The way people communicate with each other can make all the difference between efficiency and incompetence, success and failure, making money or losing it, making friends or losing them. Did you know that two of the most crucial skills that employers look for in hiring new staff and in training current staff are the ability to think critically and to express themselves clearly, both orally in writing.

This is why I've developed a new one-day workshop called Boost Your Business Communication Skills, which is aimed at helping you to improve your oral and written communication skills. It's a fun-filled, interactive workshop, and 7 April 2006 is the date for your diary! In this workshop I'll be taking a look at an A-Z of common communication blunders, and then I'll share with you some simple techniques that will transform your communication skills, increase the impact of your communications, and ensure that all your messages - both written and oral - are effective. You can find out more on the two-page flier for this workshop - just click here. Please contact Sam Loo for further details on 63762018 or e-mail sam@lciseminars.com.

Here are four simple steps you can follow to ensure successful communication:

1) Attention
The first step in the process of communication is to win the receiverís attention. To achieve this, you must aim to:

• overcome all distractions, eg noise, disturbing mannerisms, unusual dress, personal or emotional problems, negative attitudes, etc,
• use an appropriate greeting,
• demonstrate respect, and
• show empathy for the receiver.

2) Appreciation
Appreciation is a critical step. It is the communicatorís job to make sure understanding takes place, to ensure a positive reception of the message. A good relationship between sender and receiver will certainly help to ensure appreciate is received. Encouraging a free flow of input from the receiver is also a good way to ensure this step is successful.

3) Assimilation
Appreciation alone is not enough. A person may understand a message but not accept it fully. Communication is only complete if the recipient assimilates the information, takes it on board, absorbs it, uses it. Assimilation usually leads to active participation, collaboration and harmony.

4) Action
This final step is what drives theory into positive reality. Very often a good idea is met with superficial acceptance and is not translated into action. If full assimilation has taken place, action from the receiver should follow automatically. The two-sided nature of communication comes into force here too, as the originator of the message gives further follow- up, support and encouragement.

REMEMBER: Communication is the lifeblood of any organisation. The more you put into it, the more youíll get back!

Apart from a holiday in Perth WA, which I'm really looking forward to, I have a number of exciting public programmes coming up in March. You may be interested in them:

23 March
Energise Your E-mail Writing Skills
When e-mail is used effectively, it can be very powerful indeed. However, the familiarity and convenience of e-mail is resulting in sloppy, careless habits that could ruin your business and your reputation just as surely as any e-mail virus. Poor writing skills can prove costly and annoying, and they can quickly damage a person's, and a company's, reputation. Energise Your E-mail Writing Skills will help you to make the most of this wonderful communications phenomenon! You will learn how to make technology work for you, not against you, and become a better business writer in the process.

Thanks to Hah Lee Nah, GIC Special Investments, who said: "Shirley, I truly enjoyed your workshop and found you one of the most engaging trainers I have come across."

24 March
Success Skills for Secretaries and Support Staff
Do you want to be able to handle the demands of your job with assertiveness, confidence and professionalism? In this fun-filled, interactive workshop, you will learn how to communicate well, how to handle difficult people, how to prioritise, how to manage time, how to beat stress. You will see how you can make your working life more productive, more rewarding, more successful and much more enjoyable - and you'll have a lot of fun too!

Thanks to Lorene Yeo, Emerging Market Partnership, who said: "Shirley made the workshop lively and encouraged lots of participation. She is diplomatic and has a good sense of humour."

These workshops are organised for me by LCI Executive Seminars, so for registration details please contact Sam Loo on 63762018 or e-mail sam@lciseminars.com

Thanks to Padthma and her staff from RAM (Rating Agency Malaysia) for organising a very successful two-day workshop for me in KL in February. It was great to work with you girls. If you are interested in attending my Malaysia workshops, I'll be in Kuala Lumpur again on 28-30 August, and in Kota Kinabalu on 1-2 June. So don't delay - for details and registration please contact Zurina on telephone (603) 7628 1784 or e-mail zurina@ram.com.my

Thanks to so many of you who say you love the photo of my gorgeous cat Cookie on my website. Here's another photo of my lovely little boy inside his new carrying basket - he loved it so much he decided he wanted it as his new bed! Sweet!

OK, that's all for this month. I'll be back in your mailbox in April, if not before. You have a great month!

Shirley xx