Center for Business and Workforce Development · 1127 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA · (570) 327-4775 · Fax (570) 321-5546 · wdce@pct.edu

WDCE Course Descriptions


BSM - Business

BSM118
Decision Making & Problem Solving
Groups may attempt to avoid conflict by agreeing or remaining silent as suggestions and ideas are offered during decision making. Individuals may wait to see the direction others are leaning or just feel like they should agree with the boss. In these scenarios, teams often head down the wrong road. Decision-making and problem-solving training can help your organization better understand ways to make good decisions and stay on the right road. Appropriate for groups, teams, management, executives, advisory boards, or boards of directors.

BSM119
Workplace Motivation
Do you need a refreshed, positive outlook in your workplace? This program is appropriate for all levels of the organization and will help participants discover ways to become even more positive with renewed energy. Based on the popular training program "See The Light to the Power of Positive Thinking" published in The Trainers Warehouse Book of Games (Biech, Elaine-April 2008) training program, author Dennis E. Gilbert will present a dynamic program that helps participants discover ways to think positively in the workplace. Formerly called Positive Light.

BSM120
Diversity in a Multi-Generational Organization
Age and generational differences in an organization can hinder optimum performance and serve as a catalyst for communication breakdown and dysfunctional teams. This course will help participants discover and learn to embrace differences in opinion and sources of motivation. This course engages participants through experiential learning and promotes discovery of a deeper understanding and appreciation of generational diversity.

BSM125
Teamwork Essentials
Today's employee teams need strong relationship and communication skills to build confidence and reassurance with individual team members as well as the group at large. A strong team should develop good habits that are effective to reduce or minimize harmful conflict situations. Through lecture, experiential learning, and mini-assessments, participants will explore leading thoughts on fundamental factors of communication, building relationships, and improving group cohesiveness through a win-win approach.

BSM126
Feedback and Performance Appraisals
Essential to building high performance, giving appropriate feedback builds trust and strengthens relationships. This course focuses on examining ways to send the appropriate message while not shutting down or diminishing employee contributions. Course discussion will also highlight ways to reduce the fear and manage difficult appraisals.

BSM127
Exploring Stereotypes and Personalities
Stereotypes form the basis for much of our workplace interaction. Human nature through learned responses guides us to for stereotypes and biases. Often these learned reactions to others either help or hinder our workplace performance. This course focuses on how we form stereotypes, how to expand our circle of influence, and examines embracing different personalities in the workplace.

BSM129
Professional Office Skills Certificate
This course is designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of entry-level office positions. The program includes hands-on training in computer skills and other office technology necessary to keep offices and businesses in operation. Applicants are eligible to apply on the FAFSA for federal PELL grants and Stafford loans. Contact the North Campus for more information about the application process.

BSM132
Professional Development Certificate
This course is for those individuals interested in improving their relationship, problem-solving, and time-management skills on the job. The instructor will lead participants through discussions involving problem solving, communication techniques, stress management, goal setting, motivation, and other related topics. This 18-hour program is for those interested in improving their relationship, problem-solving, and time-management skills on the job. The instructor will lead you through discussions on problem-solving, communication techniques, stress management, goal-setting, motivating yourself and others, and other related topics. Participants will receive a certificate at the completion of the course.

BSM132
Professional Development Certificate
This course is for those individuals interested in improving their relationship, problem-solving, and time-management skills on the job. The instructor will lead participants through discussions involving problem solving, communication techniques, stress management, goal setting, motivation, and other related topics. This 18-hour program is for those interested in improving their relationship, problem-solving, and time-management skills on the job. The instructor will lead you through discussions on problem-solving, communication techniques, stress management, goal-setting, motivating yourself and others, and other related topics. Participants will receive a certificate at the completion of the course.

BSM133
Introduction to Social Networking for Business
Many successful organizations are embracing the use of online media to improve relations and increase services and sales. This short workshop provides an introduction to four popular tools and demonstrates examples of how and why to use them. If you have been considering the use of these tools but don't know where to start, or you simply want to take the next step in learning more about what they are and why people are flocking to this media, this workshop is for you. This fast-paced, short session is targeted for the entry-level or novice user and anyone who enjoys getting more from social media to improve business.

BSM134
Social Networking for Business
Social networking has a new face. Millions of people are utilizing free software tools to promote new patterns of building brand or creating sales. Social networking tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger, among others, can help you keep track of the competition and know immediately if your customers are happy. Often associated with the term "Web 2.0," social networking is not a fad, but a new way to reach out to hundreds, thousands, and possibly millions of existing new contacts. Word-of-mouth is often noted as one of the leading ways people make choices for products and services; now you can take this concept to exciting new levels. This fast-paced workshop is targeted for the entry level or novice user and anyone who enjoys getting more from social media to improve business.

BSM135
Job Search Skills
During these challenging economic times, the job climate is constantly changing. The serious job seeker must understand the market, know where to find jobs, and know what the savvy interviewer is trying to find out with those "trick" questions. This course will explore the changing face of the job search and discuss ways one can improve the chances of successfully gaining employment in these competitive times.

BSM136
Public Speaking
Whether you do it often, or only rarely, public speaking can stir up the butterflies in all of us. Some of us are more fearful than others, but the fear never seems to go completely away. Understanding this is taking the first step on the road to becoming a more effective public speaker. Giving effective presentations can enhance your career, increase your chances for promotion, and allow you to make a difference in your community through your power to influence people and their decisions. This course will help you overcome your fear of public speaking by developing your speaking skills and help you reach your full potential.

BSM204
Conflict Prevention & Resolution
Conflicts are inevitable; however, when handled effectively, beneficial aspects can be recognized. This course helps employees, managers, and organizations prepare for conflict that is ever present in the workplace. Learn to handle difficult situations with poise and confidence and to respond to ensure a positive resolution. Discover how to keep unmanaged conflicts, disagreements, and out-of-control emotions from harming important working relationships.

BSM229
Managing Change, Communication, and Culture
Explore contemporary issues facing both new and seasoned leaders of today's rapidly changing business environment. Analyze and discuss the effects of change, communication, and culture on an organization. Discussions are intended to stimulate thought and self-assessment by participants in order to improve overall effectiveness of their leadership capabilities.

BSM239
Aspiring Leader
This course will bring leading thoughts to emerging and aspiring leaders and is ideal for new supervisors or employees preparing for future supervisory roles. Participants will explore tough supervisory topics such as relationship and teambuilding, gaining and keeping respect, managing change, improving communications, and more.

BSM242
Conducting Effective Meetings
Explore theories on what makes a meeting necessary, important and valued. Topics include the three 10s: 10 things to bring with you, 10 ways to prevent boredom, and the 10 worst things to do at a meeting. Develop a deeper understanding of when to hold meetings, how to be an effective participant, how to lead, and how to close.

BSM249
Time Management
Effective time management is essential for every workplace professional. Getting a grip on managing your time and embracing tips and techniques on an ongoing basis can turn chaos into a manageable work day. Often employees feel that they have too much to do and too little time to do it. Time management tips and techniques will be explored, and participants will discover or refresh skills and learn to make the best use of their time.

BSM252
Strategic Networking
Internal and external networking improves relationships and enhances collaboration with colleagues and partners. This course focuses on improving networking skills from aligning yourself with strategic direction to collaborating across functional lines to tapping the grapevine for additional information. In addition, this course examines external opportunities by creating an elevator speech, evaluating who to know, and why to seek community involvement.

BSM256
Coaching Employees for Higher Performance
Companies today are stretched more than ever for resources so it is critical that supervisors and managers are able to support and develop their people in achieving their full potential. Supervisors must know how to coach around career issues, performance ups and downs, and even through conduct or behavioral issues. This course provides a set of tools to ensure the participants leave with an improved ability to coach and motivate all their employees.

BSM264
Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects, and Deadlines
Are you feeling some schedule pressure or too many number one priorities? Do you feel that the pressure of your workload is impacting your ability to be productive in your workplace? This exciting half-day workshop will help you improve your job performance by examining effective ways to assess your workload, choose the right priorities, and manage important deadlines.

BSM265
Working with Difficult Personalities
In the workplace we are challenged with many different personalities. Heavy workloads,fast-paced environments, or a very bureaucratic culture can make survival feel difficult. This course examines several personality challenges and utilizes a video segment titled "Working With You Is Killing Me" to help participants identify some common challenges and examine ways to better manage their personal interactions with others.

BSM266
Effective Communications
To be successful in the workplace, one must effectively communicate and cooperate with clients and co-workers. This course is designed to help managers, supervisors, and team members communicate effectively. Learn different communication styles and the significance of building rapport and credibility to improve working relationships.

BSM267
Customer Service
Customer service is at the heart of all organizations' successes or failures. Everyone within an organization who has contact with customers, or who provides a service to other departments within the organization, is involved with customer relations. Good relationships are built when the basic rules of customer service are followed. This course demonstrates the powerful impact positive customer service can have on an organization through the use of proven strategies, group exercises, and theory.

BSM268
Art of Negotiation
Negotiation is not so difficult when you know the parameters for success! This workshop will explore the seven stages of negotiation and reinforce how communication plays a role in the success of any negotiation. This course will briefly explore the concepts of problem identity, the other person's perspective, solution generation, and seeking the win-win. Intriguing topics such as adapting your style and body language will be explored. This fast-paced workshop is packed with tips and techniques that can help you discover the art of negotiation.

BSM269
Key Leadership Skills for Office Managers
Office managers are often placed into their positions after performing well in a staff role. Unfortunately, many offices are too small to provide them with any formal leadership training for their new position. These managers may not fully develop the skills needed to effectively lead their team. This program is designed to equip them with the essential leadership skills they need to succeed.

BSM309
Inspiring & Managing Innovation
This course is designed to engage participants in understanding the value of innovation. Explore the competencies and culture required to drive innovation. Through lecture, assessment, and experiential learning activities, participants will develop a deeper understanding of why innovation is important in all aspects of the organization. Innovation drives organizations to be a step above the rest. All departments have room to change, grow, and innovate. More than just a process - everyone on the team can benefit from a fresh look at innovation.

BSM313
Teaching Others What You Know
There are about 80 million baby boomers in the United States today. When these groups of workers retire, we will face a workforce crisis. There simply aren't enough workers to replace them. Many people wonder what will we do when all the highly skilled and experienced employees leave or retire. How will the operation continue when their knowledge and expertise walk out the door? This workshop is a small step towards responding to these concerns. It is designed to help those who have a specific knowledge, skill, or expertise to most effectively "transfer" it to others. The focus of the workshop is not on technical content or job specific methods or procedures. Instead, the discussions and practice will focus on the ways of one-on-one teaching and coaching adults that lead to the highest amount of skill and knowledge transfer and retention.

BSM500
Basic Grammar Essentials
Do your writing skills let you down? Do you need help presenting your ideas clearly to others? This workshop is designed to help you brush up on grammar and usage skills so that you can create error-free documents in the workplace.

BSM501
The Dynamics of Letter and Memo Writing
Do you have trouble writing clear and concise letters and memos? Do your letters and memos get the results you want? This workshop is designed to help you write more effective, polished, and professional communications, whether you want to persuade a customer or inform a co-worker.

BSM502
The Art of Writing Informative Reports and Persuasive Proposals
This workshop will guide you through the report and proposal writing process. Topics include how to effectively organize your information; how to shape your analysis (your pitch) for any audience; and how to use graphs, charts, and other design elements to make your writing stand out.

BSM503
The Successful Grant Writer
This workhsop will help you write comprehensive and persuasive grant proposals for your business or organization. Topics include understanding the federal and state grant writing landscape, understanding the RFP process, and understanding the needs of the community organizations and foundations.

BSM504
Writing for the Government
This workshop is designed for those interested in writing government documents. Participants will learn how to write a variety of policy documents, including guidelines for government programs; government requests for proposals; government press releases; and government program reports.