Writing Clear Business Communication: In-House Training This program is about learning about the writing process and covers the full spectrum of documents used when corresponding in the workplace. The ability to write effectively comes naturally to some people, but for the vast majority, it is a task often approached with a mixture of trepidation and dread. Effective writing seldom, if ever, 'magically materializes' on the spot. In reality, it is most often the product of planning, writing, and rewriting. This is why writing is called a process; it must go through a series of steps before it is clear and complete. This program is about learning about the writing process and covers the full spectrum of documents used when corresponding in the workplace. The ability to write effectively comes naturally to some people, but for the vast majority, it is a task often approached with a mixture of trepidation and dread. However, the ability to communicate in the written word, for whatever purpose, is an important part of our working and personal lives and can have a direct impact on our ability to persuade, gain commitment or agreement and enhance understanding. Good writing sounds like talking on paper, which is why this program is focused on getting the message across and achieving the desired results using the 'keep it simple and direct' approach. What you Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Write effective e-mails, letters, memos, and reports Clearly articulate the message Achieve desired results from correspondence Organize content for maximum impact Format for enhanced understanding Choose the appropriate communication medium for each document Revise documents to increase clarity and impact Foundations Concepts Business writing as a form of professional communication How business writing compares to other forms of writing Characteristics of good business writing Challenges with business writing The Project Environment Business writing in the project environment The concept of art, science, and optics of business writing Art Economy Precision Action Music Personality Science Purpose, simple, compound, and complex sentence structures Techniques to engage the reader Point of view: tone, attitude, and humor Organization: opening, body, and closing Support and coherence Optics Visual optics Sound optics Feel optics Effective optics Efficient optics Email Formal vs. informal emails Suggestions for improving email communication Instant and text messaging Reports Common types of reports created Formatting of reports Guidelines for meeting minutes Contracts Types of contracts Common agreements Procurement documents Templates, Forms, and Checklists Templates Forms Checklists Other Formatting Good Documentation Practices Good documentation practices Data integrity in business communication
If you run a small, tight-knit team, this course is tailored to help you get the most from the group.
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
Assess past issues Organise new dates Training to avoid materialistic characters Analyse needs Dating/relationship training Advice pamphlet Eradicate defences in order to move on Support Assistance Coaching Bespoke programme relevant to clients specific case 3 phone sessions x 40 mins https://relationshipsmdd.com/product/m-d-d-my-girlfriend-left-me-for-a-richer-guy/
In today's dynamic business environment, Managers need to evaluate different courses of action and make decisive decisions.
This course will start by giving you an overview of some of the common types and causes of learning disabilities, characteristics and behaviours and how they affect people. We will consider which learning & behavioural strategies are appropriate and how using a person centred approach to care will get the best results and ensure that needs of the individual are effectively met. We also discuss overcoming the stigma attached to learning disabilities
Course Outline: What is “Diversity and Inclusion”? The Cultural Contact Lens - understanding different people's experiences The Social Ecological Model - understanding how individual elements sit within and impact upon social change Finding your ‘why’, and the Business Case for D&I Going above and beyond the Law - the Equality Act (2010) and protected characteristics Becoming comfortable with feeling uncomfortable Privilege, power, and the Cycle of Oppression An introduction to allyship Summary and questions
R&D work is often carried out in entrepreneurial companies with the aim of developing solutions to scientific or technological problems for a wide range of customers. Projects can include longer term 'frontiers of science' research, medium term product development/manufacturing or more immediate troubleshooting or contract research assignments. In all these contexts, the ability to create innovative solutions in a timely and cost-effective manner is the essence of successful R&D. Whilst R&D groups typically excel in technical expertise, those involved often recognise that there is scope for improving the way that projects are managed. The aim of this training programme is to address this need whilst ensuring that the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that is fundamental to good R&D continues to flourish. MODULE 1: Creating the foundations for success Off-line video tutorials and exercises Total time ~ 1 - 1.5 hours Video 1: Making the most of project management in R&D Characterising R&D projects Applying project management to R&D work Exploiting the potential of project management in R&D Video 2: Promoting success in R&D project management Modelling successful project management Evaluating performance and promoting success The role and skills of the project manager/leader MODULE 2: Initiating and defining R&D projects Live interactive sessions (via Zoom): Session 1: 10:00 - 12:00 Session 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Session 1: Selecting and initiating projects Recognising worthwhile opportunities; initiating projects Identifying stakeholders and their goals Characterising and engaging stakeholders Session 2: Defining goals and agreeing deliverables Establishing the full scope of the project Clarifying and prioritising project deliverables Defining and agreeing deliverable specifications MODULE 3: Planning R&D projects Live interactive sessions (via Zoom): Session 1: 10:00 - 12:00 Session 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Session 1: Identifying and organising activities Creating effective plans; avoiding planning pitfalls Identifying tasks and assigning responsibilities Sequencing tasks and estimating durations Session 2: Developing the timeline and resource plan Identifying the 'critical path'; creating a resource plan Dealing with estimating uncertainty Accelerating the programme MODULE 4: Leadership and teamwork in R&D projects Off-line video tutorials and exercises Total time ~ 1 - 1.5 hours Video 1: Working effectively in project teams Building teamwork in contemporary organisations Recognising each other's skills; building synergy Building good working relationships; handling conflict Video 2: The role of the R&D project team leader Building teamwork: the role of leadership Creating an effective team culture Delegating work and motivating team members MODULE 5: Managing uncertainty in R&D projects Live interactive sessions (via Zoom): Session 1: 10:00 - 12:00 Session 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Session 1: Characterising uncertainty; identifying risks Exploring uncertainty; applying risk management Focusing the risk management process Identifying and defining risk events Session 2: Managing and controlling risks to the project Evaluating risk events Selecting between risk strategies; setting contingencies Updating and controlling exposure to risk MODULE 6: Implementing and controlling R&D projects Live interactive sessions (via Zoom): Session 1: 10:00 - 12:00 Session 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Session 1: Initiating assignments and managing changes Creating a pro-active implementation and control culture Establishing effective implementation and control procedures Assigning work and managing changes Session 2: Monitoring, managing and developing performance Adopting meaningful monitoring techniques Responding to problems; building performance Managing and controlling multiple project assignments
Project management can seem scary and rather intimidating. The whole aim of this programme is to give people a simple and straightforward way of dealing with projects without having to use complex and confusing systems. This two-day course is designed to introduce the apparently complex world of project management in a simple and practical manner. The programme is for anybody who has to run a project of any nature. It has been attended by people from as diverse fields as events management, fashion, charities, oil companies and so on. The programme is run without using any IT project management systems although an introduction can be given if required. At the end of the programme participants will leave understanding: What a project is and why projects are so important today The roles of a project manager Some key language and concepts A simple 5-step model for organising projects How to make sure you understand what your 'client' really wants A set of three simple tools to plan the project How to make decisions What to monitor when the project is running How to close the project 1 Introduction What is the aim of this programme? 2 Background thinking What is a project? The project manager's eternal triangle (cost-quality-time) What are the characteristics of successful projects? Who are the key characters in a project? What are the roles of a project manager? 3 The project process Why have one? 4 Project initiation What is the aim? Identifying key information Key skill: mission analysis Initial risk analysis Document and sign-off 5 Decision-making - 'Stop, Think, Act!' The 'Stop, Think, Act!' technique Recognise the opportunity to make a decision The 3 Cs - making sure we understand the decisions we have to make Identifying options Making your decision Taking it to action 6 Creativity 7 The planning stage Identify all discrete tasks Sequence and dependencies Time line - critical path Resources Project base-line 8 Execution stage - delivering the result Monitor Evaluate Adapt Control Review 9 The project close Review Documentation Have we delivered? What have we learned?
The work of a technical team is invariably challenging and often unpredictable. Definition of the work can be problematic, timescales can be hard to estimate and the right technical approach difficult to select. Staff involved in this type of work usually have very high levels of specialist knowledge in their field and have high expectations of those who lead them. In addition to the challenges of the work, the team leader often has to balance the need for professional excellence with financial and commercial considerations and to ensure that team goals are realistic by being an effective negotiator with other project and senior managers. These characteristics make technical team leadership a demanding and complex activity. This programme aims to help participants develop the skills needed to become an effective technical team leader. The objectives of this programme are to help participants: understand the significance of leadership skills and their impact on team performance review the key skills needed to be an effective, 'multi-dimensional' team leader and learn how to develop, adapt and apply them in practice learn how to identify the preferred leadership style for the context and organisational culture and how to develop personal style versatility understand the role of the project leader in building an effective team and the skills required to promote and sustain team performance gain a better understanding of the interpersonal skills needed to motivate individual team members and harness the full potential of the team DAY ONE 1 Technical teams and leadership What is a leader? How much can leadership be learned? The team environment and the impact of leadership skills The characteristics of high performance teams and their leaders Some useful models and theories of leadership explored Types of leadership; choosing how to use leadership power Evaluating personal leadership style; how to develop style flexibility 2 Essential skills for team leaders 3 key dimensions of effective leadership: inwards, outwards and upwards Developing and promoting a 'team vision': strategic thinking skills The vital role of communication skills and how to develop them Understanding others; emotional intelligence skills Being a visible leader; behavioural and influencing skills Building effective relationships; the importance of trust and respect DAY TWO 3 Leading inwards to build the team The role of leadership in developing team performance Understanding individuals in the team; recognising team role preferences Managing conflict and promoting positive team dynamics Setting standards, maintaining discipline and rewarding performance Harnessing team potential: building motivation within the team Promoting team learning; the team leader as coach / mentor 4 Leading outwards and upwards to support the team Negotiating realistic team goals; effective influencing skills Gaining empowerment and support from the key stakeholders Leading upwards: knowing when and how to take the initiative Building team credibility within the organisation; helping the team deliver Becoming an effective team player in leadership teams Building and maintaining rapport with influential stakeholders