This document provides an overview and agenda for a two-day workshop on communication and technical writing skills for engineers and technical professionals. The workshop will cover topics such as building effective presentations, communicating with teams, influencing others, and developing strong written communication skills. Specific sessions will focus on organizing ideas, understanding audiences, eliminating jargon, and using graphics. The goal is to help technical specialists convey complex information clearly through both presentations and written documents. The facilitator, Mike Lacey-Smith, has extensive experience training professionals in various relevant topics.

1. THINKING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
Communication and
Technical Writing Skills
for Engineers and
Technical Professionals
ates
Deleglaim
can c
2 CiPtD
on s
p
Mastering the art of effective communication,
presentation and persuasion
23 - 24 April 2012
Global Prospectus Training Centre
Unit 5 Ferndale Mews, 15 Dover Street , Randburg , JHB
“Communication works for those that work at it.”
John Powell
Endorsed and accredited by Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA)
Ref number: 00247
SETA Accreditation No. 2502

2. OVERVIEW
Engineers are accustomed to emphasizing technical and mathematical skills. However, as they move into manage-
ment or into positions of influence and leadership, it becomes increasingly important that they are also proficient at
listening, speaking, writing and building influence.
The stereotype of a person in engineering or a technical field is that of an individual with few verbal skills who tends
to be terse, abrupt, sparing with words and emphasizing efficiency over effectiveness. While this might be a general-
ization, it is essential for a person who works with others to be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues
or their team.
These skills are not only important in avoiding critical errors, but are also vital skills when working with a team or
presenting a project. This interactive two day workshop has been specifically designed to enable engineers and tech-
nical specialists to deliver more effective presentations and to transfer knowledge to their teams or wider audience.
No matter how brilliant an idea, if it is not conveyed clearly, its value is never realized. This two-day workshop is
designed for professionals who must produce technical documents as part of their work. It will teach delegates how
to communicate complex information with clarity, conciseness, and force.
ATTEND AND GAIN PRACTICAL INSIGHTS INTO:
• Building awareness the key to successful presentations
• Communicating with the team
• Influencing for success
• Developing confidence as a speaker
• Discovering the importance of effective written communication
• Analysing the features of technical writing
• Arranging details in logical sequence
• Eliminating jargon, redundancy, wordiness, and the passive voice
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This workshop has been specifically designed for Engineers and Technical Professionals namely:
• Heads of Engineering Departments • Plant Engineers
• Electrical Engineers • Production Engineers
• Aeronautical Engineers • Architects
• Civil Engineers • Surveyors
• Mechanical Engineers
YOUR FACILITATOR
Mike Lacey-Smith
Mike has vast experience in the area of facilitation he has worked in over sixty organisations in South Africa on many
training programmes ranging from Project Management, Technical Writing Skills, Personal Effectiveness, Change
Management, Stress Management, Time Management, dealing with Change as an ongoing constant, Personal at-
titude to work and life and to Specialised Team Building.
He is a motivational speaker and a conference speaker. Mike is an Associate of both LCI (Leadership Culture In-
novators) and IzicKwe Academy, and is an Executive member of COAT (Consortium of Accredited Trainers). He is
the CEO of Free to Live, and is also the Co-Founder of JourneyMan, a workshop programme for men to help them
realign themselves to the changing world. He is also MWEB’s “Life Coach for Men” expert on line and administrates
the “Man Talk Peer Forum” on the same site.
GLOBAL PROSPECTUS TRAINING (PTY) LTD. Chief Executive Oer - Dhevaraj Pillay
Johannesburg - Tel: +27 11 781 6222 Fax: +27 11 781 6044 Marketing - m2@globalprospectus.co.za Auditors - Russell Bedford SA (Jhb) Inc.
Pietermaritzburg - Tel: +27 33 391 4229 Fax: +27 33 391 5722 Design - www.designmaster.co.za (071 018 8355) Legal - DA Morris & Associates

3. COURSE AGENDA DAY 1
Session One
Building awareness the key to successful presentations
Creating effective and engaging presentations which can be delivered with confidence and with minimum
amount of stress and preparation
• Positioning yourself as the expert
• Developing confidence as a speaker
• Understanding the target audience
• Organising technical ideas into presentations
• Preparing efficiently and effectively
• Engaging the audience
• Speaking fluently and making strong points
• Delivering memorably and with impact
• Using visual aids appropriately and effectively
• Managing questions and answers
Session Two
Communicating with the team
• Describing the characteristics of a skilled communicator
• Overcoming communication silos
• Perfecting the art of listening
• Analysing the benefits of assertiveness
Session Three
Influencing for success
• Focusing on persuasion, influence and consensus
• Influencing to get your point across
• Assessing the nature of influence
• Discovering your interpersonal skills
• Building rapport
• Being influential in difficult group situations
Session Four
Discovering the importance of effective written communication
• Developing confidence as a speaker
• Obtaining the ability to deliver clear, accurate and understandable written communication
• Acquiring fundamental e-mail etiquette
• Practicing the four C’s
- Clear
- Concise
- Complete
- Correct
Session Five
Analysing the features of technical writing
There are several features that set technical writing apart from other kinds of professional writing. Despite
the complexity of the subject matter, technical writing, like all writing, should adhere to the basic conven-
tions of standard written English. This introduction provides a review of what those conventions are and
how they should be applied to technical writing tasks.
Session Six
Considering when to use written communication
Technical information may be disseminated in several ways. This session explores those options and how to
discern when writing is the most efficient and productive way to transmit complicated ideas.
GLOBAL PROSPECTUS TRAINING (PTY) LTD. Chief Executive Oer - Dhevaraj Pillay
Johannesburg - Tel: +27 11 781 6222 Fax: +27 11 781 6044 Marketing - m2@globalprospectus.co.za Auditors - Russell Bedford SA (Jhb) Inc.
Pietermaritzburg - Tel: +27 33 391 4229 Fax: +27 33 391 5722 Design - www.designmaster.co.za (071 018 8355) Legal - DA Morris & Associates

4. COURSE AGENDA DAY 2
Session Seven
Analysing the central idea
Each piece of technical writing, no matter how complex, must have a central idea around which it develops.
This session shows how a central idea aids clarity and assists the writing process.
Session Eight
Bringing the audience into account
It is essential that writers understand the vital role audience awareness plays in the choices they make, espe-
cially in terms of word choice, tone, and amount of detail they need to include. Writers must put themselves
in the position of their readers before they begin to draft a technical document.
Session Nine
Arranging details in logical sequence
Supporting the main idea through logical arrangement of information makes the text more accessible and
understandable. By having a clear purpose statement at or near the start of a document, writers have a con-
trolling idea on which to base all subsequent sentences.
Session Ten
Choosing the best format
Although a large amount of writing in technical fields is formulaic, there are times when writers must choose
how best to present their ideas. There is a connection between function and form.
Session Eleven
Eliminating jargon, redundancy, wordiness, and the passive voice
Bad writing habits are barriers to clear dissemination of information and may lead to disastrous outcomes,
especially in procedural documents. Good technical writers know how to eliminate the most distracting
features of technical writing.
Session Twelve
Achieving clarity through brevity
Although by its very nature technical writing includes sophisticated and sometimes obscure language, this
fact alone should not prevent technical writing from being clear, to the point, and understandable to even lay
readers. Writers must measure and shorten the length of words, sentences, and paragraphs for the purpose
of clarity.
Session Thirteen
Using Graphics
Used not only for clarification of complex information, graphics can also save time, space, and money. It is
important that technical writers know how to assess material to determine its suitability for placement in a
graphic representation.
Question and Answer Session: Delegates will the opportunity to put forward their questions
arising form the day’s training to the trainer for further clarification and deliberation.
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
All timings are approximate due to the interactive nature of the course.
08:00 Registration and coffee
08:30 Morning session begins
10:30 - 10:50 Morning refreshments and networking break
12:30 Networking luncheon
13:30 Afternoon session begins
15:00 - 15:20 Afternoon refreshments and networking break
16:30 Course concludes
GLOBAL PROSPECTUS TRAINING (PTY) LTD. Chief Executive Oer - Dhevaraj Pillay
Johannesburg - Tel: +27 11 781 6222 Fax: +27 11 781 6044 Marketing - m2@globalprospectus.co.za Auditors - Russell Bedford SA (Jhb) Inc.
Pietermaritzburg - Tel: +27 33 391 4229 Fax: +27 33 391 5722 Design - www.designmaster.co.za (071 018 8355) Legal - DA Morris & Associates

5. Communication and Technical
Writing Skills for Engineers and
Technical Professionals ONLY
R6 9 9
Registration Form
23 - 24 April 2012
Global Prospectus Training Centre,
Per D
eleg
ex. VA ate,
0
T.
Unit 5 Ferndale Mews, 15 Dover Street ,
GPW Keitesh Randburg , JHB
Fax Completed Registration Form To: +27 11 781 6044
Company Name:
Type of Business:
Address:
Tel: Fax:
VAT Number:
Delegate 1:
Position: E-Mail:
Delegate 2:
Position: E-Mail:
Delegate 3:
Position: E-Mail:
Delegate 4:
Position: E-Mail:
Delegate 5:
Position: E-Mail:
AUTHORIZATION: Signatory must be authorized to sign on behalf of Company PAYMENT METHODS
1. Cheques - Made Payable to:
Name: Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd.
2. Bank Transfer - Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd.
Position: First National Bank: Randburg
Account Number: 62109 270372
Signature: Date: Branch Code: 254005
3. Credit card - Please fill in your credit card details below
CREDIT CARD
Cardholder’s Name:
DETAILS
Credit Card Number:
CVC No: Expiry Date:
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The following terms and conditions will apply: Substitutions
 Payment is required in full 5 days from date of invoice. All payments to  Delegates must inform Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd in writing
be made directly to Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd. of any substitutions.
 No seats will be reserved, unless Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd  There is no charge for substitutions.
receives a signed registration form.  Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd will not be held liable for incorrect
 Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd reserves the right, due to circumstances Delegate details on Certicates, etc. in the event of substitutions being
beyond our control, to change speakers, program content, date & venue. made on the day of the conference. In the event of Global Prospectus
 The signed registration form is a legally binding contract. Training (PTY) Ltd having to cancel or postpone an event due to circum-
stances beyond our control, delegates will be issued with a credit voucher,
Cancellations which may be used at another of our events.
All cancellations will be subject to approval by the management of Global Pro-
spectus Training (PTY) Ltd. All cancellations made 7 days prior to date of Global Prospectus Training (PTY) Ltd will not be held liable for travel and accommoda-
the above mentioned event will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. Cancella- tion costs. The conference fee includes: conference material, lunches and refreshments, but
tions made within 7 days of date of the above mentioned event, will be subject excludes travel & accommodation.
to a 100% cancellation fee. The will be no refunds or credit vouchers.