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Bad examples make good basis for CMC seminars

Beth Zukowski
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
Contributed photoLisa Bracken teaches a series of three seminars starting soon at Colorado Mountain College. By using good and bad examples from the field, she'll highlight the best practices for successful business communication, writing and marketing.
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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – Sometimes it takes a bad example to point out the necessity for change. Bad examples aren’t hard to find in the business workplace, says Colorado Mountain College instructor Lisa Bracken. In fact, the bad examples have given her ideas for the kinds of classes that are now important to offer.

Bracken is teaching a series of three seminars at CMC focused on professional communication, proposals and marketing campaigns. Each class is designed to address common challenges she has either observed or heard about from her clients.

Many of the bad examples come from communication, which has been heavily influenced by texting and emailing. Sometimes, these communication modes have fostered habits of tone that is too casual, or grammar that is too loose for business communication.



“It is so easy to make the wrong impression, an accidental misstep or offend,” Bracken says, “which could cost you a sale, or even worse, a relationship.”

While Bracken highlights some of the big “don’ts” in her seminars, she’s also sure to include the great examples to follow. Using scenarios, either real or hypothetical, from her experience and from class participants, she identifies examples of messages and proposals that can persuade and inspire, while tying into the business’s branding.



Bracken devotes one seminar to marketing, an essential to a business’ success.

“Today, the landscape of marketing opportunities – and associated consumer expectations – is rapidly evolving, yet classic rules of outreach still apply. When marketing is done correctly, it is like swapping out a factory engine for a high-performance model, but it can also put you in a ditch if you don’t know how to handle it,” Bracken said.

She’ll illustrate effective marketing tactics that can be tailored to both budget and need.

The schedule of Bracken’s upcoming seminars at CMC in Glenwood Springs is:

• 10 Keys to Effective Professional Communication, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11

• 10 Keys to Developing and Presenting a Winning Proposal, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18

• 10 Keys to a Successful Marketing Campaign, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25

In addition, Bracken teaches a series of classes at CMC’s campus in Rifle that emphasize profit, productivity and contracts. She will alternate her series of classes between Glenwood Springs and Rifle next semester.

The seminars are designed for anyone wanting to improve aspects of their business or anyone considering a new business launch. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Call 945-7486 for more information or to register.


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