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You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere.'-Lee Iacocca 1924- (former CEO of Ford and famous for reviving the Chrysler brand)
In today's world, where the survival of the fittest is the norm, it has become imperative to sharpen one's technical skills, and more importantly, one's soft skills. Technical skills can be learnt, applied and measured to an established degree. But the same cannot be said of soft skills. Soft skill is a sociological term for an individual's Emotional Intelligence (EQ). It can be broadly defined as personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job and career prospects. Whether it involves face to face customer interaction or even indirect correspondence over telephone or e-mail, employees adept at soft skills will achieve both individual as well as organizational success. Hence soft skills is critical to showcasing one's hard skills; both can be considered to be two sides of the same coin - one without the other has no impact.
Soft skill training has numerous dimensions. Some modules, amongst others which are highly sought after, have been mentioned below:
1. Communication Skills Training:
Communication is a dynamic process through which thoughts and feelings are conveyed. Effective communication is an essential component of organizational success whether it is at the interpersonal, inter group, intra group or external levels. It facilitates learning and knowledge sharing which is essential to the healthy growth and culture sustenance of your organization.
The Learning Process:
People in organizations typically spend over 75% of their time in inter personal communication; thus is it is no surprise to find that poor communication is at the root of a large number of organisational problems. There exist a number of barriers to effective communication that arise out of the utilisation of improper language, non verbal cues and feedback. In the present age of globalisation, insufficient understanding of cultural differences can also result in critical judgmental errors in the communication process.
We understand that in today's tough competitive business world, lucid and effective communication is very important. MMM Training Solutions help to provide professionals with practical and constructive advice on methods of effective communication.
2. Team Building skills:
Team building skills are critical for managerial effectiveness. Better understanding of team work can make an employee more effective. There exists a strong synergy amongst members who have the ability to build on their collective strengths. It is important to contribute as a focused team. Success occurs when a team can accomplish and scale greater heights to a greater degree than an individual can. The stages involved in team building are:
1. Clarification of team goals
2. Identification of issues which inhibit the team from reaching their goals
3. Addressing of those issues, removing of inhibitors and enabling the goals to be achieved
MMM Training Solutions emphasizes on developing skills in individuals to be effective team members. We deliver training for managers on how to create a successful team and for staff on how to be part of one.
3. Time management:
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." - Michael Altshuler ( Psychotherapist and Clinical social worker)
The significance of proper time management lies not just in meeting deadlines. It indicates professionalism, focus, reliability and consistency to clientele. Hence it is of utmost importance to develop potential in this area. Successful people use time management to achieve excellent results. The key is to realise that one cannot possibly do everything that there is to do. Many people spend their days in a frenzy of activity, but achieve very little because they do not concentrate on the right things. Instead, one has to decide how to spend the limited amount of time one has each day. At the heart of the subject is a simple but obvious focus - one has to concentrate on results, not on being busy. Since time management helps in completing more work with relatively lesser effort, stress is considerably reduced.
MMM Training Solutions provides your staff with practical advice and tips on how to effectively manage their time in a practically and tactful manner; at the same time adhering to the quality standards that your organization upholds.
4. Presentation skills:
I do not object to people looking at their watches when I am speaking. But I strongly object when they start shaking them to make sure they are still going.' -Lord Birkett (1883-1962)
In her book, Presentation Skills (2nd edition- University Press)', author Suzy Siddons writes that a good presentation contains many of the same constituents as a good restaurant meal. The participants should be hungry. The chef should be at least competent, if not inspired. The menu should be tempting, understandable and offer a range of choices to all the diners. The ingredients should be the best possible. The service should be impeccable. The ambience should be comfortable and attractive. There should be no nasty after- effects.
Today, presentation skills are required at every level. For effective presentations, it is necessary to research the audience and understand their needs. Structuring presentations to establish rapport, maintain interest and to end an impact is a skill that can be developed through meticulous practise.
The art of presentation is two dimensional- speaking and listening. It is equally important to be a good listener. The significance of effective listening is well delivered in the quote, it is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.'
Studies conducted have shown that the greatest fear human beings face is the fear of public speaking. At MMM Training Solutions, we train your staff to present their ideas in a manner that is clear, concise, interesting and persuasive.
In the face of the ongoing economic downturn, cutting back on soft skill training and focusing on technical skills is not the best option. At this hour, it has become even more imperative to narrow the existing gap between desired and actual level of soft skills of the employees. This would lead to effective communication that directly increases work performance as there is an enhancement in the effectiveness of communication.
Your employees learn by solving real time challenges within the work environment. Successful soft skill training helps participants unlock their inner leader, and sets into motion a positive and congenial atmosphere that encourages constant learning through self initiative. This in turn helps retain talent by giving your organization the extra edge and hence builds a competitive advantage.
There is an adage in business: "People rise because of their hard skills and fall because of (the lack of) soft skills". Soft skill training aims at nurturing and shaping attitudes, no matter what the individual nature. It manages the interactions between every employee within the workplace. Hence it enhances efficiency and minimises the attrition rate.
Soft Skill training enables your employees to function effectively in the global marketplace among numerous and various business cultures. It enhances the core competence and confidence of an individual. NASSCOM forecasts that this can narrow the wide gap existent between the talent supply and technical demand.
Since acquiring soft skills is far more challenging than 'hard' skills, imparting of the same is often outsourced. This enables organizations to hire experts who are aware of the current global trends and practices. However one time training on soft skills cannot impact an organization for life. For long time sustenance, training needs to be on its growth plan in order to maximize human capital. This helps in talent retention and knowledge sharing within the work place.
MMM Training Solutions brings to your organization great expertise and modular solutions. We help employees, your valuable assets, in dealing with change, effectively functioning within a team, and performing at their highest potential in order to reach excellence.
Guest Book
Sunday, August 9, 2009
What Are Soft Skills And Why Are They Important?
Soft skills are nowadays seen as essential business skills. Employers look for them when recruiting candidates, HR and managers include them in core competencies when assessing performance and clients expect suppliers to have the soft skills to support the product or service they supply.
So what are soft skills? One way of thinking about it is that they are the opposite of hard skills. Hard skills are those that are job specific or technical. They enable you to get the job done correctly. Soft skills are those related to people and communication and are relevant across a whole range of jobs and roles, all in fact.
Soft skills include: presenting, motivation, people management, assertiveness, rapport building, influencing, team work and other interpersonal and communication skills.
Just because they are 'soft skills' however, doesn't mean they are any less essential to the success of a business. In the past it might have been enough to show that you can do the job. Now it's essential to show that you can do the job in a way that is as efficient, effective and profitable as possible, for all those involved. This is where soft skills add value.
Staff who understand the way others tick and know how to communicate with people, even if they have different personalities and styles from their own, will have greater success. They'll be able to build productive relationships, get what they want done and avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.
Someone who comes across in a confident, yet friendly and personable manner is more likely to be accepted and respected by others and to be able to build business relationships. People do business with people and it's no longer acceptable to be a tyrant, a robot or a wall flower.
Team cohesion and strong management skills will result in happier, more motivated staff who want to do a good job and are supported to do so. This in turn results in lower staff turnover, higher productivity and higher profits.
It's not all about being fluffy and friendly however. Some soft skills are fairly hard business skills - such as knowing how to write a clear and compelling report, negotiate the best deal or pitch your products successfully.
Nearly all companies now understand the value of soft skills and invest in training and coaching for their people accordingly. Face to face training allows people to explore and practise skills together, while learning from experts who walk the talk. Coaching enables specific issues to be addressed one-on-one and for skills to be honed.
Many organisations work hard at instilling strong people skills in their culture, referring to them in their values and focusing team days around them.
As diversity of cultures becomes more and more prevalent in business, soft skills become even more important for facilitating effective communication.
So what are soft skills? One way of thinking about it is that they are the opposite of hard skills. Hard skills are those that are job specific or technical. They enable you to get the job done correctly. Soft skills are those related to people and communication and are relevant across a whole range of jobs and roles, all in fact.
Soft skills include: presenting, motivation, people management, assertiveness, rapport building, influencing, team work and other interpersonal and communication skills.
Just because they are 'soft skills' however, doesn't mean they are any less essential to the success of a business. In the past it might have been enough to show that you can do the job. Now it's essential to show that you can do the job in a way that is as efficient, effective and profitable as possible, for all those involved. This is where soft skills add value.
Staff who understand the way others tick and know how to communicate with people, even if they have different personalities and styles from their own, will have greater success. They'll be able to build productive relationships, get what they want done and avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.
Someone who comes across in a confident, yet friendly and personable manner is more likely to be accepted and respected by others and to be able to build business relationships. People do business with people and it's no longer acceptable to be a tyrant, a robot or a wall flower.
Team cohesion and strong management skills will result in happier, more motivated staff who want to do a good job and are supported to do so. This in turn results in lower staff turnover, higher productivity and higher profits.
It's not all about being fluffy and friendly however. Some soft skills are fairly hard business skills - such as knowing how to write a clear and compelling report, negotiate the best deal or pitch your products successfully.
Nearly all companies now understand the value of soft skills and invest in training and coaching for their people accordingly. Face to face training allows people to explore and practise skills together, while learning from experts who walk the talk. Coaching enables specific issues to be addressed one-on-one and for skills to be honed.
Many organisations work hard at instilling strong people skills in their culture, referring to them in their values and focusing team days around them.
As diversity of cultures becomes more and more prevalent in business, soft skills become even more important for facilitating effective communication.
9 Soft Skills For Success By Sean Hewitt Career Advisor
So you've got an impressive set of letters that come after your name, a wealth of valuable experience and even a few connections in high places. But believe it or not, that may not be enough to land you your dream job or that promotion you've had your eye on.
These days, the strength of your "soft" skills can make or break how successful you are in the workplace.
what are soft skills?
Soft skills are essentially people skills -- the non-technical, intangible, personality-specific skills that determine your strengths as a leader, listener, negotiator, and conflict mediator. "Hard" skills, on the other hand, are more along the lines of what might appear on your resume -- your education, experience and level of expertise.
Are you an agreeable person? Conscientious? Do you communicate effectively? Solve problems efficiently? These are the types of questions aimed at uncovering the strength of your soft skills.
why employers care about them
Employers value soft skills, because research suggests that they are just as good an indicator of job performance as traditional job qualifications or hard skills. One recent study, for example, found that personality measures like conscientiousness and agreeability were equally important predictors of work success as cognitive ability and work accuracy.
the skills
So how do you uncover your soft skills and get the most out of them? Here's a list of some of the most important soft skills and how to perfect them.
1- Have a "winner" attitude
We've all heard that it's better to see the glass half full instead of half empty. And in the workplace, that type of positive thinking can go a long way. An overall positive outlook leads to an overall positive attitude, and that can be a valuable asset in work environments that typically breed cynicism and negativity.
The key to having a winning attitude is in how you tackle obstacles and challenges that come your way. For example, instead of complaining about a stressful workload, think about it as an opportunity to show off your abilities by getting through it productively and efficiently.
2- Be a team player
Employers love an employee who displays the ability to work well in groups and teams. Being a team player means not only being cooperative, but also displaying strong leadership ability when it's appropriate.
The next time a conflict arises within your team, take the initiative to mediate. When you find your team getting stuck in a project, take the lead to move things forward. And what if you don't normally work with a team? Try to be more collaborative in the work you do and build professional relationships with your coworkers.
Learn how to say what you mean, and watch your body language.
3- Communicate effectively
Good communication skills are essential to someone's job performance. Communication is what allows you to build bridges with coworkers, persuade others to adopt your ideas and express your needs.
Many small things you already do -- things you probably don't even think about -- have a big impact on your communication skills. Here are some things you should be wary of when communicating with others:
Make good eye contact
Don't fidget
Avoid body movements that cut you off from others, like folding your arms
Don't talk for the sake of talking; always have a point
Enunciate your words properly
Hone your grammar skills with a good reference or style manual
In general, you should become more aware of both the verbal and nonverbal cues you give off to others. Also remember that one of the keys to being a good communicator is being a good listener.
4- Exude confidence
In almost every situation where you're trying to impress another person, confidence is key. While it's important to accept your limitations and act humble when you receive praise, it's also important to acknowledge your strengths and embrace them.
Make sure you have the knowledge and skills to back up your confidence. If you act confident in some of your job responsibilities -- like your written communication, project management skills or leadership abilities -- make sure that it's based on genuine, positive reinforcement.
5- Hone your creative skills
Creativity and imaginative thinking are valued in any job. Even the most technical positions require the ability to think outside the box. So never underestimate the power of innovative problem solving.
The next time you're handed a tedious task, try to tackle it in a way that allows you to complete it more efficiently. When a problem comes along that others are reluctant to take on, jump at the opportunity to find a creative solution. If it doesn't work, then at least you'll have tried.
6- Accept & learn from criticism
This is one of the most challenging soft skills, which is why it's typically one of the most impressive to employers. Your ability to handle criticism says a lot about your willingness to improve. And being able to criticize the work of others constructively is just as important.
Be aware of how defensive you get in reaction to negative feedback. Never reject a piece of constructive criticism completely without acknowledging that at least part of it is helpful. And when you dish out criticism, make sure it's done diplomatically. Try to anticipate how the person you're criticizing will react based on his personality, and shape the way you criticize him accordingly.
Learn how to be a motivator and prioritize your projects.
7- Motivate yourself & lead others
It's important for an employer to know that you're a self-starter who takes initiative. This means constantly seeking out new ways to keep your job interesting and motivational, even if it at the surface it seems repetitive and mundane.
Creativity plays a big role in this, but there's more to motivation than just that. Have the courage to pursue those ideas you've had stuck in the back of your mind, and have the dedication to follow through with them and be successful. Pilot others in the same direction to work towards a common goal. Remember that a good leader leads by example.
8- Multitask & prioritize your to-do list
In today's workplace, a good employee is expected to be able to shuffle several different assignments and projects at once. Are you good at tracking the progress of different projects you've been handed to work on? Do you know how to prioritize what's most important? These are the keys to being a good multitasker.
Don't be afraid to take on new tasks. Show off your multitasking skills by taking on projects that fall all over the spectrum. Branch out beyond your direct responsibilities, and be sure to report on the progress of projects regularly.
9- See the big picture
Looking at the larger picture in your work means being able to see the determining factors of success. It also means recognizing a risk that's worth taking, and knowing when to take it.
Say, for example, that you're in advertising and you're handed the task of creating a campaign for a brand of soap. To see the big picture, you should recognize that the goal is not just to sell soap, but also to satisfy the client and provide him with a quality service. Additionally, you make yourself more valuable to your company by showing the unique creativity only you can bring to such a project.
capitalize on all of your skills
While it's important to recognize and build on your soft skills, that doesn't mean that you should neglect your hard skills. The real key to success in any job is making your soft skills and hard skills complement each other.
These days, the strength of your "soft" skills can make or break how successful you are in the workplace.
what are soft skills?
Soft skills are essentially people skills -- the non-technical, intangible, personality-specific skills that determine your strengths as a leader, listener, negotiator, and conflict mediator. "Hard" skills, on the other hand, are more along the lines of what might appear on your resume -- your education, experience and level of expertise.
Are you an agreeable person? Conscientious? Do you communicate effectively? Solve problems efficiently? These are the types of questions aimed at uncovering the strength of your soft skills.
why employers care about them
Employers value soft skills, because research suggests that they are just as good an indicator of job performance as traditional job qualifications or hard skills. One recent study, for example, found that personality measures like conscientiousness and agreeability were equally important predictors of work success as cognitive ability and work accuracy.
the skills
So how do you uncover your soft skills and get the most out of them? Here's a list of some of the most important soft skills and how to perfect them.
1- Have a "winner" attitude
We've all heard that it's better to see the glass half full instead of half empty. And in the workplace, that type of positive thinking can go a long way. An overall positive outlook leads to an overall positive attitude, and that can be a valuable asset in work environments that typically breed cynicism and negativity.
The key to having a winning attitude is in how you tackle obstacles and challenges that come your way. For example, instead of complaining about a stressful workload, think about it as an opportunity to show off your abilities by getting through it productively and efficiently.
2- Be a team player
Employers love an employee who displays the ability to work well in groups and teams. Being a team player means not only being cooperative, but also displaying strong leadership ability when it's appropriate.
The next time a conflict arises within your team, take the initiative to mediate. When you find your team getting stuck in a project, take the lead to move things forward. And what if you don't normally work with a team? Try to be more collaborative in the work you do and build professional relationships with your coworkers.
Learn how to say what you mean, and watch your body language.
3- Communicate effectively
Good communication skills are essential to someone's job performance. Communication is what allows you to build bridges with coworkers, persuade others to adopt your ideas and express your needs.
Many small things you already do -- things you probably don't even think about -- have a big impact on your communication skills. Here are some things you should be wary of when communicating with others:
Make good eye contact
Don't fidget
Avoid body movements that cut you off from others, like folding your arms
Don't talk for the sake of talking; always have a point
Enunciate your words properly
Hone your grammar skills with a good reference or style manual
In general, you should become more aware of both the verbal and nonverbal cues you give off to others. Also remember that one of the keys to being a good communicator is being a good listener.
4- Exude confidence
In almost every situation where you're trying to impress another person, confidence is key. While it's important to accept your limitations and act humble when you receive praise, it's also important to acknowledge your strengths and embrace them.
Make sure you have the knowledge and skills to back up your confidence. If you act confident in some of your job responsibilities -- like your written communication, project management skills or leadership abilities -- make sure that it's based on genuine, positive reinforcement.
5- Hone your creative skills
Creativity and imaginative thinking are valued in any job. Even the most technical positions require the ability to think outside the box. So never underestimate the power of innovative problem solving.
The next time you're handed a tedious task, try to tackle it in a way that allows you to complete it more efficiently. When a problem comes along that others are reluctant to take on, jump at the opportunity to find a creative solution. If it doesn't work, then at least you'll have tried.
6- Accept & learn from criticism
This is one of the most challenging soft skills, which is why it's typically one of the most impressive to employers. Your ability to handle criticism says a lot about your willingness to improve. And being able to criticize the work of others constructively is just as important.
Be aware of how defensive you get in reaction to negative feedback. Never reject a piece of constructive criticism completely without acknowledging that at least part of it is helpful. And when you dish out criticism, make sure it's done diplomatically. Try to anticipate how the person you're criticizing will react based on his personality, and shape the way you criticize him accordingly.
Learn how to be a motivator and prioritize your projects.
7- Motivate yourself & lead others
It's important for an employer to know that you're a self-starter who takes initiative. This means constantly seeking out new ways to keep your job interesting and motivational, even if it at the surface it seems repetitive and mundane.
Creativity plays a big role in this, but there's more to motivation than just that. Have the courage to pursue those ideas you've had stuck in the back of your mind, and have the dedication to follow through with them and be successful. Pilot others in the same direction to work towards a common goal. Remember that a good leader leads by example.
8- Multitask & prioritize your to-do list
In today's workplace, a good employee is expected to be able to shuffle several different assignments and projects at once. Are you good at tracking the progress of different projects you've been handed to work on? Do you know how to prioritize what's most important? These are the keys to being a good multitasker.
Don't be afraid to take on new tasks. Show off your multitasking skills by taking on projects that fall all over the spectrum. Branch out beyond your direct responsibilities, and be sure to report on the progress of projects regularly.
9- See the big picture
Looking at the larger picture in your work means being able to see the determining factors of success. It also means recognizing a risk that's worth taking, and knowing when to take it.
Say, for example, that you're in advertising and you're handed the task of creating a campaign for a brand of soap. To see the big picture, you should recognize that the goal is not just to sell soap, but also to satisfy the client and provide him with a quality service. Additionally, you make yourself more valuable to your company by showing the unique creativity only you can bring to such a project.
capitalize on all of your skills
While it's important to recognize and build on your soft skills, that doesn't mean that you should neglect your hard skills. The real key to success in any job is making your soft skills and hard skills complement each other.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Train Your Attitude to Trust Self and Others
Many men and women have had to deal with this tricky but important decision in one's ife. Be it at work or personal life we all face relationship challenges from time
to time. The media continues to provide us with a variety of negative stories of how eople got cheated of their possessions. Yes, when you learn of the story, we most
often tend to sympathise with the weak or the one who got duped.
When our subconscious mind unknowingly gets exposed to such stories time and again, our inner mind cautions us to be careful with any one and everyone. And here
probably lies the mistake. We seem to take the 'one size fits all approach'. We begin our every interaction by being on guard with lots of self doubts about the
intentions of the other person. Every move and every action of the other person is seen from a very suspicious angle.
To add to the confusion within one's mind, we have a host of internal enemies of the mind in terms of one's own ego, jealousy, desires, anger, greed, fears, insecurity
and inferiority to deal with. All these tend to wreck havoc within otherwise innocent mind creating further doubts. Now we may consult other near and dear
friends and relatives for help little realising that they are likely to be biased either in your favour or against depending on the situation. Their opinions whether
you like it or not is likely to further aggravate your ever growing doubts of the other person in question.
Since selfishness and self centeredness is the core of human nature, the same translates into everyday behaviour based on pre existing mindsets that are already
heavily conditioned over the years. These glue-like mindsets coupled with die-hard habits form Concrete Wall-like Attitudes. That is the very start of Difficult
Behaviours from otherwise well meaning people.
If you do not trust yourself, how do you expect others to trust you?
If you do not believe in yourself, how do you expect others to believe you?
If you do not love yourself, how do you expect others to love you?
If you do not respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you?
If you wish to learn to deal with such behaviours, attitudes and mindsets in people with whom you come in contact be they your customers, family members, student
participants, bosses, colleagues and the like then it is good idea to take a holistic approach to attitudinal trainng. This is essentially to enable your people
skills to be better communicator, facilitator, coach, trainer, seller, public speaker, presenter, and persuader. Develop the Break Free Behaviour inspite of day
to day challenges and any serious problems that you may face.
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