MIVA STUDY PACK — Speaking Up at Work (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 1: Why Communication Is a Job Skill 8 minutes read Ask employers in Accra, Lagos, Lomé or Toronto what young hires most often lack, and you will hear the same answer: communication. Not grammar exams — the practical ability to say things clearly, ask for what you need, and be understood the first time. COMMUNICATION IS INFORMATION PLUS RELATIONSHIP Every message at work does two jobs at once: it moves information, and it builds (or damages) a relationship. 'The report is late' informs. HOW you say it decides whether your colleague helps you or avoids you tomorrow. Professionals learn to deliver hard messages in ways that keep relationships intact. - Clear beats clever. Simple words, one idea per sentence, the point first. - The listener owns the result. If they misunderstood, improve the message — blaming the listener never helps. - Tone carries half the meaning. The same words can invite cooperation or start a war. - Silence is also a message. Not replying says something — usually something bad. [The career math] Two workers with equal skills: the one who communicates well gets the customer-facing tasks, the trust of the manager, and the promotion. Communication multiplies every other skill you have. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What do employers mean when they say young hires 'lack communication skills'? A) They failed English grammar at school B) They cannot speak clearly, ask for what they need, or be understood the first time C) They do not know big words D) They are too quiet in meetings Answer: B — Workplace communication is practical: clarity, directness, and choosing the right tone. It is a learnable skill, not a talent or an accent. 2. Your colleague misunderstood your instructions. The professional response is: A) Blame them for not listening B) Repeat exactly the same words, louder C) Improve the message — say it a different, clearer way D) Give up and do the task yourself forever Answer: C — If the message did not land, the message needs work. Skilled communicators adapt instead of blaming — it gets the task done and preserves the relationship. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 2: Speaking and Writing Clearly 8 minutes read Clear communication has a simple structure: point first, then details, then the action you want. Most confusion at work comes from burying the point at the end of a long story. THE POINT-FIRST FORMULA Compare these two messages. Version one: 'Good morning sir, I hope you are well, the thing is the supplier came yesterday and there was a small issue with the delivery…' — after thirty seconds the manager still does not know what you want. Version two: 'Sir, I need your approval for a replacement delivery. Yesterday's supplier delivered 40 bags instead of 50. The replacement costs 200 cedis. May I proceed?' Same facts — but point first, details second, action last. - Speaking: state the point in the first sentence. Then explain. Then say what you need. - Writing: one topic per message. Put the request in its own sentence so it cannot be missed. - Numbers and dates in writing, even if you also say them aloud — memory is unreliable. - Read important messages once before sending: is the point in the first line? Is the request clear? [Avoid 'respectful vagueness'] Many of us were raised to soften requests until they disappear: 'Please, when you have time, maybe you could possibly look at…' Respect is good; invisibility is not. 'Please approve this by Thursday' is both respectful AND clear. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the correct order for a clear work message? A) Greeting, long story, hint at the end B) Point first, then details, then the action you want C) Action, then apology, then point D) Details, details, details Answer: B — Busy people decide from the first line. Point → details → action means your message is understood even by someone skimming it between meetings. 2. Which request is clearest? A) 'Please, when you get a chance, maybe check the stock sometime' B) 'Please confirm the stock count by 3 pm today so I can place the order' C) 'Stock is a serious issue we should all think about' D) 'You people never check stock' Answer: B — A clear request names the action (confirm the count), the deadline (3 pm) and the reason (so I can order). Polite AND precise is the professional standard. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 3: Asking Questions and Asking for Help 8 minutes read Many young workers hide their questions because they fear looking stupid. Here is the truth every experienced worker knows: the person who asks early makes small, cheap mistakes. The person who pretends to understand makes big, expensive ones. Managers know this — that is why they trust question-askers more. HOW TO ASK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL - Try first, then ask: 'I tried X and Y, but Z is still failing — what am I missing?' This shows effort and gets you a better answer. - Ask the right person: the one who actually knows, not just the nearest one. - Ask at the right time: not in the middle of a crisis, not when someone is rushing out. - Confirm understanding by repeating back: 'So the steps are A, B, C — did I get that right?' Asking for help with workload is also a skill. Drowning silently and missing deadlines is far worse than saying on Tuesday: 'I have three urgent tasks and can finish two well by Friday. Which two matter most?' That is not weakness — that is managing your manager's priorities, and they will respect it. [The 15-minute rule] Stuck on a technical problem? Try honestly for about 15 minutes, then ask. Less than that wastes your teacher's time; much more wastes yours. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which is the best way to ask for help on a task? A) 'I can't do this' B) Pretend you understand and guess C) 'I tried X and Y, but Z is still failing — what am I missing?' D) Wait until the deadline passes Answer: C — Showing what you already tried proves effort, saves the expert's time, and gets you a precise answer. Pretending guarantees a bigger failure later. 2. You have more work than you can finish by Friday. What do you do on Tuesday? A) Work silently and miss deadlines B) Tell your supervisor what you can finish well and ask which tasks matter most C) Do everything badly to say you finished D) Complain to colleagues Answer: B — Raising a capacity problem early, with options, is professional workload management. It lets your supervisor re-prioritise — and it protects your reputation for reliability. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 4: Disagreeing Respectfully 8 minutes read Speaking up at work includes the hardest skill of all: telling someone — sometimes someone senior — that you see things differently. Done badly, it creates enemies. Done well, it creates respect. The difference is technique. ATTACK THE PROBLEM, NEVER THE PERSON 'That idea will not work' attacks the person. 'I am worried the delivery time may not survive the rainy season — can we look at the schedule?' attacks the problem. Same disagreement, completely different result. Add evidence, offer alternatives, and choose the right moment: disagree privately first whenever the person is senior to you. - Start from shared ground: 'We both want this launch to succeed.' - Use 'I' statements for concerns: 'I am worried that…' not 'You always…' - Bring a reason and, if possible, an alternative. Complaints without alternatives sound like noise. - Know when to accept the decision. Disagree once, clearly — then if the boss decides, commit fully. Disagree-then-commit is a mark of maturity. [Two exceptions] Always speak up immediately and escalate if needed when something is unsafe, illegal or dishonest. Silence that protects you today can destroy you tomorrow when you are asked why you said nothing. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which is the professional way to disagree with a senior colleague's plan? A) 'That will never work' B) Say nothing and let it fail C) Raise your concern privately, with a reason and an alternative D) Tell everyone in the office except them Answer: C — Private, evidence-based disagreement with an alternative gives the person room to change course without losing face — and marks you as someone with judgement. 2. You disagreed with a decision, but the boss kept the original plan. What now? A) Keep arguing until you win B) Commit fully to the decision — you made your case, now make it work C) Do the work badly to prove you were right D) Resign immediately Answer: B — Disagree once, clearly, then commit. Sabotaging a decision you lost destroys your credibility; making it succeed builds it — even when it was not your idea. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 5: Meetings, Email and WhatsApp at Work 9 minutes read Each channel at work has its own rules. Using the wrong channel is a common beginner mistake: some things must be said face to face, some must be in writing, and some should never be typed at all. CHOOSING THE CHANNEL - Face to face or call: sensitive topics, bad news, disagreements, anything emotional. - Email: formal requests, decisions, anything you may need to prove later. Write a clear subject line, point first, one topic per email. - WhatsApp/work chat: quick coordination. Still professional — full sentences, no slang with superiors, no late-night messages unless urgent. - Meetings: come prepared, speak early at least once, take notes, and leave knowing your action items. In meetings, the confident habit is to speak within the first ten minutes — even just to ask a good question. The longer you stay silent, the harder it gets. And after any important verbal agreement, send a short written confirmation: 'Following our chat, I will deliver X by Friday.' This one habit prevents most workplace misunderstandings. [Never type angry] If a message makes you angry, do not reply yet. Wait, draft it, delete the harsh parts, then send. Angry messages are permanent; the anger is temporary. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. You must tell a colleague their work had serious errors. Best channel? A) A group WhatsApp message so everyone learns B) Face to face or a private call C) An anonymous note D) Social media Answer: B — Sensitive feedback belongs in private conversation — it preserves dignity and gets better results. Public correction humiliates and creates enemies. 2. You agreed a deadline verbally with your manager. What should you do next? A) Nothing — it was agreed B) Send a short written confirmation of what was agreed C) Tell a colleague as a witness D) Record the manager secretly next time Answer: B — A one-line written confirmation turns a memory into a record. It protects both sides and is a hallmark of reliable professionals. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 6: Presenting an Idea and Getting Heard 8 minutes read Ideas do not speak for themselves — people speak for them. Whether you want approval for a small improvement or funding for a business plan, the structure of a persuasive pitch is the same. THE FOUR-PART PITCH - Problem: name the pain in one sentence. 'We lose an hour every morning counting stock by hand.' - Solution: your idea, simply. 'A shared stock sheet on the office phone, updated at each sale.' - Benefit: what the listener gains — time, money, fewer errors. Speak to THEIR priorities, not yours. - Ask: one specific, easy next step. 'May I try it for one week in one branch?' Small asks get yeses. Delivery matters as much as structure: speak slowly (nervous people rush), look at your listeners, and practice out loud before the real moment — even to yourself. If you are interrupted or challenged, welcome it: 'Good question — here is how I thought about that.' Handling questions well convinces people more than the pitch itself. INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Networking is not asking strangers for favours. It is building honest relationships before you need help. Start with people who already know your character: relatives, former classmates, faith or community groups, teachers, centre leaders, past employers and local business owners. Tell them clearly what you can do and what opportunity you seek. - Use a 30-second introduction: your name, the skill you are building, one proof of that skill, and the opportunity you seek. - Ask for advice first: 'Who should I speak with?' or 'What should I improve before I apply?' - When someone helps, thank them, report what happened, and stay in contact without only appearing when you need something. - Ask before naming someone as a reference. Tell them which opportunity you are pursuing and send them your current resume. [Finish and prove it] Complete the quizzes to earn your free Miva certificate for this course. Communication is the skill that makes every other skill visible — now you have the tools. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the four parts of a persuasive pitch, in order? A) Greeting, history, complaint, hope B) Problem, solution, benefit, ask C) Ask, demand, insist, repeat D) Benefit, problem, apology, exit Answer: B — Problem makes them care, solution answers it, benefit shows what THEY gain, and a small specific ask makes saying yes easy. 2. Someone challenges your idea with a tough question during your pitch. Best response? A) Get defensive and raise your voice B) Ignore the question and continue reading C) Welcome it — 'Good question' — and answer calmly D) End the meeting Answer: C — Questions mean people are engaged. Handling them calmly and honestly convinces an audience far more than a flawless monologue. 3. What belongs in a useful 30-second professional introduction? A) Your whole life story B) Your name, skill, one proof, and the opportunity you seek C) A demand that the listener employ you D) Only your certificates Answer: B — A short introduction helps a contact understand who you are, what you can do, and the specific way they may help. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 7: Networking and Finding Work Options Near You 7 minutes read SEARCHING FOR WORK THROUGH CLEAR COMMUNICATION Finding job opportunities is not just about sending CVs to huge companies. Many jobs in Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo are never posted on public job boards. Instead, people hire through people they know or recommendations from trusted friends. This process is called networking. Networking does not mean begging for a job or spamming strangers with messages. It means letting people in your field or community know what skills you have, what work you are looking for, and how you can help them solve a problem. USING WHATSAPP BUSINESS FOR PROFESSIONAL WORK WhatsApp is one of the most powerful communication tools in West Africa. If you offer a skill like tailoring, graphic design, phone repair, or catering, setting up a free WhatsApp Business account makes you look organized and trustworthy. - Use a clear headshot photo of yourself, not a cartoon or football logo. - Write a simple bio stating your main service (e.g., 'Solar Panel Installation & Maintenance in Kumasi'). - Fill out the Catalogue feature with pictures of your past work and basic prices in your local currency (GHS, NGN, or XOF). - Set up an automated away message so clients know when you will reply. SETTING UP A FREE LINKEDIN BASIC PROFILE LinkedIn is a free professional network used across Africa and globally. You do not need the paid version to build a good presence. Creating a simple profile helps managers find you when searching for local talent. - Headline: Write your skill clearly, such as 'Junior Electrician | Solar Systems Specialist' instead of just 'Unemployed'. - About section: Write 3 short paragraphs explaining your training, hands-on experience, and what kind of work you do. - Connections: Connect with former teachers, classmates, colleagues, and local business owners. - Messaging: When sending a message to a new contact, introduce yourself politely and state briefly why you are reaching out. JOINING LOCAL JOB GROUPS SAFELY Many trade associations, alumni groups, and community job networks operate on Telegram and Facebook. Joining these groups helps you see entry-level postings quickly. Always read the group rules before posting. When introducing yourself to a job group, post a short text introduction stating your location, skill set, and availability. [Try this today] Draft a short 3-sentence WhatsApp message to 3 former teachers or co-workers. Say: 'Hello [Name], hope you are doing well. I have recently completed my training in [Skill]. If you know anyone looking for help with [Specific Task], please let me know. Thanks!' PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the primary purpose of professional networking? A) To send your CV to every phone contact daily until someone hires you B) To build clear relationships and inform people about your skills and availability C) To ask rich business owners for financial gifts or free equipment D) To hide your work experience until someone offers you a high salary Answer: B — Networking is about building genuine connections and clearly communicating your skills and availability so people think of you when an opportunity arises. 2. Which item should be included in a professional WhatsApp Business profile? A) A picture of a famous musician as your profile image B) A clean photo of yourself and a clear bio explaining your practical skill C) A list of personal complaints about former employers D) No name or description so clients have to call to guess what you do Answer: B — A professional WhatsApp profile uses a clear picture of yourself and a concise bio stating your practical trade or services. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 8: Understanding Pay and Spotting Job Scams 8 minutes read PROTECTING YOURSELF WHILE LOOKING FOR WORK When you are searching for work, it is easy to feel eager and accept any offer quickly. However, scammers frequently target job seekers with fake employment offers, forms, or training promises designed to steal money or personal data. Clear communication is your best defence against scams. Knowing what questions to ask and insisting on written terms protects your time, safety, and money. [Safety Warning: Never Pay Money to Get a Job] A genuine employer pays you for work. They will never ask you to pay a 'registration fee', 'interview fee', or 'medical form fee' before hiring you. If someone asks for 5,000 Naira, 100 Cedis, or 10,000 CFA to review your application, it is a scam. RED FLAGS OF JOB SCAMS - Guaranteed high earnings for simple tasks (e.g., 'Earn 50,000 NGN daily clicking links from home'). - The recruiter uses a free email address like @gmail.com while claiming to represent a large oil company or bank. - They send you a job offer without interviewing you or checking your practical skills. - They ask for sensitive personal details like bank PINs or identity cards immediately via WhatsApp. TALKING OPENLY ABOUT PAY AND BENEFITS When an employer expresses interest in hiring you, it is normal and professional to discuss compensation clearly. Do not feel embarrassed to ask how and when you will be paid. - Payment frequency: Is pay calculated daily, weekly, or monthly? What day of the month is payment processed? - Payment method: Will payment be made via bank transfer, mobile money (MoMo), or cash receipt? - Working hours and overtime: Does the agreed salary cover weekend work or late hours, or is overtime paid extra? - Tool and transport costs: Does the pay cover transport to distant work sites, or does the employer provide a daily transport stipend? GETTING AGREEMENTS IN WRITING Verbal promises are easily forgotten when payment day comes. Even for informal or short-term contract work, always ask for written confirmation of the agreed terms. If the employer does not provide a formal contract document, send them a simple WhatsApp message or email summarizing what you agreed on. For example: 'Thank you for the offer, Sir. Just to confirm, I will work Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, for 1,500 GHS per month starting next Monday.' [Try this today] Practice writing a written confirmation message on paper or phone notes. Imagine a client agreed to pay you 20,000 Naira for a 2-day plumbing job. Draft a courteous text message confirming the start date, scope of work, and total cost. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. An employer messages you claiming you are hired immediately, but asks you to transfer 50 GHS for an official uniform before your first day. What should you do? A) Pay immediately so you do not lose the opportunity B) Ask your friend to transfer the money on your behalf C) Stop communicating, as legitimate employers do not charge applicants money to get a job D) Send half the money now and promise the rest after your first paycheck Answer: C — Demanding upfront money for uniforms, forms, or interview slots is a common warning sign of a job scam. 2. Why should you send a brief summary text message after a verbal agreement about your job pay? A) To force the employer to pay you double the agreed amount B) To create a written record of the pay, hours, and expectations both parties agreed on C) Because verbal agreements are illegal in all businesses D) To prove to social media followers that you secured a new contract Answer: B — A written summary message ensures both you and your employer have a clear, shared record of the terms discussed. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 9: Workplace Ethics, Confidentiality, and Staying Safe 7 minutes read HONESTY AND STANDARDS AT WORK Workplace ethics are the moral rules that guide how you treat your employer, co-workers, and customers. Communicating with honesty build trust faster than almost any other work habit. If you make a mistake on the job—such as breaking a tool, cutting a wire incorrectly, or miscalculating a receipt—tell your supervisor immediately. Trying to cover up an error damages your reputation and can endanger others. PROTECTING PRIVATE INFORMATION As an employee, you will have access to private business details. Confidentiality means keeping private information safe and not sharing it with outsiders, friends, or on personal social media accounts. - Customer data: Never share customer phone numbers, home addresses, or ID details with unauthorized people. - Business records: Do not post photos of company receipts, account balances, or client lists online. - Passwords and keys: Keep Wi-Fi passwords, shop key locations, and software logins secret. - Internal issues: Do not discuss company disagreements or client problems in public transport or market stalls. HANDLING ANGRY CUSTOMERS OR CONFLICTS SAFELY In every workplace, customers or colleagues may become angry or upset. How you speak during a heated moment determines whether the situation cools down or turns dangerous. [Safety First in Heated Situations] If a customer or co-worker becomes physically aggressive, shouts threats, or compromises your safety, do not match their aggression. Move to a safe area near other staff members and inform a manager or security immediately. - Stay calm and keep your voice quiet and steady. Raising your voice makes the other person angrier. - Listen fully without interrupting while they explain their complaint. - Acknowledge their frustration: 'I understand why this delay is frustrating for you, Madam.' - Focus on the solution: Explain what steps you can take right now according to workplace policy. [Try this today] Practice de-escalation aloud. Say: 'I hear you, Sir. Let me double-check this receipt with my manager right now to resolve this for you.' Notice how maintaining a gentle tone keeps control of the conversation. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if you accidently damage a customer's equipment while working? A) Hide the damaged equipment in a store room and say nothing B) Blame a junior co-worker so you do not get penalized C) Inform your supervisor immediately and explain what happened clearly D) Leave the worksite early without telling anyone Answer: C — Honest communication about mistakes allows the supervisor to address the problem quickly and demonstrates professional integrity. 2. An angry customer comes to your front desk shouting loudly about a delayed repair. What is the safest and most professional response? A) Shout louder than the customer so they realize you are in charge B) Listen calmly without shouting back, acknowledge their concern, and seek help from a supervisor if needed C) Take a video of the customer with your phone and post it on TikTok D) Lock the door and ignore the customer until they go away Answer: B — Remaining calm, listening, and following clear procedure helps de-escalate tension safely without worsening the conflict. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 10: First Month Habits: Communication and Getting Feedback 7 minutes read STARTING STRONG IN YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS Your technical skills might help you pass an interview, but your communication habits during your first month decide whether you keep the job long-term. Managers value entry-level workers who keep them updated and show a willingness to learn. DAILY CHECK-INS AND UPDATES Do not wait for your boss to ask what you did today. Sending a short daily update at the end of your shift builds strong trust and shows you take your responsibilities seriously. - Morning check-in: 'Good morning, Sir. Today I will complete the wiring for customer B and restock the workshop shelves.' - End-of-day summary: 'Hello Madam, I finished all scheduled repairs today. Customer A picked up their device. I will begin work on customer C tomorrow morning.' - Raising blockers early: 'Sir, we ran out of 2mm cable. I cannot complete job #4 until new stock arrives.' HOW TO ASK FOR AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK Feedback is advice given to help you improve. Instead of waiting for mistakes to turn into big problems, ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance during your second or third week. When receiving feedback or corrections, do not get defensive or offer endless excuses. Listen carefully, take notes if necessary, and say: 'Thank you for letting me know. I will adjust this next time.' UNDERSTANDING TEAM CULTURE AND UNWRITTEN RULES Every workplace has unwritten habits. Pay attention to how people interact in your workplace during your first two weeks. - Punctuality: Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your official start time to settle in. - Phone usage: Keep your phone on silent and avoid social media browsing during work hours. - Greetings: Greet colleagues and supervisors respectfully according to local customs (e.g., 'Good morning, Elder' or 'Good morning, Manager'). [Try this today] Practice writing a 2-sentence end-of-day update template on your phone. Sentence 1: What tasks you finished today. Sentence 2: What primary task you plan to start tomorrow morning. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the best way to handle corrective feedback from your supervisor during your first month? A) Explain why the mistake was not your fault and walk away B) Listen carefully, accept the correction politely, and apply the instruction to your work C) Ignore the advice if you feel your vocational training taught you a different method D) Stop talking to your supervisor for the rest of the week Answer: B — Listening attentively and accepting feedback shows maturity and a commitment to professional growth. 2. Why are end-of-day summary messages helpful to your supervisor? A) They show your supervisor that you are working hard without requiring them to monitor you constantly B) They allow you to complain about your co-workers secretly C) They guarantee that you will receive a promotion at the end of the month D) They replace the need to show up on time the next morning Answer: A — Brief daily updates demonstrate accountability and give managers peace of mind regarding project progress. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 11: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 12: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- Speaking Up at Work — Lesson 13: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app