Communicating Complexity using Storytelling
How to talk about your research, findings and big ideas in a way that everyone can understand
Friday, October 14th at 1 pm - 4 pm ET (9 am - 12 pm PT)
We know it’s not always easy communicating complicated ideas, we can help. This workshop will guide you through the process of crafting an impactful story - from complex beginnings - that will resonate with your audience.
Secret Agents helps people and organizations tell their stories in impactful ways. We have advised and helped brief cabinet ministers, MPs, diplomats, CEOs, scientists and decision-makers - at all levels - on some of the most complicated policies and headline-making issues in Canada.
After working with us, you’ll be able to communicate your message in a way that is accurate, persuasive and memorable. You’ll also have the support of our team every step of the way.
Course Description
We understand the challenges of communicating critical - and often complicated - information to audiences of varying disciplines, backgrounds or knowledge levels. This workshop focuses on developing practical skills to help experts communicate complicated information to non-expert decision makers, with influence. We work on crafting better verbal briefings and briefing notes with plain language communications.
This course is 3 hours in total, with 1 hour of pre-course videos and reading. We also offer this course for groups, please contact us.
Friday, October 14th starting at 1 pm ET (9 am PT) for three hours.
Participants learn:
Module 1:
How to communicate complex ideas and information in plain language
Module 2:
A framework for presenting information with impact to decisions makers & non-experts
Module 3:
Helping others understand your important work and social impact
Module 4:
How to practically highlight the value and potential of your data to support your objectives
Module 5:
Practical hands-on exercises and skills development during the workshop
Resources:
Participant workbook and a Comprehensive resource package
We asked some of the people we’ve worked with to reflect on their projects with us.
Instructor Bio
Ian Capstick
Ian Capstick is a social entrepreneur, public speaker and one of your instructors. He leads and is co-founder of Secret Agents and is the Chief Impact Officer at Animikii Indigenous Technology. Ian is a graduate and former Teaching Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy, which is a research and action centre based in the School of Social Policy & Practice that leverages the university’s resources to help support the most innovative approaches to public problem solving. Ian was a longtime political assistant and press secretary to MPs and to Cabinet Ministers. He was also a regular political commentator for CBC News Network’s Power & Politics and elections coverage on Global National.
Pricing Options
Impact Rate
$150
Three hours of learning in a collaborative cohort environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
Payment at this rate covers the costs of the program and allows for a contribution to support the participation of folks with less access to wealth. Organizations can also sponsor students.
Register nowFriday, October 14th at 1 pm - 4 pm ET (10 am - 1 pm PT)
Three hours of learning in a collaborative environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
Payment at this rate covers the costs of the program and allows for a contribution to support the participation of folks with less access to wealth.
Full Cost Rate
$100
Three hours of learning in a collaborative cohort environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
This is for organizations with larger annual budgets. It’s also designed for individuals who can afford this rate and helps support access by others. This represents 100% of the cost of the workshop.
Register now
Friday, October 14th at 1 pm - 4 pm ET (10 am - 1 pm PT)
Three hours of learning in a collaborative environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
Payment at this rate covers the costs of the program and allows for a contribution to support the participation of folks with less access to wealth.
Solidarity Rate
$50
Three hours of learning in a collaborative cohort environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
This is for organizations with a budget under $1 million. It’s also designed for people who are still establishing themselves financially. Payment covers 50% of total costs.
Register nowFriday, October 14th at 1 pm - 4 pm ET (10 am - 1 pm PT)
Three hours of learning in a collaborative environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
Payment at this rate represents 50% of the full cost of the workshop
Student Rate
$10
Three hours of learning in a collaborative cohort environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
This is for part-time and full-time students. It’s also designed for people who are still establishing themselves as activists or artists. Payment covers 10% of total costs.
Register nowFriday, October 14th at 1 pm - 4 pm ET (10 am - 1 pm PT)
Three hours of learning in a collaborative environment.
Access to templates, planning tools and resources to build your plain language knowledge.
Payment at this rate represents 10% of the full cost of the workshop
FAQ
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Yes! Please send us an email with your questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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This course is designed for everyone who has position or job where it’s is critical to explain your findings, research or policy effectively to CEO’s, governments, funders and other non-expert decision makers.
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No. Secret Agents brings together dozens of people from a variety of organizations for each cohort, all at different levels of learning. We strive to make sure the course is engaging for everyone. Materials will be sent in advance of the course to help familiarise participants with key terms, concepts and case studies.
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Of course! Secret Agents has worked with leaders from the environmental, technology, education, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Having the skills to communicate impact effectively is necessary at all levels of an organization and this course is built for everyone, on a sliding scale.
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The course is offered in English, but Shawn and Ian are both fluently bilingual.
Les participants francophones sont invités à poser des questions en français - si c'est plus facile pour eux - et nous fournirons des réponses dans les deux langues. | Francophone participants are most welcome to ask questions in French - if it is easier for them - and we'll provide bilingual answers.
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Absolutely! Send us an email to start that conversation.
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You do not need a credit card to sign up. Please use the coupon code INVOICE during checkout and we will send an invoice for payment by e-transfer or cheque.
We’re excited to host this course in communicating complexities. We understand how important it is for organizations to clearly communicate with their funders, government and the public. This course places a focus on using plain language to help convey complex topics and ideas. If you have any questions about the course, please email us.