Be an Expert on Working with Experts 

They're smart about their subjects. You're smart about communications, fundraising or public affairs. So why isn't your work with experts working? When your company's or organization's experts overuse technical language, blow off media interviews, sabotage your training sessions or are too afraid they'll fail to participate, it's time to take action. In this train-the-trainers session designed specifically for communications and advancement pros, you'll learn:  

• How to anticipate your experts' default communications style, how to help them see it, and how to show them what public and media audiences want instead;
• Why they don't need to "dumb down" their information to communicate clearly (and how to handle other common objections they raise);
• How to assess your experts' skills and training needs, to help you approach coaching in savvy ways; 
• Handling hands-on feedback to smart people, pushback and Q&A when you're training experts. Find out what they don't know--but won't tell you--and how to fix that.

This is a unique professional development opportunity that will take what you already know and build insights, ideas and new information around that knowledge. You'll leave a more thoughtful communicator, better able to get the most out of your relationship with the experts you're bringing forward in public settings.

The day includes hands-on training and active participation from all attendees and the small-group setting will allow you to raise questions and discuss specific issues you're facing with experts you are coaching. At lunch, we'll do a popular anything-goes question session, "The doctor is in," to be sure you get answers to all your questions. Many participants register with their teams, so they can keep reinforcing the lessons learned long after the workshop. No need to take notes: You'll get an email with all the links, resources and pointers you need to sum up the session--resources you can use again and again.

This one-day training in Washington, DC, is centrally located with easy Metro access to area trains and airports, and parking. While not connected with the CASE District II annual conference, this workshop is relevant to the CASE sessions on storytelling and on creating a culture of philanthropy, particularly for campuses wishing to involve researchers in the quest for more research funding or research news. This workshop is scheduled the day after the conference and is a short Metro ride away from the Omni Hotel on the Red Line. We welcome CASE District II participants!

Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and takeaway resources. All participants will learn tactics they can use on their own in working with experts one-on-one or in groups. Take advantage of our early registration discount:  Early registration for this session is just $397 per person until midnight ET January 9, 2015, and $447 thereafter. All registration will close on January 29, 2015. Before you register, please read our workshop FAQ and cancellation policy. By registering, you are indicating that you have read and agree to these policies. We'll close registration once the session is full, so secure your place today.

Here's what recent attendees have said:

• "I found her instruction clear and insightful, her tips useful and her presentation style engaging. If you're looking for help as you try to get the best out of the people who speak on behalf of your organization, Denise can offer you practical guidance that you'll be able to put into practice immediately. I particularly appreciated her empahsis on understanding a speaker's needs and motivations in order to help them deliver the best possible presentation." -- Rachel Coker, director of research advancement, Binghamton University
• "If you ever have the opportunity to take a workshop with @dontgetcaught, do it! Best training I've ever had. Informative and eye-opening." -- Ashley Berthelot, director of research communications, Louisiana State University

Trainer Denise Graveline has worked with experts in every academic discipline and in government, corporate and nonprofit organizations. She has trained thousands of scientists, engineers, physicians and other subject-matter experts in how to communicate clearly and effectively in media interviews, testimony, public lectures, donor presentations and other interactions with non-technical audiences. A veteran of professional membership groups, scholarly publishers, federal agencies and more, she's ready to help you--or your team--learn how to improve your results when putting your experts forward.

Can't attend this session? We can bring the experts workshop to your city, conference or workplace. Just email Denise Graveline for details.

Register Now!