Better Business Cases™ Practitioner: In-House Training: In-House Training Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case, through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this Practitioner course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and to establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraint, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans
Our team of Construction industry experts provide business management training for leaders and business owners across England and Scotland CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SPECIFIC Construction Business Growth Academy The Power Within Training is dedicated to helping construction-based business owners and construction management throughout England, Scotland, and Wales achieve more than they believed possible. Our construction business training is designed to develop owner-managers and help them create the future they want. To ensure business growth, we have a dedicated team of industry professionals to give unique support specific to the skills, traits, and challenges found within Construction. This programme was created to help you push and elevate your business to the next level. Contact us to register for our construction business training. Explore Our Construction Business Growth Course We created the Business Growth Academy for business owners like you to grow and develop their businesses in a more controlled and sustainable way. To ensure growth, our construction business training is a series of six training modules focused on business growth, leadership, and financial management. Most of our participants are business owners looking to get the tools needed to spend more time working on their business while generating more profitability to ensure consistent business growth. The Power Within Training uses the latest business growth strategies, which allow you to identify, modify and quickly implement our easy-to-follow business-building tools and techniques designed around the construction and property development industry. Whether you are a business owner or an aspiring construction and property development entrepreneur, our Construction Management Course will provide the tools and techniques to drive your business forward and achieve sustainable growth. Join us at the Business Growth Academy and unlock your full potential. The Goal of Our Construction Management Training Our goal with this training is to provide you with the tools you need to take control of your business. This allows you to use the latest strategies and ensure the smooth growth of your construction business. The construction management training we offer is a three-month course with new modules available twice monthly, delivered via Zoom or in person. These modules are designed to work around your schedule. After, you’ll have a 39-hour CPD certification thanks to our CITB skills & training courses. Overall, our fully funded construction management training will help you place the proper foundation, allowing you to build a more substantial and focused business that’s centred around constant growth and profits while future-proofing your business. BUSINESS GROWTH ACADEMY The Benefit of Our Business Growth Academy As you go through our training, you’ll delve into each module and the critical steps and tools. These include how to plan, organize, and control construction operations, all designed to provide you with a well-rounded view of your business. Not only will you get the tools you need to ensure your construction business growth, but you’ll also get access to benefits such as lifetime access to your online interactive training portal, entrance into a private social and professional networking group, pro bono coaching, and mentoring from industry experts and leaders. Here are some additional benefits of our construction management training: Register your interest today You’ll build a personalised 12-month business development plan that keeps you focused on high-value activities, ensuring you remain on track to grow. Tools and techniques to not only measure but also increase your profitability within your business. These tools help you ensure that you’re never leaving money on the table again. Learn, develop, and nurture self-management and leadership strategies that you can work on and in your business to help you from chasing your tail or burning out. You’ll develop unshakeable confidence in your business’s ability to grow and become the kind of entrepreneur that chooses the customers they want to work with, meaning customers who are driven by value, not by price. Gain valuable leadership and self-development skills, which encourage learning for life. Lastly, you’ll no longer wonder, “what if?” You’ll have the knowledge and understanding to keep unlocking and growing your business’s true potential. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME Course Overview As we’ve mentioned, our business management course is designed to be completed over three months, with two courses being released monthly. These are designed to be done on Zoom or in person and are flexible around your busy schedule. Our modules were created to be easy to understand while providing the resources needed to elevate your construction business. Here is a more in-depth look at what to expect from our modules: Module 1: The C.O.D.E Breaker: The Business FundamentalsThis module will encourage you to deep dive into your why and break the business C.O.D.E. You’ll be shown the importance of knowing why you started the business, how you can build a business while remaining authentic, and what needs to be done to ensure you create and support a solid foundation moving forward. During this module, you’ll discover how to successfully build a business in the construction industry, from the fundamentals and foundations to the growth. Lastly, we’ll review your vision, values, and purpose, show why these are critical areas, and allow you to establish a real business for you and your customers. Module 2: Your M.E.N.T.A.L Agility: The Entrepreneurial Mindset With this module, we’ll focus on self-leadership and how you should constantly be developing the ‘inner game’ or minder and the ‘outer game’ or action. The inner game consists of intention, self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. These must be used to achieve personal mastery, while the outer game consists of influence and impact. M.E.N.T.A.L. agility is your key to all success and failure, meaning that without leading yourself, you’ll never find business success. For us, your M.E.N.T.A.L. agility is made of five key components that enable you to transition from owning a business to thinking and planning like an entrepreneurial business owner. Module 3: The T.I.M.E Multiple: Working ON or Working IN The point of this module is to help you understand that you can’t manage your time; you can only manage your use of time or your self-management skills. It’s vital to have strong self-management skills to be more successful at work. We’ll explore ways to help maximise your time and identify your High Payoff Activities. The T.I.M.E. multiplier is about accepting that you cannot do everything yourself. Instead, it would be best if you focused on your high-payoff activities. Our goal is to teach you to say it’s okay to say no. We’ll show you the importance of recognising the significance of all your decisions. Along with that, we focus on unique planning and defining processes to bring the future into the present. Module 4: The Business P.R.O.B.E: The Numbers Game Understanding your finances is essential as it allows you to make informed decisions that have the potential to make significant impacts on your business, growth, and even your bottom line. We want you never to leave money on the table again. When you know the difference between markup and margin, fixed and variable costs can make the difference between owning a business and the business owning you. Understanding your business numbers will increase your revenue and profitability and even grow your business. Module 5: High-Performance T.E.A.M.S: The Well-Oiled High-performing teams are more than a group that works together. A high-performing team has clear priorities and purposes and shares an understanding of how each team member or subcontractor prefers to approach work. The foundation of a high-performing team or business starts with trust. The development starts with creating an environment where leaders and team members can openly disclose which strengths they feel they bring to a team and what support they need to be their best selves. Truth is that all people’s problems directly reflect the business owner’s leadership and management. When a team doesn’t do things your way, they probably have no idea what your way is. Module 6: G.O.A.L.S: Setting & Defining the Accountability System Everyone works best with clearly defined goals, from completing a refurb on a budget or growing your construction business to over 10M annual profit. Remember the old saying, through a goal with a plan, is just a wish! We’ll teach you our tried and tested process for setting and achieving your objectives by focusing on what matters most. Reviewing your daily, weekly, and monthly goals, we can help you make high performance a habit. Best of all, you’ll create a detailed 12-month business development plan to get your personal and professional goals moving in the right direction. Meet the Construction Business Training Presenters Derrick Matheson: Training and Development Director and Trainer of Business Growth Academy A seasoned business owner, Derrick understands the challenges UK construction and property development professionals face. We have crafted a targeted program that simplifies growth, empowering entrepreneurs with easy-to-implement strategies. Derrick’s mission is simple: to empower and equip ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s competitive market. The Business Growth Academy is a testament to his dedication, offering an innovative, step-by-step business-building process that demystifies the complexities of growth and unlocks the full potential of your enterprise. Stuart Mason: BGA’s Bold Training Manager, Lead Trainer, and Author of “How To Wreck Your Business Stuart, the fearless BGA Training Manager and Lead Trainer has turned his business failures into powerful lessons for others. As the author of “How To Wreck Your Business,” Stuart shares his hard-earned wisdom to help business owners avert the same pitfalls that led to the demise of his own company on its 20th anniversary. Stuart’s approach is refreshingly direct and unapologetically abrupt, cutting through the noise to deliver real-world insights that make a difference. Don’t expect a dry lecture on business theory from a dusty textbook; instead, Stuart offers a ‘streetwise’ perspective that is both practical and actionable, pushing you to uncover the answers that will make your business shine in a competitive market.
Take your organisation’s presentations to the next level by truly engaging second language English speakers with our specific techniques. Help them communicate key messages with confidence and clarity to the whole audience. With lots of opportunities for practice in a very safe space, participants will build their skills in the guiding hands of our experts. This bespoke course will include: Presenter self-awareness Essential cultural etiquette Powerful PowerPoint strategies for second-language speakers Linguistic mindfulness A new understanding of ‘less is more’
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are extensively utilised to define the scope of work and key responsibilities between a customer and a service provider. It is fundamental that all relevant personnel are familiar with the defining characteristics of SLAs and how the design and implementation of these contracts can impact operational efficiency and brand reputation. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: Understand why SLAs are so important for good business management Apply a process to develop effective SLAs that define service level expectations and drive desired behaviours Identify methods by which the SLA can be measured and performance monitored Have an understanding of KPI’s and the relevance of critical success factors COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: Procurement cycle, process structure and tendering Best practice contract management and the 3 C’s Supplier performance measurement and KPIs SLA use, benefits and application The SLA development process The monitoring and control of SLAs
Meetings are a traditional and essential component of local government. For both elected members and officers, meetings serve as a forum for discussion and agreement, planning and monitoring, communication and leadership, and decision-making. Used appropriately, meetings can challenge, inspire, illuminate and inform. And while they are not the only meetings that elected members will be asked to attend, committee meetings, in particular, are a mainstay of the political management process. Effective chairing is important because it can provide clear leadership and direction, ensure that debates are focused and balanced, enable decisions to be reached and ensure that resources are used to best effect. This two-hour 'masterclass'-style workshop will help elected members to understand their role, offer some approaches and ideas that will help to tackle typical challenges, and help to generally improve their effectiveness as a chair. To understand the skills and qualities of a good chair To learn ideas and approaches for chairing a successful meeting that is on time and achieves its outcomes To understand the protocols and boundaries for appropriate meeting etiquette and the chair's role in managing this effectively To appreciate how to manage yourself and others appropriately To take away personal actions to apply to your role 1 Welcome and introductions Objectives What's the challenge for you? 2 We can't go on meeting like this Common meeting challenges for chairs and why they succeed or fail Consequences and impact for the Council What's the context? 3 Roles and responsibilities of an effective chair Activities and input that explore the role, skills and qualities needed Role of the chair: what is it and how to do it well 4 Chairing for success - ideas and approaches to meet the challenges Managing time and boundaries Preparation and planning Creating the right environment Self-management Challenging personalities and good meeting behaviour 5 Final plenary session What's your plan? Take away actions
This very practical two-day workshop analyses the content and implications of key MoD terms and conditions of contract. The programme explains the principles and terminology of the contractual aspects of defence procurement as well as considering a number of relevant policies and initiatives. The course covers key components, constructs and methodologies associated with any commercial venture entered into with the UK MoD. Starting at the MoD organisational level the workshop sets the scene by looking at the acquisition process and organisation, detailing the various roles and responsibilities of MoD personnel. The workshop provides an in-depth examination of MoD DEFCONs and many narrative terms, setting them in the context of the organisation and its structures. The workshop helps participants to gain an understanding of the content and purpose of the range of MoD DEFCONs and narrative conditions commonly used throughout the acquisition lifecycle. It includes a review of Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 regarding Single Source Pricing, which comes into effect in 2015 and is already starting to be applied to significant contracts. On completion of this programme the participants will understand the terminology associated with the MoD terms and conditions of contract and will have an accurate view of their relevance, usage and their legal basis and how they can affect contractual and commercial decision-making. They will have gained an insight into defence acquisition contracting and they will be more commercially aware. DAY ONE 1 The commercial environment Key roles and responsibilities of the MoD organisations at the heart of the acquisition process 2 Tendering to MoD An appraisal of some of the obligations placed upon contractors when they are submitting a proposal to the MoD pre-contract 3 Standardised contracting MoD have introduced non-negotiable standardised contracts for certain levels of procurement. This section considers their use and relevance to defence contracting 4 Pricing, profit, post-costing and payment The parameters specific to a costing structure and the differences between competitive and non-competitive bidding The role of the QMAC, the profit formula, the requirements for equality of information and post-costing Different types of pricing and issues surrounding payment 5 Defence Reform Act - Single Source Pricing Single Source Pricing under Part 2 of the new Defence Reform Act Changes from the existing position, how contractors are affected and the compliance regime that accompanies the new requirements 6 Delivery and acceptance Specific requirements and the significance and impact of failing to meet them Acceptance plans Non-performance and the remedies that may be applied by the Customer - breach of contract, liquidated damages and force majeure DAY TWO 7 Protection of information and IPR Contractor's and MoD's rights to own and use information How to identify background and foreground intellectual property Technical information and copyright in documentation and software How to protect IPR at the various stages of the bidding and contracting process 8 Defence Transformation and Defence Commercial Directorate Widening and increasing roles and functions of the Defence Commercial Directorate Background to the Defence Reform Act 2014 9 Legal requirements Terms used in MoD contracts to reflect basic legal requirements Records and materials required for MOD contracts and therefore the obligations, responsibilities and liabilities that a company undertakes when it accepts these conditions Overseas activities 10 Subcontracting and flowdown Understanding the constructs required by the MoD for subcontracting Which terms must be flowed down to the subcontractor and which are discretionary 11 Termination Termination of a contract for default Termination for convenience How to optimise the company's position on termination 12 Warranties and liabilities Obligations and liabilities a company might incur and how they might be mitigated MoD policy on indemnities and limits of liability 13 Electronic contracting environment Electronic forms of contracting Progress toward a fully electronic contracting environment
Increasing sales is the core of objective for all salespeople and it is vital they are given the tools and techniques to thrive in this highly competitive environment. The landscape within which salespeople operate is ever shifting, and now more than ever it is recognised that the key to successful selling is understanding the customer's needs and working collaboratively with them to achieve their objectives. This highly practical programme has been developed to support salespeople to develop their all-round sales skills using a customer-focused approach. The course will be fun and informal, using practical exercises to help new and experienced salespeople ensure they are equipped to deal with the challenges of selling. This course will help participants: Develop core sales skills such as building rapport, questioning and presenting benefits Identify the roles and goals of key contacts and recognize the importance of consultative selling Understand how to achieve sales by uncovering needs, matching benefits and promoting value Understand how to structure and control a customer interaction and set clear objectives for each account Develop techniques for handling objections, questions and staying positive Master the art of closing a sale and gaining agreement Understand tactical selling and how to build multiple contacts and relationships Develop skill and confidence in selling to both new prospects and existing customers 1 Consultative selling - key principles for success Recognise the importance of consultative selling and being client-focused Build the right processes to achieving sales targets - questions before features Assess your core sales skills; building rapport, asking questions, presenting features and benefits, closing 2 Consultative sales call skills How best to structure and control a customer meeting or call to be client-centric: Four Cs The importance of setting clear objectives for each call and account Setting the agenda and pre-call preparation Planning sessions 3 Your mission, message and meaning - comparative advantage Defining sales messages and USPs; positioning value and quality not price Knowing your target product and services and their value to the customer Understanding your customers buying role and qualifying the opportunity 4 An effective sales meeting - part 1 Opening the sales interview - and building rapport Gaining and retaining the full attention of the customer Probing and identifying real needs using effective sales questions Planning and practice sessions for consultative selling 5 An effective sales meeting - part 2 Matching customer needs and wants to products and services available Presenting your product or service using features, advantages, and benefits Recognising and responding to buying signals and other sales opportunities Planning and practice sessions 6 Closing the sale successfully Anticipating objections and seeing them as positives, including price objections Handling objections using proven methods and models How and when to ask for the sale professionally Follow up and follow-through Planning and practice sessions
If you're looking for a short, sharp high-impact intervention that will help motivate and inspire your sales team then a 'bite-sized' session could be just what you're looking for. We have a range of sessions that can be delivered on an 'off-the-shelf' basis, or they can be tailored to your specific requirements or, of course, we can develop something specifically for you on an entirely bespoke basis. And the length of the session is entirely up to you - 45-minutes, an hour, a half-day - whatever you prefer. Sessions can be run for small groups as part of your regular team meetings or they can be delivered for larger audiences, conference-style - the choice is yours. The session outlines below are just to give you an idea of the possibilities. If one of them whets your appetite please just give us a call on 01582 463463 to talk through what we can do for you - we're here to help!
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
We've all sat through far more bad presentations than good ones, but knowing what 'good' looks like is easier than successfully replicating it. Sales presentations are a performance and, as salespeople, fluffing our lines can cost us a lot more than hurt pride. Having discovered and understood the specific needs and burning issues our prospect has, then this course will help any salesperson avoid dropping the ball and instead wowing their prospects with a high-impact, tailored and compelling case for purchase. This course will help participants: Prepare mentally and physically for stand-up presentations Use voice modulation and bullet-pointing to demand attention Avoid boring their prospects Master the do's and don'ts of PowerPoint Deal more effectively with technical hitches and prospect's interruptions Use eye contact and engagement to avoid prospects 'tuning out' Deploy best practice essentials for presenting with colleagues Steer through the toughest Q&A 1 Preparing your presentation Mindset Knowing your objective(s) Vocal warm-up techniques Assembling pre-agreed benefits Time management Room set-up Technical preparation 2 How to open your presentation Vocal energy Summary and agreement of prospect's needs How to have posture and confidence Use of humour What to do with those dreaded hands Confident v non-confident body language 3 How to get and keep people's attention Bullet pointing Linking benefits to specific, stated needs Practical exercise - formulating and delivering tailored benefits Being selective with features Third party reinforcement and case studies 'Watering the garden' eye contact technique Practical exercise - participants practise 'sharing out' eye contact to audience How to handle a prospect's negative body language Handling interruptions 4 Presenting in groups Credentialing all participants Role delineation for group presentations Edifying other participants' messages - do's and don'ts How to maintain energy when not speaking Practical exercise - good and bad practice when not speaking Teamwork in Q&A sessions How to hand over professionally 5 PowerPoint do's and don'ts Use of visual aids Good and bad PowerPoint slides How to make PowerPoint work for you Classic PowerPoint errors Avoiding and handling technical problems Good and bad flipchart practice 6 Closing and / or achieving next action steps Power of summary Good Q&A practice Handling objections Practical exercise - handling objections on one's feet Creating consensus among prospect panel What to do when prospects disagree with each other When to trial close How to close on next action steps 7 Wrap-up Key learning points from each participant Action steps to be implemented on next presentations