Mastery in Communication Initiative

The media landscape has changed immensely and companies need to approach media coverage more strategically. That means it's more important than ever to know how to pitch outlets, how to structure your message, and how to look and sound good on camera. In this intensive 4-hour workshop, students receive hands-on media training with Emmy award-winning journalist and former CBS News reporter, Sue Kwon.

Regular journal-writing sharpens mental focus, unblocks creative momentum, and increases problem-solving success. What do we need to know and to do in order to add this efficient strategic practice to our long-term business plan? This workshop will show participants how and why writing increases both personal well-being and professional achievement, offering writing techniques through brief exercises and follow-up group discussion. Students will take away practical tools for success in the program and beyond.

Cases are notoriously difficult to analyze, especially for students who have limited experience working with them. A large part of the problem stems from the difference between cases and the texts used in lecture-based learning. This workshop teaches students specific tools for becoming more effective and efficient in communicating in case-based courses.

In this practice and feedback intensive, 6-8 students will come together with a veteran executive presentation coach. Students will each deliver a 3-5 minute presentation to the whole group, then get specific feedback to help them improve both from a content and delivery perspective. Because of the nature of this workshop, please only sign up if you can fully commit to attending, and staying for the whole 90 minutes. Pre-work: students must come with a prepared presentation of 3-5 minutes in length.

"I got an internship, so the work is done, right?" Wrong. In a tough economy, it's more important than ever to prepare for a successful summer. JD Schramm and Pulin Sanghvi will share tips on what you should be doing now; how to make a good first impression; and how to close strong. Whether you are going to work for a large corporation or a 10-person start up, this is a must-attend workshop.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the Career Management Center and the Mastery in Communication Initiative.

In this highly interactive session members of the new Leadership Fellows body will be able to present a 5 minute portion of one of their Leadership Lab classes, be filmed, and receive personal coaching to improve their effectiveness. Space is limited to ensure that each Fellow can benefit from the coaching. JD Schramm will co-lead this session with Raymond Nasr, former Director of Communications for Google and member of the Twitter Advisory Board.

Some people call it the "Sundance for Nerds" event, but each year the TED conference gathers some of the greatest thinkers on a wide range of subjects in technology, entertainment, and design. The online library of TEDTalks is a remarkable treasure for leaders who want to build their skills and knowledge as communicators. Hear JD Schramm's first-hand account of the conference and see video clips of some of the best talks from this year's TED Conference.

With over five decades of experience as Director of Visual Communications for McKinsey & Company, and several best-selling books—Say It With Charts and Say It With Presentations—Gene Zelazny is recognized by executives across the globe as a distinguished expert in presentation design and delivery. In this session, Zelazny returns to the GSB to once again share his simple strategies and clear approach to delivering presentations with effective visual aids that can be put into practice immediately. He will also provide insights and techniques that will give you the confidence to make your presentation more interesting, inspiring, and successful. Participants will leave with tools they can immediately use to make presentations communicate effectively.

Develop the skills and strategies required to more actively engage in classroom and business discussions. Learn tactics for getting involved quickly, and look critically at the characteristics of an effective discussion.

Turning your inner critic into an ally. Do the things you say to yourself hold you back? Negative self-talk keeps even high achievers from peak-performance thinking, writing, and speaking. This workshop will offer proven techniques to reshape the harsh inner critic into a constructive discerning ally. You can learn to think strategically without the static of self-criticism and act confidently without self-sabotage. Whatever your next career threshold, you will cross it more effectively if your inner voices encourage you and bring out what only you can deliver. Participants will leave the workshop with actionable tools which can immediately be put in place in classes and job searches.

Learn strategies successful entrepreneurs have been using for decades to launch their ventures effectively. In this workshop led by Jerry Weissman, you will learn how to persuade VC's, angel investors, and partners. Mr. Weissman is Silicon Valley's undisputed leader in entrepreneurial communication; his work helping hundreds of start-ups craft a winning story has made the difference in their making it from an idea to a funded venture. He is also author of best-selling books Presenting to Win, The Power Presenter, and In the Line of Fire. This workshop is co-sponsored with STRAMGT 366: Evaluating Entrepreneurial Opportunities.

How are our habitual patterns limiting our capacity for problem-solving and communication? Through a system of exercises revolving around play, participants will gain insight in to their thought process and expand their capability for strategic thinking.

Beyond all of the tools and techniques for public speaking (and they are important), there is something deeper that has an enormous impact on how other people view you, and how they hear you. This workshop will help you determine how persuasive, engaging, and authentic you are in a communication context, and will help you further develop this powerful skill.

Reflect. Articulate. Inspire. These qualities are crucial for leaders to master. In this one-hour workshop you will:

1. Identify the components of a GOOD story.
2. Receive (and give) feedback on your storytelling.
3. Fine tune elements of your unique story.

Tony Luckett (MBA '10) provides strategies for leaders to become effective storytellers. Orators, social media gurus, and novices are all welcome.

Learn the techniques for expanding the power, clarity, and expressive range of your voice. Articulation and enunciation drills will focus your awareness on the specifics of clear, effective oral communication.