SFCC Offering Class For New Managers

AVON PARK - A class for new managers and supervisors as well as classes covering the 2007 Microsoft software will be offered by the South Florida Community College Corporate and Continuing Education Department later this year.

"Peer Today, Gone Tomorrow" will start in August.

According to an overview of the class, it is not easy making the leap from peer to boss. In addition to the dramatic change, new mangers frequently struggle to balance their old coworker relationships with their new management responsbilities

Among other things, participants will learn to overcome the fear of lost friendships and lost rapport, discipling a former peer, managing coworkers who are older and avoiding the appearance of favortism.

Conversational Spanish will also begin in August for people including emergency medical workers and bank employees.

Lorrie Key, the department's coordinator, said she has the curriculum for the class and is looking for generic instructors as well as those who have knowledge of terms related to specific fields.

"Closing the Deal: The Secrets of Selling" will start in September. Those planning to take the class will learn new ways of dealing with old and new customers with reasons people should choose your product, reasons people don't choose your product, ways to put people at ease and ways to master the art of closing.

Several computer workshops focusing on the new MS office 2007 are scheduled this fall.

Key said the 2007 software is "totally different." She noted that many employers might not be aware of the changes in the software.

"Training is necessary," she said.

The SFCC staff has gone through the training.

Key's department is now settled in the refurbished Building T on the Avon Park campus. An open house will be held there on Aug. 28 in conjunction with a tri-chamber mixer. It will be for chamber members and invited guests.

Key can be reached at 784-7033.