Classroom Learning: Spring 2008
Courses will resume in Fall 2008. If you would like to schedule a specific course for your department, please contact us at hrlearning@columbia.edu.
Managing People
This curriculum focuses on skills managers use every day in managing and supervising their direct reports. They are suited to new managers or supervisors, as well as those who have been in a management role for some time and wish to hone their skills.
Fundamentals of Coaching
February 25, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Studebaker
March 3, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 16
“I want to keep my employees motivated!”
This course for managers introduces an easy-to-use model managers and supervisors can use to coach employees to reach their full potential. Participants should come prepared with an idea for a coaching opportunity from their “real world” that they can use in a practice coaching session with a fellow classmate.
Fundamentals of Feedback
February 25, 2008, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Studebaker
March 17, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 16
“This is wrong, now I have to do it over myself.”
This course for managers focuses on how to give effective feedback to employees. Topics include: how to avoid the top feedback mistakes, how to structure the feedback message, and how to deliver particularly difficult feedback.
Creating a Culture of Respect
April 3, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Studebaker
April 18, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation - 20
“Did he say what I think he just said?”
Treating all colleagues with respect is a key component of a safe, productive, and satisfying work environment. This means going beyond the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) and into the Platinum Rule (Treat others as they would like to be treated).
In this session, you will learn that implementing the Platinum Rule requires understanding how your own biases and assumptions impact whether others feel respected. You will also learn what the university requires to create a safe and harassment-free workplace.
Communications
This curriculum provides several courses that will enable both staff and managers to work on the communication skills they use every day, from interpersonal communications to both formal and informal presentations.
Courageous Conversations: Managing Up
February 13, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Studebaker
April 14, 2008, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 20
“My boss just doesn’t understand me.”
Being effective at Columbia University means having the skills necessary not just to effectively manage those who report to you, but also to manage and influence those above you.
In this session you will learn how to develop the conversations with your boss, Dean or other authority figure to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively, make requests, negotiate outcomes, and enhance you working relationships.
Presentation Skills
February 20, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Studebaker
April 4, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 10
“I need help presenting in both formal and informal settings.”
This course helps participants become better presenters in both planned and impromptu settings. Topics include: how to use strong body language and voice to enhance your delivery, how to structure your message, how to deal with nerves and how to answer questions. Participants will have several chances to present throughout the day and should come prepared with a business topic to speak about in the afternoon.
Writing With Style
March 6, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Studebaker
April 21, 2008, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 20
“How can I write better—and in less time?”
This course is for everyone who wants to write office communications more clearly and quickly. We’ll review the basics, rooting out common slip-ups in spelling, usage, punctuation, and tone. This is especially important at Columbia, one of the world’s great educational institutions! We’ll also practice how to structure any message or document for maximum effectiveness.
Email Etiquette
March 6, 2008, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
March 21, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 20
“Uh-oh. I think I just hit ‘send’ too fast.”
Email is a sensitive medium—just ask anyone who ever forwarded an inappropriate message to the wrong person by mistake. What does your office email style say about you? Are you in command of your messages? From the essential subject line to the all-important call to action, we’ll practice the art of creating polished, professional emails and replies.
Customer Service
It isn’t always easy serving customers. These courses will provide you with tools to use to help you understand your customers’ needs, make you more effective, and work in a more satisfying environment.
Dealing With Difficult Customers
April 9, 2008, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Studebaker
March 7, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 16
“I’m trying to help this person, but she’s just making it harder!”
This course for employees at all levels focuses on how to understand the skills, techniques, language, mindset, and timing in dealing with difficult customers. Topics include: understanding what makes customers difficult, what to say and how to say it, and how to change the way you look at difficult customers to make your work more gratifying.
Managing Teams and Workflow
This develops the skills needed to manage project teams of individuals who may not report to you and who may be higher up on the organizational chart or from different divisions. The courses include programs around managing projects, as well as managing your time and meetings.
Time Management
March 24, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., Studebaker
April 17, 2008, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 20
“Where does all of my time go?!”
This course presents the fundamentals of successful time management. It begins by addressing the question of where employees currently spend their time and then offers up tips on organizing, prioritizing, handling distractions and dealing with procrastination so they can use their time more effectively.
Meeting Facilitation
March 24, 2008, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Studebaker
April 7, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 16
“My meetings feel like a waste of time. How can I make them more productive?”
This course is for employees who facilitate meetings on a regular basis. Participants will learn best practices on how to prepare for, conduct and follow-up after a meeting.
Managing a Project for Results
April 14, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Studebaker
May 1, 2008, 9:00am – 5:00p.m., Hammer Health Sciences, CUMC
Maximum Participation: 20
"There's never time to plan. But there's always time to do it over."
Project management has been the hottest management practice - for the last 8 years! Why? Because it adds value. Come find out how some investment in planning your next project can bring some return on investment of your time.