Master the Art of Small Talk: Build Connections with Confidence

Small-Talk2

Location: Online

Dates: tbc

Fee: € 130

This program is targeted at participants who are struggling with small talk in professional settings. This interactive 1–2-day online course is designed for participants to transform those moments of hesitation into opportunities for connection. Whether it’s networking at events, casual conversations with colleagues, or breaking the ice in meetings, this course will provide you with the strategies and resources to be more confident in new situations.

This course is perfect for business professionals looking to:

  • Improve their networking and relationship-building skills
  • Feel more confident in English or multicultural workplaces
  • Strengthen workplace communication and collaboration

Who is the Coach?

Donna

Donna Sobers is a seasoned HR specialist, ESL instructor, and Facilitator with over a decade of corporate experience in Learning, Development, and Training. She is driven by a passion for empowering adults to master soft skills and communicate confidently and clearly in English. For the past five years, Donna has specialized in coaching emerging and established global leaders, helping them elevate their English proficiency to excel as impactful communicators in professional settings.

Beyond her work with leaders, Donna is deeply committed to supporting newcomers in Canada by enhancing their English public speaking skills and equipping them to achieve their career goals.

Based in Canada, Donna balances her professional pursuits with a fulfilling family life. She is also an active advocate for youth development, serving as a facilitator in a local Youth Leadership Program. A karaoke enthusiast and champion of the creative arts, Donna relishes opportunities to explore new cultures through travel, enriching her perspective and deepening her connection to the global community.

Schedule

Duration: 4 hours / 2 days

Additional Notes:

  • Each day includes interactive activities to ensure practical learning
  • Participants will receive personalized feedback during role-playing sessions

Theme: Understanding the Basics and Gaining Confidence

Time Activity Description:

11:00 – 11:15 Welcome & Icebreaker Introductions, workshop goals, and a fun icebreaker to warm up participants.
11:15 – 11:45 Why Small Talk Matters Overview of small talk’s role in business, benefits, and key challenges.
11:45 – 12:00 Starting Conversations Tips for identifying topics, effective openers, and building rapport.
12:00 – 12:15 Break Short break for refreshments.
12:15 – 12:30 Overcoming Barriers Strategies to manage nervousness, silence, and awkward moments. Role-play activity.
12:30 – 12:45 Practicing Openers Interactive exercise to practice conversation starters in small groups.
12:45 – 01:00 Recap & Homework Key takeaways and assigned reflection on missed small talk opportunities.

Theme: Becoming a Skilled and Adaptable Conversationalist

Time Activity Description:

11:00 – 11:15 Welcome Back Recap of Day 1 and review of homework assignments.
11:15 – 11:30 Sustaining Conversations Tips for active listening, follow-up questions, and topic transitions.
11:30 – 11:45 Practicing Flow Group exercise to keep a conversation going for 2+ minutes with assigned topics.
11:45 -12:00 – Break Wellness Break
12:00 – 12:15 Handling Awkward Silences Strategies for recovering from pauses and ending conversations gracefully.
12:15 – 12:30 Small Talk Across Cultures Discussion on cultural differences and adapting to global workplace settings.
12:30 – 12:45 Real-World Scenarios Role-playing multicultural small talk situations with feedback.
12:45 – 1:00 Final Recap & Action Plan Review of workshop strategies, personal action plans, and feedback sessions.

Apply

tbc