Training

Since 1991 Brenda has provided customized training in a wide variety of Life Skills and Employment topics.

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"Breathe: How to Keep Your Cool at Work (or anywhere else)"
Due to demand and popular request, Brenda continues to present her course “Breathe: How to Keep Your Cool at Work (or anywhere else)” (formerly called “Dealing with Challenging Personalities and Situations). However, as a result of Brenda's busy speaking and writing schedule, this course (as with others) is available only by special request at this time.

Content and Objectives Include:

• Dealing with Challenging Personalities and Situations
• Anger Management
• Defusing Emotionally Charged Situations
• Conflict Resolution

• Identify difficult behaviours and situations.
• Identify your “frame of reference” and why it's crucial to communication.
• Learn how to shift your frame of reference.
• Utilize perception checks and self-awareness.
• Examine the myths and truths of anger.
• Identify your own anger triggers.
• Observe personal reactions or responses.
• Discover the underlying dynamics of anger.
• Learn effective ways to manage anger.
• Identify when anger is toxic or destructive.
• Discover why anger is healthy and constructive.
• Assess how you currently deal with anger.
• Learn how to be empowered and how to empower others.
• Identify the difference between defusing and conflict resolution.
• Learn 9 steps to defuse yourself, others, and the situation.
• Discover your dominant communication style.
• Learn and utilize communication techniques including; assertiveness and “W.I.N. statements”.
• Learn methods of active listening including clarifying and paraphrasing.
• Discover how conflicts are beneficial.
• Identify personal weaknesses and strengths when handling conflict.
• Learn the 5 styles of conflict resolution, discover personal tendencies, and learn which styles are most effective.
• Learn and utilize the key to a win-win approach.
• Learn 5 steps to conflict resolution.

Style and Format of Course:

• This is an interactive class. Participants will identify and utilize real-life scenarios, and will create strategies that have immediate relevant application to the workplace and personal life.
• Teaching format will include; PowerPoint presentation, whiteboard, flipcharts, lecture, brainstorming, interactive discussion, individual self-assessments, small and large group work.

Resource Material:
Brenda has published a companion pocket book, part of the Toolbox Quick-Step Guide series: “Breathe: How to Keep Your Cool at Work (or anywhere else)”. This handy reference eliminates the need for handouts and serves as a continual educational resource for participants.

Duration
Flexible, however 7-8 hours is recommended for maximum interaction and participation as well as for full effectiveness. Two 15 minute breaks with ½ hour lunch (brown bag recommended due to time).

Over the years, Brenda has been a coach, facilitator, trainer, curriculum developer, consultant, and/or speaker for many companies including:

• Tradeworks Training Society
• Matcon Excavation and Shoring Ltd.
• Business Circle Network
• Minerva Foundation for BC Women
• CLAC (a national labour union) BC Training Centre of which she has been a trainer for a wide variety of their Lower Mainland companies; trades, customer service, homecare, and security professionals.
• MCC Employment Essentials (Federally funded programs)
• Celebration of Life Centre
• Naramata Spring Festival of Awareness
• CDI College
• Celebrity Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Mission Community Skills Centre; various cities (Federally funded programs)
• The Learning Curve (Provincially funded program)
• Sprott-Shaw College
• Myert Corps Inc.: Youth Employment Zone program and Job Search Strategies program (Federally funded programs)
• University College of the Fraser Valley: Life Skills Coach program
• Kwantlen College: College Preparation program
• Chilliwack Employment Services: T.E.A.M. Project (Provincially funded program)
• Salvation Army, Langley Community & Youth Resource Centre: Culinary Arts program and P.A.R.C. program (Provincially and Federally funded programs)
• W. J. Stelmaschuk and Associates: HR training

What Companies Have Said

"What a great day! I had lots of positive feedback! A pleasure to work with you again--you're so prepared!" Will Watson, Matcon Excavation and Shoring Ltd., Vancouver, BC"

“Brenda's enthusiasm and motivated approach inspire everyone around. Her smile and encouraging warmth often set the tone for the whole class. She gives full effort to everything she does, focusing intently of the task at hand in the present moment. She is articulate, personable and professional.”

“Her enthusiasm is contagious and consistently cultivates a positive attitude.”

“She has a natural gift for relating, teaching, and speaking… Brenda has also demonstrated considerable initiative and enthusiasm in all aspects of her professional life. Perhaps the most telling comment I could make is that she “practices what she preaches” in regards to Life Skills.”

“With a high level of energy and enthusiasm, Brenda is able to captivate the attention of her audiences and her creativity allows her to create fun and experiential activities for her clients, both young and old. She demonstrates a natural ability to motivate others and as a leader, Brenda's approach is admirable.”

“The feedback we received from the clients was totally incredible. Brenda moved mountains many times with difficult clients, and was able to do her job with compassion, empathy and a very professional attitude.”

“Brenda is an excellent facilitator – she not only covers content and is well prepared but she excels at the interaction, drawing from her experiences to illustrate points. Clients respond well to her non-stilted approach. Great client rating. Brenda is welcoming, professional and always “on”. She builds rapport right from the orientation and has a natural ability to reconnect with clients and personalizes the service. Great proactive attitude! Very flexible. A high level of professionalism has always been displayed.”

“Brenda is empathic towards clients and often has innovative and creative solutions that clients can immediately identify with and are able to embrace as their own ideas. (She) not only portrays a strong, positive self-image, but also manages to share the same positive attitude with her clients enabling them to reach their individual goals. Brenda facilitates meaningful and successful learning experiences. (She) is a confident public speaker and always maintains a professional image. She is highly organized in her coordination of the curriculum and overall program. Brenda is exceptionally resourceful in choosing group activities to incorporate learning and fun!”

“An ability to perform at a quality level in each of (her) roles simultaneously speaks to her energy, organization, communication skills, and enthusiasm as a person. Moreover, as a professional leader, staff felt confident in Brenda's practical abilities to strategically outline and achieve benchmarks and goals. All the while, our clients regularly appreciated her care, assertive direction, ability to motivate, zest for life and creativity.”

“Brenda brings…a certain level of energy that clients and staff respond well to. She is an innovative self-starter, who handles pressure well, and will voluntarily go the extra mile to ensure the job is done correctly and professionally.”

“Brenda's vitality inspires our oft-reluctant clientele to motivate themselves toward success.”

“Brenda works with tirelessly with energy and enthusiasm. She is one of the rare few who are strong in every aspect of the job. She has a special talent in connecting with her clients and inspiring them to believe in themselves and their ability to make a contribution to the community. I was truly amazed at her clients' personal transformations. This is even more impressive when you consider that her clients are extremely multi-barriered. Her program has proven so popular and successful that clients are referring their friends to this (mandated) program.”

What Participants Have Said

• "She's (Brenda's) a good example of the current needed employee. She IS what she is teaching."
• "Inspirational - life changing. Thanks!"
• "Brenda is truly a motivator. I haven't felt this motivated or good about myself in 8 months."
• "Very cheerful personality that makes you feel at ease at once."
• "Inspirational!!! Energetic!!! Wonderful!!!"
• "The instructor not only is professionally excellent - she teaches majorly with/from her heart."
• "Very pleasant, bubbly, vivacious, and a real pro."
• "Good job! Positive attitude, showed a lot of enthusiasm and interest in helping students learn and improve our lives. Interesting, makes you think."
• "Brenda was awesome!"
• "I enjoyed your workshops very much and will be signing up for more."
• "Very good at teaching, motivating and getting you involved."
• "Inspirational. Thanks Brenda!"
• "Very contemporary, very excellent for this age. Viva the 21st century!"
• "Very intuitive."
• "Brenda was great, very personable. Good grasp of material, a great asset. Positive experience."
• "Brenda is an excellent instructor."
• "Brenda - great lady!!! Very helpful, makes you feel comfortable, and very professional."
• "Brenda was very good. Her teaching expressed an extremely thoughtful and insightful person..."
• "She (Brenda) was great, she makes you feel comfortable. Thank you!"
• "An excellent facilitator. Way to go Brenda. I learned a ton. Way to be enthusiastic and motivating. Excellent!"
• "...friendly, congenial. Kept the class interesting and had humour."
• "Brenda was a terrific instructor. We loved her."
• "Thank you Brenda, it was great fun!"
• "Great! Brenda you are very good at what you do. Thanx."
• "Excellent instructor."
• "It was a very smart, interesting class. I really enjoyed it all. It was very inspirational."
• "Very educational and inspirational."
• "She (Brenda) was an excellent speaker. A teacher with a lot of heart in what she does."
• "The training was extremely interesting, informative, and effective. Way to go. Excellent."
• "Brenda is the BEST instructor that I have ever had."
• "Very informative. Very interesting, and I know these four days have affected me very positively."
• "Informative - current - helpful - interesting and entertaining."