How to Convince Your Boss to Sign You up for Encore in 2023

Are you tired of feeling nervous and unprepared before giving a presentation at work? Do you want to boost your confidence and skills when delivering important information? Group workshops can be a great place to start. The thing is, convincing your boss to sign you up and pay for a workshop or program can feel like a daunting task, and with the right approach, it can be done. 

Encore Communication Coaching is a six-session live program that helps you deliver more powerful presentations, and is a wildly valuable investment for anyone looking to improve their public speaking and communication skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to convince your boss to let you participate in Encore. 

After walking them through the benefits of Encore and following the steps in this post, your manager will be more than happy to invest in your personal development and anyone else on your team looking to elevate their communication skills.

What are some of the benefits of Encore?

Before having this conversation, it’s important to understand the benefits of an Encore workshop. In a nutshell, Encore provides you with the tools and techniques needed to become a more confident and effective communicator. 

Its unique program structure is designed to help you improve your public speaking skills, learn how to create more engaging content, how to use your body language and tone more effectively, how to handle nerves and anxiety, and so much more. By participating in Encore, you’ll be well-equipped to deliver presentations that are clear, concise, and impactful.

Now that you know some of Encore’s benefits, here are five powerful steps you can take to make a strong case for signing up this year.

1- Demonstrate the value of Encore to your company

One way to demonstrate the value of Encore is to show how the skills you’ll gain through Encore will help you to become a more effective communicator within the company. 

For example, you could point out that effective presentations can help you close more deals, secure more funding, or improve employee engagement. You can also explain how the program will help you to better articulate your company's message and values, which can ultimately lead to increased business and improved company reputation.

Another way to demonstrate Encore’s value? Explain how the skills taught in Encore can be 

applied to your current role. Encore provides communication, presentation design, and storytelling training (just to name a few), which are all transferable skills that can be applied to any role within the company. If you’re curious about where your presentation and communication skills currently stand, you can check out our complimentary scorecard here.

Encore can also help you to develop the ability to think on your feet and handle difficult questions, which can be valuable in any setting, whether it be in a meeting or in a client presentation.

2- Outline the cost of not participating

It's also important to highlight the opportunity cost of not participating in the Encore program. With the fast-paced nature of the business world, failing to invest in personal and professional development can put you at a disadvantage when it comes to career advancement. 

Demonstrating how the program will help you to stay competitive within the company, and in the industry as a whole, can help to convince your boss that Encore is a worthwhile investment.

If your manager is more numbers-focused and is hesitant to invest in your professional development, you could estimate how much more business you'll be able to bring in as a result of your improved presentation skills. Once they see an actual number in front of them, they won’t want to miss out.

3- Share positive feedback from other attendees

If you know someone who has taken the Encore workshop within your company or professional circle, share their testimonial with your employer. 

If this person had a positive experience (which, based on all the feedback we’ve received on this program, is a sure thing), their testimonial will elevate your argument. 

You can also refer them to this page to read some reviews and watch videos from past Encore participants. Hearing the transformation from someone who’s enrolled in Encore will be a powerful way to ensure your boss signs you (and maybe even your whole team) up for Encore this year.\

4- Be prepared for objections

Whenever you’re proposing a new idea it’s important to be prepared to address any concerns or objections that your boss may have. Some common objections might be the cost of the program, the time required to participate, and the potential disruption to your work schedule. To address these concerns, make sure you have a clear plan in place for how you will fit the program into your schedule and how you will ensure that your work is not affected.

From a time-management perspective, Encore takes place every Monday and Tuesday for two hours each day, over three weeks. So, the coaching time is around 12 hours in total and there will be some work required outside of these days as well. That said, Encore is designed to be woven into your life, so whatever that looks like can always be accommodated – which will be key to explain to your boss.

If cost is their concern, you can propose a budget for professional development if there isn’t already one in place at your company. It's also important to point out that Encore isn’t a one-time investment – the skills you’ll gain through the program will be valuable throughout your entire career, so the benefits will be long-lasting.

5- Be persistent and flexible

It's important to be persistent in your pursuit of Encore and also be open to alternative solutions that can help you in your communication journey (like finding a mentor or joining a self-led course instead). If you’re looking to take a more self-lead approach to your communication, check out this page for our full list of programs. We also offer communication solutions for businesses which you can browse through here.

By applying these tips, you'll be able to make a persuasive argument for why you and your team should attend Encore in 2023 (and an even better argument after you’ve gone through the program 😉). Remember, your boss wants to see you succeed, so don't be afraid to ask for what you need to reach your full potential. 

Conclusion

By highlighting the value of the workshop for you and your company, analyzing the cost of not participating, sharing positive experiences from past attendees, being prepared to answer any of your managers’ questions or concerns, and remaining open and flexible, your boss is sure to see Encore as a no-brainer for your own development and the success of the company.

Strong communication is one of the best tools to have in your professional toolbelt, and it’s a skill that can be applied to any future role and area of your life. If you’re looking to take the next step in elevating your presence during a presentation, at a meeting or in your everyday conversations, you’ll want to make Encore your top priority this year.

So what are you waiting for? Visit this page for all the details. And in the meantime, make sure you’re following on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for tons of free communication tips and tricks.