cindy Levernois, Director, Behavioral Health and Workforce, Healthcare Association of New York State
Article: "Ten Tips for Facilitating Engaging Webinars,"
by Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Seeing the facilitator in front of you. Seeing her move, hearing the real tenor of her voice, and being able to comfortably call out a question or answer without the restrictions of un-muting the telephone first – these are the reasons in-person training is always best.
It is “always best,” I should say, if the cost of travel, price of gas, and overall economic climate allow us to indulge in bringing everybody together in one place. Unfortunately, these days that is not the case. Often we are forced by circumstances to rely on the telephone and the web to connect us.
The good news is that there are strategies we can use to keep participants focused and involved despite the geographical distance. These strategies are limited only by your creativity and the technology you employ. Here are some ideas that will get your imagination flowing:
1. Setting the Stage: Address the issue of distance at the start. There is no point in pretending that you and the participants are in the same room. In fact, there is a benefit to calling attention to the challenges inherent in the arrangement. You can diffuse some of these difficulties by describing where you are and what you are looking at – the view from your window, the décor of your office -- and asking a few listeners to do the same. This simple technique has a way of bringing participants closer together and, thereby, enhancing their ability to stay involved in the presentation.
2. Participant Introductions: If the group is small enough, have participants introduce themselves and their location. This familiarity helps overcome the feeling of isolation and anonymity that can cause a participant’s mind and focus to wander.
3. Quizzes: Build in quizzes and, if appropriate, prizes throughout the program. The quizzes may or may not pertain to the actual content – it is OK to have a little fun and ask silly questions from time to time. Not only does this enhance interest, it forces people to pay attention as they can never anticipate when the next quiz will come.
4. Images: Add images to slides and build in a variety of art forms and colors. These images should in some way reflect the idea you are describing and might vary from a cartoon to a line drawing to a photograph to fine art. The use of images has a way of keeping eyes on the screen and, if carefully chosen, can enhance retention of the material.
5. Polling: Use the polling feature available with most Webinar applications. Polling reminds participants that they are an essential part of the program. It also increases attention because, no matter where they are, they cannot help but be curious about how others have voted.
6. Participant Names: If practical, get a list of participants and call on them by name throughout the program. This sends a dual message. First, that you know they are there and care about their presence, and, second, that they are expected to stay involved. Make a note of those who are speaking up and shift your focus to those who have yet to respond.
7. Break-Out Sessions: If possible, utilize short “break out” sessions in which participants discuss a problem or resolve a question. This will work if several participants are in the same room with the balance scattered at various locations. Those in the same room can be divided into smaller groups just as you would in a live workshop. They would then mute their phone to avoid disturbing the remote participants. Those at other locations can then use their telephone connection to talk among themselves. The length of time provided depends on the question/problem being addressed and the overall length of the Webinar.
8. “Chat”: Use the “chat” feature to enhance involvement and reinforce participation. You might, for example, invite participants to send you written questions or comments, to let you know if you are talking too fast or slow, or alert you to the need for a break or other issue. In return, the facilitator can periodically thank the group for their participation or individually praise someone for their comment. All of this increases the feeling of connection that is so important if learning is to take place.
9. “White Board”: Use the “white board.” The white board is just like it sounds– an electronic erasable screen that all can see and on which the presenter can type or draw. It is even possible for participants to add their own comments if given control by the presenter or host.
10. Practice: Practice, practice, practice with both program content and technology. That will allow you to relax and bring the personality and spontaneity necessary to make the program a success.
Although all of these suggestions won’t be practical in every situation – for example, you may not have the names of all participants – most can be used to create an engaged atmosphere for learning even in the most far-flung locations.
To check on Sondra’s availability or to receive additional information including a demonstration tape and references, please contact the bureau who sent you to this site or:
Joan Pierce
Marketing Director
Cross-Cultural Communications
4585 48th Street
San Diego, CA 92115
Phone: 619-583-4478
Fax: 619-583-0304
Click here to contact Sondra Thiederman or Joan Pierce
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