Embracing Business Communication in High Pressure Situations
On Thursday October 17, 2019 WBE Canada hosted an interactive workshop “High Pressure Communication for Business” with renowned speaker and communications consultant, Dr. Shawne Duperon. Dr. Shawne educates corporations, universities, governments and entrepreneurs, on how to effectively communicate resulting in transformed workplace cultures, increasing engagement, retention and loyalty. Her popular and progressive conversations on forgiveness as a leadership tool, amplify inclusion and respect in the workplace.
Attended by more than 40 women-owned businesses (and some brave male team members) at the Toronto Conference Centre, Dr. Shawne’s goal was to help participants understand the dynamics of high pressure situations, as well as to lower the tension and confidently guide the conversations into successful outcomes. She took participants through their paces to understand that personal change requires compassion for yourself and others.
Role-playing scenarios – situations we’ve all found ourselves in – enacted in front of a room full of women entrepreneurs may have been new territory for some, but our WBEs jumped in with great enthusiasm. They practiced introducing themselves and their business to a room, negotiating and closing the deals, even speaking to reporters. Dr. Shawne, six-time Emmy Award-winning producer for PBS and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee was able to provide actionable feedback and guidance.
Certified WBEs also learned how to leverage their certification and maximize events to land more corporate contracts.
“The morning was full of ‘Ah-Ha’ moments,” said one participant. Dr. Shawne encouraged learning and reflection in the moment by asking participants what they noticed about each activity, such as activities that aimed to teach reciprocity. Are you reciprocal in your communication or are you an “energy suck?”
Dr. Shawne is an authoritative and dynamic trainer and the morning flew by. She made great use of humour throughout the morning as attendees gained practical skills to handle high pressure business situations with composure, and kindness.
On behalf of women-owned businesses who joined us for this communication workshop from Ontario and Quebec, we want to thank GM for providing such a high-level speaker for this workshop and TD Bank Group for their support and sponsorship. Thank you for your commitment to Canadian women-owned businesses!
Opportunities like this are what WBE Canada strives to bring to its community of Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) – women-owned businesses providing products and services to large corporations and government.
About WBE Canada
WBE Canada (Women Business Enterprises Canada Council) is a Canadian nonprofit organization founded by corporations committed to supporting Canadian women-owned businesses through their supply chains. WBE Canada provides WBE (Women Business Enterprise) certification services to confirm that businesses are majority owned, managed and controlled by women, organizing events to connect buyers with suppliers and providing training and mentorship opportunities for Certified WBE community. Learn more about WBE Canada certification at www.WBECanada.ca/certification.