546 Basic courses in Edinburgh

Overview This one day course covers the basics of brainstorming and then goes on to look at a number of different yet highly effective techniques that can be employed. Description Brainstorming is probably the most well known and most widely used method for bringing groups of people together to generate ideas about an issue or problem. This is because it’s a good way to gather a lot of ideas very quickly. It is also a great way of bringing people together and helping to build them as a team. Just imagine the effect on the team and its morale if ideas that they generate are actually used. There is no doubt that people are more likely to buy into the ideas that they came up with themselves. Although brainstorming is widely used for decision-making, it is not always handled very well. If that is the case, it can have the opposite effect to the one that is intended. Rather than creating ideas it can stifle them and rather than motivating people it demotivates them. This highly interactive course will help learners to make the most of brainstorming sessions and also provides alternative techniques to enliven any session that is beginning to flag. Topics covered: What is Brainstorming? – A discussion to help participants understand what brainstorming is, and what it involves. Brainstorming rules – A quick look at the very limited rules suggested by Alex Osborn who is generally credited with being the inventor of brainstorming. Preparation – Although many brainstorming sessions take place on the spur of the moment they all require some preparation. We look at the importance of defining the purpose of the session, selecting the right participants, and then briefing them properly. Storm and Floods – This is an activity that we re-visit on several occasions to take participants through the whole brainstorming process and to give them plenty of practice. The Three R’s of Facilitation – The three R’s take you through the essential elements of facilitating an effective brainstorming session. Closing the Session – Effective closing of the brainstorm may be just as important as the session itself. We look at the essential elements that the facilitator needs to cover. Clarify and Nurture – Learners discover the importance of ensuring that all ideas that are unclear are clarified and that ideas are nurtured. They also learn what this involves practically. Alternative Techniques – There are many ways to enliven a flagging brainstorming session, provide a fresh approach or simply build on initial ideas. The learners are introduced to some of the most important of these. Brainstorming Scenarios – Learners work through up to 6 scenarios so that they can practice the alternative techniques covered during the programme. Who should attend Anyone who facilitates or takes part in brainstorming sessions, or wants to work with organisational teams to develop their problem-solving abilities. Requirements for Attendees None.

Create a set of three personalised, calligraphy Christmas baubles with local artist Panna Chauhan on this private class at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh City Centre.

Confined Space Risk Management and Permits - This course includes a basic level of confined space knowledge with the opportunity to use confined space equipment in a simulated environment and a team exercise of creating and reviewing a safe system of work. Note: A pre-requisite qualification is required to complete this course. Day 1 is a CS1 course and the Confined Space Risk Management (CSRM) can be completed as a 1 Day add-on. Any of following courses can be completed as a pre-requisite within 12 weeks of the CSRM; CS1, CS2, 6160-09. Book via our website @ https://www.vp-ess.com/training/confined-spaces/confined-space-risk-management-and-permits/ or via email at: esstrainingsales@vpplc.com or phone on: 0800 000 346

This 6 week course will support you to make the most of the range of applications Adobe Premiere Pro offers in the production of video. Sample footage will be provided for you throughout the course, but you can also bring along your own video files to work on. The course is quite technical so some computer experience is required. We use Macs on the course – the Premiere interface is the same across operating systems but some shortcuts and menu items are different. Week 1- The basics This week we’ll start with some of the basics, introducing you to editing and Premiere Pro through: A short history of editing; from analogue to digital Getting to know the layout of Premiere Pro Working with ‘bins’ (folders) and creating edit Sequences Making selects from the rushes and sound files by creating in and out points Introducing clips to the timeline and making a simple edit with music Understanding rendering for smooth, full quality playback Week 2- Editing narrative sequences This week we’ll get further stuck into editing by building narrative, focus on offline editing‚ better organisation of your projects and breaking down footage through: Re-linking lost or moved footage Video ingest – importing and organising clips Organising and breaking down rushes using annotated markers and sub-clips Basics of the effects and motion settings Using our skills to create a simple narrative sequence Editing a dialogue sequence Considering the best ways of exporting your film for online Learn Adobe Media Encoder for more efficient exporting Week 3- Video settings, effects & titles This week we will focus in on what makes up video from a technical standpoint. We will then look at how we can work with and alter these parameters for different uses in our films through: Transcoding – converting the footage into an editable file and understanding codecs and meta data Adjusting scale and positioning and using motion keyframes to create movement over time Adding titles and animating them Applying transitions and various stock video effects Layering tracks and using opacity and different layer blending effects Creating masks and using motion tracking Working with green-screen footage, creating mattes, mask filters and working with multiple layers Week 4- Audio & sound This week we’ll consider the importance of sound design and music for narrative and atmosphere in film and experimental video through: Learning how to enhance your film with sound and music Introducing audio and music to the timeline, cutting and leveling Laying down music and cutting the footage to fit Building sound design around an existing edit with sync-sound and SFX Common practice and different approaches for syncing external microphone audio and video Mastering the audio and making sure that it is all levelled Learning how to create subtitles for our films and different methods to export/embed them Week 5- Colour This week we’ll start looking at colour in our videos and what role that plays. We will look at the process of colour grading and changing the mood in our films through: Using Lumetri Colour, the colour-correcting function within Premiere Pro CC Matching the colour of different cameras to create a similar look Creating different “colour grades” to create different atmospheres Stylising our footage Understand the colour limitations of video files and the importance of exposure when filming Working with tracked masks to isolate certain areas within your image to colour correct Week 6- Putting it all together In our final week we will get the opportunity to experiment with all the skills we’ve learned to create an opening sequence for a tv series. This is also a great opportunity to revisit any topics from previous weeks.   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

Introduction to Project Management: In-House Training This course provides practical insights into what is project management and how it is performed in a structured manner. This course provides practical insights into what is project management and how it is performed in a structured manner. You will learn how projects are selected, initiated, planned, executed, monitored and control, as well as closed, which could serve you ubiquitously. The goal of this course is to provide a minimally essential orientation to practical project management concepts, tools, and techniques. You will be provided with enough of these that can be applied from both a project manager and a key stakeholder perspective. What you Will Learn You will learn how to: Articulate on the basics of the project management profession Explain project management terms and concepts in practice Speak on how projects originate in mature organizations Employ a disciplined approach to initiating, planning, and managing projects to closure Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of key project stakeholders Consider standard project processes to implement based upon the PMBOK® Guide Getting Started Introductions Course orientation Participants' expectations Foundation Concepts Key terms and concepts Organizational framework Leadership framework Originating and Initiating Originating projects Initiating projects Planning Planning overview Scope and quality planning Resources and risk planning Schedule and cost planning Project baselining Executing and Controlling Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing Project closing overview Closing administratively Closing financially Summary and Next Steps Review of goals, objectives, key concepts, and expectations Evaluations

Estimating for Business Analysts: In-House Training A business analyst does not have authority to estimate the project and will not be held responsible for the project staying within the proposed budget; however, the business analyst does participate in various planning exercises with the project team. Many times the business analyst is on his or her own, required to provide estimates of how long it will take to perform their tasks. This course acquaints you with the basics of estimating from the point of view of the business analyst, emphasizing time estimates for the work. It also covers some of the product cost estimates that a business analyst may have to provide when the business is performing a cost/benefit analysis for the project. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Translate business needs and requirements into estimates Estimate durations using a variety of techniques Negotiate differences in estimates Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts The importance of estimating to a business analyst The good and bad of estimating The project context The meaning of good estimating Focuses of estimating Characteristics of a good estimate Estimating the Time Requirements Applicable BABOK® Knowledge Areas Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Elicitation and Collaboration Estimating the elicitation Information Gathering Plan Relative times for elicitation activities Planning and estimating the business analysis approach and activities Planning the business analysis activities Impact of process Estimating the Product Estimating the value of the product Business analyst's role Defining and determining value Function and use case points Agile estimating Planning Poker Other agile estimating techniques Negotiating estimates Negotiation techniques Negotiation approaches Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environment?

The Art of Negotiation: In-House Training Confidence, rapport, curiosity, and patience are essential ingredients to successfully handling a difficult conversation and negotiation. In this course, you will learn to identify and manage aspects of a negotiation, distinguish needs from wants, and manage expectations. The course will cover communication best practices, strategies for handling difficult conversations, and the basics of the art of negotiation. What you Will Learn Master the different ways to say 'no' Determine negotiation strategies based on typical client strategies Develop solutions to break deadlocks Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Establishing personal learning objectives Foundation Concepts Exercise: Most Challenging Scenarios and Outcomes Debrief: Impact versus intent Addressing customer expectations Needs versus wants Key skills for managing customer relationships Elicitation (requirements gathering) Communication and active listening Sensitivity and empathy Handling Difficult Conversations Saying 'no' The Ladder of Inference 4-Step approach for handling difficult conversations Characteristics of a trusted advisor Communication Best Practices Attunement and active listening Exercise: Identifying Effective Techniques Communication pitfalls and best practices Building rapport and influence Words of wisdom Exercise: Reflection on Challenges Negotiation Strategies Negotiation basics Five phases of negotiation Identifying different strategies Traditional versus Progressive Hard - Soft - Principled Exercise: Your Preferred Techniques Selecting appropriate strategy for project negotiations Common pitfalls to avoid The impact of culture on negotiation Looking at conflict through the lens of negotiation Exercise: Mapping a Resolution

If you want your employees to improve their customer service skills and deliver an amazing experience to your customers, feel free to check out my Training course focusing on telephone etiquettes, communication and behaviours.

If you want your employees to improve their customer service skills and deliver an amazing experience to your customers, feel free to check out my Training course focusing on delivering the best customer care.

Introduction to Agile for Executives: In-House Training This session provides executives with an overview of Agile values and principles, the key benefits of an Agile approach, and its differences with the traditional Waterfall method. During the session, we compare and contrast the major Agile methods, with an emphasis on Scrum, as the most popular in the market. And most importantly, we present some criteria for Agile Transformation, possible certifications to pursue, and what is needed at the senior leadership level to achieve the best business results. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the basics and benefits of using an Agile approach Describe the Scrum framework, its events, artifacts, and roles and responsibilities Illustrate an Agile approach outside of Software Development Define Scaled Agile Determine how to support an Agile transformation for your organization Getting Started Introduction Course structure Course goals and objectives Agile Introduction What is Agile? Agile benefits Agile myths and realities Overview of Agile Methods Overview of Agile methods Scrum method Lean and Kanban methods Criteria and certifications What Executives Need to Know About Agile Agile is not just for IT Agile can be scaled Agile transformation needs your support Summary and Next Steps Review Personal Action Plan