Charlie's Home Page

Click Here to Find Out How to Contact Charlie

Programs & Seminars for Professional Development

CHARLIE FARRELL

Charlie Farrell is a banking and finance graduate of the University of South Carolina where he played basketball for Coach Frank McGuire. He flew over 3,000 hours as a fighter pilot (F-4, A-4, A-7, F-16) with the Marine Corps and Air National Guard. He owned two commercial printing companies before he began professional development training, specializing in programs to develop skills in leadership, teamwork, and personal productivity. Charlie has personally conducted over 2,500 programs for repeat clients such as General Electric, 3M, Mayo Clinic, Federal Reserve Bank, Ocean Spray Cranberry and Michelin. Charlie is a trained mediator and attended the Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop taught by Roger Fisher, author of Getting To Yes.

He has authored numerous articles and two books. Courage To Lead, in its sixth printing, is used by many organizations and universities in their leadership training. It is a novel containing his concepts on becoming a professional manager and leader in a rapidly changing world. Keep Your Wallet Open and Your Mouth Shut is a humorous look at how fathers can survive the wedding of a daughter. Excerpts from both can be previewed by clicking on Bookstore.

Charlie is an adjunct faculty member of the Daniel Management Center of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He travels extensively, having visited all 50 states and 30 foreign countries. His headquarters is in Columbia, South Carolina.

Listing of Programs and Seminars  
Communications Conflict Management Customer Service
Effective Negotiations Leadership Managing Change
Professional Presentation Skills Professional in Sales Time Management
  Valuing Diversity  

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS                                                Back to the Top of the Page

Most productivity results from verbal or written communications. When communications break down productivity suffers with a loss of credibility and trust. In dealing with customers, bosses, suppliers, team members or family members, we have a responsibility to efficiently manage communications.

Half day to full day

 

 

 

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT                                        Back to the Top of the Page

Professional conflicts can cause an organization to lose time, productivity and energy, resulting in poor morale and loss of good employees. Additionally, interpersonal relationships critical for fully functioning and harmonious teams disappear.

In the worst case, conflicts escalate and litigation results in greater loss of time, money and reputation.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT focuses on preventing, managing and resolving conflicts. Participants learn dispute resolution skills and gain confidence in handling conflicts effectively, personally and professionally.

Participants learn to lessen tensions, create a safe workplace, strengthen morale and enable teams to get on with the business of work. Principles of positive confrontation can strengthen relationships necessary for a harmonious and productive environment.

Half day to a full day.

Charlie Farrell attended the Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop taught by Roger Fisher, author of Getting To Yes. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bar Association's Mediation Certification Training Program and The Mediation Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

 

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE                                                   Back to the Top of the Page

Making a sale or developing a loyal customer. The former is short-term thinking, the latter long-term thinking. This program shows how we can and must exceed customer expectations to establish long-term relationships that benefit customers and our organization.

Half day to full day

 

 

 

EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS                                          Back to the Top of the Page

Negotiations occur every day, personally and professionally. This program provides the foundation for establishing long term relationships, focusing on effective communications, problem solving, and creative solutions. Participants learn that negotiation is a normal, expected and enjoyable part of business. Role play stimulates participants by negotiating real world situations.

Half day to full day

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Charlie Farrell attended the Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop taught by Roger Fisher, author of Getting To Yes. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bar Association's Mediation Certification Training Program, and The Mediation Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP                                                            Back to the Top of the Page

In a study by the University of Michigan the number one concern of business leaders is keeping and developing good people.  Accomplished through effective leadership, it is difficult, if not impossible, to develop associates who are distracted by issues that do not directly relate to providing world class products and services.

This is complicated by a “white water” environment of technological change, mergers, downsizing, competition, changes in workforce characteristics, and universal demand for quicker turn around, lower cost and higher quality.

Leaders, under assault at all levels, face a difficult task of establishing a climate of personal credibility which enables our work force to focus and commit to the job at hand.

This is not a magic bullet seminar that says, “Do this and that,” and the world will be a better place.  This change based program will directly challenge your perception of leadership, and strongly encourage your commitment to improve.

Half day to two full days

CREDIBILITY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEGRITY

We do not sell products and services—we sell the credibility, reliability, and integrity that back up those products and services.  Participants learn the single most important step to ensure these traits.

LEADERSHIP STYLES

F.A.C.E. is a leadership styles assessment developed by Charlie Farrell that enables you to see what others see.  Learn how to identify different styles and build teams for maximum productivity.  Learn techniques to sell and influence differently.

THE LEADER AS A NEGOTIATOR

With emphasis on listening—schools never taught us “Listening 101,” how breakdowns in communication adversely affect productivity and morale and the two most important steps for overcoming.

MANAGING VS. LEADING

We manage “things,” we lead people.  How to insure we have a proper balance.

MISSION, VISION GOALS

How they relate and what they say.  It’s time to change, follow or do away with them.

COMMITMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Big frustrations and losses of productivity occur when people don’t follow through.  Leaders must show the way by carefully managing commitments and holding others accountable.

POSITIVE CONFRONTATION

Differing opinions are healthy and vital for growth.  However, how we do it will produce a negative or positive outcome.  Learn a four step approach to ensure a productive outcome.

POSITIVE APPROACH

Learn to project a can-do spirit that keeps your team focused on productivity.

MOTIVATION

 Different strokes for different folks.  Leaders understand we must deal more one-on-one and set a climate where individuals can satisfy their motivational needs.

 LOYALTY

 

 

 

MANAGING CHANGE                                            Back to the Top of the Page

Change is like a wave-get on top and ride it, or slip underneath and get crushed. Professionals embrace change as an integral part of achieving excellence.

Half day to full day

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION SKILLS             Back to the Top of the Page

People are rarely born with the ability to speak confidently to groups. They must develop this skill over time with practice and thorough planning.

In today's complex and competitive business world, it is critical that we communicate effectively. Whether training employees, making presentations to management, or working with customers, we have a short period of time to get our message across and make a positive impression.

Professional Presentation Skills enables participants to become professional and confident speakers, while improving the quality and effectiveness of their presentations.

INTRODUCTION

GOALS & PURPOSE 

PREPARATION & PLANNING 

THE BASICS 

AUDIO-VISUALS & COMPUTERS 

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES 

WHAT IF . . . 

CREATIVITY & HUMOR 

PRESENTATION KILLERS 

AUDIENCE EVALUATION 

TEAM PRESENTATIONS DO'S & DON'TS

VIDEO TAPING OF PARTICIPANTS 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL IN SALES                                    Back to the Top of the Page

Open new doors, sharpen skills and increase selling effectiveness for the new and experienced sales person. Practical application of professional selling skills promotes self-confidence and enthusiasm.

Half day to two days.

 

 

 

TIME MANAGEMENT                                               Back to the Top of the Page

Studies show that we work hard, more hours than ever. However, sometimes we don't work very smart, especially in time management. Organizations have four primary assets: money, people, equipment and time. Time is the most elusive, yet managing it efficiently is critical to improve productivity, quality and customer service. If one hundred employees waste just ten minutes per day ($20.00 per hour in pay and benefits) in idle chatter, disorganization, lost paperwork, etc., we just lost $85,000!

This hands-on program enables us to control time so we accomplish the most important things, lower stress and increase personal and organizational productivity.

Half day to full day

WORK STYLE 
Are you a go-getter who makes decisions without thinking them through, or do you take too much time on a "nickel-dime" decision? Are you naturally disorganized or "born" with a clean desk? Participants discover strengths to build on and weaknesses to overcome.

DELEGATION 
Delegation involves more than giving somebody something to do. It may require developing subordinates' skill, knowing their competencies or maintaining decision making at the appropriate level. Participants learn the barriers to delegation ("I can do it better myself.") and reap the rewards when a delegation plan with follow-up is implemented.

SAYING NO 
Learning to say "no" (Have you over-committed lately?) to those things which lead us away from productivity so we have time to say "yes" to those things which make us productive.

STRESS 
Research shows poor time management is one of the leading causes of stress. By identifying internal and external stressors we can start to take control of our time and our life.

EFFICIENT VS. EFFECTIVE/IMPORTANT VS. URGENT 
Constantly doing the right thing vs. doing things right, and the "tyranny of the urgent" vs. the "quiet important." Participants will gain an understanding of these differences and how to react in a rapidly changing environment.

TIME WASTERS 
Some time wasters, like drop in visitors and interruptions, are external and hard to control. Others, like cluttered desk and being late to meetings, we can and must control. Participants inventory their own unique time wasters and adopt a plant to overcome.

HABITS 
Eighty percent of everything we do comes from habit. Participants will inventory their good habits (ones that lead them toward their goals) and bad habits (ones that lead them away from their goals), and adopt a four-step system to overcome non-productive personal and professional habits.

DECISION MAKING 
Is it better to make the wrong decision quickly or no decision at all? The answer depends on alternatives, impact on strategy, and outcomes expected. We must make better decisions in a timely manner. Participants learn to eliminate "analysis by paralysis," with emphasis on how decisions affect internal and external customer service. The pros and cons of team vs. individual decision making will be evaluated.

PERSONAL ORGANIZATION 
The foundation of personal productivity is personal organization. It enables skill, hard work and talent to move from the work place to the market place. Participants discover the advantages and drawbacks of computers (Palms, Outlook, etc.) vs. traditional paper and how to employ each for maximum advantage. Emphasis is on how to use, not specific brand names.

SETTING PRIORITIES TO OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION 
When faced with a "to do" list it is natural to choose the easy ones first. However, rarely do the easy ones (call a friend for lunch) bring a bigger payoff than the hard ones (counsel an employee). Setting priorities ensures that we, and our associates, focus on the most important and time sensitive items.

MEETINGS 
Too long, not starting or ending on time, one person dominating, not staying on the agenda (or no agenda at all), no follow-up, intimidation, costly in time and money. We have all "been there and seen that." Participants learn how to organize and run an effective and professional meeting.

SIMULATION 
Participants, in teams, will have fun working through "one heck of a day" when nothing goes right and everything goes wrong. The debrief examines the actions taken and why, and what choices will smooth the inevitable "white water" in the working environment.

PAPERWORK 
"Computers will eliminate this problem!" Look around most work areas and it's obvious we have a long way to go to tame the paper tiger. Participants will learn to keep paper and desks organized, retrieve things instantly, avoid bottle necks and keep the work in progress.

POSITIVE APPROACH 
Looking for solutions and opportunities is mutually exclusive from looking back at yesterday. Looking for the next sale (after the learning is complete) is mutually exclusive from complaining about the one we lost. Participants learn to focus ahead and keep their eyes on the goal.

MANAGING COMMITMENTS 
Participants learn how following through on commitments (as opposed to, "I'm sorry, I forgot") saves time and enhances credibility.

GOALS AND PLANS 
Time management improves when we and our associates have a clear picture of what we are trying to accomplish. Participants set goals with a written plan. Team goal setting is analyzed to ensure personal goals support the organization's goals.

* * * * *

Since 1980 over 50,000 professionals have attended Charlie Farrell's Time & Life Management. Some comments:

"We have had more than 30 folks go through the program. The time and money invested certainly proved to be a bargain." Pete Pearce, Vice President; L & E Packaging

"This program moved us from middle-of-the-pack to the Lead Dog." Gary York, President; York Oil Company and Neighbors Stores

"A great way to organize your activities . . . a lifelong process." Rick Robbins, ALLTEL

"Since 1989 Siecor has sent 400 employees to Time & Life Management. Past participants report that it is one of the best training programs they have ever attended, and they continue to use the tools and techniques learned there." Amy Yenderusiak, Siecor Corporation

"I can truthfully say I got more out of this seminar than any I have ever attended. I consider it the most productive hours I have ever spent." Douglas M. Lowe, President; Lowe Mechanical

"With my very demanding schedule, the principles and concepts of Time & Life Management have helped me to better organize my business and personal life." Margaret Griffith, Piedmont Natural Gas

 

 

 

VALUING DIVERSITY                                    Back to the Top of the Page

Research shows diversity increasing exponentially. Our workforce, composed of different ages, races, sexes, religions and personalities, also has a variety of educational and economic backgrounds. We must embrace and capitalize on this diversity. Failure to do so can result in conflict, low morale, loss of productivity and good employees, and litigation. This is not "touchy-feely." This is a common sense, hands-on program that gives people a better understanding of how to prevent conflicts that arise in a diverse workforce.

Half day to full day