Sounding Board

Communication skills, support and training for individuals, organisations and corporations

Facilitation

Facilitation is a skilled process for meetings which is particularly useful when there
are different needs and priorities around the table.

A facilitator allows everyone present in a meeting to have their voice, whilst also
listening and being mindful of others

When situations require solutions that take account of differing stakeholder needs, facilitation will help you to:

• Clarify and meet your objectives

• make decisions from a place of knowledge

• Remove judgement, blame and criticism

• Define roles and responsibilities

• Resolve and prevent conflicts

• Foster an atmosphere of positive contribution

Sounding Board can provide a facilitator when an independent and neutral party
is needed or can train individuals to become facilitators.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Mediation

When a conflict becomes difficult to resolve or is in danger of escalating, an
independent mediator can help the parties to find resolution using a tried and
tested process which includes:

• Meeting with each party independently pre-mediation.

• (Re-)Establishing a meaningful connection between the parties

• Identifying the underlying interests, motivations and needs of each party

• Allowing each party to hear and be heard by the other

• Building back trust and commitment

• Removing judgement and punishment or imposed solutions

• Transforming both parties to want to contribute positively

• Developing agreed solutions

• Written agreements

Mediations can be between two conflicting parties or between all the affected parties.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Organisational Communications Audits

The best chance for success comes from creating internal and external climates
that encourage and goals and enlist the cooperation of employees in problem solving. Successful climates are the result of a planned communication strategy based on
periodic audits.

In order to help you create a successful climate we work with your organisation to establish honest answers to these questions from your employees or members:

• What do they think about current communications programmes—are they working?

• Do they feel that the information communicated to them is timely, accessible, and credible?

• How can these communications be improved?

• What other sources do your employees or members use to get their information about the organisation?

• How would they prefer to get their information?

• Which communication vehicles are considered the most valuable, most timely, most accessible and most credible?

• What information do employees or members want more or less of?

• How well do your employees or members know and understand your key messages, mission, strategies, and objectives?

• How do your employees or members believe they treated by the management?

• Do your employees or members feel their contribution is recognised?

Mediations can be between two conflicting parties or between all the affected parties.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Independent Internal Investigation

As part of handling internal procedures such as allegations, complaints,
disciplinary or grievances, Sounding Board provides an independent investigation
service which involves:

• Creating a safe, confidential environment

• Active listening and questioning techniques

• Neutrality and impartiality which is free from blame or judgement

• Accurate interpretation of differing attitudes, behaviours, feelings, perceptions and facts

• Nurturing openness by ensuring that privacy and confidentiality is respected

• Keeping expectations real

• Writing a thorough and rigorous report

• Making recommendations for further action

Workplace investigations can be involved, complex and stressful for all the parties involved. Using an independent resource can remove some of the pressure as well as ensure that neutrality is maintained.

Independent investigations are particularly useful for identifying and clarifying issues around bullying, harrassment and discrimination.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Emotional support for front line staff

Supporting frontline staff to be emotionally fit for their work is becoming a
serious Health and Safety issue for employers.

The costs of not doing so can mount up. The direct costs of sickness, recruitment,
bad publicity and legal claims against the employer
are all too obvious.

There are also many indirect costs which are less noticeable but they can have
an enormous impact on an organisation at a much earlier stage. Tension, anxiety
and stress when not properly processed lead to conflict, demotivation and negative attitudes that can seriously harm productivity, create unhealthy workplaces
and damage the organisation as a whole.

In a culture where declaring anxiety is frowned upon and seen as weakness,
it becomes even more essential that employers provide external support that
is confidential, neutral, safe and supportive.

Maria Arpa provides a safe space where stress, anxiety and tension can be
transformed into self confidence and self assurance.

Using a model of compassion and empathy clients are encouraged to learn coping strategies which can help them recognise and transform stress into positive energy
before it becomes damaging.

Sessions can be a mixture of individual sessions for complete confidentiality
and group support to encourage team working and build organisational trust.

Support packages are tailor made and can be charged per session
or as a package for a group of employees.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Away Days

Away Days and Creative Hot-housing provide time out from day to day tasks to help teams focus on intention, vision and strategy and change.

As well as brainstorming ideas for implementation, away days improve collaboration, aid positive networking, develop understanding and increase motivation.

Sounding Board can provide a full service including venue booking or will simply turn up and facilitate.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Executive Retreats

Executive retreats are a holistic alternative to board meetings

Executive Retreats provide residential time away with colleagues to review performance, brainstorm ideas for change, refresh the vision, devise strategy and re-affirm commitment.

In a relaxed setting away from the boardroom, business decisions become easier and clearer. The opportunity to develop professional friendships will foster a more positive business environment as trust increases through understanding.

Using a simple but transformative style of communication and structure, the setting becomes perfect for clarity and innovation.

Sounding Board can provide a full service including location finding and booking or simply provide a programme and facilitation to meet your objectives.


To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Trainings and Workshops

Sounding Board delivers a transformative model for internal and customer communications

Learn to:

• Ask for, and get what you want in an open, honest and direct way

• Be honest without insulting people

• Translate demands into requests

• Manage difficult situations more confidently

• communicate without aggression or passivity

• become firm and flexible‚

• Transform blame and criticism

• Handle conflict with confidence

* Take actions that meet everyone's needs
* Create quality connections with anyone
* Develop mindfulness and awareness

Training can be whole days or as modules on or off site.

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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Dealing with workplace stress

At a time when the UK has the longest working week in Europe, the highest incidence of adult depression, the highest divorce rate and the most congested roads, actively relieving employee stress is becoming an ethical choice for many businesses.

The HSE is currently raising employers' awareness of the need to tackle work-related stress. They have defined stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". Since personal problems can also affect workplace attitudes and relationships, it makes sense for employers to take a holistic approach to the well-being of their employees.

Allowing employees to experience regular Counselling and Reiki sessions will alleviate stress and fatigue, improve clarity of thinking and problem solving, encourage a calmer and more balanced atmosphere, boost morale, increase loyalty and reduce absenteeism and help physical well-being.

By offering Counselling and Reiki in the workplace an employer can be visibly seen to be taking an active approach to alleviating stress.

How can an employer offer Counselling and Reiki to employees?

To discuss your requirements or find out more call me on 07831 30 20 10
or email

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