Becoming Highly Skilled at Digital Communication & Collaboration
Live, Instructor-led Online Class
FOR INDIVIDUALS
June 2nd 2022, 09-12:00 (SAST)
June 23rd 2022, 09-12:00 (SAST)
FOR GROUPS
Ideal for teams
Reach out to us for a quote
Why This Class
Most of us have spent our working lives in offices. In an office, information flows via the spoken word. Although there is some digital communication, face-to-face communication is preferred. When we meet in person, to establish rapport and trust we use all our senses. In split seconds, we assess body language, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, and even touch to read the other person or group we are meeting with. This is why we like to default to in-person communication whenever possible.
Being skilled at digital communication is being able to use all the digital channels open to you, text, images, audio & video to help the person you are communicating with get as close as possible to having the above multi sensory experience when interacting with your communication. By doing so you enable them to read you. When two people get this right they are able to create what we call digital intimacy leading to building rapport. When a team gets this right you can create team cohesion across distance.
This is an art and this class is designed to provide you with the knowledge needed to become effective at using digital communication channels to create the same rapport and trust as you would in person.
Class outline
The Crucial Role of Digital Communication in the Modern Work-From-Anywhere Workplace
,To provide the necessary context we will take a careful look at the importance of digital communication in modern digital-first workplaces. You will be shown the crucial role digital communication and collaboration play in the day-to-day operations of the world’s most successfully fully distributed office-less teams. You will get to see how it impacts their recruitment process and their daily interactions as fully distributed teams.
The Role of Written Communication
In mature, work-from-anywhere workplaces, there is a big emphasis on written communication. In fact, many of these organisations screen for the ability to write well during interviews. In this session you will gain a good understanding of how to improve your writing and how to make sure what you write is easily understandable and not lost in translation. You will be shown how to make your writing clear and concise and how to remove ambiguity so that whoever reads your words understands you.
The Role of Images
Digital communication is not limited to text. You also have the opportunity to use images to convey ideas and concepts. Essentially this is what Media Literacy is, which is one of the competencies that make up the term Digital Literacy. In this session you will gain a good understanding of when to use images to augment your digital communication as well as learn how to use image markup tools to your advantage. You will gain a deeper appreciation for the age old saying that a picture can be worth a thousand words.
The Role of Audio
In addition to written text and images, in digital environments you also have access to audio. In this session you will learn about the power of using audio communication in a digital environment. You will learn about the role voice plays in building relationships at distance and also when to make this your communication medium of choice.
The Role of Video
Video is another powerful communication medium available to you when communicating digitally. This can be used very effectively on its own or in combination with the other forms digital communication. You will learn how to use video effectively, both synchronous and asynchronous video, and when to choose this method above others. You will also be provided with guidance on how to improve your sound quality and lighting to ensure you present well on video.
Your Instructor
Peter du Toit
Peter du Toit is the instructor for this class. He has over 25 years of experience in teaching and speaking and has a passion for assisting individuals be effective at digital work. Peter heads up FutureWork IQ, a consultancy that specializes in helping businesses design digital workplaces and acquire the skills to work in them.