What You'll Learn
Influence and persuasion is essential to success in our professional lives. With every business challenge comes an opportunity to influence an outcome. An ethical application of persuasive skills lets you achieve unmatched results. Whether you need to convince clients to sign a contract, garner support for a proposal, or win new business in competitive bids, persuasive skills are the driving force that will help you accomplish your goals.
In this fast-paced and highly-integrated program, we go “inside” the persuasive mindset in an attempt to understand how and why it works. We focus on the successful techniques that salespeople use to design compelling messages and explore why some messages are more influential than others. Through interactive exercises, you will improve your ability to influence and motivate others to buy products, services, and ideas.
Program Benefits
- Appeal to an audience by analyzing and responding to their needs
- Engage your listeners and captivate them with your message
- Learn effective persuasive techniques to motivate and influence others
- Design a compelling pitch that influences buy-in
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Topics Covered
- Managing first impressions
- Assessing the needs of your audience
- Influencing without authority
- Developing a strong virtual presence
- Preparing for a sales opportunity
- Using the “motivated sequence”
- Closing the deal
Who Should Enroll
This program is designed for managers who want to strengthen their leadership and communication skills to meet strategic goals. A minimum of 5 years of experience and a fluid command of English is recommended.
Considering this program?
April Schedule
Day 1
- Developing Your Persuasive Voice
- Influencing Your Audience in Ways that Matter
Day 2
- Handling Controversy
- Honing your Pitch
May Schedule
Week 1
- Developing a Persuasive Mindset
- Principles of Persuasion
Week 2
- Increasing Your Influence
Week 3
- Persuasion in Action
August Schedule
Day 1
- Developing Your Persuasive Voice
- Influencing Your Audience in Ways that Matter
Day 2
- Handling Controversy
- Honing your Pitch
November Schedule
Day 1
- Developing Your Persuasive Voice
- Influencing Your Audience in Ways that Matter
Day 2
- Handling Controversy
- Honing your Pitch
Instructor
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![Alexander Puutio]()
T. Alexander Puutio
Alexander Puutio is a leadership expert, author, and consultant with experience driving organizational excellence at the United Nations and Boston Consulting Group. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs, and startups on strategic direction. As an instructor at Harvard Extension School, he teaches global development courses and has collaborated with over 300 CEOs, including Warren Buffett and Marc Benioff. His book, AI for MBAs, examines AI's role in leadership.
Instructor
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![Stephen D. Cohen]()
Steven D. Cohen
Steven is an internationally known expert on leadership communication, executive presence, and persuasive speaking. He is an accomplished scholar and dynamic trainer who has brought research-based insights to companies in a wide range of industries. He is a long-time instructor at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education.
Instructor
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![PDP Instructor Nick Morgan]()
Nick Morgan
Nick has written hundreds of articles for local and national publications, and appears frequently on radio and TV. Nick is a former Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Instructor
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![PDP Instructor Nick Morgan]()
Nick Morgan
Nick has written hundreds of articles for local and national publications, and appears frequently on radio and TV. Nick is a former Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Certificates of Leadership Excellence
The Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE) are designed for leaders with the desire to enhance their business acumen, challenge current thinking, and expand their leadership skills.
This program is one of several CLE qualifying programs. Register today and get started earning your certificate.
