1777 AI courses in Cardiff delivered Live Online

This very practical one-day IACCM-approved programme enables participants to manage the process of commercial contracting and contract management effectively and efficiently to ensure value for money, improved service, and appropriate relationships. It covers a wide range of contract types in terms of risk and value. The programme empowers participants with the tools and techniques needed to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Understand the total process of managing contracts Exploit opportunities to extract even more added value Develop appropriate relationships with contractors Understand and use a range of contracting strategies and options Measure and improve contract performance Understand the impact of legislation on contract performance 1 Welcome Introductions Aims and objectives Plan for the day 2 Contract management An overview of the contracting process, mapping the 'territory' 3 Contract managers Skills Knowledge Attributes Responsibilities 4 Critical success factors Defining successful outcomes Effective stakeholder engagement Creating a shared vision of the outcomes 5 Placing contracts How to develop an effective specification and scope of work documents How to develop a robust contracting strategy Appropriate types of contract 6 Customers and stakeholders Customer and stakeholder analysis Managing expectations and the 'shared vision' concept to ensure customer co-operation, satisfaction, and delight 7 Working with suppliers Creating and developing commercial relationships Types of relationship How to manage difficult relationships Contractor motivational issues How to use incentives 8 Negotiation and related skills Introduction to key negotiation skills Persuading and influencing skills to work with stakeholders to improve outcomes for all 9 Dealing with change Claims and variations How to challenge contractor claims and requests for variations by making use of contractual terms Specifications to prevent false claims 10 Performance improvement How to measure and improve contractor performance Developing KPI systems Using contractual terms and conditions and basic legal principles 11 Contract close The importance of effective contract close processes 12 Close Review of key learning points Personal action planning

This programme provides an intensive, one-day overview of the key concepts and techniques of project management. The project management methods presented can be applied to a wide range of projects and the course emphasises both the task and the team-related aspects of project management. The aims of the programme are to: Present the key concepts of project management Provide a structured approach for managing projects Demonstrate tools and techniques for planning and controlling project work Enable participants to apply the techniques to their own projects At the end of the programme, participants will: Recognise the benefits of a structured approach to project work Be able to apply a range of practical tools and techniques to improve their personal effectiveness in project work Have a means of determining the status of current projects and know what actions are needed to ensure success 1 Introduction Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Key concepts The characteristics of projects and project work The four key phases of a project Essential lessons from past projects Key success factors Achieving success through the 'Team-Action Model' Challenges of the multi-project situation 3 Setting project goals Understanding 'customer' requirements Managing project stakeholders and gaining commitment Using questioning skills to define goals and success criteria Defining and documenting the scope of the project 4 Project planning Defining what has to be done Creating a work breakdown Agreeing roles and responsibilities for the work Developing a programme using networks and bar charts Estimating timescales, costs and resource requirements Planning exercise: participants develop a project plan Identifying and managing project risks Using project planning software Managing and updating the plan 5 Project implementation and control Creating a pro-active monitoring and control process Techniques for monitoring progress Using latest estimates Managing project meetings Resolving problems effectively Managing multiple projects Personal time management 6 Course review and action planning Identify actions Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion

Getting Started Fast-track your journey to becoming a transformative leader through the MBA Advanced Entry route. This route is designed to expedite your progress towards impactful leadership roles. An MBA is a significant milestone for senior managers and aspiring directors, as it combines essential theoretical knowledge with practical skills needed to lead teams and achieve tangible results effectively. Typically pursued after gaining several years of professional experience, an MBA offers numerous benefits, such as enhanced career prospects, a high professional reputation, and an expanded business network. The programme provides access to a global network, a diverse student community, promising career opportunities, and a rigorous academic curriculum. The MBA Advanced Entry route is tailored for individuals with relevant hands-on management experience, a recognised Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in management, or a comparable qualification. The programme is designed for individuals aspiring to advance their careers in senior management.  It comprises two key components: the Research Methods module and the Consultancy Project Report. The Research Methods module begins with Induction and Research Methods webinars, allowing students to finalise their project research proposals. On the other hand, the Consultancy Project Report module offers an opportunity to explore a specific area of interest within an organisational context. The module emphasises independent thought, continuous learning, and critical reflection. Students must produce a Consultancy Project Report that provides a practical and realistic solution to a strategic business challenge supported by theoretical and conceptual analysis. The MBA Advanced Entry is delivered by the London Graduate School and awarded by the University of Buckingham. School of Business and Technology London partners with the London Graduate School to promote this programme. Throughout the programme, students receive support from the academic team, including a dedicated supervisor to guide them through the Consultancy Project Report module. The MBA Advanced Entry route typically takes 6 to 9 months to complete. Upon successful completion, students are awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration from the University of Buckingham. They also have the option to attend the graduation ceremony held in the UK, commemorating their achievements. The programme aims to provide students with comprehensive support and valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, ensuring they make the most of their investment in their future. About Awarding Body Buckingham is unique. It is the only independent University in the UK with a Royal Charter and probably the smallest, with around 2,700 students (approx 1,600 on campus). The University campus is well known for being one of the most attractive locations in the region. The Great Ouse River, home to much wildlife, winds through the heart of campus. Each student mixes with over 100 other different nationalities, so being at Buckingham is just like being in a mini global village. These contacts, acquaintances and friendships carry on long after life at Buckingham is over. Ranked Top 10 for Student Satisfaction Ranked Top 10 for Graduate Prospect Recognised by World Education Services (WES) OTHM Qualifications are approved and regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) and recognised by Qualifications Wales. OTHM qualifications have achieved a reputation for maintaining significant skills in various job roles and industries like Business Studies, Leadership, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Health and Social Care, Information Technology, Accounting and Finance, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. OTHM serves the progression option with several UK universities that acknowledges the ability of learners after studying Level 3-7 qualifications to be considered for advanced entry into corresponding degree year/top-up and Master's/top-up programmes. Regulated by ofqual.gov.uk Recognised by World Education Services (WES) Assessment Assignments and Projects No Examinations Entry Requirements To be eligible for the MBA Advanced Entry route, you must meet the following criteria: OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent higher qualification. Submission of a copy of your valid photo ID to verify your identity. A well-crafted Statement of Purpose outlining your motivations, career aspirations, and reasons for pursuing the MBA Advanced Entry route. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating a minimum of two years of work experience at the graduate level, either in a managerial or professional capacity. By meeting these application requirements, you will take the initial steps towards joining the MBA Advanced Entry programme, enabling you to enhance your managerial and leadership skills significantly. English Requirements A pass in English at the A level. Completion of a Bachelor's degree programme conducted and assessed in English. An overall score of 6.5 or higher in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 72 or higher, with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, and 17 in writing. This includes scores from the Home Edition of TOEFL. In addition to the requirements above, all applicants must participate in a live virtual interview with a staff member from the London Graduate School. Progression An MBA graduate can pursue a fruitful career in many industries. MBA can open career opportunities in various sectors such as banking and financial services, investment banking, management consulting, insurance, hospitality, media, information technology (IT) and marketing. An MBA is often a pathway to promotion or a career change as you will gain a professional reputation and develop essential skills in the sector you choose to pursue. Learners must request before enrolment to interchange unit(s) other than the preselected units shown in the SBTL website because we need to make sure the availability of learning materials for the requested unit(s). SBTL will reject an application if the learning materials for the requested interchange unit(s) are unavailable. Learners are not allowed to make any request to interchange unit(s) once enrolment is complete. Structure MBA Advanced Entry Programme Structure Research Methods Consultancy Project Report Delivery Methods The MBA Advanced Entry delivered by London Graduate School, awarded by the University of Buckingham through distance learning. You will receive excellent support from academic team of London Graduate School, including your programme manager and your supervisor who will be with you every step of the way. Resources and Support School of Business & Technology London is dedicated to offering excellent support on every step of your learning journey. School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal. Our support team liaises with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receives a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and streamline all the support processes efficiently. Quality learning materials made by industry experts is a significant competitive edge of the School of Business & Technology London. Quality learning materials comprised of structured lecture notes, study guides, practical applications which includes real-world examples, and case studies that will enable you to apply your knowledge. Learning materials are provided in one of the three formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or Interactive Text Content on the learning portal. How does the Online Learning work at SBTL? We at SBTL follow a unique approach which differentiates us from other institutions. Indeed, we have taken distance education to a new phase where the support level is incredibly high.Now a days, convenience, flexibility and user-friendliness outweigh demands. Today, the transition from traditional classroom-based learning to online platforms is a significant result of these specifications. In this context, a crucial role played by online learning by leveraging the opportunities for convenience and easier access. It benefits the people who want to enhance their career, life and education in parallel streams. SBTL's simplified online learning facilitates an individual to progress towards the accomplishment of higher career growth without stress and dilemmas. How will you study online? With the School of Business & Technology London, you can study wherever you are. You finish your program with the utmost flexibility. You will be provided with comprehensive tutor support online through SBTL Support Desk portal. How will I get tutor support online? School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal, through which our support team liaise with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receive a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and to streamline all the support process efficiently. Learners should expect to receive a response on queries like guidance and assistance within 1 - 2 working days. However, if the support request is for assessment feedback, learners will receive the reply with feedback as per the time frame outlined in the Assessment Feedback Policy.

This course is designed for those already using Power BI Desktop and are ready to work with more comprehensive elements of analysing and reporting in Power BI. The course maintains a balanced look at data analysis including the Power Query Editor, with a deep dive into writing DAX formulas, and enhanced dashboard visualisations. The aim of this course is to provide a more complete understanding of the whole Power BI analytics process, by working with business examples that will equip you with the necessary skills to output comprehensive reports and explore Power BI's analytical capabilities in more depth. 1 The Query Editor Grouping rows in a table Split row by delimiter Add days to determine deadlines The query editor 2 Fuzzy Matching Joins Matching inconsistencies by percentage Matching with transformation table 3 The Query Editor M Functions Adding custom columns Creating an IF function Nested AND logics in an IF function 4 DAX New Columns Functions Including TRUE with SWITCH Using multiple conditions The FIND DAX function The IF DAX function Logical functions IF, AND, OR 5 Editing DAX Measures Making DAX easier to read Add comments to a measure Using quick measures 6 The Anatomy of CALCULATE Understanding CALCULATE filters Add context to CALCULATE with FILTER Using CALCULATE with a threshold 7 The ALL Measure Anatomy of ALL Create an ALL measure Using ALL as a filter Use ALL for percentages 8 DAX Iterators Anatomy of iterators A closer look at SUMX Using RELATED with SUMX Create a RANKX RANKX with ALL 9 Date and Time Functions Overview of functions Create a DATEDIFF function 10 Time Intelligent Measures Compare historical monthly data Create a DATEADD measure Creating cumulative totals Creating cumulative measures Visualising cumulative totals 11 Visualisations In-Depth Utilising report themes Applying static filters Group data using lists Group numbers using bins Creating heatmaps Comparing proportions View trends with sparklines 12 Comparing Variables Visualising trendlines as KPI Forecasting with trendlines Creating a scatter plot Creating dynamic labels Customised visualisation tooltips Export reports to SharePoint

As technology continues to develop and increasingly interact with our daily lives, so must our sales techniques to ensure we're leveraging advances in how people do business to our advantage. It is essential for all salespeople to understand how to navigate the various tools at our disposal and grow their skills and confidence to put them into action in order to build a solid business pipeline. We have developed this programme to be practical, fun and interactive, whilst ensuring that participants will learn how to utilise new technology to their advantage, self-generate new business leads and opportunities, gain additional business and referrals from existing contacts, and save time and effort using proven business development skills. This course will help participants: Understand the 'organized persistence' model of sales prospecting Develop skills in using video, online and social media to generate interest Understand how to write effective sales and outreach emails and using online tools Develop techniques for effectively managing telephone appointments Learn ways to use LinkedIn for connecting with customers and prospects Develop networking skills and learn how to source and develop referrals and professional introductions 1 Key principles of smart sales prospecting Set your sales prospecting goals and objectives Elevator pitch, core messages and your value proposition Targeting and segmenting your market 'Organised persistence' using your CRM effectively 2 Setting appointments by telephone - planning and preparation Why calling still works and the best times to call Creating a call prompt sheet: Opening a call and taking control Giving a reason to meet Key questions to ask Overcoming the cold calling blues 3 Setting appointments by telephone - advanced skills Giving a reason to meet and 'selling the appointment' Key questions to ask that will create interest and motivation to meet Voice tone, power words, phrasing, pausing, responding Getting past gatekeepers and getting through 4 Using LinkedIn for research and follow-up Why LinkedIn matters and how to use it Finding new contacts, connecting and Inmailing Short-cuts and advanced skills 5 Email strategies that work Using AIDA and other templates for sales emails Using personalized video emails to create interest Vertical targeting emails, with examples Building awareness with an email chain

In the fast-changing world of business, and especially IT, everyone in the organisation should be involved in sales. One of the best ways is to give the customer an outstanding experience. The customer experience is the competitive battlefield of today. Sales may be won or lost here. You can either close a sale for a quick buck, or open a long-term relationship to create a high lifetime value customer. By developing excellent communication skills, rapport and, most of all, a desire to serve and listen to the needs of the customer to the best of their ability, both sales teams and other IT professionals will create trust, nurture relationships and develop awareness of other opportunities with the customer. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the power of a positive customer experience in developing sales opportunities Recognise and develop a sales opportunity when it arises Engage with customers and develop rapport and trust Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills and pick up on signals Ask powerful questions - and listen to the answers Create 'magic moments' for the customer Turn a complaint into an opportunity Know when to ask for referrals and testimonials Pass on leads to the relevant people 1 Introduction Aims and objectives Beliefs about sales 2 Building rapport First impressions Short cuts to rapport Finding common interests 3 Selling or serving? Managing emotions and behaviour - Transactional Analysis Moments of truth - creating 'magic moments' Speed sells - the follow-up 4 Meetings Planning a successful meeting Pre-meeting connection and assistance Sales meeting failure reasons Right v wrong mindset 5 Communication - verbal and non-verbal The 3 Vs - Visual, Verbal, Vocal Picking up on signals 7 power questions Questioning techniques LISTEN - 3 types of listening skills 6 Influencing 6 levels of influence Framing to change perspectives Turning complaints into opportunities 7 Referrals The power of referrals How and when to ask for a referral 5 steps from rapport to referral 8 Presentation and pitching (optional session) Basic presentation structure and delivery Creating powerful impressions Creating a 60-second pitch The elevator 10-second pitch - answering 'What do you do?' Sales presentations Emotion v Intellect - how to engage Using visuals

This very practical one-day programme provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to be an effective member of the procurement team and to enable them to procure a wide range of resources for the organisation, in a compliant and cost-effective manner. It also empowers them to be able to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Understand the basic concepts of good procurement practice Apply a range of tools and techniques for developing scopes of work and specifications Apply various methods to select and evaluate suppliers Develop robust contract award strategies Appreciate the commercial importance of effective procurement and opportunities to reduce cost and add value Develop appropriate procurement strategies depending on risk and value Appreciate the legal aspects of procurement 1 Welcome Introductions Aims and objectives Plan for the day 2 The basics of procurement The concept of total cost of ownership v price The procurement cycle The roles of the customer and the contractor Impact upon profit 3 Specification process Importance of effective specifications Specification development process Types of specification Team approach Use of performance specifications Early supplier involvement (ESI) / early contractor involvement (ECI) 4 Quality Concepts and practices Defining 'fit for purpose' Conformance to requirements Compliance to standards Role of the supplier Quality assurance tools and techniques 5 Procurement methods RFP RFQ ITT Negotiated procurement Strategic partnerships Outsourcing 6 Tendering How to undertake a formal tendering process Business case to award Critical stages in the process Risks and benefits 7 Tender evaluation How to undertake a quotation analysis Tools of analysis Use of VFM models Role of the customer Comparisons around cost, quality, and delivery 8 Supplier selection and evaluation Developing critical selection criteria Using the 10Cs model Importance of effective selection process Weighting systems Importance of validity and evidence 9 Capital equipment procurement Life cycle cost issues Payback calculations Compatibility issues Maintenance and training issues After-sales support 10 Supplier relationships Corporate social responsibility issues Communication 360 feed-back Open and ethical Initial understanding Clear and fair terms and conditions 11 Close Review of key learning points Personal action planning

Many people have a misconception about networking events, and lose out on new business opportunities as a result. They either don't appreciate the real benefits and techniques of networking and don't attend events, or they attempt to 'sell on the first date', causing resentment. You can either attempt to make a sale for a quick buck (which is particularly likely to backfire at a networking event), or you can try to open a long-term relationship, creating new opportunities and a high lifetime value customer (which is how it's meant to be done). Networking, when done properly, is an excellent tool for referrals. But you have to appreciate that it's done on the basis of giving rather than receiving and this doesn't always come naturally to sales professionals. The old saying that it's about getting to 'know, like and trust' is still true. This workshop is about having your prospects and customers getting to know, like and trust you, and building that lifetime value as a result. By the end of this programme, participants will be able to: Understand what networking is - networking etiquette Know how and where to network Clarify their objectives - why network Use the 4 basic questions to start a conversation Build rapport quickly and easily Answer the question 'What do you do?' effectively in a few seconds Deliver a 60-second pitch Break into a group Prepare for a network meeting Identify opportunities Use tools to assist in networking 1 Introduction Aims and objectives 2 What is networking? Why network - objectives and goal setting Networking etiquette Preparation - online and offline tools to use Identify networking opportunities - where to network Know what you have to offer 'Know, like and trust' - the process 3 What do you do? Answer in 5-10 seconds Create and deliver a 60-second pitch Who is your target market? 4 Starting a conversation Breaking into a group Building rapport The 4 questions to start a conversation Moving on 5 Communicate and engage LISTEN - 4 types of listening skill Ask powerful questions Influence - don't sell What can you do to help others - give to get 6 Power of referrals Who can give you referrals? When to give or ask for referrals Have a referral system Showing appreciation 7 Social media and other online tools Using LinkedIn and other social media Online directories 8 Next steps Following up Arranging one-to-one meetings Developing relationships

Do you hear yourself saying the same thing over and over again? Do you want to bring some new skills to your role? If you have been in a sales role for some time it is easy to fall into a comfortable pattern. This workshop will help you incorporate advanced techniques drawn from NLP, behavioural science and social psychology into your existing skills. This course will help you: Use the consultative sales process to achieve more cross-sales Employ advanced rapport-building skills Assess the buying preferences of a customer Articulate the link between customer goals and needs Identify your customer's needs and wants Use advanced questioning techniques to gather information Resist the temptation to tell when it would be better to ask Identify communication preferences Given various scenarios, present a product to the explicit need of a customer Appreciate the impact of the language used during this stage of the sale and decide what language is appropriate with a variety of customers Handle objections positively Close the sale or gain commitment to further action 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the training Personal introductions and objectives Self-assessment of existing sales skills Overview of content 2 Understanding yourself and your customers Personal communication style and what this means in a sales situation Wants versus needs What motivates people to buy Using social media tools such as LinkedIn Managing your portfolio to maximise sales Preparing to sell 3 The sales process Overview of the consultative sales process Review personal strengths and weaknesses as a salesperson Habits of top-performing sales people Common pitfalls Articulate sales goals 4 Building rapport 11 decisions that customers make in the first 9 seconds Spotting buyer communication preferences Building rapport with a wide variety of customers Dealing with emotions Keeping control 5 Questioning and listening Assumptions and how they trip us up Structured questioning Looking for cross-sales Honing your listening skills Identifying buyers' motivation Using summaries to move the customer forward 6 Presenting products and services to customers Choosing the right time to present Using features, advantages and benefits Tailoring your presentation of products and services to match buyer preferences and motivations 7 Gaining commitment When to close Dealing with difficult customers 5 things to avoid when handling a customer objection 8 Managing your business The link between service and sales Using customer surveys Winning back lost business 9 Putting it all together Skills practice Personal learning summary and action plans

When staff are new to sales it can seem daunting, especially when they have targets to meet. If the staff you need to promote your products and services get it wrong then it can knock their confidence and negatively impact how your customers see you as an organisation. This programme provides staff with the basic skills they need to sell. This course will help participants: Profile customers Research and identify potential new customers Use the consultative sales process Build effective rapport with customers Identify customer needs through effective questioning and listening Position products and services effectively Close the sale or gain commitment to further action Manage their customer portfolio to maximise sales 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the training Personal introductions and objectives Self-assessment of existing sales skills Overview of content 2 Knowing your customers Who are your customers, and what do they want from you? What are your strengths, compared to your competitors? Who are your new potential customers? How do you communicate with new customers? What do you need to know about your customers before you start to sell? Making the initial approach Planning your pipeline - keeping the customers coming 3 The four-step sales process Overview of the consultative sales process Key benefits of using the consultative sales process Focusing on behaviours not targets The behaviours of a good salesperson Common pitfalls and mistakes Personal strengths and weaknesses 4 Building rapport First impressions - Mehrabian theory of communication Short cuts to building rapport Looking out for clues as to how the customer is thinking Looping back to keep the conversation flowing Acknowledging past communication Dealing with emotions such as anger Setting the agenda to keep control Getting past gatekeepers 5 Questioning and listening How to ask open questions to uncover information Left brain questions When closed question can be useful What stops us listening? The four levels of listening How to develop your listening skills 6 Presenting products and services to customers When to present Using benefits not features Making it personal Using reciprocity The tendency towards the middle Using consistency 7 Gaining commitment Testing the water Dealing with objections using ACLEO Asking for the business Getting referrals Ending with a personalised close Following-up 8 Managing your customer pipeline Spotting opportunities for cross-sales Managing your portfolio Maximising sales proactively Review meetings Customer satisfaction measures and surveys Mystery shopping 9 Putting it all together Skills practice Personal learning summary and action plans