Dubai – 17th August, 2016
MAHAM Consulting’s founding partner Khaled Kamel was invited to address entering students of UK’s Middlesex University, Dubai campus. The topic was about Persuasive communication skills.
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Hanisha123
PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION :- Middlesex University Workshop.
This workshop was presented by Mr. Khaled Kamel from MAHAM Management Consulting.
Communication skills, something we all think we are good at, if not great. And why shouldn’t we feel that way?
After all, we spend incredible number of hours of our lives while talking and communicating.Communication skills, is one topic I love to research upon, so when my college, Middlesex University Dubai was about to give a Seminar on persuasive communication, how could I miss it?
The moment I entered the classroom I saw a bald man with a cheerful face, warmly welcoming us. He is Mr. Khaled Kamel, a person who has the power to capture the attention of a wide audience, this charm and power of his, proved, why he was the perfect person to conduct this workshop.
He was able to read the face of every teenager in the room, he was even able to capture attention of every teenager for the whole session, teenagers who had mobile phones with wifi and friends around, now that’s really difficult, isn’t it?But not for him, He began the session by asking, “Is anyone anxious?” To which a few students raised their hands, he promised, that as we continue, the anxiety levels will drop and eventually by the end of the session, vanish.
He then continued, by telling us the rules of this session, which were:-1. There are no stupid questions so one shall not hesitate from asking questions.
2. No laughing at anyone, but laughing with.
3. And, if he says anything which might relate to anyone in the room, he is not pin pointing them, and that, those might just be examples.
He then went on to tell us about an exciting competition, which was?
1. To write a PR (Blog).
2. To create a social media vibe.By now you must have understood that I wrote this in an attempt to win this competition, but if it’s a competition, then there must be a price right?
So what can be the price?
It’s a Free Course on “Mastering the Interview” by Maham management consulting.We were all given a copy of the slides he presented beside which, there was a place where we could take notes.
He gave us all a scenario, of a party.
He said, “What if you are invited into a party and you know only one person in that party, the person who invited you, he/she has still not arrived, but you have, so what do you do?”This made people think a bit, to which he continued, “Now imagine a group of three people walk up to you, and initiate a conversation, so what do you do?”
To which most of us instantly replied, “Talk”.He asked us would we talk about. Whether? And after it is done, then?
To which many showed confused faces, he continued saying this is why we need to learn, learn new hot topics in which people will be interested. With this one example he taught us to learn and realise:
1. Whom are we talking too?
2. What to Discuss about?
3. How to modulate our voice, in order to convey the right message?
4. Three Topics not to touch while talking.Topics not to touch were simple Religion, Politics, but the last topic, is shocking, Sports. When we all asked “Why not sports?” he cheerfully replied “What if your boss is a Real Madrid fan, your Barcelona? One bad comment and you can miss that promotion.”
He further continued by saying how people take things personally or emotionally rather logically. He summed it up giving two examples of his life: He had stayed up all night to make an office presentation, but it was not up to the mark, so his boss told him to change it, and rather than understanding his boss’s point of view he argued saying “But I was up all night, I tried so hard” etc. This spoilt his work relationship with his boss which was good at one point.
He had two sleepless nights, and then had to present his drawings in the class, where the norm was as such that the students had to criticise his work, and the teacher either had to defend him or criticise him as well. The teacher, not only criticised him, but also tore one of is drawings, and scream’t in his French accent “What is this s***”, this behaviour was not acceptable, and he could have complained against his teacher in the college, but he didn’t, he kept his cool and asked the teacher politely, as too what made him say this? And the teacher replied that the paper used was wrong.So from these examples, we were taught to listen, think and react logically, as they can have adverse effects.
He then gave us a few, small rules:-1. Say your name properly, as it is one important aspect when the conversation begins, also if the opposite person does not understand it then, they might not even bother to ask again.
2. Shake hands properly, and not to have a lousy hand shake.
3. Avoid using Slangs/ Informal language, as not everyone might be able to understand it.
4. Avoid using words, “Most probably” or “Maybe”, and so on. These words indicate that one is unsure of what he/she is saying.
5. Have self-confidence and self-assurance, it shines out.
6. Be logical while thinking, rather than emotional.
7. Talk differently to different kinds of people.
8. Body language – one key component.
9. Do not show any sign of discomfort, example: ticking a pen, tapping your feet, etc.
10. Try to make everyone around you comfortable.
11. Be well-dressed for every occasion.
12. Make sure people want to talk to you, get their attention.
13. Be polite and respectful to all.He gave us another example, which was related to this region, the Middle East.
He explained, how some men offer to shake hands with Arab women, even after knowing that it is against the culture, and by the woman’s dressing you can easily understand that she is an Arab, that it is not appropriate, this puts you and the woman into an awkward position, something people should try and avoid.
He further went on to say that, we should try and learn a few quotes, as they make a huge impact on our conversation, if used wisely.He told us about a course he offers in the US which is named “Voice”.
He also encouraged us to go for as many courses as we can, this enhances our knowledge in a particular field and makes us confident in it. He mentioned we can learn it all from the internet, but giving tests and actually studying as advised, can make a huge difference.
This is also one reason why, I got super excited when I heard about a free course as price.He taught us something new, that women nowadays get offended when terms such as “salesman”, “fireman”, “postman” etc., are used hence these terms are now changed as, “salesperson”, “fire-person” , “post person” and so on.
He emphasised on being positive as a person, and surrounding yourself with positive people, he explained how some people are bought up to be positive and some are not, example, parents punishing a child after he/she has made a mistake, but not explaining the child what mistake he/she made, might make that child be negative, hence explaining the child his/her mistake is necessary.
He taught us that there three kinds of people in this world:
1. People who make things. (Leaders)
2. People who see things happen. (Followers)
3. People who wonder what happened. (Fools)He emphasised on writing and listening more than talking. He told us that there is a reason why God gave us two ears and one mouth, the reason why we should listen twice than talk, he compared writing and listening to planning and thinking. Planning will actually lead to things happening and thinking will not. He gave us an extra information that only 5% of the people in this whole world have a definite plan in life and rest just go with the flow.
He mentioned this vital mantra “Learn, Change, Adapt and Grow.” – Something I strongly believe in and follow in my personal life.
He mentioned about the importance of goal setting, and having realistic goals.
He told us to create our own elevator pitch of 50 seconds in which we can explain who we are.
He emphasised on writing as a “solid way of communication”.
He gave us a few tips in two scenarios:
1. In a meeting :
Keep certain opinions personal, such as your views on your boss’s dressing sense.
Be careful of your body language,
Example: crossed hands can be a sign that you do not want to interact with the group.
Make sure to use people’s names as much as you can, it gives a sense of belongingness.
Have table manners.
It’s OK too flatter people a bit.
Do not complain about something, if you can do nothing about it.
Be polite as it shows people skills and that the person respects others.
Contribute something of value to people, in a way they remember you.2. During a presentation :
Make eye contact with everyone.
Avoid reading from slides.
Explain the slides in a different way than what is written on it, try and avoid using words on the slide as well.
Do not lean on the table.
Try and use good quotes
Contribute something of value to people, in a way they remember you.
Be well prepared for the presentation.
Do not let your audience know, if you are bored or irritated.
Design the time to your advantage, and make sure you finish it on time, not before or after it.
Make presentation, strong and engaging.
Start with a bang (strong and engaging message) and end with the same.
If it is to attract investors or customers, then the “the call of action” should be in the end.
Have the most attractive message in the end.
Try and choose the most attractive topic to all.
Try to cover all the “W” questions in the presentation and alter it to your benefits.
Think what kind of questions your audience might ask and prepare them beforehand.
Have role play with the audience, let them talk in between a bit as well, and you ask them questions, so that it is interactive.
He gave us tips to ace an interview:
Have self-assurance.
Wear a coat.
Ask questions.
Have knowledge about the company.
Have an intension of gaining something out of an interview, even if that is just a bit more information about something.
Try and know, if you achieved what you wanted out of the interview. Example: Job, Contract etc.
I hope me summing up the whole session helped you all, and that you all learnt something new, as I surely did. -
Dear Hanisha, many thanks for this input. You certainly have summarized the event in an amazing manner. Are you planning for a career in Journalism, Media or Marketing? You have managed to detail the happenings so that if one had missed attending one would feel like they’d been there. Keep up the good work.
We’re very proud that you have enjoyed this training and look forward to seeing you in our future sessions Inshallah.
MAHAM Admin Team. -
Hanisha123
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am planning to have a career in marketing.
Mr. Khaled Kamel, mentioned during the seminar that the blog is written in a way that a person feels like he/she was there, if they have not attended the session I followed the words I was taught by him in the class.
Thank you again.
I am looking forward as well.
I have also made a little video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnsasIhrDkw
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