Basic Psychology for Business (2 days)

Are you interested in any of the following: conflict resolution, stress management, team building, leadership development, assertiveness, time management, work life balance, facilitation skills and other human related issues at work? To address any of these, a basic understanding of human behaviour, motivation and communication will underpin any approach.

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a model for understanding relationships, communication and human behaviour. It is widely used in education, management, organisational development and other areas.

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Basic Psychology for Business - Part II (2 days)

Having a better understanding of our own and others psychological processes can help us in the workplace as well as other areas of our life.

This two-day course is for those who have attended our Basic Psychology for Business course and would like to continue their learning. We will be building on learning from the initial course and also introducing new concepts from Transactional Analysis such as Personality Adaptations.

Personality Adaptations brings together some of the other ideas of TA and is way of looking at personality and communication, why we get on better with some people then others and how we can adjust our communication style to communicate more effectively with those we may struggle with.

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Business Writing Skills

People make judgements about you and your business based on the standard of your written communication. Whether you are writing a letter to a client or an email to a colleague, the style and content of your document is of crucial importance. This course will help you put together written communication that is crisp, clear and readily understood.

Getting your message across professionally and clearly is an essential business skill. The right balance of assertiveness and courtesy needs to be achieved in order to build and maintain a good business relationship.

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Communicate Assertively and with Confidence

Effective communication is essential for business success. Whether building rapport with potential clients, dealing with customers, writing business correspondence or meeting with colleagues in the workplace, the ability to communicate with maximum impact is a skill that all business people need, yet many find difficult to master.

Communicating effectively is key to all of us. We can be the best technician, or best manager, but if we cannot communicate our wishes to others, our skills will be undermined.

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Company Director - understanding the role

This course will give you an understanding of the role and responsibilities, legal and operational, of the company director. Topics covered also include: chairing skills, the decision making process, and the structure of the board.

Who is it for?
Individuals newly appointed to the board, or soon to be appointed to the board, of incorporated entities. Although no prior knowledge will be assumed, the workshop will also benefit experienced directors looking for a refresher.

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Dealing Effectively with Conflict

Increasingly our workplace offers us the chance to work with a larger number and wider variety of people. This diversity provides many positive opportunities and can also increase the potential for conflict. Whether it be experiencing consistently disruptive or aggressive behaviour or sensing more subtle underlying tensions, conflict is a major source of stress, which can affect morale, self-confidence and ultimately productivity.

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Employment Law Essentials

The last few years have seen significant developments in employment law affecting businesses of all sizes. This workshop will provide you with a comprehensive grounding and practical guidance to help your business through the minefield of employment legislation. It reviews the important recent developments and discusses future changes in a friendly and easy to understand way which will ensure you protect yourself and stay within the law.

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Enhancing the Customer Experience

Research has shown that over 80% of customers who stop buying do so because they are unhappy with the service! Satisfied customers will return. In a fiercely competitive market, it is vital to put customers first. This popular workshop will help you assess your current service delivery and give you tips and ideas on how to improve it.

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Finance Essentials for Non-Financial Managers

The course is designed to help you to understand financial jargon and financial records. You will be able to describe the flow of accounting information, the purpose and content of key accounting reports and understand their inter-relationships. You will learn about the meaning of accrual accounting, the importance of working capital and cash and the use of financial information to measure performance.

The objective is to remove the mystery surrounding commercial financial information so that you can make a stronger contribution to the operation of companies, departments, projects or teams.

No matter what your technical background and skills, you need an appreciation of the essentials of finance in today’s difficult business environment. This course will help to give you the basic understanding of financial principles and terminology that every manager needs. The aim is to build confidence in working with accounting information as an essential management tool.

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Finance for Directors and Senior Managers

Senior non-financial executives need to have an understanding of the role of the finance function and the operation of sound financial controls to ensure the integrity of accounts. It is essential for them to understand the management of cash and profitability and the use of accounting reports and financial data to support the achievement of strategic business objectives and manage day–to-day operations.

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Financial Planning and Budgeting

Financial planning and the preparation of budgets are essential skills for anyone in a position of responsibility. Many budget holders are also responsible for setting selling prices and controlling costs and this course will help you to understand the language and processes of budgeting, costing and pricing. Those who do not plan run a very high risk of failure. If you do not know where you are going there is very little chance you will arrive.

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Find that job

Whether through choice or necessity, you may be on the point of mounting an effective job search. But where to start? You may have an idea of the type of job you want, perhaps the sector you want to work in, but how do you go about finding that job? This workshop will help you to start the process through the development of an effective “Self-Marketing Plan”: identifying appropriate avenues that will lead you to your next job.

You will learn how to write a CV that meets the needs of the employer, sells your skills and personality, and stands out from the crowd – increasing your chances of being invited for that all-important interview.
 

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Get That Job

Many Companies now have a very structured and formal application process for jobs which applies to both external and internal applicants.  Therefore applicants are judged on how they perform during the interview process.

This course is invaluable for anyone applying for jobs, either internally or to a new Company.  It will help you to make the best use of your assets and present yourself professionally and effectively at interview.

Who Should Attend
Anyone who is considering applying for jobs, either through choice or necessity.

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Handling Difficult Situations

You have been informed that you have to give some difficult news to your staff – which may involve staff leaving your organisation. This workshop will help you to prepare to handle the difficult situation.

Who Should Attend
Any person who finds that they have to deliver a difficult message to their staff – for instance job losses and difficult times ahead for the organisation

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HR Essentials (2 days)

This 2-day course provides the core knowledge to deal with HR issues for those who have limited knowledge in the fundamentals of HR management: recruitment, employee relations, discipline and legislation. You will learn how to recruit new staff effectively, how to produce appropriate (and legal) policies and procedures, and how to understand key employment laws.

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Increase Sales through Effective Marketing

This workshop will give you an understanding of the principles of marketing and is packed with practical examples and exercises to help your business increase sales. You will learn how to create a marketing plan, how to identify your market and how to reach it in the most cost-effective and productive way.

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Influencing and Persuading

Day by day we must all influence the people around us: colleagues, superiors and customers. In this active and practical programme, you will learn how to make a strong personal impact, the value of great listening and rapport, and how to tailor your message to the person you want to persuade. Starting with the fundamentals of human communication, we look at the psychology of effective persuasion and close with handling resistance.

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Interviewing Skills

Whether you are recruiting staff, conducting a disciplinary interview or counselling an aggrieved employee, many of the interviewing techniques are the same. This workshop teaches participants how to control an interview and how to use listening and questioning techniques in a constructive way.

Delegates will learn how to probe with the right questions to get the interviewees talking, how to get all the facts, and how to clarify the information. They will also learn how to make the right decisions using the head rather than the heart.

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Leadership Programme for Directors and Senior Managers (2 days)

As a Director, Senior Manager or experienced manager, you need to make an instant impact, communicate powerfully, inspire your team and, on top of that, keep managing from day-to-day.  A tough challenge! This workshop is designed for experienced managers who are interested in exploring – with peers –the real difference between management and leadership, and what you can do to prepare for the challenge and meet it.
 

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Making the best of every opportunity

Is your business making the very best of every commercial opportunity?  If you get the opportunity to bid for a contract, how well are you managing your tender process?  Is your bid the best it can possibly be?

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Management Essentials

For new managers, the step up in role can be daunting. You have mastered your own area of expertise, and now you need to manage and lead others: no longer is your technical expertise enough. This workshop is designed to give you the real essentials of management: confidence, assertiveness and the ability to make a powerful impact. You will learn about the dynamics of workplace interactions, options for managing conflict at work, and how to evaluate your strengths and set your own objectives.

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Management Programme (3 days)

A series of fast-moving and thought provoking sessions, packed with exercises. The three modules (held one day per month) are designed to develop a wide range of management capabilities within a consistent framework for new or soon-to-be managers who want a wide introduction to skills and capabilities to improve their performance. It is also a great refresher for experienced managers who want a reminder of the basics and some new ideas.

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Managing a Sales Team

The skills required to manage sales teams are very different to those of an expert sales person. However, many sales managers are former sales people! This workshop will help you develop the skills to lead your team, plan and manage sales targets and ensure that your team is motivated towards exceeding them. It also covers the key skills of getting the best out of your sales team.

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Managing Change in the 21st Century

Managing change in the 21st century is about ensuring that organisations do not stagnate and are open to new ideas and practises.  In order for organisations to be competitive change is not going to slow down, it is and will become a continuous process.

John P Kotter is a leading business guru who has developed an 8 step approach to leading change which will be analysed.  Recommendations from organisations that have undergone successful change will be reviewed.

Successful change does not happen overnight, individuals within organisations need to understand why there is a need for change; they in turn become advocates of change which then permeates throughout organisations.

The programme will provide you with the skills to manage change on an individual and organisational basis. 

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Managing Stress in the Workplace

An effective manager is one who is aware of what causes stress within their staff and themselves and is able to proactively manage it. We are all working with stress and for many the level of stress is increasing, so we need to take positive action for the benefit of the organisation, ourselves and our staff.

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Managing the Impact of the Downturn

Your organisation is feeling the effect of the economic downturn and you need to manage how this if affecting your people and therefore their performance. Without excellent, high performing people how are you going to be successful during these challenging times?
Course Content

Who Should Attend
Any manager who is managing during these difficult times and needs to understand the effect of this on their staff and learn how to ensure that they are managing their people in the most effective way.

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Managing Under-Performance & Difficult Behaviour

How do you manage employees who are not performing to an acceptable standard? Whether the problems are related to productivity, motivation, morale or personal reasons, they can be very disruptive within the workplace. This course looks at the legal implications of the practical steps which managers can take to deal with under-performance and difficult behaviours.

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Managing Yourself

This course is about maximising your contribution through improved personal effectiveness. It will equip you with the tools to deliver your best results whilst coping emotionally and professionally in a high-pressure environment. The course will help you to recognise your personal strengths and empower you take more control over your working life – increasing your enjoyment of your job and your self-esteem.

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Meetings - making them work

This course is for people who chair or facilitate meetings - but is useful to anybody who wants to manage meetings more effectively. It gives you a full understanding of the meeting process and how to control and energise a discussion. You will learn how to structure the meeting to best effect; how to manage difficult attendees; and how to agree objectives and outcomes so that your meetings achieve real results.

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Microsoft Access - Intermediate Level

This one-day MS Access intermediate course will provide you with the understanding and hands-on ability to create Access queries and reports using your Access database. Other design considerations are the screens for the input of data and display of reports for output.

You will learn about the rules for tables in a database, the relationships between the data in different tables understand different data types and create validation rules for checking the input of data.

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Microsoft Access for Beginners

An Access database is used to hold data about things that exist in the real world, for example people in a personnel system. This course will equip you with the necessary understanding and hands-on skills to build a simple MS Access database.

You will learn how to set up tables to hold your data and how to link these tables together in a meaningful manner. You will then learn how to use filters and queries to retrieve useful data from your tables.

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Microsoft Excel - Intermediate Level

Building on your existing knowledge of MS Excel this course includes tools for handling large Excel spreadsheets and managing lists of data. You will also understand how to control Excel worksheets that are being edited by several people.

This course will enable you to create, build and customise graphs including plotting trend lines and summarise a large Excel worksheet using the outlining tools. You will also learn about making decisions using conditional statements and formatting.

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Microsoft Excel for Advanced Users

Excel spreadsheets can become very complex with one formula calculating from the results of several others. This course covers the tools to trace problems with complex formulae and methods for consolidating several Excel worksheets.

You will also learn about the analytical tools in Excel and how to use them for goal seeking. You will learn about macros, how to create templates for commonly used worksheets and how to protect data using security features.

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Microsoft Excel for Beginners

This Microsoft Excel Introduction course focuses on quick ways to get started with Excel. You will learn about the layout of the Excel screen and be aware of the features of the workbook and worksheet structure.

You will learn quick methods for entering, editing and formatting data and understand Excel formulae and functions to a level where you will be able to compile sales figures, create purchase orders or analyse bank statements.

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Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook enables you to communicate and exchange information with your colleagues through the use of email, calendars and tasks. It also helps you to organise your time and data to enhance the way you work.

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Microsoft PowerPoint for Advanced Users

This MS Powerpoint advanced course is designed for delegates who have had some experience of Powerpoint to create or edit presentation and who now whish to consolidate and build on their existing knowledge.

You will learn how to create templates and master layouts for a consistent style to your presentations. You will also learn about sharing you presentations with other people, importing data from other applications and advanced slide show techniques.

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Microsoft PowerPoint for Beginners

Effective presentations are essential to get your message across. PowerPoint allows you to create professional, high quality presentations suitable for clients and colleagues with the minimum of time and effort.

In this course you will learn how to create a MS Powerpoint presentation containing text, graphics, charts and tables and how to set up simple animation effects for use in a slide show. You will also learn how to print handouts from your MS Powerpoint presentation.

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Microsoft Project

This one-day MS Project course introduces the scope of Microsoft Project to users involved in project management. It gives you practical experience in using MS Project as a tool to help break projects into manageable parts and keep them under control.

You will gain an understanding of project planning and methodologies for projects of all sizes. You will learn to create and maintain a project plan, using tasks and resources.

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Microsoft Visio for Beginners

This course will enable you to create and design professional Process Maps, Flow Charts, Organisation Charts and much more. It is a drawing package with flexibility. From this course you will learn how to use the drawing tools to make professional charts with ease.

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Microsoft Word - Intermediate Level

This Microsoft Word Intermediate training program expands on basic Word skills and shows you how to handle long Word documents using columns, paragraph numbering and tables to make them easier to read. You will learn how to organise your MS Word documents using different page layouts or headers and footers in the same document.

You will also understand how to control documents that are being edited by several people and how to conduct a mail shot using the Mail Merge feature.

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Microsoft Word for Advanced Users

This Microsoft Word Advanced training course focuses on creating Word documents and templates for other people to use. It will enable you to use style sheets to apply formatting to longer documents, insert MS Word fields to display or capture information and add a table of contents or an index.

You will see how to create and use templates for telephone messages, faxes and memos. You will also learn how to record and play macros to automate repetitive or tedious tasks.

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Microsoft Word for Beginners

This introduction to Microsoft Word course will give you the skills to type, save and print simple Word documents such as letters and memos. No previous word processing experience is necessary.

The course focuses on quick ways to select, edit and format text. it is full of time-saving tips including how to teach Word your repetitive typing so that you never have to type it again.

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Minute Taking with Confidence

If you are responsible for writing minutes, this course will show you how to work effectively with the Chair, and how to take notes during a meeting by distinguishing the significant elements from the irrelevant. Delegates will be shown how to write up minutes which are accurate, concise and easy to use, ensuring that action points are followed up. Shorthand is not required.

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Motivating Staff through Training and Coaching

How much more could your business benefit through the development of your staff?  To ensure better performance from your staff and therefore better results for your organisation!  This course will give you the tools you need to understand how people learn and techniques to ensure that you are able to deliver the appropriate training, coaching and mentoring for each individual member of your staff.

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Negotiating Skills

With so much of modern business relying on the ability to reach mutually beneficial agreements - the so-called “win-win” situation - the modern manager needs to be able to plan, deliver and follow through on critical negotiations. This workshop will give you the skills to break stalemates and give you the edge in professional negotiations. It covers all aspects of negotiations, provides a framework for effective action, and shows you how to achieve the best possible and long lasting agreements.

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Organising an Event

This one day workshop will give you the confidence to manage your own events. It will give you the essential tools to plan an event, to work effectively with project members and to ensure that the event comes in on budget - and is a great success!

Who is it for? Anybody who is required to provide a management role in event planning.

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Performance Management and Appraisal

Performance Management is about getting results.   It is concerned with getting the best out of people and helping them achieve their potential.   Appraisal is just part of that process.

Applied as a top down approach Performance Management aims to achieve a shared vision of the purpose and aims (objectives) of a business.  As managers and supervisors we will use it to help individuals and teams recognise their role in contributing to those business aims.

It is a continuous process, assessing and developing people, who work to specific objectives, closely allied to your business’s key goals.   But it is also about developing each member of staff as an individual so that they can reach their potential.   

Done well, Performance Management and the linked Appraisal meeting will motivate and energise your staff; it should enhance communications and improve working relationships.  Done badly, it will demotivate and dis-empower your staff.

The workshop will provide the practical knowledge and skills to use Performance Management and Appraisal effectively in your organisation.

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Presenting with Impact

How many times have you longed to make a clear, calm and effective presentation? This is a skill you can develop, using proven techniques, and this course covers the basic elements of building a presentation, through to delivery and managing your nerves. It blends the key skills with practicing your structuring and delivery techniques.

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Presenting with Impact - Advanced

This course is designed for experienced presenters who want to hone their techniques. It includes presenting with impact - voice, words, body language, appearance and dealing with questions, resistance and challenges.

Delegates should be experienced presenting in a structured way and ideally, have knowledge of the content of the introductory course beforehand. The course builds on the basic techniques discussed in the introductory course.

You will be required to prepare presentations in advance for delivery during the programme.

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Project Management

When you understand how projects work and, more importantly, what makes them succeed, you will perform better in a project environment. This one-day workshop is packed with practical tools and resources to help you deliver your projects on time, to budget and as specified.

Who is it for? Managers who would benefit from applying project management techniques and skills to day-to-day tasks or who need to interact with projects as members of project teams. This course is consistent with PRINCE II and suitable for UK Public Authorities.

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Reception Skills

The first point of contact a customer has in any business is usually the receptionist who creates the first impressions of your company and this may affect any future relationships.

Surprisingly most receptionists are “thrown in at the deep end” and develop their skills and techniques as they go along. This course will enable you to handle customers, enquiries and complaints more professionally and with increased confidence.

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Recruitment interviewing

This highly practical workshop will help you reduce the risk of recruiting an unsuitable applicant by learning the skills required to undertake a successful recruitment process. It covers the key requirements: the current legislation affecting recruitment; avoiding discrimination; getting the person specification right; advertising the post; short-listing; and conducting the interview.

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Report Writing

If you write reports for internal or external readers, this course will enhance your proficiency and facilitate their understanding. You will learn how to clarify your objectives, draw up an outline and organise your information. You will learn how to construct arguments, prepare summaries and write recommendations. You will also be shown how to write in plain English, using the correct grammar and effective layout to ensure that your reports are professional and contemporary.

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Sales - the Client Meeting

This highly participative course focuses on that crucial face-to-face sales meeting. It covers structuring the meeting; rapport building; finding out the true needs of the client; and developing the confidence to ask for the business and close the sale. Delegates will be able to analyse the sales meeting and develop the trust of the client through a consultative approach which will result in that all-important initial sale plus the more important repeat business.

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Sales Essentials

“Selling is 90% product knowledge and 10% people skills. However, to succeed, you need 100% of the 10%.” This course will help you achieve that 10% which will unlock the sale by understanding how a sale is made. New sales people will understand tried and tested techniques to improve their sales performance. It covers the role of the salesperson; researching the client and setting objectives; presenting benefits; closing positively; and overcoming objections.

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Supervisory Management

When staff are promoted into a supervisory position, they often have superb technical skills. This is the reason why they are promoted, yet they lack the very different skills needed to supervise others. This one-day course gives you an overview of the key skills you need to supervise staff effectively. It focuses on the different ‘hats’ a supervisor needs to wear, and how to move away from the ‘doing’ and take on the ‘supervising’ element of the role.

Who is it for? Newly appointed Supervisors or existing Supervisors / Team Leaders who need to develop their people management skills.

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Team Leadership

Do you want to get the best from your team? On this course, you will explore a range of practical management techniques to lead, encourage, inspire performance from your teams. You will learn how to adapt your leadership style according to the individual, task and situation. You will learn how to motivate and inspire others in an assertive and effective way and how to add value to each team process.

Who is it for? Recently promoted team leaders and those who have not had formal training in team leadership.

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Telephone Sales Techniques

Do you maximise every sales opportunity or is it more hit and miss? Understand how the combination of a positive attitude and effective sales techniques bring repeated results to every company that adopts them. This workshop is designed for both inbound and outbound calls and will enable you to establish your customers’ needs, meet these needs, and thus increase sales.

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The Effective and Confident Administrator

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As an administrator in a busy office, you will be used to ‘juggling balls’. This course will show you how to deal with a variety of situations using effective communication skills and assertiveness techniques. You will explore ways to increase productivity and efficiency, and improve systems and procedures. Learn how to manage your time, organise projects, prioritise, and delegate.

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Time Management

Are you stressed, harassed, and under constant time management pressures? Do you feel that you need 26 hours a day? Why do other people seem to get the same amount of work completed with such ease? Do you feel you are constantly ‘fire fighting’ and need to ‘get on top of things’? This time management course will give you the tools you need to succeed in this crucial area and get better organised in your working day, enabling you to achieve more. You will take away 30 ways to put you in charge of your time.

By organising your workload effectively rather than constantly reacting to events you can become more efficient and regain control of that most valuable resource... time.

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Train the Trainer

Managers and supervisors are increasingly required to undertake training in group situations. This course will show you how to adapt training to suit different learning processes so that you motivate, inspire, energise and stimulate the group. You will learn how to structure a training programme with well defined objectives, identify appropriate training processes, deliver with confidence and evaluate effectively.

Delegates will be given an insight into what motivates trainees to learn, about different learning styles and how to tailor course material to meet the needs of the delegates. Entertaining an audience is essential for effective learning to occur, and delegates will be shown how dynamic presentation skills, effective use of body language and assertiveness techniques will help with this process.

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Training your Staff On-the-Job

How much more could your business benefit through the development of your staff? Your staff are probably your most expensive resource but often are not developed to their full potential. This course gives you the tools to help you understand how people learn, along with development techniques, how to identify training needs and templates for recording your training plans. It focuses on one-to-one, on-the-job training.

Understand how to get the best out of your staff through training them effectively.

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What Next?

You have been informed by your employer that your job is no longer required, which for many people is a major shock to them. This workshop enables you to review your current siltation, reflect on the opportunities that are now open to you and develop positive and proactive steps to “move on and move away” from your current employer.

Who Should Attend
Any person who finds themselves without a job and requires some time to reflect and plan for the future and receive support and guidance on what next to do.

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Working in a Diverse Workforce

This workshop will help you to recognise how essential it is to ensure you “respect” all your work colleagues and customers and work with them positively. It will be a highly practical session covering the meaning of equality and diversity, the importance of equality and diversity, an overview of the relevant legislation and will provide an opportunity for you to review your behaviour and that of your colleagues to ensure that you all work effectively together.

Who should attend: All managers who are responsible for equality and diversity issues and all staff working in a diverse workforce.

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