For more information or to schedule a webinar
or audio conference, call Carole Buncher at 202.363.6645 or e-mail: carole@carolebuncher.com.
Active Listening
Listening to understand is perhaps the most important
skill auditors can apply when conducting interviews. In this webinar, we
will introduce a dynamic questioning technique and ways to understand body language
and the messages it sends.
What You Will Learn
- What prevents people from listening and
what you can do about it
- How to effectively ask open-ended questions
- How to paraphrase
- How to interpret body language messages
Auditing for Non-Auditors
Many people work in audit offices but are not auditors,
for instance, attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff.
While they work closely with auditors, they might not understand
what auditors do. This workshop will provide helpful information
on what auditors do--and will be presented in lay language. Take
this workshop, and, the next time you communicate with auditors,
you will better understand what they do and why they do it.
What You Will Learn
- What auditors do
- The audit process
- Types of information auditors
collect and analyze
- How auditors develop recommendations
- Types
of meetings auditors hold with the audiees
A Structured Approach to Developing
the Report Message
In this engaging webinar, we
introduce a 7-step approach to developing the report message
and jumpstarting the report writing process. Learn and apply
these seven steps, and you will streamline your message development
and report writing processes.
What You Will Learn
- How to apply a 7-step approach for developing
high-impact findings
- Tips for summarizing findings into a coherent
report draft
- Tools for writing clear, convincing, and
well-organized reports
A Structured Approach to Interviewing
In this engaging webinar, we give
you step-by-step tips and techniques to enhance your audit interviewing
skills. These skills are especially important to high-performing
auditors because interviewing is the most frequently used information
collection methodology.
What You Will Learn
- Techniques for preparing for the interview
- Tips for conducting the interview so
that you get the information you need to address your interview
objectives
- How to follow-up upon completion of the
interview
Communication and Learning Styles
Have you ever thought you were
communicating well yet the other person missed your message?
This webinar will help you understand various communication and
learning styles to enhance your day-to-day interactions.
What You Will Learn
- How to apply various types of communication
and learning theories
- How to identify your preferred communication
and learning styles
- The differences between your preferred
styles and how they interact with others’ styles
Conducting Effective Meetings
Have you ever attended a meeting
that seemed to be a waste of your time? In this helpful webinar,
learn tips and techniques so that the meetings you lead and attend
are productive and results oriented.
What You Will Learn
- To appreciate the importance of creating,
using, and “sticking to” an agenda
- To invite only the key stakeholders and
determine who they are
- Tips for handling disruptive behaviors
- Strategies for follow-up so action items
decided do not “fall through the cracks”
Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
Creativity and innovation are
key elements of forward-thinking audit organizations. Without
support for creativity and innovation, audit organizations are
at risk for becoming obsolete. This informative webinar will
provide approaches to keep audit teams fresh and on the cutting
edge.
What You Will Learn
- How to apply innovative problem-solving
techniques
- How to creatively build effective teams
- Creative solutions for addressing common
audit-related challenges
Dealing with Difficult Interviewees
Did you ever think you were well prepared for an
audit interview and then were caught off guard because the interviewee was
difficult to interview? In this motivating webinar, you will develop skills
for managing difficult interviewee types.
What You Will Learn
How to handle the following difficult interviewee types
to obtain helpful audit evidence:
- Overly talkative
- Nervous
- Hostile
- Arrogant
Ethics
This webinar will help you represent
your audit organization with integrity. We focus on Chapter 2
of the Yellow Book and its importance in the auditing profession. Understand
the do’s and don’ts associated with auditing and
working in the government environment.
What You Will Learn
- If you can accept gifts from outside sources
- How to identify conflicting financial interests
- How to not misuse your position
- How to appropriately deal with contractors
and consultants
Leading in a Team Environment
Audit work is performed in teams.
Building and sustaining high-performing teams is a critical success
factor for successful audits. Leading those teams to peak performance
is a core competency of audit managers. We will provide tips
and techniques for building and leading teams.
What You Will Learn
- The stages of the team lifecycle
- Various types of leadership styles
- How to meet each team member’s learning
and communication needs through flexibility
Managing the Performance of Others:
Setting Expectations, Providing Feedback, and Coaching
In this fast-moving webinar,
learn helpful techniques for improving your supervisory skills
as well as tips for facilitating difficult conversations with
your staff.
What You Will Learn
- Strategies for setting expectations so
your staff knows what is expected and buys into those expectations
- How to give both positive and constructive
feedback so your staff knows at all times to what extent they
are meeting your expectations
- A model for coaching your staff to improve
performance
Presentation Skills
Your ability to speak with confidence
to groups both large and small is a very powerful tool. In this
fast-paced webinar, you will learn the essentials of public speaking
and getting your message across with poise and confidence.
What You Will Learn
- How to plan and organize your presentation
- Tools for delivering your presentation
- Secrets for effectively fielding questions
- Tips for using visual aids effectively
Preventing Harassment in the Workplace
High-performing audit organizations
need to know how to build and sustain a harassment-free workplace.
This webinar will give you the tools you need to understand the
types of harassment, how to handle harassment, and how to stay
out of court.
What You Will Learn
- A definition of sexual harassment
- Types of sexual harassment
- How to address sexual harassment
- Supervisory and management responsibilities
- Cues that harassment is occurring
Professional Etiquette
Attend this webinar and better understand
what it means to be an auditor in the public service. Learn
how appropriate professional behavior and dress in the workplace
can enhance your credibility in the eyes of the auditee.
What You Will Learn
- The importance of professional image in
the public service
- Important public service standards of excellence
- How professional image affects auditors’ credibility
Resolving Conflict in the Workplace
As much as we wish it didn’t,
conflict happens in the workplace. It is a common occurrence.
Fortunately, when handled appropriately, conflict can be resolved
with a positive outcome--often a stronger relationship than before
the conflict. This fun and practical workshop will give you the
skills you need to handle conflict—whether the conflict
involves you or your
What You Will Learn
- The potential value of conflict
- Typical sources of conflict
- Five approaches to conflict resolution
Stress Management
Anyone who does not appreciate
the stressful work environment under which auditors operate is
misinformed. Auditing is indeed a stressful profession: tight
deadlines; teams that change frequently; audit objectives that
are elusive; and, of course, difficult interviewees. This interactive
webinar will provide tools for reducing stress in the audit workplace.
What You Will Learn
- Some stress is healthy
- Sources of stress
- Stress as a part of personality: Type A
and Type B
- Ways to identify and overcome stressors.
Tests and Types of Evidence
Without evidence, auditors lack findings.
In easy-to-understand language, we clarify the tests of evidence
so that you can make sure you collect evidence to support
your audit objectives. Understanding the strengths and shortcomings
of the types of evidence and the importance of collecting
sufficient, high-quality evidence will launch your auditing
career on the “right foot”.
What You Will Learn
- How the tests of “appropriate” and “sufficiency” apply
to audit evidence
- How to recognize the three types of evidence
- The strengths and shortcomings of each
of the three types
- The importance of gathering all types
of evidence in order to build hard-hitting findings
Web-based Surveys
The Non-IT Side of Successful
Web-based Surveys
While having the hardware and software
to conduct a web survey is essential, being successful at design
and implementation requires a lot of other skills and experience.
Poor decision anywhere along the line may derail the project
and/or decrease the timeliness.
This webinar will discuss the special
need for collaboration between the client, survey designer,
data collector, and data analyst.
What You Will Learn
- Question formatting and wording options
- Layout and design
- Internet implementation issues
- Data processing issues that are unique
to web-based surveys
- Dos and don'ts for obtaining a high response
rate with valid data
Time Management
Time is perhaps our most important
resource. When not managed soundly, we easily become overwhelmed
with competing work priorities. In this very practical webinar,
you will learn strategies for more effectively managing your
time, resulting in improved personal performance as well as overall
organizational improvement. And, who knows, you might
even sleep better at night…
What You Will Learn
- Tips for better managing your time
- Techniques for managing competing demands
- How to rank tasks in priority order
Understanding Generational Differences
For the first time in history,
we have four generations in the workplace. Each generation brings
strengths and also challenges for the other generations. Understanding
and respecting each generation’s strengths is critical
for a productive and healthy workplace. This webinar will point
out the differences between the generations and strategies for
overcoming the annoyances that one generation may feel toward
another because of these differences.
What You Will Learn
- A definition of the “generations”
- An understanding of the events and values
that shape each generation
- What each generation appreciates about
the others and what annoys them
- How to build healthy workplaces, where
generational differences are respected
