The communication blueprint

The programme aims to enhance participants’ communication skills by exploring the core principles of communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration. Participants will develop active listening, clear expression, and emotional management techniques, strengthening the effectiveness of their professional interactions. The training is practical in nature and includes experiential exercises, role-playing, and personal reflection activities, enabling participants to immediately apply the skills they acquire.

Effective collaboration begins with understanding how we communicate — and why it matters. This training will help participants explore the foundations of communication, including verbal, non-verbal, and digital channels, while gaining insight into how people express themselves differently. Through practical tools and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence. They will dive into what drives impact, how to manage emotions, what to expect from others, and how to respond in ways that strengthen collaboration. Whether leading a team or contributing to one, this session will help participants build stronger connections, reduce misunderstandings, and work together more effectively.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the basic principles and types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital)
• Recognise common communication barriers and how they affect collaboration
• Acknowledge the role of emotional intelligence in professional interactions
• Apply active listening techniques and adapt communication styles based on the audience
• Communicate with clarity, confidence, and assertiveness in various workplace scenarios
• Manage emotional triggers and navigate difficult conversations constructively
• Demonstrate openness to diverse communication styles and perspectives
• Show willingness to engage in collaborative and trust-building communication
• Cultivate a proactive and empathetic approach to interpersonal challenges

Professionals across functions and levels who:

• Work in teams or cross-functional settings
• Want to improve clarity, confidence, and collaboration
• Engage in high-stakes or emotionally charged interactions
• Struggle with communication barriers
• Want to improve their assertiveness
   

All participants should be currently employed.

*The number of participants is restricted to 28.

1. Welcome and introduction  (30 min)

• Icebreaker
• Review of objectives & agenda

2. Foundations of Communication (1 h & 30 min)

Understand what communication really is, why it breaks down, and how different channels (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital) affect how messages are received.

• The communication process
• Personal, social and other barriers
• Perception, context, and tone
• Types & styles of communication
• Miscommunication triggers 

3. Self – awareness & emotional management  (2 h)

Explore and practice how self-awareness and emotion management influence how we speak, listen, and react.

• Understanding your communication style
• Recognising emotional triggers
• Empathy and self-regulation
• Reading others' emotions and body language

4. Confidence & Presence in Communication (1 h & 30 min)

Learn techniques to communicate assertively and confidently — even under pressure.

• Building vocal and physical confidence
• Structuring your thoughts clearly
• Assertiveness vs aggressiveness

5. Communication in Collaboration (1 h)

Apply communication skills in real-world team scenarios.

• How we communicate professionally in teams
• Navigating through disagreements
• The importance of feedback
• Creating psychological safety in teams

6. Wrap-up & Action planning (30 min)

• Summary and next steps
• Action planning

Our services include:

• Handouts, including the hard copy presentation, examples, case studies, exercises, and additional notes if applicable.
• Stationery, such as pads, pens, and files.
• Drinks (coffee, tea, etc.), snacks and a buffet lunch.
• A fully equipped training room.
• Certificate of completion.

If you wish to register for the seminar, please complete the registration form.

Once your registration is submitted, you will receive an email stating how to proceed with your HRDA registration through the Ermis platform. Upon completion of this step, you will receive a confirmation email which will include the participation fee, including any discounts, if applicable. Kindly note that the payment should be settled at least two days prior to the seminar’s date for your registration to be confirmed.

The programme has been approved by the HRDA. Enterprises participating with their employees who satisfy HRDA’s criteria, are entitled to subsidy. Please note that there are limited seats available, therefore enroll in this seminar as soon as possible.

If you do not receive our confirmation e-mail regarding your registration, your participation cannot be guaranteed.

Cost

€260 + VAT (19%) for all participants who are non-eligible for the HRDA subsidy.

€120 net investment after the HRDA subsidy (€140) for all eligible participants.

Last Date for 10% Early Bird Discount: 13/11/2025

Extra discounts may apply to the initial price, before the VAT and HRDA subsidy. Please view options below.

Note

We do not provide a soft copy of the presentation for face-to-face seminars. However, if you would like to request one, please contact us. We may be able to provide it, subject to approval. In this case, the cost of the soft copy will be €50 for participants who have already attended the relevant training, or €100 for those who have not.

HRDA Note

All individuals who wish to attend our HRDA approved training courses should not only fill out our registration form, but also complete the registration process through the ERMIS platform. Regardless of whether they are claiming the HRDA subsidy or not, each participant will need to complete their registration through ERMIS as a physical person and then register to our training in order to be able to attend (either as an employee whose company is claiming the subsidy or as an individual who is not claiming the subsidy). Please reach out to the HRDA Ermis officers on 22 390 300 for more details regarding the registration as a physical person.

Discounts available

• For three or more (3+) participants from the same company, a 10% discount is available on the total cost, before the VAT and HRDA subsidy. This discount only applies for participants who enroll in the same seminar, on the same day. This discount can only be combined with the early bird discount and the HRDA subsidy, when applicable.
• For individuals/legal entities who/which register in more than two (3+) seminars during the same semester (January-June & July-December), a 10% discount is available on the total cost, before the VAT and HRDA subsidy. This discount only applies for individuals/legal entities who/which enroll in more than two (3+) seminars during the same semester, on the same day. This discount can only be combined with the early bird discount and the HRDA subsidy, when applicable.
• There is a 10% discount for alumni members. This discount should be applied before the VAT and HRDA subsidy and can only be combined with the early bird discount and the HRDA subsidy, when applicable. For more information on our alumni scheme, click here.
• There is a 10% early bird discount on selected seminars for participants who enroll in a training course until a specific date which is stated above. This discount should be applied before the VAT and HRDA subsidy and can only be combined with the HRDA subsidy, when applicable.
• HRDA subsidy for all HRDA approved seminars.
• Please note that while participants may qualify for multiple discounts, a maximum of two discounts, up to a total of 20%, can be applied per registration.

Contact

For any queries, please contact Antrea Masoura on +357 22 207 460 or at academy@kpmg.com.cy

CPD

This seminar may contribute to Continuing Professional Development requirements. At the end of the seminar participants will be given a certificate of attendance confirming the total number of training hours (7 CPD).

John Nicolaou 
Board Member, L&D Audit and Soft Skills Lead

John is a Board Member at KPMG in Cyprus and has 23 years of combined experience in Cyprus and the United States of America. John is currently the Head of Audit and Soft Skills Learning and Development team, which is supported by a team of experienced facilitators. Furthermore, John is responsible for the design and delivery of various soft-skill seminars and workshops for KPMG personnel and clients.

As a facilitator, John has extensive experience in providing various seminars in communication, management, leadership, coaching, relationship building, managing conflict, strategic planning, sales, negotiating skills, time management, change management, presentation/facilitation skills, among others.

John has been an accredited KPMG EMA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) trainer for the provision of trainings in leadership, management and other business skills areas. In his role as KPMG EMA trainer for over 10 years, John has trained participants from over 20 countries in a very comprehensive program. The purpose of the program has been to help the transition of young professionals to senior leadership positions by focusing on the development of important business and communication skills. For the last 3 years John has served as the Lead Facilitator. He was responsible for the entire training program as well as coordinating the rest of the training team ensuring that the training was held at high standards.

John is certified by the HRDA as a “Trainer of Vocational Training” and has received a certificate in Learning and Development practice from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. Furthermore, he has been accredited as a psychometrics practitioner of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). John has been also accredited as a psychometrics practitioner of the Social Styles Instrument used in identifying preferred ways of acting, thinking and making decisions, used in business interactions and communication trainings. He also used tools such as the Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), the Emotional Intelligence instrument as well as the Team Assessment Instrument (Five Dysfunctions of a Team)  during various trainings. Furthermore, he has attended an extensive course on meditation. Additionally, John has completed the 210 hours training titled: Certificate in Corporate Coaching: Executive Coaching and Mentoring-AC Accredited, from the Kapodistrian University of Athens. John has also been trained on team coaching, goal oriented and adaptive approach (the course was approved by ICF). He coaches KPMG staff and clients for the past few years. He is also a professional member of the association of coaching and a CIPD associate.