Course description
Overview
In this day and age, information is abundant. But it is not always useful. Much time (and money!) is spent pulling together information and creating reports but it is debateable how helpful these really are. Key conclusions and recommendations can be lost in high volumes of technical and complex data.
Financial information is typically numerical and the challenge for finance professionals is to translate it into something meaningful that drives decision making. Information is not power unless the messages are clear and convincing. This can be particularly challenging when those on the receiving end are from the non-finance world.Who is this for?
This course is aimed at those who seek to engage and influence through information. Whilst a typical delegate might be from the finance profession, the content may indeed be useful to other professionals whose job involves reporting information on a regular basis.
What will you learn?
Introduction and context setting
- Common problems with financial information
PART 1 – Communicating financial information in writing
Understanding your recipient
- Key questions to ask before you start putting together any communication
- Stakeholder analysis
Writing with impact
- 4 elements of readability
- Content – organising and explaining findings and recommendations, inductive vs. deductive logic
- Style – tips for writing more clearly, prose vs. bullets, using tables
- Design – layout, typography
- Content – report structures, executive summary
Presenting numbers
- Helpful formatting to add clarity and making reading easier and quicker
- Getting your message across when using numbers
Using graphs effectively
- Appropriate use of graphs
- Tips for adding clarity
PART 2 – Communicating financial information verbally
Verbally communicating financial information
- Key challenges and how we might manage them
- The communication cycle and interference
Influencing and persuasion
- Influencing styles
- Merrill and Reid Social Styles model
- Advocacy and enquiry
- Cialdini’s 6 laws of persuasion
Other related courses
Communication Skills - An Introduction
Management Accountant to Finance Director - Module 2: Communication & Presentation Skills
Writing Skills for Professionals
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Upcoming start dates
Training Course Content
The Who, What, When, Where & Why of communicating both written and verbal financial information How we communicate financial information Body language Tone Words Successful strategies for approaching others Considering impact of our own body language and tone on others ‘What – So what – Now what’ model Useful model for ensuring complete & concise information whilst assisting detailed, analytical accountants; GET TO THE POINT! Introduction to P.A.C.E. model of communication What the P.A.C.E. model is How to use the P.A.C.E. model effectively when communicating financial information Considering your audience; understanding and adapting to your audience to ensure maximum engagement Content & Clarity How to de-jargonise the finance report Tips, tools & techniques to keep finance reports meaningful, relevant and helpful, clear, complete and concise for senior stakeholders and colleagues who may be non-financial. Questioning techniques and listening skills Engagement - how to tell the story of the numbers and bring those numbers to life Communicating numbers specifically; smart ways of delivering financial information including improved visuals & written analysis Including use of graphs and charts Report writing tips Group work on taking request for information and communication and re-working it in groups. Team presentations to demonstrate & improve on skills learned.