Our courses

Find the course you’re looking for by using the 'Search Our Courses' function on the right.

Key:
pink dot = Full-day courses
green dot = Bite-Size sessions

The following courses fit your criteria:
(Click on course for full description)

  • Advanced Negotiation Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for both buyers and sellers who want to raise their game with their existing negotiating skills.

     

    You are now at the stage in your career where you have been negotiating with clients for some time. During this session you will be given a thorough refresher of the essential principles associated with successful negotiations. You will be shown how to prepare for a negotiation, how to structure and control a negotiation and how to absorb pressure and devalue tactics. The session will feature a tailored negotiation case study and role play to ensure all the principles outlined are experimented within the session itself. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The essential principles of effective negotiation.
    • Preparing to negotiate - the value of the top, middle and bottom line.
    • Setting objectives and the necessary research - understanding the options.
    • Identifying and valuing variables - building a strategy.
    • Building the value perspective.
    • Controlling the negotiation.
    • Exploration, opening positions, pressure, movement, settlement and closure.
    • Stimulating movement in deadlock.
    • Recognising and responding to both high and low pressure tactics.
    • Understanding different negotiation strategies/personalities.
    • Building proposals and conditional trading.
    • Agreement - confirming the deal.

  • Assert Yourself Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    Suitable for anyone whose role involves working with or communicating with others.

     

    Assertiveness can be defined as the ability to express yourself, your views, your opinions and your rights in an open and non-confrontational way. If you have ever found yourself saying yes to unreasonable requests, if you find it difficult to express disagreement or discontent, or if you find yourself giving in, simply to keep the peace, then this workshop is for you. We will explore what assertiveness looks like, showing how it differs from aggressive and passive behaviour and in particular give you practical pointers on specific verbal and non-verbal assertiveness techniques. Drawing on both professional and personal experiences, we’ll build your assertiveness confidence in dealing with others, especially those whose behaviour you consider to be challenging, overpowering and unhelpful.

     

    Key topic areas

    • What does assertive behaviour look like? How does it differ to other forms of communication?
    • The benefits of being an assertive communicator in your current role.
    • Exploring the impact of different communication styles, passive, aggressive and assertive.
    • Identifying the rights and responsibilities of an assertive person.
    • Identifying assertive language, what does assertion sound like?
    • Improving your assertiveness using non-verbal techniques – using your body, your facial expressions to improve your assertiveness.
    • Specific techniques to use in challenging situations.
    • Turning up the assertiveness volume – empathic, basic and consequence assertion.
    • Remaining assertive when dealing with conflict or confrontation.
    • Responding to aggressive or manipulative people.
    • Your personal assertiveness health-check and action planning.
    'I have learnt how to say no without causing offense and how to not back down. 

    The role-play, although difficult, was very useful.  The trainer made it easy for the whole group to speak'

     

    'I feel like I now have the confidence to say no and to get what I want.  This will help me to stop taking on too much work'

     

    'The most useful part of the training was the role-play then feedback and discussion; then the chance to role-play again, putting into action what we learnt from the feedback.  The trainer was extremely experienced and knowledgeable, as well as making you feel very relaxed'

     

    'The trainer kept the course engaging, lively, participative and passed on lots of helpful information and feedback.  An excellent course throughout'

     

    'I plan to set myself time to practice examples that were given today in real terms – hopefully at meetings'

  • Becoming the Boss Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview 

    You’ve worked hard and got that promotion – only then does it sink in that you are now responsible not just for projects but for people. Becoming the Boss is a session to help new managers develop their working style to make them popular leaders, whilst retaining their commercial edge and business head.

    Key topic areas: 

    • From one of the gang to leader of the pack - getting your team onside
    • Leading from the front – being an inspiration
    • The importance of communication
    • Giving performance reviews
    • Delivering critical feedback that produces positive results
    • Briefing and setting goals
    • Engaging teams and providing motivation

  • Being a Pro Bite-size course

    Overview 

    You've studied hard and got your degree, completed the relevant work experience and you’ve got your first job – now what?

    Being a Pro is a session for all graduates new to the world of work. Navigating the do's and don'ts of office politics and the stresses of the 9-5 can be a shock to the student system – this session arms Gen Y graduates with the right tools to get in, and get on, setting solid foundations on which careers can flourish.

    Key Topic Areas

    • Sustaining momentum. Got the job? Now the real work kicks in
    • Understanding your role. From job spec to company expectations
    • Business etiquette and company culture. Getting noticed for the right reasons
    • What happens at the water cooler... doesn't always stay there – the pitfalls of office politics and gossip
    • Attending meetings. From handshakes to note taking
    • Professional business correspondence. From letters to email – style, language and the big "X" debate
    • Dress to impress. What your appearance says about you
    • Building relationships in the workplace. Building rapport, the role for non-verbal communication
    • Personal PR. Using your professionalism to build your personal brand

     

  • Being Appraised Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anybody wanting to get the best out of their appraisal, and who are looking to improve their communication skills whilst being appraised.

     

    No matter how good your appraisal system and performance management process, if your appraisees don’t know the part they have to play in it, there’s a good chance they won’t be as effective as they can be. Training your appraisers is essential – but in our view, so is training your appraisees. This session will help appraisees prepare for the meeting, help build an understanding of the benefits of appraisals, as well as identify how to develop a constructive approach to self improvement.

    Key Topic Areas

     

    • Being clear and positive about the rationale for appraisals.
    • Understanding how to gain maximum benefit from your appraisal meeting.
    • Preparing comprehensively for your appraisal meeting.
    • Understanding the organisation’s appraisal process and system.
    • Ensuring you have your say and that the appraisal is a two-way discussion.
    • Agreeing clear, realistic and measurable objectives with your appraiser.
    • Ensuring that you feel the appraisal is conducted objectively.
    • Being assertive and speaking up for yourself when necessary.
    • Understanding that performance management is a continuous process.
    • Using positive verbal and non-verbal behaviour.
    • Demonstrating effective listening and questioning skills.
    • Ensuring that your appraiser takes account of your personal development needs.

     

  • Bridging The Gap Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    The statistics are everywhere – Generation Y are coming, and they aren’t coming quietly. This session looks at the facts behind the theory, how they play out in reality, and how these statistics will be affecting your industry in the next few years. Wonder how you are going to attract the best candidates from a sea of graduates? Got a problem with high turnover in your junior team? Loosing key talent to your competitors after investing in their training? This session is an introduction to get your organisation Gen Y Fit for the Future. 

    Key topic areas:

    • Who are they and what do they want?
    • Making your recruitment process Gen Y friendly
    • Getting over the 18 month itch – the keys to junior talent retention
    • Knowing your competitors – tips to stop staff straying
    • Work hard, play hard – getting the balance right
    • Getting the best out of Gen Y
    • Bringing Y in to the mix – how this generation affects the rest of your business
     

  • Building Effective Working Relationships Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone looking to improve their working relationships with others.

    In your role it is critical that you establish constructive, close and open relationships with not just your colleagues and team members, but also your customers. This session will help you get the most out of your business relationships by developing a considered and flexible approach to communication and relationship building. We will focus on the impact your communication style has on others and, in particular, what happens to that style in difficult and stressful situations. We’ll also help those of you dealing with challenging communication situations, providing you with the skills to help you to build relationships that ensure ongoing success. You will also benefit from taking part in a real-life case study and role-play to ensure all the principles outlined are experienced within the session itself.

    Key topic areas

    • The foundations of expectations.
    • Influencing and persuading – what can we learn from great influencers?
    • Understanding communication preference and the impact of such preference.
    • Developing a flexible communication style.
    • Developing awareness of your own style and the strengths and challenges associated with that style.
    • Understanding the various pressure points in business relationships.
    • Understanding the instinctive response and the considered response to conflict.
    • Avoiding fixed and antagonistic positions - stimulating communication and movement in difficult situations.
    • How to deal with conflict or criticism.
    • Responding to aggressive or manipulative people.
    • Understanding your triggers and your response to those triggers.
    • Understanding communication misfires.
    • Adapting your communication style for an effective result.
    • Maintaining your assertiveness, avoiding neural hijacking - keeping calm and in control.
    • Adapting the skills to a more formal negotiation situation.
    • Barriers to effective influencing and persuading.
    • Modelling effective influencing skills in challenging situations.
    • Stimulating interaction – handling disengagement.
    • Managing individual relationships – prevention and remedy.
    • The importance of building relationship credit.

    'It didn’t feel overly structured, making the session feel informal'

     

    'I found learning about understanding personality types very interesting'

     

    'The most useful aspects were Myers Briggs and assertiveness skills.  I now have a greater understanding of how different people are and can be and will conduct myself appropriately'

     

    'Lots of ideas for effective communication that will help with my job'

    'Good to realise it is fine to be a bit more introverted!'

  • Business Writing Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to develop their style of writing and sharpen their impact.

     

    Creating engaging and persuasive written documents is a vital skill in these testing, high-pressured times. Achieving first time cut-through and standout for your proposals with clients, colleagues and management is essential. This session will help those who need to write effective, persuasive written communications, including proposals, letters, emails and promotional material. We’ll look at the creative process of putting a document together, how to gain credibility with the recipient and persuade them to support your call to action. During our session we’ll explore different ways of making an impact in writing. We’ll ensure you’ve considered and analysed your objective, understood your audience and then we’ll look at planning and structuring your communications to make sure they get results, as well as the benefits of professional presentation.

    Key topic areas

    • The importance of sales letters, emails and proposals.
    • Getting started - how to lay the groundwork.
    • Matching the copy to the target audience.
    • What's the story? How to make your proposition a good read.
    • How to persuade and influence in a written document.
    • The role for empathy and second positioning.
    • Exploring successful copy.
    • Structure, content, delivery - how to put your document together.
    • The value of good editing.
    • Look and feel - creating visual impact.
    • Dealing with clients who do not respond or who respond negatively.

    'Useful and enjoyable, I came away with ideas to improve and change the reports and communications I send'

     

    'The session explored new ways of thinking and doing things which was a useful exercise going forward, I have ideas regarding how to achieve improved writing for different audiences and it was good to hear first hand different writing experience'

     

    'A very interesting session, the exercises were engaging and the advice was helpful. It will be useful to think about evidence and power words to help get my point across'

    'I really enjoyed the session and found the day very useful.  I will definitely take away many helpful tips and try to apply these to my writing style.  The course covered what I stated I needed and was tailored to our requirements'

     

    'The trainer was great, had a great approach and I feel that the Copy Clinic follow-up session will help me a lot further'

  • Communicating Through Storytelling Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

     

    Suitable for anyone whose role involves communicating with others.

     

    How do you make sure that every time you communicate with your client it is meaningful and memorable? When presenting new ideas and solutions to your clients do you do so in a way that engages, entertains or inspires? Or have you fallen into the trap of communicating with jargon and bland business speak. To achieve standout as a communicator you must aim to engage, entertain and inspire those you communicate with in a way that is both convincing and unique. Here at 360 we believe there are many ways you will achieve stand out but our particular favourites include storytelling, painting pictures and bringing your messages to life through analogies and metaphors. We aim to show you that by using these simple techniques you can adapt the way you communicate making sure you are remembered for all the right reasons. At the end of the session you will have the tools and techniques to create and shape your own stories successfully, influence client perspective and opinion and persuade more convincingly. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The difference between bland blah blah and truly powerful communication.
    • Understanding what makes compelling communication.
    • Communication through storytelling, bringing your communication to life.
    • Stories as framing devices, analogies and metaphors to drive understanding and insight.
    • Choice of language – active versus passive, rich versus bland
    • What elements will a good story have? Characters and plots, twists and turns, happy endings.
    • Telling stories with statistics, perhaps your most difficult challenge.
    • Developing your personal style, your personal impact.
    • Developing your natural self – how to loosen up your style and build rapport.
    • Understanding the power of your voice.
    • Understanding body language and adding energy to the interaction.
    • The importance of the final chapter - calling for action, closing the communication.

  • Creative Training Techniques Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A session that is suitable for anyone involved in running training sessions.

     

    For a training session to be considered effective, trainers need to ensure that delegates are fully engaged and come away with their training objectives met. This session will provide you with a clear structure for designing content that is both stimulating and interactive - and suitable for all delegate learning styles. We will focus on how to get the most out of the group, looking at techniques to facilitate discussion and participation. Time will also be spent looking at the skills of an assertive trainer, when faced with difficult delegates. You will also be given the opportunity to test out various techniques using a variety of different exercises. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Exploring trainer competencies - what makes an effective trainer?
    • An understanding of group dynamics.
    • Identifying different learning styles.
    • Framing the session - identifying the desired outcome.
    • Building a structure and developing content.
    • Engaging delegates with interactive training techniques.
    • Personalising the work by example.
    • The ability to identify personal issues and working them into training material.
    • Working with strong feelings - handling cynicism, fear and resistance.
    • Working outside the scope of the plan.
    • The role for action-based learning.
    • Creating energy in the training room.
    • Using your personality as a tool.
    • Pressure points.
    • Reviewing the effectiveness of your training.

    'This session has given me more insight into my strengths and weaknesses as a trainer and practical ways to improve the way I train.  The trainer gave us examples of real-life situations she has encountered as a trainer which made it more interesting and enjoyable.  I hope I’m half the trainer she is – she set a great example and is an inspiration'

     

    'Before I attended this session I thought we were all going to be analysed in a negative way – no way was it negative!  It was all very helpful!' 

    'This will really help me recognise challenging people & different behaviours encountered during my courses and help me to deal with them'

    'I felt that the course will help me not only in my work situation but at home as well.  I would recommend the course to all managers to help them work with staff more effectively.  Very enjoyable course'

     

    'Although very self-aware, reading my psychological profile has really confirmed to me the changes I need to make for myself to progress in work especially.  Very accurate'

     

    'I would recommend this course to every area of our organisation.  It has been extremely valuable'

     

  • Crisis Management Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview 

    Suitable for anyone responsible for managing a crisis.

     

    You know it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’ and the sooner you start preparing for that crisis the easier it will be to control. When your business is at the cutting edge of digital media, it’s worth remembering that the speed and spread of negative viral messages will outstrip their positive counterparts. The way a crisis is managed determines the future of a brand, a whole organisation even. Make a mistake at that time, and a reputation built up over the years can be destroyed in seconds. Get it right and that reputation can be protected, enhanced even. This session explores best practice in crisis prevention, preparation and management. We’ll look at existing processes and procedures, and identify any gaps. We’ll ensure you’ve got the right team in place to handle a crisis and then we’ll work through some mock scenarios to bring that best practice to life. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • A review of the organisation’s current crisis management policies.
    • Exploring possible crises your organisation might face.
    • Understanding how the media works and how to manage them.
    • Learning from case studies of companies that handled a crisis well, and those that didn’t.
    • Linking your media and crisis-preparedness strategies.
    • Dealing with media scrutiny and negative headlines.
    • Practising simulated interviews based on real-life scenarios.
    • Protecting your organisation’s reputation and retaining trust.
    • Ensuring business continuity.

  • Dealing with Difficult People Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to develop their competence and confidence in dealing with difficult people and challenging behaviours.

     

    Difficult relationships and situations arise when there is a disparity in communication style. This can lead to fractured relationships, negative feelings and give rise to toxicity. By understanding our own communication style and reactions to the communication style of others we can develop strategies to manage relationships and push through difficult situations to gain effective results. This session explores what happens when other people press your buttons and cause problems, at the end of the session you will have a collection of different possible strategies to handle challenging communication and ensure that difficult situations do not hold you back.

     

    Key Topic Areas

    • Exploring the five sources of conflict – intention, incompetence, insensitivity, intrusion and inevitability.
    • Understanding responses to confrontation and conflict – the instinctive response and the considered response.
    • What impact does my preference have on those around me?
    • The value of flexible communication – getting it right most of the time.
    • What happens when we get it wrong? Understanding your triggers and your response to those triggers.
    • Exploring the power of assertive communication.
    • Influencing and persuading with conviction and without railroading.
    • The role for body language – reading between the lines.
    • Closing the communication – what do we want?
    • Modelling effective influencing skills in challenging situations.
    • What happens to communication under pressure – the ten most common reactions.

     

  • Delegating not Dumping Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for anyone who has responsibility for the workflow or output of others. 

    You may think you are saving time by delegating work to others but if you don’t delegate effectively you may well be adding to your workload. Ineffective delegation can lead to tasks being completed several times as individuals struggle to work out what’s really needed. All too often delegating is something we do when deadlines are looming or we’re looking to offload an unpleasant task or project. But with a bit of thought and planning, proactive delegation can bring many benefits. It gets the job done – but it also develops, stretches and motivates your team. It builds your confidence in the competence of your team and helps you to focus on the more critical and sometimes more strategic element of your role. In this session we’ll discuss how to decide what to delegate, who to delegate it to, and how to safeguard an outcome that leaves both parties satisfied. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The fundamental differences between delegating effectively and dumping.
    • Working out what can be delegated. What should I delegate and to whom?
    • Proactive vs reactive delegation – recognising the right time for each.
    • Communication skills that improve the process of delegation.
    • Take your time – the value of a simple but thorough brief.
    • Moving from big picture to detail, through milestones to timeframes and deadlines.
    • Checking understanding, staying available
    • The missing steps – modelling, coaching and shadowing the task.
    • The consequences of micro-managing – cutting out the control freak instincts.
    • The consequences of abdication – remaining supportive
    • Appraising delegated work – building the blueprint for future work.

  • Developing Others Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

     

    This session is suitable for anyone who manages others and is enthusiastic about the continued development of their team.

     

    Without motivation, support and coaching from managers, employees have a difficult time developing their talents on their own. Research shows that managers who are effectively involved in the growth and development of their team make behaviour and performance change happen. This session will show managers how to get the best out of their people, by providing appropriate feedback, goal setting and skills development in a supporting and motivational environment. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Exploring why the development of others is a critical skill for managers.
    • Creating an environment where others can grow.
    • The qualities and skills of an effective developer.
    • Understanding the benefits and pitfalls of development.
    • How to identify development needs through performance gaps.
    • How to agree motivational development plans.
    • The role for measuring learning outcomes.
    • How to excite and motivate the willing and not so willing team member.
    • How to identify and create development opportunities within the team.
    • The role for encouraging peer review and shared learning.
    • The motivational performance review.
    • Inspiring feedback conversations that get results.
    • Objective setting to assist personal development.
    • Coaching as a development tool.

  • Developing Personal Resilience Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview 

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to build personal resilience during challenging times. 

    We can’t avoid challenges and change in the workplace, but what we can do is build our resilience to them. We can learn to identify, manage and bounce back from these challenges more effectively, and stay committed when the going gets tough. This session focuses on approaches to building personal resilience; helping individuals to turn problems into opportunities and to react positively when under pressure. Individuals will explore how to think more clearly, becoming more optimistic in their mindset, motivated, confident and persistent during challenging times. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • What is resilience?
    • When do we need to call on our resilience?
    • Assessing individual resilience strengths and weaknesses through the resilience assessment questionnaire.
    • Exploring the resilience framework.
    • The risks and threats to your survival at work.
    • How to enhance realistic optimism and diffuse negative thinking.
    • How to develop a more flexible and adaptable attitude to change.
    • Understanding who we are - clarifying personal vision and goals.
    • The role for Emotional Intelligence in resilience.
    • Performance mindset – exploring impulse control, self-awareness and empathy.
    • How to deal with difficult or challenging situations and people.
    • Enhancing creative thinking and problem solving skills.
    • Building a personal resilience action plan.

  • Effective Appraisals Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A session that is suitable for anyone involved in running appraisals. 

    Everyone acknowledges the vital role appraisals play in managing performance, but for both the appraiser and appraisee to benefit, it is essential that they are run effectively. We’ll help you look at how to approach and run an appraisal that motivates and directs team members, and at the same time renews the Employer/ Employee Psychological Contract. We’ll show you the importance of preparation, the value of control and how to stimulate two-way communication, ensuring the real issues are identified, explored and resolved. We will also look at the importance of objective setting and action planning and what is involved during the appraisal follow-up and its role in managing performance. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Defining a successful appraisal - the good, the bad and the ugly.
    • Defining expectations and responsibilities with a pre-appraisal meeting.
    • Conducting the appraisal – key principles of control and involvement.
    • Ensuring effective two-way communication.
    • The value of specific and meaningful positive feedback.
    • The role for active listening from both angles.
    • Addressing poor performance – giving negative and uncomfortable but constructive feedback.
    • Dealing with confrontation and emotion.
    • Developing skills and behaviour that supports stretch objectives.
    • Defining key objectives and agreeing performance direction.
    • The appraisal follow-up – what happens now from both the appraiser and appraisee’s perspective?

  • Effective Client Management Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

     

    This session is suitable for anyone who is looking to develop client relationships where the long-term growth of the client and repeat business is important. 

    To make this session as pragmatic as possible, we ask that delegates bring real-life accounts as case studies to refer to throughout the session. The session will encourage you to analyse your existing relationships with your account base and identify those accounts that you see as critical accounts, those responsible for generating a large volume of business or simply those of strategic importance. You will leave this session with the tools and techniques to work on your specific development objectives, action plans and time-frames of activity for your most important accounts, which will ultimately lead to more productive and profitable relationships with the majority of your client base. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Exploring the key principles of effective account management.
    • Understanding different stages of the client – account manager relationship.
    • Exploring the potential mismatch between expectations and deliverables.
    • Developing relationships through creativity.
    • The proactive approach to shaping and defining client expectations.
    • Developing an account growth strategy.
    • Recognising account growth opportunities.
    • Making the most of client meetings – focus, direction, momentum.
    • Building rapport and establishing credibility.
    • Selling in client-centred solutions.
    • Identifying potential relationship pressure points.
    • Managing different personalities and preferences.
    • Ensuring the investment/profitability balance is right.

  • Effective Client Meetings Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to enhance their skills and knowledge of running effective client meetings. 

    If you’ve ever been asked to run a client meeting then you’ll certainly appreciate the value of preparation, but will also recognise the importance of structuring the meeting in a way that gives you control, helping you to achieve your ultimate objective. Our session will show you how to use a flexible meeting structure that can be adapted to most situations, whether it’s a formal or informal meeting. We pay specific attention to the art of controlling a meeting plus we’ll shed light on the role of rapport building and personal impact skills, as well as how to handle those challenging situations that sometimes threaten to derail or hijack the whole meeting. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The importance of setting pre-meeting objectives and desired outcomes.
    • The benefits of organising and planning for your client meeting.
    • Exploring essential facilitation skills.
    • Taking control - structuring the meeting.
    • Building rapport, empathic questioning and active listening.
    • Exploring your own personal impact - what impression are you making?
    • Powerful communication - tailoring your message to suit both the context of the meeting and the individuals involved.
    • Keeping control of the meeting - handling detours and hijacks.
    • Stimulating interest, feedback and interaction.
    • Exploring and resolving issues and challenging behaviour.
    • Concluding with an action plan and renewed commitment.
     

    'We covered the material well, constructive feedback and useful structuring techniques for all styles of meeting'

     

    'I was able to identify two essential things which I hadn’t thought of before – that the meeting is a conversation, not necessarily a presentation and it is important to ask questions more – warm the meeting, build rapport.  The feedback from the trainer on this is pivotal for the success of my meetings and my development in the future'

  • Effective Coaching Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    Suitable for those who have a responsibility for coaching and managing the performance of others. 

    Coaching is both a behaviour and a skill which when done well will make a dramatic contribution to both the performance levels and the motivation levels across any organisation. This highly interactive two-day programme focuses on developing coaching skills, giving confidence to those keen to try out different coaching tools and techniques. We will look at a variety of different coaching models and explore how they can be applied to maximise an individual’s potential. We will also spend time identifying those skills we need to develop around us to really stretch business performance. By the end of the programme you will be able to identify coaching needs, evaluate different coaching models and how they are used, develop your own coaching style, apply coach-mentoring techniques for performance and development issues, give feedback as a coach and develop action plans for coaching in the workplace. 

    Key Topic Areas

     

    Building a coaching culture – how can coaching help an organisation achieve its strategic objectives? 

    • Coaching as a tool to help achieve organisational, departmental and individual objectives.
    • The foundations of a successful coaching culture.
    • Identifying skills and behaviours to support achievement of strategic objectives.
    • Using coaching to build performance improvement and to unlock potential.
    • Where are our gaps? Mapping coaching needs.

    Appreciating difference – developing a flexible coaching style:

    • Learning styles preference, implications for the coach and managing different learning style preferences.
    • Communication style preferences and the application of these styles in the coaching context.

    Exploring different coaching tools and techniques:

    • Feedback as a coaching tool.
    • Reinforcing and embedding skills.
    • Mapping competencies and behavioural gaps.
    • Coaching improvement.
    • Coaching as a conversation - asking the right questions.
    • Techniques for prompting mindset shifts.
    • The GROW model.
    • Coaching techniques for performance and development issues.
    • The value of the Peer coaching session, action learning as performance builder.

    Recognising repetition and stimulating change

    • Recognising patterns of behaviour.
    • Addressing repetition and stuckness.
    • Experimentation and creative coaching interventions.
     

    'It was good being able to understand how best to identify a preference type and act most appropriately and therefore to coach effectively'

     

    'The most useful modules were on feedback and crisis coaching – I must allow others to experience and deal with difficult situations alone, but with guidance from me'

     

    'The tools on how to think about negative feedback in a more structured way were very useful'

      

    'I’m taking loads of useful tools away with me!  I will think more about different personalities and how to change my communication skills to suit each of them'

     

    'It was a very practical session, with real examples.  Good feedback and discussion with the group.  Single issue coaching is the key – drip, drip, drip rather than one yearly session in appraisal'

     

    'Simple, straightforward session, but action focused'

     

    'The practicals, followed by feedback, worked really well.  I’m really glad it wasn’t a linear PowerPoint presentation – that would have been too monotonous'

     

  • Effective Decision Making Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone involved in decision-making.

    How do you feel when you are faced with making an organisational or departmental decision? Do you avoid the process, not knowing where to start? Deliberate anxiously about the outcome - especially when the decisions have to be made within a demanding environment or restricted time frame? If so, you are not alone. Fear of making the wrong decision often stops us in our tracks. Sometimes we procrastinate, other times we seize the day – but just how robust is that kind of decision-making? Working with tailored case studies we aim to show you how most decisions that you have to make can be made following a simple five-step framework. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The challenges associated with effective decision-making.
    • Exploring the different decision-making preferences.
    • Managing your own instinctive preference, building awareness of your preferred decision-making style and the challenges it may bring.
    • The role for the decision diagnostic, what are we making a decision about?
    • Identifying your anchor principles.
    • Creative thinking, generating ideas and options through creative thinking techniques.
    • Evaluating your options using Impact Analysis, Plus/Minus/Interesting, the Six Thinking Hats technique and Force Field analysis.
    • The ten most critical decision-making principles.

    'The speed of the class was great – not boring – and not too long spent on exercises'

     

    'I learned new decision making models to use in work and life, the challenges now is finding the time to use them'

     

    'I have learnt to look carefully at the source of the problem and explore all the different solutions there may be for any decision.  Also, understanding the responses you may receive from colleagues and learning how to move forward'

     

  • Effective Mentoring Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for those with the specific responsibility to develop those around them.  

    Mentoring is a powerful personal development as well as a motivational management tool. It is one of the most effective ways of helping people within the organisation to progress in their careers. As a mentor, you allow for growth and development of the mentee, whilst providing guidance and encouragement. This session will explore the role and skills required to be a mentor. You will come away with the tools and techniques to run effective mentoring sessions, building both the performance and confidence of the mentee. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • The role, responsibilities and expectations of the mentor and mentee.
    • What skills and experience can a mentor bring to the relationship?
    • Exploring the critical skills and mindset of a mentor.
    • The mentoring model:
    • Initiating exploration – developing practical communication techniques.
    • Facilitating learning – presenting difficulties and problems.
    • Guiding the planning process – problem solving, identifying solutions and setting clear goals and objectives.
    • Supporting experimentation – providing constructive feedback.
    • Recognising different communication preferences and the role for these in building trust in the mentor/mentee relationship.
    • Understanding communication preference and the strengths and challenges associated with each preference.
    • Exploring Emotional Intelligence – what impact does it have on your role as a mentor?
    • The core Emotional Intelligence competencies – self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management.
    • Managing the mentoring relationship – initiation, development, maturity, disengagement and redefinition.
    • Exploring varying levels of commitment to the relationship – agreeing mentoring plans.
    • Exploring potential pressure points with your mentee – handling emotions.

  • Facilitation Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    An essential skill for anyone involved in or having responsibility for running meetings.

    Today’s organisations use meetings to share ideas, make joint decisions and plan actions. This can be a useful exercise but the effectiveness of a meeting depends on the facilitator and their ability to lead effective, results-oriented sessions. The difference between a successful outcome and a disappointing one can be down to a variety of factors including preparation, goal setting, dealing with disruption and managing unhelpful behaviour. This highly practical session will show you how to prepare groups for a focused meeting, the importance of encouraging diverse points of view and how to keep the group focused and moving towards the achievement of the stated meeting objectives. We’ll also explore the important role of the action plan and the follow-up. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Planning for successful meetings - the importance of a pre-circulated agenda.
    • Ensuring preparedness - what needs to be done before the meeting?
    • What’s the objective? What do we need to achieve?
    • Exploring the key competencies required to run an effective meeting.
    • The role for the chair.
    • Applying facilitation techniques - setting expectations/ identifying issues.
    • Structuring meetings - focus, momentum and control.
    • Keeping meetings on track - meeting-disrupters and how to manage them.
    • Techniques for handling disruptive behaviour and difficult people.
    • How to assign action items and make follow-up plans to conclude a meeting.
    • How to evaluate success.

  • Facilitation Skills for Focus Groups Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    An essential skill for focus group facilitators who frequently facilitate meetings and want to gain maximum audience participation and contribution from those involved.

     

    The insights, opinions and feedback often generated by focus groups can be an invaluable source of information for any organisation. However, the effectiveness of each focus group will depend on the skills of the facilitator and in particular their ability to lead, focus, encourage and motivate individual participants. The difference between a successful outcome and a disappointing one can be down to a variety of factors, including preparation, goal setting, dealing with disruption and managing challenging behaviour. This highly practical session will show you how to prepare for a focused meeting, how to structure the meeting, how to encourage diverse contribution and how to record the output in a way which really captures what was said. This session is suitable for those who are relatively new to running focus groups and are looking for tools and techniques to help them plan for, run and follow up effective focus group meetings. It also works well as a refresher session for those with more experience as it contains a strong practical element that can be adapted to stretch and test those with existing skills sets. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Preparing for the focus group - what needs to be done beforehand?
    • What are our primary and secondary objectives in running the focus groups?
    • What do we want to have captured at the end of the session?
    • Exploring the key competencies required to run an effective focus group.
    • Presenting yourself with impact and credibility.
    • Applying facilitation techniques - setting expectations/ identifying issues/gathering information/encouraging discussion.
    • Listening, questioning and probing techniques.
    • How to generate ideas and thoughts when greeted with a wall of silence.
    • Structuring the group - focus, momentum and control.
    • Dealing with challenging behaviour from participants.
    • Handling disengagement and dominance - increasing personal impact and credibility.
    • Capturing input, reflecting accurately the output of the session.
    • Signposting what comes next.
    • How will we evaluate our success?

  • Feedback Essentials Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    Suitable for anyone responsible for giving feedback to others. 

    Well timed, well thought through and well delivered feedback can have a substantial impact on organisational performance. Whether you are simply reinforcing the things that are done well or tackling issues that are affecting an individual’s performance, feedback is a management competency that demands a certain level of skill. Managers often put off giving feedback believing they are simply too busy or in some instances they are just not sure how to say what needs saying. Our experience has shown us that many employees identify a lack of feedback as a major cause of job dissatisfaction, often contributing to increased staff turnover and poor productivity. Balancing critical feedback with the right amount of positive feedback is a challenge. In this highly practical session we will show you how to prepare and deliver feedback in a way that motivates others. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • The central role for feedback in driving organisational performance.
    • Recognising feedback as motivator, performance builder and problem solver.
    • Improving your feedback skills - developing your interpersonal and communication skills.
    • Recognising both formal and informal feedback opportunities.
    • Reinforcing the things that are done well.
    • Planning your approach, shaping your message.
    • Confronting both behavioural and skill performance issues.
    • Structuring your message - feedback, example, impact and change needed.
    • Considering the role for language, tone and timing.
    • Keeping it positive and constructive, avoiding prescriptive feedback.
    • Stimulating interaction - handling disengagement and shut down.
    • Recognising and managing the most common feedback disrupters.
    • Supporting improvement through action planning and coaching.

    'The role-play was especially effective for this subject.  I must prepare better before giving feedback'

     

    'As ever, although difficult, the role-plays were really useful.   And I’ve picked up some great tips and techniques from watching other people handle difficult situations'

     

    'A great session and one area I feel I need to work on a lot more'

     

    'I always find the role plays really useful, but must confess that I they're not my favourite part of the course.  I find it useful to watch how other people address the issues being presented, and always see something that I would like to try to emulate. Also, the feedback I get on my "performance" is always constructive and balanced'

     

    'This course will certainly benefit the non managers as well as managers in any organisation. Everyone should be encouraged to provide feedback to their colleagues, managers, speakers/authors/reviewers and suppliers.  The trainer is excellent, she is so observant and practical'

  • First-Time Manager Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for soon to be or recently promoted managers.

    Helps new managers navigate their way through the early day challenges of being a manager.

     

     

    Many first-time managers spend a challenging first year in their new role trying to work out for themselves exactly what is expected of them. This session aims to take the pain out of those first 12 months by providing the first-time manager with a comprehensive overview of their new role and the key responsibilities associated with it. We will explore the challenges faced when asked to balance your new role of task manager with that of people manager. You will be given the opportunity to analyse your own instinctive management style and we will explore the impact that this style will have on your team. We will also explore the need for flexibility of management style when dealing with difficult situations and challenging people. Our aim is to develop a core competence framework that will build both task planning and effective people management skills, as well as introduce delegates to the critical skills associated with performance management. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Defining the role and responsibilities of a manager.
    • The challenges of making the move from buddy to boss.
    • Balancing the demands of the task with the demands of the people.
    • Understanding directive and supportive management styles.
    • Exploring your own default style and the implications of such a style.
    • Developing strategic thinking skills, where do you need to take your team?
    • Assessing your current position - your achievements to date, the challenges ahead.
    • Defining your business objectives and aligning them with team and individual objectives.
    • Effective work flow management - organisation, delegation and time management.
    • Setting performance standards, outlining expectations.
    • Developing the skills of your team through delegation, feedback and coaching.
    • Monitoring performance through direction meetings.
    • The role for positive and constructive feedback.
    • Confronting poor performance and addressing performance issues.
    • Leading the turn around conversation and coaching improved performance.
    • Handling difficult situations and difficult people.

    'Having step by step instructions of how to approach situations will certainly make it easier to respond to various scenarios.  It helped re-focus what is important and how it can be achieved'

     

    'I liked the way the trainer covered all individual personal objectives one to one rather than as one.  I learnt some really useful techniques on providing feedback'

  • Influencing, Persuading and Negotiating Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for those wanting to develop their personal communication skills in a way that enables them to influence actions, persuade others and negotiate for positive outcomes.

    Influencing, persuading and negotiating skills are fundamental to successful working relationships. Those who demonstrate these skills build strong relationships, gain commitment and co-operation from others, enjoy greater influence with their colleagues and project a positive image of themselves and their organisation. This session will show delegates how to influence the thinking and behaviour of others, persuade them to their way of thinking, communicate confidently, build relationships and remain assertive even when pressurised. 

    Key Topics Areas

    • Explore the principles that support effective and persuasive communication.
    • How to build rapport and use it to your advantage.
    • Explore how different people make their decisions and learn how each is best influenced.
    • How to explain complicated ideas in a manner that aids understanding and increases the likelihood of success.
    • Become an opinion shaper amongst your colleagues.
    • How to obtain cooperation through consent, not coercion.
    • How to make your case more compelling.
    • Recognise resistance and respond to it positively and effectively.
    • Reasons why people say yes.
    • How to motivate people to say yes.
    • An understanding of others’ wants, needs, perspectives and language to put forward a persuasive case.
    • Exploring the role of non-verbal communication.
    • Making your voice more persuasive.
    • Adapting and enhancing your natural negotiating style.
    • The role for assertiveness in achieving positive outcomes.
    • Dealing with difficult situations confidently.

    'The course has helped me focus on the anchor message, the use of language and being assertive'

     

    'I would advise other team leaders to sit on this course.  I believe this information can be useful to people in all walks of life'

     

    'The skills should help me improve in overall rapport with my colleagues and customers alike'

     

  • Innovation and Creative Thinking Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for anyone wanting to increase their creativity and generate innovative ideas and solutions.

     

    Is creative thinking an innate skill or a state of mind? We like to think it’s the latter and that any individual or team can be encouraged to up its creative ante. But in order to break out of traditional thinking processes, it’s essential to make yourself think differently about the challenges or issues you face. Brainstorming is perhaps the best-known creative thinking technique, however it can often be a source of frustration with participants feeling uninspired, believing time is being wasted and the same ideas are being revisited. So how can today’s organisations stimulate innovation and creative thinking? In this session you will work with a number of different creative thinking techniques, techniques that we believe deserve a place in any business that is driven by the quality of its ideas. This session is aimed at anyone who wants to bring a fresh approach to creativity and at the same time develop a disciplined approach to innovation. We will explore specific tools and techniques for creative thinking and will apply them to our real time challenge of how to best market our service proposition. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The place for creativity and innovation within any organisation.
    • Common barriers to innovation and creativity.
    • Understanding the brief, the challenge definition and the problem diagnostic.
    • Creative thinking techniques, from evolution to revolution.
    • The seven step brainstorming process - rules and procedures.
    • Further creative thinking from SCAMPER to random word seeding.
    • The role of the facilitator, dos and don’ts.
    • Applying the principles to real time challenges.
    • Spinning the brainstorm with provocative questioning and the reverse question technique.
    • Evaluating ideas using the Plus/Minus/Interesting technique.
    • Evaluating ideas using the Six Thinking Hats.
    • What to do after the brainstorm - transforming creativity into reality.

    'It was very useful to apply the Creative Thinking techniques to actual products and projects.  The trainer was excellent, where did you find her?'  

    'I am keen to try the Provocation Technique in my next meeting'  

    'It was good to have tangible modules you can apply instead of it just being theoretical'

     

    'I will now hold an innovation / ideas session with my team'

     

    'The session gave me food for thought on how to brainstorm and come up with ideas.  It was a shock to realise how many barriers to innovation I currently exercise!'

  • Leadership Essentials Full-time course

    Overview 

    Suitable for experienced managers interested in developing into a leadership role. 

    In this intensive and highly practical one-day workshop we will give you a thorough understanding of what we believe to be the essential skills of effective leadership. We will show you how the role of leader is a multi-faceted one with the modern leader having to develop skills across a wide range of different disciplines. The session gives you an opportunity to test your skills in a wide range of case study situations and helps build self-awareness around your own leadership capabilities. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Defining organisational vision, developing a vision that engages and resonates.
    • Shaping the vision into a strategy with an emphasis on outputs, ownership and timeframes.
    • Building performance around you - turning your vision into reality.
    • Being a brilliant communicator – communicating the vision in a way that inspires and motivates.
    • Storytelling and rebel rousing.
    • Your role as change catalyst – from evolution to revolution
    • Influencing organisational culture, values and behaviours.
    • Understanding your own behavioural wake and the impact that has on those around you.
    • Transformational Leadership – the role for transparency, authenticity, openness and inspiration.
    • The role for Emotional Intelligence in modern leadership.
    • Modelling Emotional Intelligence in your moments of truth.

  • Management Essentials One Day Full-time course

    Overview

    A high energy workshop suitable for those with no formal management training or for those who simply want a management refresher.

     

    To be a successful manager you will need to develop a diverse set of skills, some of which will feel more natural and instinctive than others. This session gives managers an overview of their role and responsibilities as a manager, and also looks in detail at what we believe to be the key skills of effective management. We will look at the value of setting realistic but challenging objectives, how to build a strategy that enables the delivery of such objectives, and most importantly, how to build performance across your team through a combination of coaching, delegation and feedback. We will also explore how to build momentum and motivation within your team in a way that really drives performance across the whole organisation. Setting up your expectations of the team, helping them grow and develop, dealing with challenging situations, as well as managing your own workload can all take their toll on the unprepared manager. This session will give you a fire proof set of skills that will provide you with a thorough grounding in today’s management essentials. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Understanding the role and key responsibilities of a manager.
    • Balancing the demands of the task with the demands of the people.
    • Understanding directive and supportive management styles.
    • Exploring your own style and the implications of such a style.
    • Identifying essential management competencies – a self-audit of competencies.
    • Making sense of performance management - the performance management cycle.
    • Setting SMART objectives and KPIs.
    • Communicating expectations and standards, the foundations of the Psychological Contract.
    • Monitoring performance against objectives.
    • Focusing on the quality, quantity and direction of work.
    • Feedback – formal and informal methods that drive performance.
    • The many benefits of building a robust feedback culture.
    • Our dashboard warning indicators – recognising under-performance before it’s a problem.
    • Coaching improved performance, supporting performance gaps.
    • Addressing under-performance.

    'The trainer really knew what she was talking about and was warm, inclusive, responsive, inspirational and everything a brilliant trainer should be'

    'Even though I was only observing this session, I feel like I have learnt so much.  I now understand the theory behind the role of my manger and definitely appreciate the complexity of their role.  The trainer was extremely entertaining and certainly brought the session to life.  She built great rapport with each group, who in turn responded by opening up about difficult subjects and admitting to their own failures.  A fabulous three days!'

    'The trainer's knowledge was overwhelming.  Every problem/topic that anyone wanted to discuss, the trainer could relate to her own personal experience and also give the theory behind the issue, applying practical tips to overcome the issues'

    'Lots of case-studies ad role-plays helped to achieve the objectives of the course.  I think the course will help me to become and more transparent manager and give more feedback, whether negative or positive'

     

    'I found the sessions to be excellent – both challenging & informative.  The course achieved the right balance between teaching, group discussion and peer discussion'

  • Management Essentials Two Day Full-time course

    Overview

    A comprehensive look at all the key skills associated with effective people management. Suitable for those with experience who want to add depth to their current understanding and stretch their existing skills set in a series of challenging case study and role play situations.

    This highly practical two-day session offers both new and experienced managers the opportunity to explore the fundamental principles of effective people management. We will show you how to shape a robust people management culture, one that stretches performance and builds skill and motivation levels across your organisation. You will be given the opportunity to analyse your own management style and examine the impact this style will have on the way you motivate and manage others. We will explore how you can develop your ability to read others and develop a flexible approach to managing the many different types of people you will no doubt be asked to manage. Time will also be spent on how to build and maintain momentum in the team’s effort - and at the same time how to provide a motivational environment so that any dips in performance and motivation are kept to a minimum.

    Key Topic Areas 

    Day One

    • Understanding the role and key responsibilities of people management.
    • Identifying essential people management competencies.
    • Recognising different management styles and the impact each style will have on your team.
    • Exploring your own style and the implications of such a style.
    • Appreciating difference, avoiding the ‘mini-me’ syndrome.
    • Investing in the building of the Psychological Contract.
    • Balancing inputs and outputs, avoiding equity imbalance.
    • Mapping the Performance Management Cycle.
    • Getting the right people in the right seats on the right bus going in the right direction.
    • Shaping performance - communicating roles and responsibilities, objectives and expectations.
    • The role for key performance indicators and the importance of achieving buy-in.
    • Monitoring and reviewing performance against objectives.
    • Developing a feedback culture - learning to give feedback that motivates and builds performance.
    • Improving your feedback skills - developing your interpersonal and communication skills.
    • The role for positive and constructive feedback, avoiding prescriptive feedback.
    • Recognising and managing the most common feedback disrupters.
    • Addressing under-performance before the tipping point.
    • Tracing the source of the under-performance and how to get performance back on track.

      Day Two

    • Building a motivational environment for your team.
    • Exploring the different motivations of individual team members.
    • Managing motivation through visioning and daily touch points.
    • Recognising and responding to demotivation.
    • Tracing the source, leading the turnaround conversation.
    • Building stretch performance through effective delegation.
    • Delegation not dumping, delegation not duplication.
    • Communication skills that improve the process of delegation.
    • Proactive vs. Reactive delegation - the right time for each.
    • Take your time - the value of a simple but thorough brief.
    • The missing steps - coaching the task, shadowing the task.
    • The interplay between delegation and feedback.
    • Building performance with coaching conversations.
    • The role for coaching in managing performance.
    • The skills required to be an effective coach.
    • Formal and informal coaching and the benefits of each.
    • Help me find the answers and crisis coaching skills.
    • Personal action planning.
     

  • Manager as Motivator Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    For new and experienced managers.

     

     

    Most teams are exposed to a variety of different pressures, all of which can lead to periods of both motivation and demotivation for your team members. In your role as manager you must work hard to understand the often quite complex set of variables that will exert an invisible influence on the motivation levels of your team. This session will focus on how to provide inspirational management to your team as well as how to build and maintain momentum in the team’s effort. Particular emphasis is given to the things you need to provide as a manager if you are to fully develop the Manager/Employee Psychological Contract. We will look at just how easy it is to put the common motivators in place but also explore how to spot individual motivations and how such motivations can be harnessed to drive individual performance. We will also show you how to spot the early warning signs of demotivation and what you need to do to get things back on track.

     Key Topic Areas 

    • Exploring the key theories of motivation – what are they and how do they apply to my team?
    • Defining the key features of a motivated team, what does motivation look like?
    • The role for the Psychological Contract in building motivated teams.
    • Building team contracts and individual contracts that drive motivation.
    • Building in the common motivators – goals, direction, support and recognition.
    • Understanding individual motivations, avoiding mini-me motivation.
    • Recognising and responding to de-motivation, the early warning signs and dash board warning indicators.
    • Finding the quick wins - involving the team in building your ‘Stop Doing’ list.
    • Remotivating the demotivated – addressing the problem and building action plans.
    • Recognising the things that can be put right and the things that can’t.

  • Manager as People Manager Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for experienced managers who now want to develop their people management skills further.

     

     

    Your people are your greatest asset, and in today’s challenging economic climate your people could be the key point of difference between you and your competition. What are you doing to make sure they make as effective a contribution as possible? This session offers you the opportunity to explore the value of building a robust people management culture, one that stretches performance and builds skill and motivation levels across your organisation. You will be given the opportunity to analyse your own management style and examine the impact this style will have on your ability to motivate and manage others. We will also explore how you can develop your ability to read others and maintain a flexible approach to managing the many different types of people you will no doubt be asked to manage.  We begin by exploring the skills of business planning and will show you how you can align your people management strategy with the achievement of business objectives. Time will also be spent on how to build and maintain momentum in the team’s effort – and at the same time how to provide a motivational environment so that any dips in performance and motivation are kept to a minimum. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Modern management - the evolution of the Emotionally Intelligent Manager.
    • The essential competencies associated with modern management.
    • Investing in the building of the Psychological Contract.
    • Balancing inputs and outputs, avoiding equity imbalance.
    • Appreciating difference and diversity, avoiding the ‘mini-me’ syndrome.
    • Where do I start? The importance of achieving clarity.
    • Getting the right people in the right seats on the right bus going in the right direction.
    • Communicating roles and responsibilities, objectives and expectations.
    • The role for key performance indicators and the importance of achieving buy-in.
    • Monitoring and reviewing performance against objectives.
    • Learning to give feedback that motivates and builds performance.
    • Exploring different motivations, identifying the motivations of your team members.
    • Managing difficult people and difficult situations.
    • Managing a misfiring or dysfunctional team.

  • Manager as Performance Manager Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A workshop designed for those who are new to performance management or for those with experience who want to keep themselves up-to-date with current thinking.

     

     

    In this session you will explore what it really takes to build a high performing team by looking at the key principles associated with performance management. Our initial focus will be on mapping the different stages of the performance management cycle. We will look at the importance of attracting the right people to your organisation, answering perhaps the most fundamental question of performance management, how do we ensure we recruit the right people into the right roles? Having got the right people on board it is then your responsibility as performance builder to make sure those people are engaged and feel stretched in their roles. What drives employee engagement? How can we make sure we really get the best from our people? This workshop aims to answer those questions and give you a thorough understanding of how the different elements of performance management fit together. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • The Performance Management Cycle - Attract, Engage, Stretch and Retain.
    • Attracting talent not trouble - developing a robust recruitment culture.
    • Employee engagement - the difference between okay and brilliant.
    • Engaging with the organisation, the role, the team and with you.
    • Developing the Psychological Contract, exploring inputs and outputs.
    • The role for measurable objective setting.
    • Mapping performance expectations, supporting skills development.
    • Recognising feedback as the foundation of all performance building.
    • Your responsibilities as coach - what makes a good coach?
    • Finding coaching opportunities on a daily basis.
    • On the job and single-issue coaching.
    • Your dashboard warning lights - early warning signs of underperformance.
    • Addressing underperformance with the turnaround conversation.
    • Understanding motivation - building a motivational culture, understanding individual motivations.
    • Exploring different motivation techniques and their impact.

  • Managing Challenging Relationships Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to build an understanding into why people behave in difficult ways, and develop strategies and techniques to deal with these difficult people and behaviours.

    For many of us our ability to build relationships and work with others is a key part of our role. However, at some stage in our working life many of us will find that particular work relationships can prove either demanding, challenging or difficult. In some cases it may become so challenging that it starts to have a negative impact on your effectiveness in your role as well as your ability to achieve your goals. Challenging behaviour can lead to varying degrees of discomfort for those involved, a situation which can sometimes escalate causing those involved to become demotivated and anxious. This session is suitable for those facing challenging relationships when working as part of a team, when managing others, as well as for those in a client-facing role. We’ll help you approach potential conflict and confrontation with confidence, using a variety of different communication and assertiveness techniques. You’ll learn how to deal effectively with some of the more specific problems associated with difficult relationships, difficult personalities and challenging behaviour. We believe that situations where you need to defuse aggression, find mutually acceptable outcomes, push back and rebuild rapport will become less intimidating once you understand how to tackle them. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Exploring the five sources of relationship challenge – intention, incompetence, insensitivity, intrusion and inevitability.
    • Understanding the difference between an instinctive reaction and a considered response.
    • Building an understanding of the role for communication in relationship misfires.
    • Defining resonant and dissonant communication.
    • Identifying preferred communication styles and their impact.
    • Understanding and working with the communication style of others.
    • Stimulating communication in difficult situations.
    • Identifying the ten most challenging behaviours and how to respond.
    • Achieving congruence with language, tone and non verbal communication.
    • Maintaining an acceptable level of assertiveness and avoiding neural hijacking.
    • The role for questions, active listening and empathy building.
    • Steering towards an outcome, avoiding outcome disrupters and derailers.

  • Managing Change Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for those with specific responsibility for either designing, leading or implementing change.

     

     

    The trigger for change can come from a variety of sources including new leadership, mergers and acquisitions, economic and financial instability, increased competition, the need for diversification and more. Some changes are so organic they are hardly felt, but some will have a resounding impact right across the organisation. So, how do you deal with such change? How do you communicate change? How do you ensure the key stakeholders are behind the change? This session will empower you with the tools and techniques to support both you and your team through the change management process, whether it be a quick win, short-term change or a more structured and wider reaching, longer-term change. We will give you the tools to help you model the behaviour required during a period of what feels like ‘uncertainty’ to others, and help you to influence change across departments, managing your key stakeholders and change champions. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Shaping change - what do we want to achieve, who will be affected and what can we anticipate as the barriers?
    • Building a change management strategy and turning that strategy into a change management plan.
    • Building a change management communications plan, the role for messaging.
    • Managing others through change - managing upwards, building support with key stakeholders and engaging with your team.
    • Ensuring all stakeholders and change champions take ownership and responsibility.
    • Reasons for resistance to change and how to overcome it.
    • Eight easy steps to team buy-in.
    • What is involved in the process of overcoming resistance?
    • What is it we need to do as managers? The six most important styles to guide you through change.
    • The role for modelling, consistency and communication.
    • The process of transition.
    • The consequences of imposing change.

  • Negotiation Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    If you are new to negotiation and are looking to develop your skills and your self-confidence in negotiations with customers, suppliers and colleagues, both internally and externally, then this session is for you.

    In this session, you will gain a thorough understanding of the essential principles associated with successful negotiation. You will be shown how to prepare for a negotiation, how to structure and control a negotiation and how to respond to pressure and tactics. Our course will feature a tailored negotiation case study and role-play to ensure all the principles outlined are experienced within the session itself. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The essential principles of effective negotiation.
    • Preparing to negotiate – the value of setting the top, middle and bottom line.
    • Setting your objectives and necessary research – understanding your options.
    • Identifying and valuing variables – building a strategy and controlling the negotiation.
    • Exploration, opening positions, pressure, movement, settlement and closure - stimulating movement in deadlock.
    • Recognising and responding to both high and low pressure tactics, understanding different negotiation strategies personalities.
    • Building proposals and conditional trading.
    • Agreement – confirming the deal.

  • Networking that Brings Results Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to develop their confidence in their networking skills.

    Networking isn’t just schmoozing. The art of networking is to build relationships and contacts that make both you and your business “attractive” to others, with the ultimate objective being to build your profile and your business. But it comes more easily to some than to others. Our session will explore the concept of networking, the dos and don’ts, and offer you some tried and tested techniques to make you confident and effective. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • What is networking and is it necessary?
    • Where are the networking opportunities that are available?
    • Mapping your existing network, identifying obvious opportunities.
    • Extending your existing network.
    • What is it you are trying to achieve? Setting networking objectives.
    • Managing your credibility zone - personal presentation, voice and non-verbal communication.
    • Building rapport - engaging your target.
    • The three most important techniques - opening, steering and closing.
    • Improving your influencing skills especially when dealing with people in authority or industry leaders.
    • The power of the follow-up, realising the potential of the connection.

  • Personal Effectiveness Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone working with a heavy workload, who needs help finding time in their already stretched day.

    The first step towards personal effectiveness is to realise that time is not an infinitely stretchable resource. There are simply not enough hours in the day to do all the things that find their way onto our to do list. On a daily basis we will be faced with making tough decisions about exactly what to do and in what order as well as deciding those things that will simply have to wait. You may feel weighed down with too many delegated tasks or requests for help and will find it difficult to build momentum due to excessive interruptions. This session aims to show you how to approach your ever expanding to do list in a way that guarantees you focus on the important things, helping you to identify the difference between your quick wins, your fill ins and your thankless tasks. This session will also give you essential planning tools and techniques to help you tackle those major projects that you sometimes procrastinate over. It will also give you some specific techniques to help you manage your time more effectively when dealing with those time bandits and monkey givers that may derail the achievement of your objectives. We will also show you how assertiveness can be a key tool in helping you to gain control of your time. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • What do we mean by personal effectiveness?
    • Identifying some of the common barriers to personal effectiveness.
    • Setting realistic yet challenging objectives and deadlines.
    • Working with the Action Priority Matrix.
    • Appreciating the difference between quick wins, fill ins, major projects and thankless tasks.
    • Getting the high value tasks done, the role for dicing and slicing and Swiss cheesing.
    • Learning the value of effective prioritisation – using the urgent/important matrix.
    • Identifying your time bandits and monkey givers.
    • Managing the reactive tasks, maintaining momentum.
    • Learning the value of effective re-prioritisation – using the urgent/important matrix.
    • The role for assertive communication in personal effectiveness.
    • Saying no in a way that doesn’t damage relationships.
    • Managing the effectiveness of those around you.

    'This session will help me to plan long-term and use the priority tools for tasks and 5 minute breakdown chunks to manage procrastination'

                    

    'The modules on time planning, use of KPIs, expression of problem and identifying ways around current issues, worked very well'

    'An enjoyable course, giving me the time and tools to analyse where I can improve and make positive changes'

     

    'The trainer had an excellent tailored training style – was very knowledge and the course enjoyable'

     

    'This course exceeded my expectations!  I’ve learnt a lot about the way I work and now have tools to improve efficiency.  I will recommend all my team to attend future sessions if this course'

     

    'It was very encouraging to learn more about how to be assertive, the trainer was brilliant'

  • Personal Impact Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A highly practical session suitable for anyone who needs to convince, influence or inspire others.

     

    The skill that sets the human race apart from other species is communication. It’s a powerful gift – get it right and you can build effective working relationships with your colleagues, raising your profile and also increasing your influence across the organisation. It’s a critical part of your working day but how often have you reflected on whether the impact you are making is the impact you intend to make? Interacting with both internal and external audiences can sometimes be challenging and difficult with the message getting lost or people simply not listening to what you are saying. If you would like objective feedback on your communication skills, as well as the opportunity to test your skills in a series of challenging and stretching situations, then this session is for you. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Communicating with confidence, why it matters.
    • Creating a positive impact every time you communicate.
    • Where are the opportunities to create impact?
    • How do you come across to others? What is it you need to be aware of?
    • The value of a flexible approach to communication – getting it right most of the time.
    • What happens when we get it wrong? Understanding your triggers and your response to those triggers.
    • Building influence and rapport through assertive communication.
    • Feeling comfortable saying what you want to say, even in difficult situations.
    • Influencing and persuading with conviction and without railroading.
    • Delivering concise messages with maximum impact.
    • The credibility zone, first impressions and immediate impact.
    • The role for body language – reading between the lines.
    • Using your voice – the impact created by tone, pace, pause and volume.
    • Language that creates impact – phrases and words to avoid.
    • Modelling effective influencing skills in challenging situations.
    • Personal Impact Audit – what should I build on, what do I need to work on?

    'I’ve identified the body language that colleagues may misinterpret as my being disengaged and learnt how to rectify it. The trainer was brilliant – warm & engaging with obviously a wide range of experience.  Inspirational!' 

    'Warm, assertive and empathetic, the trainer is obviously very knowledgeable – a great example of what I’m aiming for'  

    'This session will be very helpful in meetings and also in dealing with people on a one-to-one basis.  It was useful to have practical examples from the trainer on how she had dealt with issues in the past'

     

    'The course contained good, in depth, coverage of major areas especially assertion.  The trainer was very knowledgeable, had a good manner and was very approachable'

  • Presentation Skills Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A highly practical workshop suitable for those with no formal presentation training or for those who simply want a presentation refresher.

     

    If you ever have to present to both internal and external audiences, it is critical that you communicate your message clearly and confidently, ensuring the experience is engaging, motivating and memorable for all the right reasons. During the session we will focus on what powerful communication looks like and how we need to adapt our communication style to meet the needs of the audience. We will look at the role for preparation and structure in helping you develop your confidence, with an emphasis on the importance of defining the key message, building a logical and persuasive structure, and the use (and abuse) of visual aids. We will also pay particular attention to the delivery of the presentation focusing on the use of language, your voice and body language. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Defining your current skills level - delegates deliver a pre-prepared presentation to the group.
    • What can we learn from great communicators?
    • Where do I start? Defining the objective of the presentation and building your case.
    • The role for preparation - researching your target group.
    • Structuring and shaping your message for maximum impact.
    • Setting the scene - your credibility zone.
    • Effective openings and closes - inform, engage and motivate to act.
    • Techniques to improve the impact of your presentations - using ideas, storytelling, use of visuals and more.
    • Building effective visual aids - avoiding death by PowerPoint.
    • Identifying your links and pause points - presenting fluently.
    • Developing your ‘natural self’- how to loosen up your style and feel at ease.
    • Choice of language - communicating your message with passion, connecting with your audience.
    • The role for body language - adding energy to the presentation.
    • Voice - how tone, timing and volume can affect your credibility and impact.
    • Calling for action, closing the presentation.
    • Communicating with confidence - controlling nerves, channelling adrenalin.
    • Revisiting your initial presentation - delivery of a reworked vision.

    'The presenter was excellent and had a great personality.  She delivered the course naturally and easily – I’d highly recommend other staff members to attend'

     

    'A clear concise instruction and good encouragement to overcome weaknesses and nerves.  Learning about how to structure a presentation and the use of body language, were extremely useful'

      

    'I thoroughly loved this course, it has been the most interesting and fun one so far'

     

    'The aims for the day were set out very clearly, tasks were presented clearly and everyone had a good understanding of what was expected.  Good blend of friendliness and professionalism helped create a positive learning environment.  I received good constructive criticism which I will take on board and I was also happy to receive positive feedback on some key points of the presentation which has increased my confidence'

     

    'Very personable trainer, engaged with all of us and worked hard to make it relevant and interesting for each of us.  Made sure we were clear about all aspects of the training and how it would be delivered.  Very enjoyable and useful day.  I will certainly recommend to colleagues'

  • Presenting with Impact Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A session suitable for experienced presenters who now want to stretch their skills set further.

     

     

    This is a session suitable for those who have experience of delivering both formal and informal presentations and feel relatively confident about how to build and deliver presentations. In this highly practical session we explore how you can take your presentation skills to the next level, refining those skills - whether it be an informal sit-down or stand up group presentation. We will focus specifically on the effective delivery of presentations, looking at fine-tuning your body language and voice, getting the message across with maximum impact, and in particular, how to develop your ‘natural self’. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Defining your current skills level - delivery of an introductory presentation.
    • Delivering concise messages with maximum impact.
    • The structure of an impactful presentation.
    • Presenting fluently - knowing your links and pause points.
    • The use of rhetorical questions, analogies and metaphors - adding impact and interest.
    • Choice of language - communicating your message with passion, connecting with your audience.
    • Getting your body language on message - fine-tuning your body language.
    • Voice - how tone, timing and volume can affect your credibility.
    • Developing your ‘natural self’ - how to loosen up your style and feel at ease.
    • Dealing with challenging audience members and answering their questions.
    • How to deliver bad news or unexpected news in a presentation.
    • Revisiting the opening presentation - delivery of reworked version.

  • Project Management Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    Suitable for both inexperienced and experienced project managers.

     

    Most of us know how to get a project off the ground and will be familiar with the tools and techniques to help put a project plan together. However, most projects run aground because we fail to appreciate the many challenges that are quite often faced during the project life span. During this session, you will gain a detailed understanding of the structures and framework that support project management, as well as looking at the softer skills needed to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget. You will come away with the foundation, experience, techniques and tools to manage each stage of the project lifecycle and have a better understanding of project management, the role of the project manager and the related skills to be developed. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Best practice in project management - sharing of experiences.
    • Identifying opportunities - which projects will really deliver value for the organisation?
    • The role for the challenge diagnostic and the role for creative thinking.
    • Taking charge - the roles and responsibilities of the project manager and project team.
    • Managing the project lifecycle - deciding what needs doing and how to get it done.
    • Ensuring consistency of approach and recognising the value of blueprints, templates and guidelines.
    • Project sizing - managing and deploying resources.
    • Building your influencing skills across the stakeholder group.
    • Keeping people informed - communications management.
    • Carrying out the work – implementation of the plan.
    • Monitoring performance and initiating change and a change of pace, if necessary.
    • Successful completion - project close-out.
    • Difficult project situations.

  • Recruitment Essentials Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    An essential skills course for those new to recruitment or those who would like a refresher. 

    With headcount a constant source of negotiation and debate in many organisations, it is essential for managers to demonstrate that when they do recruit they recruit well. In this highly practical workshop we aim to show you a five step recruitment process that should ensure any recruitment decision you do make is the right decision. We start the session by looking at the central role for the job description or role profile, showing you how to build a competency profile that reflects the role. We then explore how to prepare for a competency or evidence based interview, helping you to build a bank of questions designed to really test a candidate’s suitability for the role. Delegates are given the opportunity to try out their questioning skills and are then guided through how to make effective decisions post interview. If you are new to recruitment or have never had any training on how to recruit then this session is for you. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The central role for job descriptions and person specifications in the recruitment process.
    • Exploring skills sets and competencies associated with different roles.
    • Using questions to gain the evidence you need to satisfy the role requirements.
    • Using the funnel technique to test statements of competency and skill.
    • Practical exercises – delegates are asked to demonstrate their understanding of the funnel technique through a series of role play exercises.
    • Managing your way through opaque answers without grilling the candidate.
    • Identifying effective ways to explore behaviours and attitudes.
    • Recognising interference in the interview process.
    • Avoiding mini meism, first impression decisions and complacency.
    • The challenge of interview fatigue, how to avoid making recruitment mistakes.

  • Recruitment in the Digital Age Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    A session suitable for those who are responsible for the recruitment and selection of new team members.

     

     

    The internet as we know it has only been around for a relatively short period of time. And yet in the 20 or so years since it became available to the main stream, it has become a central force in business and communication across the world. Recruitment in the Digital Age looks at the various online platforms for attracting talent and how you can best utilise their power. What does Google say about your company? What are people talking about on Facebook? What is Twitter and how can it be used for recruitment? All this and more is covered in this two-hour bite-sized session - an essential introduction to the world of online branding, with useful tips to protect your brand, and its people. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The internet phenomenon and what the web says about you.
    • Using the web to attract talent.
    • The big 3 SM platforms.
    • The Good, Bad and Ugly of corporate career web pages.
    • ‘Content is King’.
    • Finding or creating an audience.
    • Protecting reputations online.

  • Resilient Leadership Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for managers wanting to improve motivation and morale through change and challenging times.

     

     

    Why grow resilience? Employees with high levels of personal and professional resiliency foster higher morale, productivity and profit. In other words, resilient employees, also known as engaged employees, create organisations that thrive – resulting in stronger organisational performance. This highly interactive workshop offers managers the opportunity to master the competencies of effective resilience, even during times of uncertain change. Individuals will learn how to improve their own individual resilience levels as well as those of their team. Working from a platform of resilience, managers will learn how to become change agents and agile leaders whilst influencing others, maintaining enthusiasm and contributing to a positive culture. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Resilience versus resistance.
    • The importance of resilience for managers and their teams.
    • Exploring and enhancing each of the seven resilience skills.
    • Developing team resilience - applying the resilience framework to your team.
    • How to come up with fresh ideas together - effective brainstorming and creative thinking.
    • How to remain optimistic under pressure.
    • An understanding of the importance of self-care during periods of high demands and pressure.
    • Exploring resilient leadership strategies to maintain morale in others.
    • How to build relationships so that everyone supports each other through adversity and change.
    • Aligning actions to values, demonstrating you care through tangible action.
    • Practical techniques for promoting resilience and preventing stress.
    • Developing coping strategies and stress management techniques to improve performance under pressure.
    • Dealing with difficult or challenging people/situations.
     

  • Sales Essentials Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    If you are new to a sales role or just need a refresher this session is perfect for you.

     

     

    You will explore the key principles of effective selling and learn how to use a structured approach, giving you control and direction in all sales calls. We will show you how to use open questions to help you identify client needs, how to pitch your product or service, how to overcome objections and how to close. You will go away with the essential skills required to build relationships, secure revenue and ultimately enhance your sales performance. You will be required to supply a real-life role play scenario which will be used during the session. You will be taped role playing with the trainer for feedback from both the trainer and colleagues. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Preparing for the call, knowing your client and their products.
    • The value of a structured approach.
    • Getting past the gatekeeper - speaking to the decision maker.
    • Exploring the client’s needs through different questioning techniques - open, closed, and probing questions.
    • Solution selling and the role for the portfolio sell.
    • Matching client needs to your product.
    • Competitive selling, what makes you unique?
    • Recognising barriers, smokescreens and objections.
    • How to overcome resistance and objections.
    • Building commitment and closing the sale.
    • Deciding the next appropriate step.

  • Sales Masterclass - Raise Your Game Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone involved in sales who would like to inject a fresh approach to winning business.

     

     

    This session will give you an opportunity to reflect on your sales skills and identify those areas that may need a bit of an overhaul. We begin by revisiting the skills associated with successful selling and look at how important it is for you to prepare your approach, by setting clear hard and soft goals, and the role for explicit need identification and solution selling. You’ll also explore how to structure and control a negotiation, and at the same time, how to respond to pressure tactics that may derail the whole process if your response is not assertive enough. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • Developing relationships through credibility and servicing.
    • Setting hard and soft goals for each account.
    • Building rapport and credibility - the cornerstones of any business relationship.
    • Identifying explicit needs through open, empathic questioning.
    • The value of the solution sell - demonstrating the return on investment.
    • Tailoring your solution for each individual client.
    • The role for creativity in today’s competitive market.
    • The role for control in any negotiation.
    • The seven step negotiation process.
    • Absorbing pressure - what to do when things stall?
    • Recognising high pressure and low pressure tactics.
    • Responding to high pressure and low pressure tactics.

  • Strategic Thinking Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for those involved in defining the vision or goals for their teams and offers a range of techniques to show how that vision can be turned into reality.

     

    Strategy is a term that’s often used, but less often considered. What does it mean and how can we define it? If your role involves the need to think and act strategically, then we’re here to help. Using tried and tested strategic thinking techniques we will help you think ahead about the opportunities and threats facing your team or organisation. We’ll show you how to take a balanced, objective overview of your organisation or team; pinpointing just where the growth potential and pressure points might be, and unveiling the pitfalls for those of you who feel that urgent operational work should take priority over the important, long term strategic work.

    Key Topic Areas

    • What do we mean by strategy?
    • Reasons for having a strategy - and the consequences of not having one.
    • Elements of strategic management.
    • Analysing opportunities and threats from the business environment.
    • Analysing your organisation’s strengths and weaknesses.
    • Strategic appraisal and organisational problem diagnosis.
    • Choosing the appropriate strategy generation.
    • Criteria of successful strategies.
    • Strategy implementation - moving forward.
    • Managing stakeholders and resistance to change.
    • Monitoring the effectiveness of strategy.
    • Project planning for strategy implementation.

  • Stress Management Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone wanting to improve their response and reactions to stress in the workplace.

     

     

    Most of us have simply never worked in an environment where stress is not part of our daily life. Whether it be demanding workloads or clients, stretched resources and constant challenges, many of us will agree pressure can sometimes act as a great motivator. Some stress is good, and human beings thrive on having a healthy level, but when it passes the tipping point it can affect performance, health and general well-being. This highly practical session takes a look at your current experiences within the context of real-time issues, and explores the common causes of stress, the common reactions and the key differences between constructive and destructive reactions .You’ll be encouraged to explore your own stress triggers as well as your instinctive response to stress. Plus, we will give you an opportunity to explore a variety of different coping techniques. The case-study work within this session will give you an invaluable opportunity to try out alternative solutions which will put you in a better position to tackle stress when you return to the ‘real world’. 

    Key Topic Areas

    • The modern workplace and the key sources of stress.
    • Understanding our different responses to stress.
    • Exploring the pay-off/negative impact for each response.
    • Identifying unhelpful choices, behaviours and reactions.
    • Can we change our instinctive responses?
    • Taking the necessary steps to remodel behaviour.
    • How is our response to stress shaped?
    • What behaviour do I exhibit? Exploring the full impact of such behaviours.
    • Taking ownership/accepting responsibility for your behaviour and the outcome of your behaviour.
    • Identifying helpful stress management choices.
    • Minimising stress risks.

  • Stress Management for Managers Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    This session is suitable for team leaders and managers who recognise the impact of stress in the workplace and now want to tackle its causes head on.

    It is well recognised that stress at work is an ongoing and increasing problem. Any stress can reduce employee well-being so it is important to meet the challenge of dealing with excessive and long-term causes of stress from the onset. Here at 360, we believe managers have a key role in the prevention, early identification and management of work-related stress. This session explores the impact of stress, outlines techniques to help you identify ‘stress hotspots’ in the workplace and provides managers with a better understanding of the positive actions that can be taken to manage and prevent stress within their team.

    Key Topic Areas

    • Stress versus pressure.
    • Building an understanding of stress and the risk implications for employees and the organisation.
    • Managers conduct a risk assessment using a straightforward five-step approach.
    • Exploring the causes of stress in individuals and organisations.
    • How to ‘create the right climate’ to encourage open discussion about stress.
    • Identifying the key factors that contribute to a mentally healthy workplace.
    • How stress from outside work is still your issue.
    • Exploring the essential management competencies to prevent and reduce stress.
    • A review of the HSE stress management indicator.
    • How to spot the early signs of stress within your team.
    • Stress and personality profiles.
    • Build an understanding of frameworks and practical approaches to prevent and manage stress.
    • Ensure that managers are aware of their responsibilities in relations to health and well-being.

  • Talent Management Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for managers who have responsibility in developing and attracting talent.

     

     

    Most organisations will see the fundamental importance of employing talented and motivated employees but just how proactive are they being about it? How robust are their recruitment processes? How do they identify talent? And what are they doing to keep it? There are many challenges associated with managing talented individuals and in this session we aim to explore what they are and also identify a strategy for handling them.  We believe talent management strategies must focus not just on developing an organisation’s managers and leaders of the future, but also on maximising the potential and talent of every individual within the organisation. This session will explore some of the latest thinking on managing and nurturing talent within organisations, and will help you to develop a talent strategy unique to your organisation. 

    Key Topic Areas  

    • Making talent a priority - linking leadership and talent development initiatives to organisational strategy.
    • Building the talent profile, what are we looking for?
    • Growing your own - making your organisation a talent factory.
    • Spotting the talented employees - the role for performance management systems and processes.
    • Identifying your Super Keepers, Keepers, Solid Citizens and Misfits.
    • What motivates the talented?
    • How can an organisation gain competitive advantage by managing talent?
    • Assessment centres - techniques to assess talent.
    • Coaching, mentoring and developing the best.
    • Exploring succession planning and career development.
    • Rewarding talented people.
    • Retaining talent.
     

  • Win That Pitch Full-time courseBite-size course

     

    Overview

    This session is suitable for anyone involved in pitching to clients and who are looking to win new business.

     

     

    You’ve one chance to get it right and see off the competition – so how do you make sure it’s your pitch the client plumps for? What and who are you going to be up against? Preparation is everything, but how do you know what to prepare? This session is aimed at anyone who wants to bring a fresh approach to winning new business. We’ll look at how you can dig deeper into the brief and make your efforts pay off. Learn how to break free from the traditional pitch formula and make your presentations memorable for all the right reasons.  Ahead of the session 360 will request a full brief that the company is currently working on to use as a case study for this session. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • The purpose of the pitch – is the client clear, are you clear?
    • Pulling the brief apart, identifying the critical success factors.
    • Identifying the gaps, how much research is required, pulling together your team.
    • Exploring any hidden factors, what might not be being said?
    • Red light or green light? Is the business worth pursuing?
    • Building your credentials, your credibility and chemistry.
    • Evidencing your case, making the connection between what the client wants and what we can provide.
    • The creative stage – put yourself in the clients’ shoes – what do they want to see and hear?
    • Bringing your pitch to life; what is going to give true colour to your ideas?
    • A pitch planning process to ensure you cover all bases and hit your deadline.

    'Great to have a refresher on all elements of the pitch process.  Very comprehensive'

     

    'The practical exercises were a good way to learn.  Especially using the tender document we’d actually received and responded to'

  • Working with Emotional Intelligence Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    Suitable for all levels, from board room down and entry level up.

     

     

    Emotional Intelligence is now recognised as a key factor for high performance at work - particularly for those in people management roles. But what is it and more importantly how can it be developed? In essence Emotional Intelligence describes our ability to recognise, manage and integrate our feelings with our thoughts, helping us to manage ourselves, our behaviour and our relationships. Really effective leaders recognise that to drive both motivation and performance levels they need to engage heads and hearts - emotions and reason - and to develop Emotional Intelligence throughout the organisation. This session will explore how to do just that, as well as building an understanding of how to motivate yourself, manage organisational and relationship pressure points and inspire those around you. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • What is Emotional Intelligence?
    • Exploring the key competencies of Emotional Intelligence.
    • Measuring individual EI – identifying strengths and areas for development.
    • Building an understanding of personal thinking and emotional patterns in workplace situations.
    • An appreciation of how personal values drive thinking, behaviour and communication.
    • Becoming aware of personal Emotional Intelligence ‘blind spots’.
    • Enhancing self-awareness and ability to manage yourself more effectively.
    • How to build a more focused, purpose driven team where team members feel their contribution is both meaningful and worthwhile.
    • Exploring emotional intelligence skills to motivate and empower others.
    • Understand the power of motivation within individuals and teams.
    • Exploring how EI can help solve issues more easily, quickly and effectively.
    • How to use EI to communicate more powerfully and precisely to influence others.
    • Using EI and empathy in challenging situations.

  • You as Leader Full-time courseBite-size course

    Overview

    Suitable for both new and experienced managers interested in developing their leadership skills.

     

     

    Modern leadership is not just about having a clear vision, applying the right people to the right task and modelling commitment and passion. There’s a trend towards a more supportive, flexible style emerging that relies on managers increasing their awareness of their own behaviours and reactions – as well as those of the team they lead. This session focuses on the core competencies associated with the concept of leadership through top, middle and emerging leadership models – and it will give you the tools and techniques to inspire buy-in and stretch performance from your team. 

    Key Topic Areas 

    • Exploring the concept of leadership – base camp, matrix and summit leadership.
    • Identifying the key behaviours of emerging leaders.
    • The role for self-awareness, flexible communication and a positive mindset.
    • Leading from within the matrix and the most commonly observed styles within that matrix.
    • Cave Dweller, Boy Scout, Expert, Politician and Autocrat.
    • Succeeding not simply surviving as a matrix leader.
    • Developing the Psychological Contract, developing your Emotional Intelligence and the key role for moments of truth.
    • Exploring the role for Emotional Intelligence – does it really have an impact on my leadership capability? How can it help me in my role?
    • Investing in the development of others – the key responsibility of the matrix leader.
    • Leading from the top – smart and not so smart summit leaders.
    • The role of the summit leader – visionary, motivator, change agent.
    • The challenge for the summit leader - creating and embedding values, modelling those values.
    • Personal leadership audit – how well are you doing?
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