The following is a representative sample of seminars and training programs, which we have designed and conducted over the years for various client companies. Each program is flexible and can easily be tailored to meet the specific needs of the client and the participants. These interactive sessions enable participants to immediately transfer the knowledge gained in the classroom back to the workplace.

Advanced Supervisory Skills - This advanced program provides a focus on the critical management tools that all managers need to get superior results. Participants will evaluate what they are currently doing, regain techniques they might have forgotten, exchange ideas and solutions, and identify the critical issues necessary to be an effective manager in the 21st Century.

AIDS in the Workplace - Why do a training program on this subject? Because experienced employers want to dispel the myths and confront this issue. We know that the greatest employee relations issues surrounding AIDS is the fear of contracting AIDS. This fear can lead to wild rumors, anger, disruption in the workplace and total loss of rational thinking by employees. Therefore, we feel it is of great importance to show preventive action by educating employees now and not waiting until an epidemic of fear hits the workplace.

Assertiveness Training - This training program teaches participants how to confront problem behaviors in others and how to effectively negotiate mutual solutions. Through active participation in role plays and intensive group discussion, along with training in communication skills, the causes and solutions of misunderstandings will become apparent. Participants will be shown how to give and take constructive criticism, and how to build and maintain winning relationships with people in their professional life.

Basic Supervisory Skills - This highly pragmatic, intensive program will help supervisors gain a much better perspective on the impact and potential of their job. The program emphasizes practical skills and methods that supervisors/managers will be able to put to immediate use to improve their effectiveness in communicating, in working with people, and in performing many basic management skills.

Becoming an Employer of Choice - For the first time, the U.S. Workforce has multiple generations working side by side; Veterans, Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. To maximize employee potential and boost a company's competitive edge, it's vital to understand what each generation values. During this workshop, participants will review the characteristics of the multi-generational workforce, identify each generation's values and motivational levers, discover a variety of engagement strategies, and discuss appropriate leadership styles for each generation.

Blogging Blunders - Employees spend an incredible amount of time on the internet. While internet is an undisputed business necessity these days, often what employees are doing online at work is totally unrelated to their job. A recent case study revealed that employees squander an average of two hours of company time per day online. That is over 500 hours of lost time each year. This program will teach participants how to recognize the "who, what and when" of social websites on the internet; and how to prevent lost time on these ever-growing popular sites!

Business Writing for Results - "Profits improve only when our correspondence is read. No sale is made when a business letter ends up in the wastebasket." Anyone who earns a living at a desk knows how important it is to have good writing skills. A good letter can get you a job promotion or win you a new client. An ability to write clearly only produces positive results. On the other hand, poor writing wastes time and costs money. But isn't writing ability less important in today's high-tech world of computers and electronic data processing? Don't we now depend more on machines for precise, accurate communication? The experts say "no." They maintain that good communication skills are more critical than ever. The spread of electronic communication devices makes better writing imperative! The Four sections contained in this program will assist you in your quest for Writing for Business Results! Each session refers to the Five C's of Good Writing: (1) Conciseness (2) Completeness (3) Courtesy, and (5) Correctness. Observing the Five C's at all times will help you write more effective letters, memos, reports, and e-mails. Learning to write well is simple. All it takes is commitment, time and hard work! This program will cover all of this and more.

Career Transitioning - The Career Transition Programs offered by D. Gallant Management Associates are workshops that address the issues and effects, which accompany an employee leaving an organization and transitioning to a new organization and/or career. The path to a successful career change should not be one of chance, but one of choice. A person's next position choice should be well planned, developed, and implemented with clear focus and direction. This program assists attendees with the planning of a career change strategy, by providing them with the opportunity to accurately assess themselves in the business world, identify potential career and organization options, determine realistic goals and objectives, and develop concrete plans to attain those goals.

Change Management/Coping with Change - This program helps participants to understand the requirements of change and how to manage it at work. Topics include: How to effectively implement change, whether it is imposed on you, you initiate it, or it comes from the outside; communicate the change with persuasion and power; learn the steps to winning support for the change; and effectively manage the effects of change on people.

"Clean Sweep" Initiative - Are your employees stuck behind a cluttered desk, drowning in a sea of sticky notes, and don't know where that report was filed last? If they have to remind themselves that they have a desk or spend half the day looking for something that only needs five minutes of their attention, they are in need of a "clean sweep." This program will give your employees the tools and techniques to organize work flow and increase functionality of their space.

Coaching, Counseling and Motivating for Success - This workshop is for anyone who wants to influence, direct, teach or motivate others, either formally as a manager or supervisor; or informally as a team leader, or team member. The rewards from improved counseling and coaching skills are many. Team leaders can use these skills to create optimal working conditions which include: proper orientation and training for employees, establishing clear responsibilities and standards, providing appropriate guidance and support during times of transition and insuring increased motivation and productivity through effective feedback. This workshop will enable participants to analyze and develop their coaching and counseling skills. The emphasis will be on how these skills affect the workplace. After completing this workshop participants will know practical guidelines and specific strategies to assist others in dealing with their personal problems and motivating employees effectively to improve performance on the job.

Collecting Past Dues - There is no one-size-fits-all-businesses "Best Collection Program". There is only the collection program that works best for you and your business. What works best for you and yours will be a function of you, your business specifics, industry parameters, acceptable tradeoffs, and customer specifics. This dynamic program will enable participants to appropriately and effectively collect on past dues while maintaining your business professionalism and integrity.

Compensation Strategies for a Dynamic Business Environment - Today's volatile business environment demands productivity and profitability. While compensation is only a part of an organization's total reward system, it is an important part. This program is designed to assist you in making sure that you are receiving a maximum return from your human resource investment. Not only will you become familiar with current compensation issues and strategies, but you will learn how to evaluate the adequacy of your organization's existing wage/salary program, and how to develop a state-of-the-art compensation system. Particular attention will be paid to the development of incentive-driven programs that tie variable compensation to individual and corporate performance.

Conducting and Participating in Effective Meetings - Learn how to make meetings shorter, yet more meaningful. It is estimated that over 17 million meetings are held in the United States every day. Surveys have shown that executives spend between 25% to 50% of their working hours attending meetings. It is not unusual for these executives to estimate that 30% to 75% of this time is wasted. As with personal organization, meetings can be streamlined and more effective when planned for thoroughly and when proper facilitation techniques are utilized. This program will teach participants how to effectively plan for and facilitate effective meetings. The workshop includes discussion of the 10-step process for developing better meetings. In addition, a number of standardized forms are presented to assist you in applying this information.

Conflict Management/Resolution - Unresolved conflicts cause stress, frustration, and lost work time. They result in delayed decisions, mistakes and increased employee turnover, illness, and absenteeism. This workshop will present six easily learned techniques for smoothing office conflicts and dealing with the hostile or uncooperative co-workers. These simple, direct and useable techniques quickly ease tension, clear the air, and bring good business back to the forefront. Learn how to: anticipate your listener's response and gain his or her trust, set limits and build mutual respect, use key words and phrases that establish a spirit of cooperation and build win-win relationships.

Creating a Mentoring Program - In the corporate world, mentoring has become a common practice to nurture the talents of upcoming employees. The primary purpose of mentoring is professional development. A successful and respected professional works with another professional who seeks to grow and advance in the organization. This is particularly important today with the onset of baby boomers preparing to retire. Learn how to create an effective mentoring program for your organization.

Creating Codes of Conduct - Codes of Conduct are a central guide and reference for employees in support of day-to-day decision-making. It is meant to clarify an organization's mission, values and principles, linking them with standards of professional conduct. As a reference, it can be used to locate relevant documents, services and other resources related to ethics within the organization. In this program, participants will learn how to identify the strengths, values and principles of their workplace and how to take these ideas and turn them into effective behavior in the workplace.

Critical Thinking Skills - Maximize your brainpower! Learn how to better assess and develop your thinking preferences, your optimal thinking time, and your ability to influence others. "Critical Thinking" is fast becoming a highly sought after quality in managers, supervisors and executives. Become familiar with the different styles of thinking and identify your own personal preferences; learn how to ask yourself the "big picture" questions; learn how to challenge assumptions and expand your perceptions about different situations. You can come to better conclusions and decisions, you can learn to influence and persuade others with clear thinking and clear language. This program will help you with all of this and a lot more. Learn how to manage team idea exchanges and how to find out what you don't know and solve the real problem! This program will provide you with practical skills that can be applied immediately to the day-to-day operation of your business.

Customer Service Training: "Developing the Service Edge" - This program is specifically tailored to the type(s) of customers serviced by the client company. The participants will discuss such things as: staying close to the customer; what is real customer satisfaction?; how to be totally customer service oriented (even in the most difficult situations); when to take the initiative to offer certain services/products; Handling customer complaints; avoiding burnout; and customer service obstacles. This program will be supplemented with parts of the Tom Peters video entitled In Search of Excellence.

Dealing with Difficult People - Want to know how to deal with difficult people? Don't try to change them! What you can change is your reaction to their behavior-which usually changes their reaction to you. After this workshop, participants will know the most effective behaviors to use in specific situations with specific types of difficult people. These techniques work immediately. Participants can look forward to feeling more in control and less frustrated their next day on the job, at home, or in their personal relationships.

Diversity Training - In an ever-increasing global society, we are more likely to encounter different people of different backgrounds, races and ethnic groups. In this informative workshop, supervisors and employees will learn how to understand and respect individual differences, how to accept and value diversity, and how to positively influence attitudes about diversity. Topics of discussion include: what diversity really means; factors that create diversity; and capitalizing on the power of diversity.

Effective Communication - This program is designed using actual communication situations that occur in the workplace. Participants will discuss these situations in detail and analyze the pros and cons of each. Other topics included in this program will be: The importance of non-verbal communication, How to cope with communication obstacles, How to use communication as an information exchange (instead of a win-lose battle), and How to replace the tendency to be judgmental with strong listening and understanding skills. Topics also include effective non-verbal and written communication skills.

Effective Executives - The measure of the executive is the ability to get the right things done. This usually involves doing what other people have overlooked as well as avoiding what is unproductive. There are five habits or practices that are essential to effectiveness, and these can be learned. They are: (1) management of time, (2) choosing what to contribute to the particular organization, (3) knowing where and how to mobilize strength for best effort, (4) setting up the right priorities, and (5) effective decision making.

E-mail Etiquette: Effectively Communicating by E-mail - When information needs to be disseminated quickly, there's no better way than by email. Unfortunately, with the benefit of speed comes some problems that aren't always predictable unless employees are forewarned. If your employees are able to manage e-mail correspondence professionally, it will provide your organization with that all-important competitive edge. Moreover, by educating employees as to what can and cannot be said in an e-mail, you can protect your company from awkward liability issues. This course is designed to help employees know the appropriate use of e-mail correspondence while at work, as well as behaviors they must vigorously avoid.

Employee Retention, Recruitment & Development (Get 'em, Keep 'em & Grow 'em) - A training program specific to attracting the right employees for your business, implementing the best retention strategies known today, and teaching employees the fundamentals to grow and develop into your organization's tomorrow!

Employment Law and Regulations 101 - This seminar is designed to help participants develop an awareness and understanding of the laws that affect the management of employees in every organization. This program will enable them to identify, interpret, and determine the implications of these laws in regard to personnel management. In addition, participants will learn specific operational and procedural tactics to ensure compliance with the laws. Several of the employment laws discussed include: Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family Medical Leave Act (State/Federal), Equal Pay Act of 1963, Americans with Disabilities Act and many more.

Emotional Intelligence: Becoming a More Powerful Leader - You've built a solid foundation of management skills and expertise. Now you're ready to move beyond managing to leading. In this workshop, participants will take a close-up look at what "leading" really means … how to sidestep pitfalls and barriers that slow your progress … and leadership "best practices" that you can implement today to make you a more powerful leader. Nobody said it would be easy … learn how to cope with the challenges that come with being a leader. Being in a leadership role can be a mixed bag. Along with the obvious satisfaction and rewards come tough demands and responsibilities - you're expected to solve problems, make difficult or unpopular decisions, maintain high credibility, explain "management's" position to employees and be able to maintain your cool in the face of disagreement. In this session, you'll get specific strategies, techniques and ideas to help you become a more powerful leader.

Ergonomics/VDT Training - Through this seminar, attendees will learn the basic principles of ergonomics and be provided with the materials to implement a participatory ergonomics process. The training is focused on techniques for involving attendees in evaluating present workplace conditions and making cost-effective improvements. Attendees will be provided with the tools for establishing a baseline, setting improvement goals, and measuring results. This program has been designed to: familiarize attendees with issues that relate to their comfort and productivity at the VDT workstation; increase their awareness as to how they can use practical solutions to improve their work environment; make attendees more aware of how workplace design/redesign might reduce discomforts; and to discuss and/or practice exercises to relieve fatigue at their workstations.

Ethics in the Workplace - Participants learn how to apply principles of business ethics when dealing with a variety of situations. It will also present guidelines to help participants apply these principles in assessing their course of action under specific circumstances. Exercises will help attendees practice applying the principles to determine what actions to take. Participants will leave with a clear understanding a Manager's role in this hot topic of ethics.

Generational Differences: Managing & Understanding Across Generations - Today's workforce comprised of four generations…commonly referred to as the Gen Mix: The Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Generation Yers, is motivated by very different needs, values and ethics. Managers have to tap into age diversity to improve productivity of all employees, regardless of their generation. Motivation that lasts is not something management does but rather a process that management fosters and allows to happen. This program will address the concept of motivation and will show managers how to take a hands-on transactional approach unlock employee potential and performance while meeting the needs of workers of all ages.

Giving Honest Feedback (Handling Difficult Conversations) - We all have conversations that we dread and find unpleasant, that we avoid or face up to like bad medicine. These are exactly the interactions we put off when we can and stumble through when we must. The ones we practice over and over in our heads, trying to figure out in advance what to say and wondering afterward what we should have said. There is no such thing as a diplomatic hand grenade! Desperate for a way out of the dilemma, we wonder if it is possible to be so tactful, so overwhelmingly pleasant that everything ends up fine. Tact is good, but it's not the answer to difficult conversations. Coated with sugar, thrown hard or soft, a hand grenade is still going to do damage. Try as you may, there's no way to throw a hand grenade with tact or outrun the consequences. And keeping it to yourself is no better. Choosing not to deliver a difficult message is like hanging on to a hand grenade once you've pulled the pin. This program can help! We will show you how to turn the damaging battle of difficult messages into the more constructive approach we call "learning conversation."

Goal Development, Commitment and Performance - Goals are intended - and should be developed - to move the business, the function or the job beyond the status quo (i.e., what happened last year). When achieved, they will generally result in tangible measurable improvement against agreed upon criteria. Goals raise the achievement level, add value, yield extra benefit or make substantive permanent improvement. Goals require extra planning and effort beyond normal job requirements. If the goals were not set, the desired result would typically not materialize. This program teaches attendees how to create, follow through and achieve their personal goals through organizational effectiveness.
Human Resource Basics: "HR101" - Human Resources/"Personnel" has gone from being an administrative function (entirely concerned with hiring and firing) to a function very much a part of senior management. Today, Human Resources Management (HRM) is much more integrated into the strategic planning process of the organization. Participants in this workshop will discuss the various functions of Human Resource Management, the expanding role of the Human Resource Department, the Human Resource Manager of tomorrow, and the opportunities that exist for HR professionals today.

Incentive Compensation - Most compensation strategies today in both large and small organizations have the same basic objectives: to attract, retain, and motivate the best employees! However, this strategy is much too general. We need to dig a little deeper to describe exactly what this means. This program will show you how to develop a well-crafted compensation strategy that helps tell the story of who you are as an organization and what you value as an organization. We'll discuss how it is equally important that this strategy not just sit on a shelf somewhere in Human Resources, but is implemented throughout the organization consistently and effectively.

Interviewing Skills - Conducting Effective Interviews - No matter how experienced we are as managers, there will come a day when we're faced with several resumes, all of which look quite good, or with a group of applicants many of which seem right. How do we recognize the people who will turn out "okay" and the ones who will really deliver for us? This program will teach just that. Participants will learn how to effectively interview and select the job applicants that will contribute most to your company's future success. "Behavior-based" interviewing will be discussed in detail.

Negativity at Work - Everyone has a reason to become negative about his or her work (or organization) from time to time. However, when negativity becomes a routine posture for you, your coworkers, and the entire company, it can begin to eat away at performance. It can lead to: increased customer complaints; increased errors and a lessening of work quality; increased employee turnover; increased absences and lateness; increased personality conflicts; loss of morale and motivation; loss of loyalty to the organization; loss of creativity and innovation; and loss of a competitive spirit. Each of these nine results of negativity affects the success of an organization - its productivity and the bottom line. Negativity is a business issue and needs to be addressed as such. Learn how to combat negativity at work and how to teach employees to bring out the positive in any situation.

Managing the Unsatisfactory Performer & Holding People Accountable - At one time or another in your career as a manager, you will have to deal with an employee whose performance is not satisfactory. Unfortunately, most managers find it difficult to cope with the situation in an effective manner. They are at a loss as to where to begin in order to correct the problem. Rather than establishing a specific plan of action, they often allow the problem to continue - making it worse in the long run. This program will provide participants with a step-by-step procedure on how to approach the complex problem of dealing with marginal performers.

Negotiation Skills for Getting to "Yes" - In this workshop, participants will learn the techniques of principled negotiation, based on the book Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. All of the strategies and techniques of this course will be demonstrated through the interactive use of actual negotiations, which will facilitate learning and application by the participants.
Participants will also learn the difference between Win-Lose, Lose-Lose and Win-Win situations and how to control the negotiation and avoid conflict. The act of effective communication and active listening are also a large part of this program, two skills essential for negotiation.

Organizational Effectiveness - For optimal effectiveness, organizations must keep pace with change, modifying procedures as appropriate. This program assists managers in objectively assessing their organization's needs and shows them how to initiate a change to optimize their organizational effectiveness.

Performance Appraisal Skills - This program is designed to help managers increase their effectiveness in managing the performance appraisal process, specifically in the areas of data collection; preparing for and conducting the meeting; dealing with unexpected or hostile reactions; improving communication skills; coaching; counseling and developing subordinates; and tying performance appraisals to compensation and promotions.

Planning, Organizing and Getting More Done with Less - This program is developed using actual work plans and duties of the participants. Topics of discussion will be: the basics of organizing and planning to meet goals and priorities; recognizing time wasters; conquering procrastination; handling interruptions; and accomplishing more with fewer meetings. As time permits, this program will be supplemented with the video entitled How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life.

Polishing Your Business Attitude - Are certain employees often misunderstood by coworkers? Do these employees find that people often think of them as not willing to be part of the team, before asking? Do they just want to find an appropriate way to convey their competency? This program will help attendees reevaluate how they are presenting themselves to others and gives them the tools to ensure proper workplace etiquette.

Pre-Retirement Planning - Planning is the key to success! Retirement today can be the most enjoyable and productive time of your life - if you plan for it. You have more options than ever before for designing and achieving a retirement lifestyle that's right for you. In this dynamic program, participants will determine if they're ready for retirement, how to effectively make the transition from work life to retired life, evaluate their lifestyle and make appropriate plans, and specific steps to take when planning retirement. D. Gallant Management Associates offers this essential program for all individuals who want to enjoy their remaining working years and make a seamless transition into the life beyond the office.

Presentation Skills - Whether a person is reporting to a supervisor or lecturing to hundreds of people, his/her ultimate goal is the same - to communicate effectively. While few businesses will collapse because their executives speak poorly, a powerfully delivered, polished presentation adds an invaluable dimension of professionalism to any organization - a prestige which requires no capital expenditures. In this highly interactive program participants will be given a variety of tools and techniques for making presentations, preparing notes, choosing supportive materials, use of humor and concluding powerfully.

"Professional Teller" Program - This program is specifically designed for Banking institutions to acclimate the newly hired Customer Service Representative to the financial services business. Throughout this program, participants will learn how to take charge of their office image through non-verbal communication, gain tips for success in a fast-paced financial workplace, learn to develop a positive customer service attitude, and how to deal with difficult customers or co-workers. Anyone who deals with customers on a day-to-day basis in a banking capacity would benefit from this program.

Project Management Training - This program will teach attendees how to cope with the complex demands of today's project management practice! This program will help participants deliver smart project management solutions with higher quality, greater value and better accountability. Participants will cover everything from defining scope and gathering requirements, to planning and budgeting, to utilizing scheduling and control tools. The most beneficial aspect of this program comes from the hands-on practice, exercises and real-world examples that are provided in this highly interactive seminar.

Recruiting People in the Market of Today - This program is a very timely, yet basic, seminar for those involved in the employee recruitment process. Although recruitment is a basic part of business life, it has become increasingly important in the Northern New England market for employers to be more creative and resourceful in their abilities to attract, retain, and motivate the most qualified individuals. This program focuses in on strategies for accomplishing the above while, at the same time, maximizing the organization's ability to obtain the best return from the dollars being invested into its human resources.

Resume Writing Workshop - Resumes are your portrait in print. It is a testimony of your job skills, abilities, accomplishments, education, training and employment history. We will assist you in developing an effective and professional resume; one of the most essential steps in the job search process! This workshop can be performed individually or in a large group setting.

Sales Training Basics - Running a business today is more competitive than ever before! Attracting and retaining customers through skilled selling and influencing are essential skills for success. This program can help staff at all levels to become more comfortable with the customer service/sales responsibilities of their job. Some main topics of discussion will include: "The Psychology of 'Customer Service & Selling'," "How to Get People to Buy from You Instead of from Your Competitor," "How to Handle Objections: Refuse to Loose," "Closing the Sale," "What to Do After the Sale."

Secrets of Motivation - The questions most often asked of business consultants is: "How can we motivate employees?" The answer is, "You can't!" The problem is with the question-it implies that somewhere there are gimmicks, strategies or techniques that once discovered and implemented will double or even triple employee motivation and resulting productivity. Motivation that lasts is not something management does but rather a process that management fosters and allows to happen. This program will address the concept of motivation and how managers can unlock employee potential.

Selecting the Right Person for the Job - No matter how experienced we are as managers, there will come a day when we're faced with several resumes, all of which look quite good, or with a group of job applicants many of which seem right. How do we recognize the people who will turn out "okay" from the ones who will really deliver for us? This program will teach just that.

Sexual Harassment and Respectful Behavior in the Workplace - This program will help employees comply with the terms of the new law, and it will offer strategies for preventing sexual harassment at your company. The program opens with a review of the current climate on the issue of sexual harassment, highlighting the general federal and state anti-discriminatory laws. The details of Maine's training and notification stature will be traced, along with taking a look at the impact of the Civil Rights bill working its way through Congress. There will also be extensive guidance on how to conduct a proper investigation of a sexual harassment claim.

Situational Leadership - This program provides instruction about the several styles of managing and their specific pro and con effects. It includes self-evaluation of one's own favored management style and analysis in order to design a program of self-development to expand the breadth of his/her personal managing capability. A situational leadership video by Ken Blanchard will be shown during this program.

SPHR/PHR Certification Preparation - This dynamic program was specifically designed for the professional interested in being truly prepared for the HRCI SPHR/PHR Certification Examination. Deborah Gallant has designed this program specifically to review every facet of the HRCI exam, utilizing the most recent version of the SHRM learning system. This program is designed to be facilitated in 8 two-hour weekly sessions, covering a variety of topics including: