Off Beat

Staff Relations Hotline: 2866-7519

Listening skills essential for effective communication

GOOD listening skills are essential to the success of two-way communication. Amazingly, listening is a forgotten skill for many people. But with training and practice, our listening can be improved. The following are some easy steps you can practise to improve it.
Be Positive
Another dull presentation? How about concentrating on, and adopting a positive attitude towards what's being said? You will usually find something useful and knowledgeable in the talk. Try by asking yourself questions like: "What is being said that I can use?" ; "What's in this for me?" : "How does this relate to what I already know?" etcetera. You will focus more, and take away the negativity.
Focus your attention
Don't be distracted just because the presenter does not have presentation skills or you do not like appearance.
Motivate the speaker by using listening skills
Effective and empathetic listening will not only allow you learn more but will also stimulate and motivate the speaker to give a better delivery.
Make notes
Notes help you retain the important points being said.
Resist external distractions
Don't allow external distractions to affect your concentration on the key issues during the communication process. If necessary, position yourself suitably so undesirable distractions are minimised.
Be composed and open
Hold your temper even when you don't agree with what's being said or when you have been offended by some emotion-laden words. One way to deal with it is to withhold your judgement or rebuttal until you fully comprehend the points the presenter is making.
Efficient listening takes energy and requires practice. However, it is worth putting the effort in as it promotes good communication, reduces tensions and facilitates co-operation, not only at work, but it also improves relationships between you and your family and friends.
Remember, two-way communication involves at least two parties. Without your contribution, the flow of communication can never be smooth.

POLICE OFFICERS' CLUB

Sports Shop

NOW in stock, amazingly cute Lady Police Teddy Bears - only a limited number available, so be quick.

Wine Shop
Our Wine of the Month for May is from South Africa, "Adelberg 97 - Simonsig". Our guest reviewer, Rod Colson, describes it as "a big, strong brute of a wine, and fantastic value at just $63 a bottle" Mmmm.

Beat Cafe

On Sundays and public holidays, why not try the great-value Tea Buffet? A tempting combination of Chinese and Western dishes for just $42 per person, from 2.30 pm.
Set Lunch everyday, three courses and tea or coffee for an incredible $52

TSK Hall

Monday to Saturday, new Daily Speciality Dishes still just $25 each.
Buy two beers, and get a discount on Pigeon!
Why not celebrate Buddha's Birthday on May 22 by eating some vegetables? A special vegetarian menu will be available that day.

Verandah Bar

New "Owl Time Happy Hour" from 8 pm onwards.
Spend over $60 in the Bar and receive a Daily Speciality Dish Coupon for use in the TSK Hall (valid for 1 month).
May 28,29 and 30, it's the Coors Beer Promotion. Buy 2 bottles of this great American drop and receive another free!
For all catering bookings, please call 2591-1924.

Leave Homes

FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from May 19 to June 14, 1999, for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows:

Casa Pearl Terrace in Macau, May 19-31
Hellen Garden in Macau, May 26-31, June 1-5, 8-14
Tung Tsz A4, May 19-20, 23-31, June 1-4, 6-14
Tong Fuk No.149A, 1/F, May 19-21, 28, 30-31, June 1-3, 6-11, 14
Pegasus Villa in Cheung Chau, May 31, June 3-4, 9-10, 13-14

Accommodation after June 14, 99 will be allocated by ballot. For reservations, apply to Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit at 2804-1135. Applicants please use the new application forms (Rev 98). You cannot apply for more than one bungalow during the same period.

The following hotels are offering accommodation at reduced rates for Force members. Interested colleagues should contact the hotels directly for reservations.

Mandarin Oriental Macau (800-967338);
Hotel Sintra Macau (800-969145);
Forum Hotel Shenzhen (2866-7699);
Shenzhen Century Plaza Hotel (2598-0363);
Shenzhen Nanhai Hotel (2315-5388);
Guangzhou Hai Tao Hotel (2311-2283);
Zhu Hai Holiday Resort Hotel (2838-7008); and
Gold Coast Hotel (2452-8833).

NERVE and training effectiveness

SCEPTICAL comments are often received on training effectiveness. Especially under the pressure of the Enhanced Productivity Programme, it is reasonable to ask: Are the training programmes we are running worth the huge amount of resources we put in?" The distrust persists particularly when quite a lot of trainees tend to take training sessions as something like going to a holiday camp and rebuke the trainers for being too serious.

Does it mean that every training programme is likely to backfire? The answer of course is negative. Otherwise, the training profession would no longer exist. The key issue is whether trainers are well prepared to touch the NERVE of trainees.

The catchy acronym NERVE, Needs, Experience, Response, Viewpoint and Endeavour, reflects the five major components of training design. Sad but true, trainees lose interest when they feel no need to learn. Improper delivery never generates valuable experience for trainees.

Nevertheless, a well-delivered programme still does not work if trainees' responses are omitted. Trainers must be sensitive to trainees' responses and hence the viewpoints developed among them. Correct viewpoints are anticipated in every training programme. Last but not least comes endeavour, which is crucial to sustain the good practice gained from training. These five components are fundamental to the design of a training programme. However, don't forget to touch the nerve of trainees.

It is not alien to Hong Kong that trainees are often obsessed by examinations. They aim to score high in the examination by memorising the materials they are given in the class. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a high score in the examination. If after the examination, trainees can still keep the materials in their minds and apply them in practice, the training can be regarded as highly effective. A short-term memory, without any actual behavioural change, is not the purpose of training.

To enhance training effectiveness, we need to consider NERVE deliberately. However, more important is to touch the nerve of trainees.

(Information provided by Wan Chun-cheong, Force Training Officer, Training Development Bureau)

Vino Virtuosi!

THE Force welcomed 25 new experts earlier this month who graduated after an intensive and demanding four week course - in wine!

The group had completed the Wine Appreciation Course held at the Police Officers' Club and organised by the Hong Kong Wine School.

Subjects covered in the course included: wine production, different grape varieties, various countries of origin, how to taste, and where to find the bargains.

The final session ended with an impromptu " blind tasting" by the course instructor Chris Baker. He later described the course as "one of the most lively and intellectually stimulating I've ever organised".

And the new found wisdom of the participants can perhaps best be described by Dave Williams who at the end of it all received his certificate and was heard to ask: "Cabernet Sauvignon, that's a white isn't it?"