SHSM Workshops

Part of the Specialist High School Major requirements in many Ontario schools, SHSM workshops offer valuable skills for young people in their chosen career path and beyond. Best of all, there’s no cap on the number of these a school can offer, and enjoying additional learning in extra workshops is a terrific bonus for students.

All workshops are highly interactive and provide repeated opportunities for student input and practice.

NOTE: The workshops are designed to fit listed SHSM requirements. However, we’re happy to offer them for other schools or students on request.

Available workshops: (click to learn more)

Public Speaking

The ability to speak well in public is a skill increasingly needed in our world. How are your skills, or those of your children? Improving speaking and other “soft skills” helps in school, business, career, community, and more!

In this workshop, students will learn about speechwriting and editing, topic choice, impromptu speaking, making a pitch, and how to provide feedback.

6-10 students recommended

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)

Full day $700 (5+ hours)

Effective Networking

No matter a business’s size, networking is one of the most effective ways to grow a business! Understanding how to do this well is a key learning for business owners.

In this session, the first lesson is on giving to receive, and what that means. In addition, students will learn how to find networking groups, and how to determine whether a group is a good fit by understanding their own networking goals. Finding and working with referral partners will follow as students understand types of referral partners and how to work together. Lastly, students will learn and practice how to network: setting goals for a networking event, writing a pitch, offering help, and asking for the sale. A focus on follow-up and tips for introvert or non-social networkers will conclude this session.

This workshop can accommodate up to 20 students in the full-day format, but 6-10 students are recommended for the half day.

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)

Full day $700 (5+ hours)

Fundraising

Fundraising is critical for any non-profit, and yet it’s often one of the most difficult tasks. This workshop will discuss fundraising purposes, methods, and donors, including practice with different campaign engagements.

In this session, students will discuss specific fundraising purposes include examples for different types of non-profits, as well as general fundraising for the non-profit’s overall purpose. Fundraising methods and campaigns will be reviewed including social media, in-person events, campaigns to support specific purposes, video, radio, and testimonials. Discussion of donors will engagement and recognition, as well as strategies to build up and communicate with monthly or regular donors as well as one-time donors.

6-10 students recommended

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)

Negotiation Training

Negotiation is an important tool in most business and even in non-profit work. By understanding negotiation purposes , principles and practices, students will work with a Karass-trained negotiator to learn what a best outcome looks like, and how to achieve it.

In this session,  students will define negotiation and consider its purpose – when is negotiation needed? Various negotiation principles and results will be reviewed, with discussion as to “best” results and how “best” changes in different situations. Finally, negotiation strategies will be practiced by students in teams, with a results assessment by their peers, themselves, and the instructor.

6-10 students recommended

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)

Full day $700 (5+ hours)

Successful Exhibiting

Many businesses find exhibiting at trade shows to be a useful practice in gaining new customers and engaging with existing ones. The ability to choose shows and venues, understand audience, and create a best impression in the booth can make a trade show presence a valuable investment rather than a waste of time and money.

In this session, students will learn how to assess a trade show and its value for business based on location, timing, audience, and focus. Once this is determined, students will discuss important areas such as booth size, location and layout; booth staff; engaging attendees, giveaways, and more. During the session, the students will complete an exhibit plan including all areas discuss, which will then be assessed by their peers and instructor.

6-10 students recommended

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)

Business Etiquette

One of the biggest complaints online seems to be the lack of proper business etiquette by young workers. This can be subjective, and it can be difficult for youth to define phrases like “business casual”.

In this session, we’ll look at common codes for business dress and understand what those look like while building a short list of DOs and DON’Ts together. Additional topics will include behaviour, conversation and communication in and out of office, useful assumptions, office events, confidentiality, and working with other cultures here and remotely.

6-10 students recommended

Half day $400 (2 1/2+ hours)