Learning Labs

At The Women’s Summit 2009, four Learning Labs were run simultaneously in the afternoon, from 2.30pm-4.30pm. Learning Labs are highly interactive sessions at which experienced facilitators conduct training sessions to enhance participants’ work-related skills and knowledge. This year, the Learning Labs focussed mainly on developing the valuable soft skills of communication and creativity because these have the power to contribute in significant ways to career and business success. A further Lab was conducted on franchising as a route for participants to enter the business sector.

Read an Overview of the 2009 Learning Labs

LAB 1 Speak Up Successfully

Experts will tell you that communication is not so much what you say, but how you say it. Your voice, your tone, your intonation and even pronunciation make a difference as to how effective you are in getting your message across.

In this Learning Lab, professional speech and language trainer Heather Hansen will make you aware of how you can improve the way you speak, and give you the confidence to speak up to get the responses you want. Learn the tools of successful communicators to achieve better results… both in your personal and work lives!

LAB 2 Power Up Your Business Writing Skills

In a typical work day, you probably write a number of letters, faxes, emails and perhaps even reports and articles. There is a reason you send out these documents – it could be to inform the market of a new product; to entice a potential business partner to pool resources with you; or just to get an appointment with a valuable client. Whatever your ultimate objective, you are more likely to get the desired results if you pay attention to how you write.

There are rules to good business writing, and Shirley Taylor – a published author on communication, email and business writing skills – will share these with you at this Learning Lab.

LAB 3 Unleash Your Creative Genius

Today, it would appear that every product that could possibly be created has been created. That every strategy that could give you an edge has been thought of and used. No matter what market you’re in, it will no doubt seem to be very crowded. How does one survive?

Easy, says Alison Lester. With a good measure of creativity. Alison, an actress, author and trainer, will share with you creativity techniques that promise results. She will help you see how even breaks can be converted into breakthroughs… with a positive, creative mindset. Use your creative genius not just to survive, but thrive!

LAB 4 Franchising opportunities

Franchising offers women the opportunity for self-employment or entrepreneurship. It can also help them expand their business and creative abilities in a situation where the product they are selling has been established.  You also get the chance to compare the level of success against others in the same market.

At the Lab, Salahuddin Sulaiman of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) will give you all the ins and outs about the prospects of franchising in Malaysia. You will learn more about  the qualities you need to succeed in the various areas of Franchising that are available.  You can assess whether you wish to enter into national, international or more local aspects of a Franchise, and who you wish to be involved with. Why not link yourself to a successful product where the marketing is done for you? You will also meet people who have established successful franchises.