A highly-effective and extremely realistic programme teaching better communication.
Getting your ideas across clearly, concisely, persuasively (and being remembered) is a core skill for today's successful knowledge workers. Everyone wants you to get to the point quickly. Think On Your Feet® introduces the concept of "capsules" of persuasion; 10 easy to remember plans that help you to structure your ideas quickly, for impact, to answer questions on the spot, to explain complex ideas clearly and to be more persuasive. The worldwide acclaim and widespread usage of the techniques covered in Think On Your Feet® is a testament to its effectiveness.
Our workshop combines the basic principles and ideas of Think On Your Feet® with plenty of practice, coaching and feedback. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to identify and target listeners' concerns, simplify complex information, structure ideas simply and answer questions or handle objections swiftly and skillfully when thinking time is limited, on their feet.
Want to know more about Think On Your Feet®? Then talk to one of Oroza's coaches to find out how it could help you and your team.
6 Plans For Packaging Persuasion
(With acknowledgements to Winging it and Think On Your Feet® by Dr. Keith Spicer)
Time plan
Packages your topics in chunks of time, in sequence. For example: before, during and after, or last year, this year, next year. Setting out your ideas in a chronology provides its own momentum and indicates a sound and sensible way of thinking
Space plan
Arranges your topics in chunks of space: places. For example: Asia, Europe and America or the north, the midlands and the south. You can build in movement by arranging your places in logical spatial relationships. Putting ideas in places helps listens visualise them, to see the big picture.
Analytical plan
Formats information into a pattern suggesting aspects or protagonists. For example the employees, the customers and the shareholders or the parent, the teacher and the child. Momentum is implied as you metaphorically step from one aspect, or point of view, to another and another, perhaps leaving the most important viewpoint until last. Analysing ideas in this way suggests to listeners a considered, thoughtful approach.
Concentric plan
Arranges your thoughts through changing perspectives, rather like using a zoom lens on a camera. For example: the village, the county and the country at large, or the annual budget, the departmental budget and your salary. You can zoom in or out (depending on you chosen emphasis). Momentum is provided by the drama of the changing persective. Ideas packaged in Concentric circles can persuade by generalising from the specific or by focusing in from the general,
Dialectical plan
Arranges your ideas in the manner of the German Philosopher, Hegel: Position (an idea), Opposition (a conflicting idea) and Composition (a middle way). For example: on the one hand, on the other hand, but on balance....... This fulfils the yearning for a "reasonable", more central view. This plan is much favoured by diplomats. It shows a balanced analysis.
Functional plan
Focuses your thoughts on how your proposition will affect the listener for the better. For example: this feature meets this need offering this benefit. Save the best reason for last to give momentum and emphasis. This capsule can also be inverted to offer reasons why not.
4 Support Plans For Fleshing Out Your Ideas
Picture plan
Uses visual imagery to paint a picture in your listener's mind to make your messages vivd and memorable. Analogies use the familiar to illustrate the unfamiliar. For example in a Biology class; the eye is similar in its behaviour to a camera - both have a lens, an adjustable iris and a photo-sensitive receiver.
Opposites plan
Uses conrasts to sharpen the edges of your argument by illuminating extremes. Opposites can add emphasis, even drama. For example: for better, for worse, for richer for poorer......
Domino plan
Like a row of tumbling dominoes, this plan uses cause and effect to link your ideas together. It works well if you want to validate ideas by tracing their causes or consequences. For example: A good theatrical play is the result of a good story, vivid characters and a brisk pace. For example: Working too hard leads to an unbalanced life, a neglect of health and early disease.
W5 plan
Uses the newspaper hound's technique for telling a story. The Ws are the initial letters of the questioning pronouns: Who, What, Where, When and Why. I suppose we should add an H for How if it is appropriate. If you've covered all of them, you probably have to whole story. For example: One year ago, two city workers did acrobatics to raise £10,000 to finance their project to build a school in India to help disabled children become craftsmen and women.
