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Description

CSR Communication: Countering Cognitive Bias, Building Arguments and Convincing

Getting an environmental message heard when mental reflexes push people to dismiss it

  • 0.43 days — 3 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

CSR messages meet predictable reflexes. People retain what confirms their existing beliefs, postpone anything whose impact feels distant, and compare themselves with others to justify inaction. Internal campaigns then pile up without changing behaviour and eventually wear teams down.

This three-hour workshop identifies the biases that hinder buy-in, then rebuilds messages accordingly: framing, choice of orders of magnitude, social proof and the wording of calls to action. Participants rework an existing communication from their own organisation.

Learning objectives

  • Identify the cognitive biases that hinder buy-in to a CSR message
  • Reframe a message by adapting it to the audience
  • Select orders of magnitude that the recipient can grasp
  • Build a concrete call to action that can be carried out immediately
  • Anticipate criticism directed at the sincerity of the initiative

What makes this programme different

Work on a real CSR communication brought in by participants
A repertoire of proven reformulations for common objections
Practical handling of accusations of misleading communication

Programme

1Why the message does not get through

The reflexes that block listening

  • Spot confirmation bias and selective attention to information
  • Understand the preference for the present when the stake feels distant
  • Observe the effect of perceived social norms
  • Identify defensive reactions triggered by blame

2Rebuilding the message

Framing in order to be heard

  • Choose a frame that speaks to the audience's interests
  • Make orders of magnitude comparable and tangible
  • Use social proof without producing the opposite effect
  • Word a precise and achievable call to action

3Holding your ground against objections

When sincerity is called into question

  • Respond to objections about usefulness and cost
  • Address the criticism of inconsistency between words and practice
  • Distinguish evidence-based communication from unverifiable promises
  • Measure the effect of the communication actions undertaken

Who is it for

CSR managers and communication officers, as well as managers required to champion an environmental initiative internally.

Prerequisites

Involvement in a CSR initiative or in communicating one.

Dates & locations

12 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.