At Opinno, we’re continually striving to solve the most pressing problems, using the latest technological innovations coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Because technology is moving so fast, our teams have to keep up with the new developments and solutions that are launched every day. The quarterly employee reviews showed that teams are interested in developing better working relations through the acquisition of new skills. With this in mind, the Employee Experience team designed a new training program that covers all topics of interest: public speaking, effective communication, active listening, and persuasion techniques.
Effective Communication and Active Listening
Our decision to create an internal training programme is supported by research conducted among innovation practitioners. Alex Goryachev, Managing director at Cisco, holds vast experience in overseeing co-innovation centers and company innovation challenges worldwide. He stated that the most fundamental skill in turning a brilliant concept into products and services is communication (Forbes, 2018). Active listening is also very important. In the Digital Age, people listen to respond more than to understand. To create collaborative solutions with start-ups and clients from all over the world, it is important to listen actively to client needs, peers and competitors.
Public Speaking
Public speaking matters. Whether you want to deliver excellent presentations, run webinars, or meetings among colleagues, the ability to present your ideas clearly and coherently is crucial for establishing rapport and creating strong bonds with your audience.
According to Dr. Nick Morgan, one of America’s top theorists and coaches, public speaking can make or break an organization. Being in a room of people that share your interest for a subject or project is an immense opportunity to impact the organization. In contrast, bad presentations can make your company look unfocused, unprofessional and lacking good leadership.
Persuasion skills
In the highly competitive entrepreneurial world, public speaking is the number one skill for entrepreneurs. Persuasion skills can grant you access to knowledge, funding and a world of opportunities that can develop into a product that will impact the lives of billions.
Kurt Mortensen, the author of ”Maximum influence,” writes that the key to successful persuasion is emotional intelligence, combined with self-confidence, self-motivation, active listening, the ability to empathize and build report. Also, being reliable, taking charge, being honest and knowing your subject is essential.
In summary, our internal training program is part of a series of workshops and team get-togethers that will bring us closer to where we want to be in terms of solving innovation challenges for our clients.
