Hi All,

We are currently evaluating vendors for two different programs. I would love to know if anyone has worked with these folks before or if there are others I should be considering - there are SO many, it's spinning my head. This is our first foray into ANY vendor training at all, so there's lots of pressure to be successful!

1) A 1-day communication skills program (active listening, asking questions, adapting to social styles), delivered onsite. I'm considering the Negotiation Institute (they would do a customized program), and several AMA options.

2) Management Skills - we've got a load of new managers who are in desperate need of the basics. I'm looking for a comprehensive 2-day program. Also considering AMA, Mindtools, and Management Concepts.

Help?? Thanks!

I would recommend an external source that I have worked with extensively that could handle either or both topics. The company is the Advanced Leadership Group, web site: www.adv-leadership-grp.com.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NJT Trainer,

I guess it sort of depends on why you're teaching communication skills. In my experience, people chafe a little at the idea of being taught to "communicate."
My work for the last 15 years or so has been in teaching subject matter experts how to do on the job training. A subset of that is communicationo skills such as active listening, setting clear expectations on how to stay in touch, sending clear emails, writing status reports that are easy and useful, and giving peer appropriate feedback. But, we also teach them how to break their jobs down into manageable chunks, teach a topic and test to see if it was learned - all while managing a regular workload.
They come away with practical skills and tools that make them better communicators and they can see the application to solve real-world problems.
I hope this helps you think about ways to evaluate your intended offerings.

Steve Trautman
Practical Leader