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MASTERING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION FOR CAREER GROWTH
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12 Weeks | Live Online | 24 Hours
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Starting on 3rd August, 2025
REGISTER
12 WEEK COURSE OUTLINE
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Week 1 – Introduction to Strategic Communication
- Understand the role of communication in leadership and strategy execution
- Explore the communication gaps between finance, operations, and C-suite
- Identify your current communication style using self-assessment
- Introduction to the “Audience-Message-Medium” triangle
- Set personal communication goals for the next 12 weeks
Week 2 – Communication Styles & Stakeholder Preferences
- Discover the 4 communication styles (Analytical, Driver, Amiable, Expressive)
- Learn how to adapt style based on audience context and power dynamics
- Map key internal and external stakeholders
- Identify blockers vs. enablers in communication
- Practice decoding stakeholder preferences in real scenarios
Week 3 – Structuring Ideas: Models for Clarity
- Learn the SCQA model (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer)
- Apply PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point) for clarity in responses
- Explore the Pyramid Principle for upward communication
- Practice condensing long ideas into executive summaries
- Use frameworks to prepare for boardroom or investor meetings
Week 4 – Executive Presence & Communication Confidence
- What is executive presence and how to project it online and offline
- Voice, body language, and word choice: the confidence trifecta
- Techniques to pause, pace, and project during high-stakes conversations
- Practice presence in virtual meetings and in-person settings
- Identify your personal “verbal tics” and reduce them
Week 5 – Strategic Storytelling for Business Impact
- Learn the anatomy of compelling business stories
- Apply stories to data, transformation, or leadership influence
- Use the Hero’s Journey & Business ARC storytelling frameworks
- Identify moments of tension, stakes, and resolution in your message
- Practice a 3-minute business story related to change or challenge
Week 6 – Persuasive Communication & Influence
- Use Aristotle’s ethos-pathos-logos in business persuasion
- Learn how to create contrast, tension, and urgency in your message
- Frame your message using “What’s in it for them?”
- Understand emotional undercurrents in stakeholder resistance
- Craft persuasive narratives for resource buy-in or budget approvals
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Week 7 – Conflict Management & Difficult Conversations
- Understand the anatomy of workplace conflict
- Learn a 5-step model to approach tough conversations
- Explore tone calibration and neutrality in feedback
- Practice delivering constructive criticism and upward feedback
- Learn how to navigate emotion, ego, and escalation
Week 8 – Listening, Framing & Reframing Techniques
- Learn the 3 levels of listening and their impact on trust
- Use mirroring and paraphrasing to build rapport
- Frame vs. Reframe: shift unproductive narratives
- Recognize and diffuse tension through active empathy
- Practice reframing real objections or misunderstandings
Week 9 – Writing for Influence: Memos, Emails, & Reports
- Craft executive-level emails that get decisions made
- Turn data-heavy reports into actionable insights
- Write compelling subject lines and opening hooks
- Reduce complexity: short sentences, strong verbs, no fluff
- Use structure to increase clarity and engagement
Week 10 – Presenting with Impact (Slides + Speech)
- Learn the 10-20-30 rule and slide storytelling formats
- Use visual hierarchy and white space to guide attention
- Craft a strong opening and memorable close
- Practice a short pitch or presentation with feedback
- Record and analyze your own delivery style
Week 11 – Crisis Communication & Reputation Management
- Understand principles of transparent crisis communication
- Learn the “3 Rs” model – Regret, Reason, Remedy
- Practice crafting a holding statement or press response
- Communicate with empathy under pressure
- Analyze 1–2 real-world crisis communication failures
Week 12 – Communication Strategy & Leadership Visibility
- Create a 90-day communication action plan
- Define your leadership brand voice and strategic intent
- Use internal comms, LinkedIn, and stakeholder updates to build visibility
- Align messaging with organizational goals
- Final reflection: Present your growth story from Week 1 to 12
Saleem Sufi
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Global Strategic CFO | Executive Coach | Founder, MECA CFO Academy
Saleem Sufi is a seasoned Global Strategic CFO with over 20 years of leadership experience working with Fortune 500 and top Private Equity-owned companies across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. His expertise spans corporate finance, strategic leadership, business transformation, and executive development, making him a trusted mentor and thought leader in the finance community.
Founder & Visionary Leader – MECA CFO Academy
In 2014, Saleem founded MECA CFO Academy, which has since established itself as a global leader in executive education for finance professionals. Under his leadership, MECA has:
âś” Built a thriving professional network of over 45,000 finance professionals worldwide, growing from scratch when he knew only five people in Dubai.
âś” Designed and developed the flagship MECA Strategic CFO Program, now running its 18th batch, which has produced over 600 CFO-level professionals and is considered one of the most comprehensive 12-month leadership programs for finance executives.
âś” Personally coached and mentored hundreds of CFOs and senior executives, equipping them with the skills to navigate business transformation, leadership challenges, and strategic execution.
âś” Organized 15 large-scale CFO Conferences across major Middle Eastern cities, attracting sponsorship and participation from top global brands such as SAP, Thomson Reuters, NBD Bank, and Standard Chartered.
âś” Established MECA CFO Academy as a benchmark for quality and practical executive education, with many alumni ranking it as more valuable than Ivy League programs due to its real-world applicability and direct impact on career growth.
Global Speaker, Corporate Trainer & Executive Coach
Beyond his work at MECA, Saleem is an accomplished keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and executive coach. He has conducted high-impact executive workshops and seminars in international business hubs, including Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Milan, Riyadh, Dubai, and New York.
Saleem holds an MBA in Strategy and Finance and is a Fellow of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants. He has also attended Harvard Business School multiple times for Executive Education, further enriching his expertise in leadership, strategy, and financial excellence.
Today, Saleem remains fully dedicated to empowering finance professionals worldwide, helping them transition into high-impact leadership roles and drive strategic success in their organizations. His vision is to continue expanding MECA’s global influence, shaping the future of CFO leadership and financial strategy in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
MECA CFO Academy
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MECA CFO Academy is a premier global institution specializing in executive education for finance professionals, with a focus on leadership, strategy, and digital transformation. Since its establishment in 2014, MECA has trained over 3,000 finance leaders, including CFOs, Directors, VPs, and Controllers from some of the world’s leading organizations.
As a trailblazer in CFO education, MECA developed the Strategic CFO Program, a comprehensive 12-month executive program that has now completed its 18th batch and produced over 600 CFO-level professionals. This program has set a new industry benchmark for its practicality, real-world application, and depth of strategic content, consistently rated as offering greater value than many Ivy League programs by its alumni.
Beyond executive education, MECA CFO Academy has played a pivotal role in shaping the global CFO community. It has organized 15 large-scale CFO Conferences across major cities in the Middle East, bringing together industry leaders, financial experts, and global brands. These events have attracted sponsorship and participation from top organizations such as SAP, Thomson Reuters, NBD Bank, and Standard Chartered, reinforcing MECA’s position as a thought leader in the finance and business strategy space.
MECA CFO Academy is an approved institution by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, U.S.), providing Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits that are recognized by all major accounting bodies worldwide, including ICAEW, IMA, ACCA, ICAI, and ICAP.
Today, MECA’s global network of over 45,000 finance professionals continues to grow rapidly, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to transforming CFOs into strategic business leaders. Through world-class programs, executive coaching, and influential industry events, MECA is empowering finance professionals to drive innovation, corporate growth, and digital transformation in an ever-evolving business landscape.
For more details, visit https://mecacfoacademy.com/
