Event Review: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

Date: Saturday, 10th of August, 2019

By: GOOGLE BUSINESS GROUP + Capital Square + David I. Adeleke

Venue: Capital Square, Ikoyi.

The higher you go up a communication ladder, the more treacherous the path becomes -- semantically and grammatically. Your world was simpler when a basic grasp of the English language was all you had. Erudition oft comes with second-guessing; “if this sentence was to be redone, would it communicate my thoughts more efficiently effectively?”

Quite often, people need refreshers when communication is the aim. I’m sure this is why, like myself, many signed up for the free Business Communication Workshop as soon as the registration link was shared by David I. Adeleke on social media.

I got to the venue six minutes late and the event had already begun. [Is that ‘began’? You see??]. The screen projected the list of topics to be discussed:

1.  Basic grammar and writing style

2.  Email etiquette

3.  How to pitch your ideas

4.  How to write a report

5.  Presentation skills

In spite of the rain, the room was filled within the first thirty minutes stipulated for introductions. Bankers, writers, poets, quality assurers, entrepreneurs, comms people and students made an interestingly diverse list of attendees.

The first session, delivered by the convener, David I. Adeleke was on “Basic Grammar and Writing Style.” Sweet, short slides distinguishing the application of WhoVsThat, WhoVsWhom, WillVsWould, WhoseVsWho’s and funnily but important enough, AmVsI’m. Everyone laughed through it, but I did not fall for it. They are those who type AM SORRY.

A recap? WHO is used to describe people, and THAT is used to describe objects. For example:

“Everyone WHO came out today is amazing”

“Her cup is the only one THAT is clean”

WOULD is conditional; a probability, but WILL is used when something is expected to happen with a high degree of certainty.

Tips to help your writing: simplicity and knowing your audience were given out and the session wound to an end with recommended resources which included a Lupe Fiasco album, Teju Cole’s advice to young writers etc.

Immediately, Olabinjo Adeniran, the co-founder of Future Africa took a session on EMAIL ETIQUETTE.

Basically:

●      have a clear subject line at the beginning,

●      you must include a call to action,

●      edit rigorously,

●      do not prevaricate.

The third session, HOW TO PITCH YOUR IDEAS AT WORK, was taken by David Adeleke. Here, he talked about the subtleties of work politics. The world isn’t black and white, and the realities of any workplace are rarely ideal. There was a quote here: “to progress, you often have to think for two: how your progress can benefit them AND you at the same time.” He ended the session with an intricate narration of how it ought to be done – from conception to execution.

The fourth session, “PRESENTATION BEST PRACTICES” was delivered by Peace Itimi, the Head of Marketing at Korapay. This wasn’t how to design slides, but how to present them. According to Peace “what good are ingenious ideas or a good vision if you cannot convey their fabulousness to the audience?”

She highlighted and discussed both bad and good presentation characteristics.

BAD	GOOD
Lack of preparation	Competence
Not knowing your audience	Composure
Using monotones	Extroversion
Inappropriate visual aids	Calmness

She ended with ideal content hierarchy for (most) presentations:

1.  Introduction

2.  Problem

3.  Solution

4.  Impact

5.  Conclusion

There was a food break and attendees networked over an excellent meal.

The anchor, Uzor Anakebe, a Google enthusiast and also one of the coordinators of the Google Business Group (GBG), preached the Google gospel as he presented ONLINE TOOLS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS. No matter how tech-savvy you are, Uzor’s presentation will leave you feeling like you are grossly underutilizing Google tools in business communication and marketing.

The last session: HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS REPORT was, again, taken by David Adeleke. Is it prose or data-driven? What’s the purpose? Will it influence a major decision or is it just a basic summary? Do you need comments? Charts? Graphs?

The program ended with a group photograph of facilitators, speakers and attendees. Contacts were exchanged, improvements were made and we left for home.

It was a fine, timely event. Kudos all around.

Captaincue is a freelance writer taking on gigs for unridiculous money. Call/Text 08132150177 now.