Thanks in part to the generosity of author and Creative Writing Certificate Graduate, Marina Nemat, the School of Continuing Studies offers this award to the most promising Creative Writing Certificate student(s) each year. Previously, up to two awards were given each year to the most outstanding Final Project of a Creative Writing Certificate student. 

We are excited to share that due to the remarkable growth the Creative Writing program has seen, this year the award has been expanded to include nominees in four categories: Creative Writing in Spanish; Non-Fiction, Children’s/YA; and Multi-Genre. 

Four winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of Canadian publishing industry professionals and will receive $1000 each. 

This year’s nominees include: 

Creative Writing in Spanish

Non-Fiction

Children’s/YA

Multi-Genre (Fiction and Poetry)

Congratulations to all of our nominees on their hard work and talent. 

For more information about our Creative Writing program, please visit our program information page: https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/creative-writing. 
 

After two years of strictly online learning, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is preparing to head back to class, in person. 

While we have long offered a selection of hybrid or fully online courses and certificates, when the pandemic hit, our staff and instructors worked quickly to adapt as many of our in-class courses as possible to an online format in order to minimize disruption to our learners, and most importantly, to do our part to keep our community safe.

Two years later, with mandated protections being lifted at the University of Toronto and throughout the rest of the province, we are excited to begin to reintroduce in-class options for our learners. 

“I’m so proud of the wonderful progress and improvements we have made to our already impressive roster of online learning options and of our dedicated instructors and learners who made the switch to fully online classes with us as we worked together to keep each other safe,” says SCS Dean Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow.

“That said, we know that some learners and instructors do prefer an in-class experience, and some subjects lend themselves very well to an in-class environment. We want to continue to offer learners an experience that is as tailored to their needs as possible. I’m thrilled that we’ll be able to provide stellar in-person learning alongside our online offerings once again.”

Over 70 SCS course sections will be offered in-class in a broad range of subjects from Creative Writing to Business classes for the spring/summer term. 

We will continue to follow the University’s lead in terms of health and safety regulations around COVID-19. U of T will be pausing the following measures effective May 1, 2022:

• The requirement to complete health screening via UCheck prior to attending University premises
• The requirement to be fully vaccinated for in-person activities on University premises
• The requirement to be masked in indoor University spaces, unless otherwise required

However, learners should be aware that masking indoors is still encouraged by the university and that some or all of these requirements may be reinstated on short notice should public health conditions or guidance change. 

Should SCS need to cancel in-person classes, we will give learners the option of transferring to an online section of their course where possible, or receiving a full refund for their tuition. 

For more information about the University’s policies and updates related to COVID-19, please visit the UTogether information page: https://www.utoronto.ca/utogether

We know that most New years resolutions are abandoned by the end of February. But if you’re determined to pursue a goal from the list below in 2022, committing to an SCS course could be the key to staying motivated and accountable. And if resolutions aren’t your thing, it’s still great to explore new opportunities! Check out how lifelong learning at SCS can help you bust through blocks, embrace new possibilities, and meet your goals.

1. Learn a language

Whether you’re starting from scratch and looking to master the basics of a new language, or you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, our expert language instructors are ready to help you open a whole new world of communication. You can find information about our language courses here.

2. Become a better leader

If your aspirations for 2022 include transitioning to a management position, or simply becoming a more effective leader, our management and leadership courses can help you identify and develop the skills and characteristics of a successful leader. 

3. Start (or finish) your novel

If this is the year you’re determined to finally get your brilliant idea down on paper, connect with the supportive instructors and community of writers in our creative writing courses to help you find the perfect words to bring your story to life. 

4. Grow your Marketing skills 

As the world and technology have rapidly evolved over the past decade, so have effective marketing strategies and techniques. If it’s time for you to update your skills and learn new strategies, our dedicated marketing, communications and pr instructors can help you thrive in today’s competitive landscape. 

5. Brush up on your knowledge of history

If your knowledge of history is starting to feel ancient, let our passionate and knowledgeable instructors refresh your memory or introduce you to fascinating parts of history you’ve never explored. 

6. Formalize your project management skills 

Whether you are new to project management or simply want to improve and bolster your existing skills with a certificate or designation, now is the time to check out our suite of project management courses and certificates. 

7. Pass the CFA 

If you’re determined to achieve your Chartered Financial Analyst designation but overwhelmed at the thought of the exams that stand between you and the CFA, this is the year to take advantage of instructor Michael Hlinka’s expertise, and prepare for whichever level you’re aiming for with our Passing the CFA test preparation courses. 

8. Launch your product or service 

The dream of successful entrepreneurship could be closer than you think! Whether you’ve already launched your start-up, or you’re getting ready to unveil a brand new product, our entrepreneurship courses and workshops can support you as you establish, grow, and maintain a sustainable business.

9. Become more mindful 

If your goal this year is to seek more discipline, tolerance, calmness, and mental clarity, the courses and certificates in our mindfulness program can help. 

10. Bring out the best in your team

Organizations with strong learning cultures support their team’s growth and are more likely to see gains in areas that positively impact their business. This year, invest in your team and unleash their full potential with the help of our corporate and organizational training program. 

If you’re still establishing your goals for 2022, or not quite sure where to begin, don’t forget to sign up for the SCS Knowledge Hub to gain access to free educational content and webinars and get inspired to take the next step in your lifelong learning journey!

Whether it helps to fast-track a career, discover new skills and passions or simply keeps the mind active and healthy, there is no doubt that education can be life-changing. 

It can also, unfortunately, be difficult for people to access when faced with financial difficulties. 

That’s why the School of Continuing Studies is committed to finding opportunities to help connect learners with the funds they need to gain access to expert instructors and up-to-date, beneficial, and inspiring courses. 
Here are six ways learners can fund their studies at SCS:

1. Apply for a Bursary
2. Canada Training Benefit 
3. OSAP
4. Windmill Microlending
5. Scale AI 
6. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) to enter our series of draws for a free course once per term. 

Created in 2018 by its parent brand, the Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok is one of the newer kids on the social media block. With its millions of users and downloads, the video-heavy platform has given new meaning to the idea of virality. The interface allows users to infinitely scroll and find only the funniest, best, and brightest content that suits their needs (and viewing habits), whether it’s a dance challenge, a political statement, or a powerful lip sync. Both individuals and big-time brands are trying every which way to amplify their video content and sell their wares by resonating with new audiences on this platform.

The eyes of almost every advertiser or marketer have been transfixed on TikTok as a result. And it’s no wonder: in 2020, TikTok was the most downloaded app on the planet (we’re talking 850 Million downloads); in September of 2021, it reached a milestone of converting 1 billion monthly active users. For those on the hunt for new audiences, TikTok holds exciting possibilities. But given that the growing platform has remained relatively mum on its significant stats, especially as to how its app encourages purchases, brand impact, and other worthwhile metrics,  understanding how best to develop winning strategies and tactics on the ever-growing app has been a bit of a challenge. 

TikTok offers paid advertising as well as the ability to promote in-app purchases from its user base, meaning that companies can establish a revenue stream and a paid ad plan. But a significant spend on ads for this kind of app is only a small piece of the puzzle. It’s the ability to consistently adjust content to suit the needs (and keywords) of the intended audience and leap into trending conversations with gusto, that can help buoy a brand on this timely app.

Some major brands out there are taking the TikTok leap, and doing it right. Let’s look at a few of them.

Elf: Going viral through musical engagement

Elf Cosmetics took engagement on TikTok to new heights with its Tik Tok campaign, which includes a catchy original song called “Eyes Lips Face,” and holds the prestigious position as the very first commissioned song for a TikTok ad campaign. TikTok users were game to participate by sharing videos of themselves lip-synching to the song (including celebrities). With every iteration and share on TikTok, the song brought more and more visibility to the beauty brand. In fact,  it’s the fastest-ever TikTok campaign to reach 1 billion views. This success gave Elf a fighting chance in a flooded industry and earned the trend-setter some serious cosmetic coin.

Chipotle: Taking engagement cues from its employees

Then there’s Chipotle, whose strong understanding of its Gen-Z audience, and its own employees’ use of social media, encouraged them to create the #ChipotleLidFlip campaign. After one of its employees, Daniel Vasquez, posted a video of himself impressively flipping a Chipotle bowl, the video took on a life of its own, and Chipotle made the smart move to create a hashtag and invite other users to show their own lid-flipping skills. 

The result was epic engagement and a brand visibility that marketers can only dream of: 110,000 video submissions, and at least 230 million views. This is the kind of audience engagement most marketers can only dream of.

Even if you’re growing from a grassroots place and don’t necessarily have an ad budget in hand, you can still take inspiration from both Elf and Chipotle’s attempts to engage TikTok users by “gamifying” their content - that is, asking their communities questions and prompting them to respond with their own content, all in an attempt to encourage meaningful engagement in the form of shares and comments. Offering contests, and providing incentives for users to embrace a hashtag and create their own content in response, is a savvy way to engage key audiences. These brands also encouraged users to leap in with videos that align with trending topics, really allowing people to organically engage with both TikTok and their brand.

Ocean Spray: Going Viral Through Listening and Monitoring 

In Foundations of Digital Communications Strategy and Social Media at SCS, we often talk about listening and monitoring as key components of success for brands who are upping their social media game. By monitoring, we mean constantly scanning social media for mentions of your brand, products, key people, and competitors, and always being on the lookout for hints of a potential crisis. By listening, we mean actually jumping into the conversation, taking the brave leap into reacting to social posts around your brand, which can result in meaningful engagement and better help you plan out future social media strategies. 

A strong example of listening and monitoring on social media to bring greater brand awareness and sales came in the form of Idaho potato worker Nathan Apodaca (TikTok user @420doggface208). Nathan posted a feel-good video on TikTok – a self-shot cinematic view of himself riding a skateboard to a soundtrack of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, while effortlessly downing a bottle of Ocean Spray. He shot the video after his truck had broken down and he opted for his skateboard instead. The uplifting video, which seemed even more poignant during the COVID pandemic, went viral across social media channels including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

What happened next? The video saw a lot of love online (with Apodaca racking up close to 7 million TikTok followers); Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams (first released in 1977) reentered the charts and tripled in sales; celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Mick Fleetwood himself start creating their own tribute videos; and the content became a central news story on social media channels and major news networks. 

90-year-old brand Ocean Spray, who had been monitoring this TikTok user-generated content, finally took the ‘leap into listening’ by assessing the success of Apodaca’s video and their product placement, and then in a carefully thought-out publicity boost, bought him a new truck packed full of Ocean Spray bottles (and enjoyed a newfound brand boost and took full advantage of an uptick in sales!). 

This is not only a good example of TikTok audience members becoming marketing content; it’s also a good example of how a gentle product placement in a light-hearted TikTok video can breathe new life into a tired brand, and how that brand leveraged TikTok content to take its sales and its public image into the 21st century.

Demystifying TikTok in 2022

Whether they understand the magic TikTok formula or not, companies large and small will continue to demystify this newer platform, and leverage it by listening and monitoring the conversations that resonate with their social-savvy target audiences across the planet (in this case, 35% being between 19 and 29, and 28% being under 18). Some will see big wins with contests, hashtag challenges, and clever musical ad campaigns.  Others, like Ocean Spray, will enjoy sold-out products and great quarterly sales numbers when TikTok influencers begin rooting for them (like The Ordinary’s peeling solution - a TikTok-certified skin conditioner!). And retailers in particular will be looking to TikTok to tell them what to have in stock in their store. 

Exactly who and what will be trending in the hearts, minds, and TikTok feeds of the global community is still a mystery, but we’ll be watching. 

Samantha Mehra (MA) is a senior copywriter and content strategist in Toronto, and an instructor at The University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. With a diverse background in technology, history, and arts journalism, her writing credits include The Canadian Encyclopedia, Feathertale, Oxford Journals, and Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism. She is a National Magazine Award nominee and enjoys puns.

Last week, CivicLabTO presented their Academic Summit: Collaborating on Renewal and Resilience. The two-day virtual summit was designed to bring together thought leaders from local academic institutions, City staff, and government representatives to address the challenges Toronto faces in the wake of COVID-19.  

SCS Dean Dr. Chandler-Crichlow joined moderator Lisa Fink, Manager of Sector Development, Economic Development and Culture Division at the City of Toronto; Dr. Vik Singh, Assistant Professor, Global Management Studies at Ryerson University; and Jeff D’Hondt, Indigenous Affairs Consultant for the City of Toronto to discuss how our city can rebuild and improve economic resiliency. 

Dr. Singh kicked things off with a presentation of his research into how different industries and sectors of the community have been impacted, noting that women and newcomers to Canada have borne the brunt of the job losses and financial challenges brought about by COVID-19. 
This is why, as Dr. Chandler-Crichlow pointed out, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to building economic resiliency, and the city will need a menu of options to tackle the impacts on individuals, the workforce ecosystem, and society at large. “To re-build on these three fronts, I propose that we consider the use of reflection, re-skilling, and resilience respectively to address the needs of the groups that have been impacted by the pandemic,” she said.

Reflection will be key in helping individuals looking to re-build their careers post-pandemic. “This is a time for individuals to take pause and look inwards to re-affirm their core strengths, skills, and capabilities, and begin to identify how they can leverage these in the emerging labour markets,” Dr. Chandler-Crichlow explained. “For example: are you a problem solver? Do you easily learn new technologies and can train others? How flexible are you in considering new roles in a different sector? Armed with responses to questions such as these, an individual could consider jobs that are emerging.”

A focus on re-skilling will be beneficial to both employers and workers, said Dr. Chandler-Crichlow.  “This is also a time to look outwards at emerging trends in the labour market. Those interested in pivoting to different jobs, careers, or sectors could do so by broadening their repertoire of skills in a short time,” she explained. “This is where access to micro-credentials and micro-courses can fast-track access to new opportunities that arise. At SCS we have built a range of micro-courses and micro-credentials that are designed to be applicable to work across a wide range of sectors.”

Finally, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow stressed the importance of helping build resilience in individuals in our communities, particularly those who have been faced with the challenges of social isolation.  She suggested that the city could lean into its arts and culture scene to help people get reconnected, and re-committed to pursuits that give them purpose and direction. “Think of it: the vibrancy and joy that comes from musicals, the sheer creativity from our art galleries, the convening power of our cultural centers. It is these artistic and creative channels that provide the glue that holds together the social fabric of our communities. And these are desperately needed as we re-build,” she said. “Individual excellence, economic revitalization, and social re-integration are inextricably linked as we take an inclusive approach to building that new normal.”

You may not think that supply chain management affects your daily life. But trust me: it does. 

From shortages of paper products to the increase in prices for staple items like rice, flour, and petroleum derivatives, the health of our supply chain touches countless aspects of our lives. In fact, as the holiday season inches closer, you may rightfully worry about the availability of goods. Even the President of the USA recently addressed the nation on the state of the supply chain. As a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), I’m simultaneously concerned and fascinated by how supply chains have weathered the pandemic and the effect on the public. Here are some big questions, and related concepts and strategies, that supply chain experts like myself are mulling as we approach 2022.  

Are we experiencing disruption or distraction?

The current state of operations and supply chain management has demonstrated many failure modes. Of course, the worldwide pandemic amplified those failure modes within the supply chain. As executives and shareholders place more emphasis on short-term gain over long-term success, it is quite evident that long-term capacity planning and strategy deployment is taking the back seat. But companies should not be distracted from their long-term goals; they must continue to focus on their competitive dimensions, such as cost, quality, delivery speed, delivery reliability, and coping with changes in demand and flexibility. Strategies, such as conducting a robust Failure Mode and Effects Analysis on an organization, can help companies address supply chain issues. 

Are supply chain concerns transitory or transformational?

Many reports in the mainstream media suggest that the shortage in semi-conductor chips, the high inflation rate, and high job vacancies, are transitory. I think that this narrative needs to be examined critically. What is the definition of transitory? Normally when we think of transitory, we think short-term, i.e., months not years. The changes that the pandemic has brought to our supply chain is more than transitory, it is transformational. Successful supply chains have transformed their strategy and processes, shifting their strategies in regards to people, the planet, and performance. Those who have failed to adapt have been left in the dust, and in many instances, consumers have paid the price, both literally and metaphorically. This is no short-term affair.

How do we balance between supply and demand?

The management of supply chains has always been the science of balancing supply and demand. A supply chain has many tenants such as forecasting, capacity management, the design of products and services, logistics, distribution, and inventory management. These traditional functions were tested with the pandemic. As places of work were shut down and people were working from home, the demand for items such as computers, monitors, chairs, and other remote working requirements soared. The demand from these segments of business consumed the raw materials and components for their requirements. It introduced a strain in the supply to other segments in the supply chain. The result has meant good luck finding a desk or office chair in stock! Meanwhile, automobile manufacturers were hit hard as the shortage of computer chips reduced their ability to satisfy the demand for their products. Suppliers of chips are now reacting to this by opening more focused factories to meet the demand. But don’t be alarmed if the shortages start to affect industrial and farming equipment. Are you prepared for a shortage in food supply? A healthy supply and demand balance is critical.

Are we dealing with a supply chain or a consumption chain?

As we analyze all the constraints facing the processes that plan, source, make, deliver, and return goods and services around the planet, we should think differently about these processes. What if we consider the consumption chain? The consumption chain starts with the consumer and not the supplier. What if we turn the supply chain upside-down? Companies will need to encourage the concepts of Net Zero Product and the Circular Economy. Net Zero production goals will help reduce the carbon footprint of the organization. The Circular Economy goals will help reduce the amount of waste in organizations. Issues that are currently constraining organizations can be reduced, if not removed, with the careful use of the concepts of Theory of Constraints, which I explore in my course.  

So…what might happen after the Pandemic? 

The Transformed Organization

Organizations will need to deal with strained relationships between major countries like USA and China, and alliances and trading blocks. These geopolitical issues will force organizations to rethink their strategies of offshoring, nearshoring, and reshoring. Offshoring is having the source and making processes outside of North America. Nearshoring is putting these processes closer to where the consumption is. Reshoring is having these processes where the consumption is. This will create countermeasures for long lead times and port congestions. Essentially, organizations will need to use technology to enhance the speed and quality of operations, while diversifying their supply base. They can no longer rely on single or central sources of supply.

The Transformed Consumer

Consumers will continue to want lower prices as they normally do. So, competition for the consumers’ dollars will continue to drive changes within organizations. When interest rates start to rise, and if economic activities slow down, consumers will have less disposable income, which will also force organizations to pivot their strategies. In addition, consumers have developed an affinity for online and omni-channel shopping. This transformation of consumer behavior is here to stay and will only get more popular as time goes on. Consumers are looking for a reduction in prices and a reduction in their lead-time for goods and services; organizations will only be successful when they are able to match the behavior of the consumers to the capabilities of the firm.

Mike Hanif is APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and a Certified Instructor. After graduating in Business Management and Electrical Engineering, Mike worked with several large organizations such as Canpar, Purolator, and Canadian Tire Corporation. During this time Mike added other academic achievements from Ryerson University, Humber College, Schulich School of Business, and University of Limerick. He held various positions during his more than 35 years within Operations and Supply Chain Management, and consults in various sectors of Supply Chain. Mike is an Accredited Training Associate with the International Association for Lean Six Sigma Certification.  He teaches and mentors for Centre for Nimble Transformations, and the Leading Edge Group, and a is a former VP of the BOD for the APICS Peel Chapter. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award at the University of Toronto. The concepts discussed above (and many more) are part of the Certificate in Operations and Supply Chain Management program at SCS. Mike’s next course, Principles of Operations & Supply Chain Management, starts in January 2022.
 

The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is pleased to announce the arrival of our new dean, Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow, who joined us this month. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and energy to the role of dean.

Prior to joining SCS, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow was the Executive Director of Career Management and Corporate Recruiting at Ivey Business School at Western University, as well as an active member of their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council. She also previously headed 3C Workforce Solutions, an organization that conducts research to determine talent needs across major sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, and hospitality in Ontario. This kind of research, she says, is key to understanding the changing nature of work and tackling under- and unemployment of racialized youth, immigrants, newcomers, and marginalized Francophonie.

“This is a subject I’m very passionate about,” says Dr. Chandler-Crichlow. “I’m looking forward to finding more ways for SCS to equip our learners with the skills they need for the future of work. We are committed to taking an inclusive approach to providing our learning community with the vital ability to recognize and adapt their skills to address the rapidly-evolving needs of the workforce.” 

In addition to over 25 years working within the financial services sector, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow has been an advisor to different levels of government, both as a member of the federal Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy, and as a member of the External Advisory Committee on Inclusion and Diversity of the Ontario Public Service. She is Board Chair of the largest immigrant mentorship network in Canada, and in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, she was selected by The Philanthropist as one of Canada’s leaders in the non-profit sector.

A lifelong learner herself, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow holds a doctorate in adult education from the University of Toronto, a Master of Education degree from Harvard University, and both a Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the West Indies.   

“I know well the life-changing impact education can have. I’m thrilled to grow SCS as an accessible, inspiring, and effective launchpad where our learners can prepare for their next exciting steps forward.” 

Are you wondering what the future of work looks like, and what’s your place in it? We know there’s a ton of info out there, with a lot of buzzwords and hype. It can be confusing! Check out this Lifelong Learning 101 tip sheet, so you can know the facts about 21st-century skills.

LIFELONG LEARNING

Learning doesn’t end once you’ve earned a college/university credential! Continuing education is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s a need for workforce engagement and personal career satisfaction. Essentially, learning and having a career isn’t a linear path like it might have been in the past; it’s an intricate journey full of twists, turns, and exciting opportunities.

SKILLS GAP

This means there is a disconnect between the qualifications employers are looking for, and the skill sets that potential employees have. The pandemic, rapid changes in digital technology, and dynamic global markets have widened this gap. 

INDUSTRY 4.0

This one sounds intimidating, but it’s not! This term simply refers to the increasing emphasis on digital and technology-focused skill requirements. It means we have moved beyond the Third Industrial Revolution, (i.e., the emergence of the personal computer), and we are in a new era of automation and artificial intelligence – which we call the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0.

UPSKILLING AND RESKILLING

It’s easy to mix these two up! They have a common goal: to teach skills that will help you gain 21st-century job qualifications. Upskilling means you are enhancing your current knowledge and skills, whereas reskilling means you are building on your existing knowledge while gaining new in-demand skills in a new domain. 

In a nutshell: Industry 4.0 = Increasing skills gap.

The answer to the skills gap? Lifelong learning! 

We hope this helps. You’ve got this!
 

With the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, we're seeing workplace communication continue to evolve. Many workplaces are adopting a hybrid model, where team members are co-located, with some working remotely and others physically present in the office. This presents unique challenges. For example, how do you establish meaningful connections in this new environment? How can leaders and employees alike avoid miscommunication, distraction, lack of flow, and reduced motivation and decreased productivity during hybrid meetings?

In fact, a groundbreaking 2021 study exposes a digital communications crisis. The study suggests that 44% of employees experience frequent digital anxiety, citing confusing, vague, unclear, or non-existent communication as the primary concerns. 

As a leadership coach and communication skills trainer, my approach to the problem is to bring my full humanity to every interaction. When I first began teaching my public speaking, presentation, and leadership classes online at SCS due to the pandemic, the “best practice” in the industry was to keep my sessions as micro sessions, capping classes at two hours. I was told that no adult learners would last three hours in a class. And yet, my courses are two and three hours in length, and I consistently receive feedback that it is a rich learning experience, supported by an intimate, safe, virtual space. It is possible to conduct effective and engaging online meetings, presentations, or lessons.

Here’s five tips to help you clearly communicate your true message, engage your team, and boost productivity.

1. Prepare with your audience front-of-mind

Demonstrating empathy is more important than appearing clever.

Don’t lose their attention! You may have many ideas and lots of information to share.  But it’s all too easy to get lost in the details and stray from the original point of the presentation. Instead, keep your audience – and their thoughts, feelings, and realities – front of mind, as you prepare for your talk. 
In fact, acknowledging that you, too, are grappling with the uncertainty and awkwardness of this moment, shows humility.

How to do it:

• Ask yourself: what is the purpose of this meeting/ presentation? Why is this relevant to my audience? How will this information change their lives? How might they react, and what’s my main message?
• Prepare an outline of your talk that is simple and clear. The purpose of preparing is so that on the day of your event you can be present.
• Use transitional phrases so your audience can follow along.
• Show respect for your audience by preparing a message that takes into account their current situation, hopes, fears, and feelings. 

2. Offer your full presence

Before you can connect with others, you need to ground yourself.

Powerful connection with others begins when you are grounded, centered, and at peace with yourself. You’ve done your prep work – you’re clear on your purpose and considered your audience and the impact your message may have on them – now your task is to be there with them.

How to do it:

• Take 5 – 10 minutes before your meeting to ground yourself. 
• Step outside, shut down tech, do deep breathing, and anchor yourself in the moment.
• One of my favourite ways is the 5,4,3,2,1 exercise.

3. Connect authentically

Empathy is critical.

It’s so important to establish empathy, since many of our non-verbal cues are lost when we’re not in the same room, physically.

How to do it:

• Slow down when you speak!
• When a meeting begins, allow time to land; prepare a short and meaningful icebreaker.
• Make eye contact with every person on the screen, one-by-one, and say their names and an individual hello. In that moment, connect with them energetically. I actually beam a feeling of goodwill towards my audience.
• Remember that behind each of those Hollywood Squares tiles is an actual human being, sitting there, doing their best, and wondering how this meeting is going to help them. 

4. Use Vocal techniques 

Your voice is an important tool.

Your team has so much on their minds, stress levels are high, and distraction levels are heightened. You want to make it exceptionally easy for them to understand you, and receive your key message.
There is enough of a disconnect that happens virtually – and any technical glitch or delay will further “distance” you from your audience. Your voice is an important tool not only when it comes to delivering a clear message, but also when it comes to establishing trust. Many leaders overlook the importance of developing their vocal range.

How to do it:

• Practice speaking slowly and clearly.
• Make your words, voice, and face match.
• Familiarize yourself with the vocal range available to you.
• Incorporate pauses, aim for a moderate pace, and be aware of your pitch.

5. Include everyone in the conversation

Ensure you are making a conscious effort to include everyone in the discussion.

Be sure to treat all members of your team fairly and give them equal speaking and engagement time – whether they are joining in-person or remotely. MIT research demonstrates that remote employees tend to receive fewer promotion offers, and exhibit lower performance because they lack the facetime that their team members in the office have.  Become aware of your own unconscious bias, and ensure you are making a conscious effort to include everyone in the discussion. Especially when it comes to the virtual realm– where so much nuance is lost – you’ll want to regularly check for comprehension.

How to do it:

• Ask for feedback from everyone on your team.
• Invest in the technology and tools to use polls for questions, and get your audience engaged.
• Pay attention to the body language, facial expressions, and comments coming from your team – and follow-up on what you are noticing.
• Call on team members by name, asking them to participate.
• Invest in your communications plan and necessary training to ensure your team members are aligned on how to have conversations that include everyone.

Try implementing these tips, and watch your team engagement - and productivity - soar!

Sarah Lang is a University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) instructor, and professional certified coach (PCC, CPCC). She has a passion for supporting leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to grow their presence, professionalism, and poise. Sarah serves as a Leadership Mentor at the Ideation Clinic, and is the Founder of LeadWell Consulting Inc. Sarah teaches two courses at SCS: Public Speaking & Presentation, and Leadership Presence & Presentations.

With major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook investing heavily in augmented and virtual reality technologies over the past few years, it’s no surprise that the demand for AR/VR development jobs has exploded, with no sign of slowing down any time soon. 

That’s why the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) has collaborated with Circuit Stream to offer a course designed to equip learners with the specialized skills needed for Extended Reality (AR/VR) development. 

Through XR Development with Unity’s project-based curriculum, learners can obtain the in-demand skills to get them building immersive technologies and exploring new career opportunities.

“We’re so pleased to be collaborating with Circuit Stream on this course in such an exciting, current, and innovative area of study,” says SCS Dean Maureen MacDonald. “We see so much potential to help equip learners with the kind of knowledge that can tap into their skills and creativity and lead to amazing growth in their careers.”  

XR Development with Unity will be offered online, with twice-weekly live classes recorded so learners can study part time and on their own schedule. Learners who successfully complete this course receive a certificate from Circuit Stream, certifying them as an XR Developer with Unity. 

Registration is now open. For more information or to register, please visit the course information pages:

• XR Development
• XR Design

There’s a lot of information out there about the jobs and skills of tomorrow, and the predictions of an uncertain post-pandemic reality. It can be a lot to take in! So, we worked with the University of Manitoba Extended Education to help you navigate ideas and concepts related to lifelong learning, and how it affects you.  

Check out our Toronto Star article, Beyond Buzzwords: A User Guide for the Future of Work.