1978 Concept courses in Belfast delivered Live Online

This is an online course sat at your own pace to introduce you to clinical coaching. During the course we will go into the concept of training a student, learning methods, tutorial techniques, safeguarding and how to use the Central Skills Log (CSL). The course is open for 2 months. Once completed we can then arrange access to the CSL for one of Abbeydale’s students.

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Una is a Rights Agent at Susanna Lea Associates and am starting to build a client list. She grew up in London and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in English in 2021. At university, Una was particularly interested in contemporary West African and South Asian literature. She started as an agent's assistant at SLA London in 2022 and now handles some translation rights and provides support with editorial work and submissions. Una's favourite reads always set her at ease right away and draws her in with impressive and accessible storytelling, memorable characters or an original hook. Una enjoys writing which expands her worldview, makes her laugh out loud or keeps her on her toes with its twists and turns. She welcomes submissions from debut authors and would be keen to read across a wide range of genres and styles. She is looking for literary, upmarket and book club fiction, and is always drawn to stories that explores the challenges and complexities of love and relationships in all its forms —within families, between friends or in romantic relationships. Una loves the way in which familial relationships are dissected in The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright and the impact of the local community in Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson. She is always drawn to novels with a strong sense of community, whether they are unified by geography, culture, or in other unexpected ways. Una has always loved reading international and translated fiction and welcomes submissions from authors writing contemporary fiction that engages with cultures and traditions from around the world, such as in voices of the deities in Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi or the subversive tales of Sayaka Murata. She is not looking for children’s or YA titles, science fiction or high-concept fantasy, but is open to submissions from authors writing in the speculative fiction space, and books with fantastical or otherworldly elements, be that magical realism or supernatural horror, such as Mona Awad's campus novel with a twist, Bunny. Una would also love to read more writing that engages with the natural world and reminds us of the limitations of human understanding. In non-fiction, Una enjoys books that furthers her understanding of wider societal issues — nature and the environment, culture, and little-known history. Her recent non-fiction favourites are Eve by Cat Bohannon, Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein and Unearthed by Claire Ratinon. Una would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Una is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 20th August 2025

Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is aimed at people in senior roles including CIOs, chief digital officers and other aspiring CxOs, as well as consultants and others involved in digital transformations, service delivery and strategic delivery. Overview By the end of this course, you will understand: The internal and external factors to consider while crafting digital strategy How IT strategy differs from digital strategy and how they can be integrated Creating a digital strategy that achieves the most value from digital Implementing and sustaining digital strategy Developing and nurturing digital capabilities for continual business innovation and value co-creation This course takes you on a digital strategy journey. Its iterative, eight-step model moves from ?vision? through to ?actions? and is about creating sustainable, digital momentum. You experience the four key capabilities to develop a holistic, digital capability framework: digital leadership, managing innovation and emerging technologies, risk management and structuring a digital enterprise. This class includes an exam voucher. Prerequisites Delegates attending this course must have successfully achieved the ITIL 4 Foundation Qualification; your certificate must be presented as documentary evidence to gain admission to this course. Although there is no mandatory requirement, ideally candidates should have at least two years professional experience working in IT Service Management. 1 - ITIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO ALL ASPECTS OF DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY Focus on Value Start Where You Are Progress Iteratively with Feedback Collaborate and Promote Visibility Think and Work Holistically Keep It Simple and Practical Optimise and Automate 2 - LEVERAGE DIGITAL STRATEGY TO REACT TO DIGITAL DISRUPTION Digital Technology Digital Business Digital Organisation Digitisation Digital Transformation Business Strategy and Business Models Digital and IT Strategy Products Services Relationship Between Digital, IT Strategy and Components of ITIL SVS. 3 - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONCEPTS OF DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY, SERVICE VALUE SYSTEM AND SERVICE VALUE CHAIN Environmental Analysis External Analysis: PESTLE Internal Analysis: Four Dimensions of Service Management 4 - HOW AN ORGANISATION USES DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY TO REMAIN VIABLE IN ENVIRONMENTS How an Organisation?s Viability is Related to Agile, Resilient, Lean, Continuous and Co-Creational it is How to Analyse the VUCA Factors and Address them in a Digital and IT Strategy Organisation?s Position in a Particular Market or Industry Digital Positioning Tool to Determine Appropriate Position for a Digital Organization 5 - EXPLAIN AND COMPARE THREE LEVELS OF DIGITAL DISRUPTION Ecosystem Industry/Market Organisational Influenced factors Achieving Customer/Market Relevance Achieving Operational Excellence Internal and External Focus Balanced Approach 6 - STRATEGIC APPROACHES BY DIGITAL AND IT TO ACHIEVE CUSTOMER/MARKET RELEVANCE AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE How to Apply Approaches to Achieve Customer/Market Relevance Customer Journeys Omnichannel Delivery and Support Context-Sensitive Delivery and Support Customer Analytics Customer Feedback and 360ø Approaches How to Achieve Operational Excellence in the Four Dimensions of Service Management Understand the Financial Aspects of Digital and IT Strategy in Terms of the Following Financial Policies Portfolio Optimization Funding Projects, Products and Services Balancing Cost of Innovation and Operation Charging Models Assess Strategic Approaches for Digital Organizations 7 - RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY Concept of Risk Management in the Context of a Digital Organisation Context of Digital and IT Strategy Identify Risk Assess Risk Concept of Risk Posture and Show How to Determine an Acceptable Balance Between Opportunity and Risk Explain the Concept of Innovation, Including its Key Elements and Techniques Apply Techniques to Develop and Maintain a Culture of Innovation 8 - STEPS AND TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN DEFINING AND ADVOCATING FOR DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY How to Use Digital Readiness Assessment to Perform Gap Analysis Between an Organisation?s Current and Desired Positions Approaches for Scraping Data from Dynamic Websites How to Define and Communicate a Vision and a Strategy How to Use Business Cases to Advocate for a Digital and IT Strategy 9 - IMPLEMENTATION OF A DIGITAL AND IT STRATEGY How to Define Operating Models for Digital Organisations Major Skills Required of Leaders in Digital Organisation Apply Approaches to Strategy Coordination and Implementation: Large-Scale Transformation Incremental Transformation Mergers and Acquisitions Individual Changes Approaches to POMs (Parallel Operating Models) How to Assess Success of a Digital and IT Strategy Typical Activities of a Digital Transformation Programme

LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy.  Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears. At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Laura is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 10th September 2025

LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, ADULT FICTION, ADULT NON-FICTION, NON-FICTION FOR 7+ Megan Carroll is looking for writers in a variety of areas, and from a wide range of backgrounds – she is particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ writers. Her main areas of focus this year are adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as non-fiction for 7+, and MG and YA fiction. In Fiction, Megan is keen to see high-concept love stories (think The Flat Share or The Lock In) for both commercial and reading group readers. She’d love to see those familiar romance tropes – enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forbidden love etc. – with underrepresented characters at the centre. She is also looking for historical fiction and gothic horror (think Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls and Silvia Moreno-Garcia) – anything that has a creepy, uneasy undertone is likely for Megan’s list. Megan is also actively looking for upmarket fiction and would love to see layered family drama, contemporary stories about life today and darkly comic novels that explore a specific time, place or experience. In Non-Fiction, Megan is keen to hear from experts in their field talking about topics relating to film, music, true crime, popular culture, history and issues from largely unrepresented perspectives. She is keen to see memoir, narrative non-fiction and essay collections. In Children’s and YA, she is keen to see contemporary YA with humour, and romance at the heart – fun and emotional stories that appeal to the interests and issues of the teenage readers. She’d also love to see thrillers and horror stories for this age group too. It’s unlikely that high fantasy novels for YA readers will be right for her, but she is keen to see stories with fantasy elements in a real world setting. On the younger end, Megan is looking for funny, contemporary middle grade – think Louise Rennison and Karen McCombie – and anything creepy and spooky for 8-12 year old readers too. She’d love to find something like Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and is keen to find original adventure stories in both fantasy and realistic settings. Megan would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Megan is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Tuesday 26th August 2025 at 9am UK BST

Agile PM vs. Waterfall PM (Virtual) The concept of Agile project management refers to the use of a number of tools and techniques that are based on enabling project teams to deliver products to a predetermined and agreed timeline. The concept of Waterfall project management refers to the use of a number of tools and techniques that are based on enabling project teams to deliver products to a pre-determined and agreed specification. The selection of the most appropriate project management method has, historically, been a choice of 'either/or' when it comes to these two approaches. It is now becoming clear that for many projects, the selection of a single project management method does not satisfy the professionalism of the project team nor does it optimize the return on investment for the sponsoring organization. A radically different approach is needed. This course presents an approach to project management which capitalizes on the most appropriate elements of each method tailored to the specific project being undertaken. In this course, the Waterfall approach will be based on the PRINCE2 model. Each method will be presented to highlight its particular strategy and strengths. The course will then propose project scenarios which will require the project team to use a hybrid method which brings together aspects of both methods. The overall goal of the course is threefold: · To introduce the Waterfall approach to product development. · To introduce the Agile approach to product development. · To explore how a combination of both approaches can bring added value to the sponsoring organization and their customers.

LTE optimization training course description This course gives delegates an understanding of the Key Performance Indicators used within the 3G LTE (4G) network environment. We investigate the 3GPP standards for KPIs (including TR 32.814, TS 32.410 & TS 32.455) these cover GERAN, UMTS & LTE environments. The course details the optimisation procedures and the use of Self optimisation, Selforganising & Self-healing equipment now being deployed across all releases of mobile networks. What will you learn Explain the RF optimisation flowchart. Describe the importance of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP). List many of the 3GPP recommended KPIs. Describe the concept of APN AMBR and UE AMBR within LTE. Describe the use of planning and optimisation computer tools. LTE optimization training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with LTE. Prerequisites: Essential LTE Duration 2 days LTE optimization training course contents Introduction to the cellular environment The architecture, 2G (GSM), GPRS/EDGE, The NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Network), media gateway controller, 3GPP Rel99 the 3G introduction, HSPA deployments, 3G LTE (4G). Cellular network procedures GSM/GPRS call setup, GPRS data call setup, 3G UMTS data call setup, Data call (Voice over LTE) in LTE (using IMS), Circuit Switched Fall Back (CSFB) in LTE, IP packet session in LTE. Introduction to the standards The 3GPP specifications body, The numbering structure for KPIs, 2G KPIs, 3G/UMTS KPIs, 3G LTE KPIs, IMS KPIs. Introduction to the KPI definitions KPI definitions, accessibility KPIs, retainability KPIs, mobility KPIs, utilisation KPIs. In-depth overview of the air Interfaces GSM/GPRS FDMA & TDMA solution, 3G UMTS WCDMA solution, HSPA+ sharing spare power (Codes), The 3G LTE uplink & downlink interface explained, Initial attach procedures explained. Problem analysis Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), handover success rates, power adjustments, classification of coverage problems, weak coverage & coverage holes, lack of dominant cells, cross coverage, improper tilt settings, uplink/downlink imbalance, signal quality, Azimuths & tilts to reduce interference, Handover failure due to interference, Service drop causes. Mobile RF performance in 2G/3G Performance counters, KPIs, testing & measurement, Drive testing and survey, Data collection and post processing of data, LTE service optimization, bandwidth, poor coverage, Quality, optimization process, KPI optimization, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) applied to RF issues, optimization tools and software. Advanced LTE network planning & optimization LTE UE measurements (RSRP/RSRQ), LTE capacity planning, RF configuration parameters, LTE cell selection/reselection planning, LTE radio network KPIs, LTE user-centric KPIs, LTE network performance KPIs, LTE system utilization KPIs, LTE RF channel performance predictions, LTE channel information processing, LTE channel multiplexing, Physical layer and structure, MIMO in LTE, LTE resource plan LTE and Self-Organizing Networks (SON). Radio network optimization work flow Work flow, the existing network, Optimization team establishment and cluster division, Single site verification, Alarm check, Cell state check, Radio parameters check, Site verification, Statistics analysis, Coverage problem analysis. Mobile internet and QoS issues Cellular QoS reference models. How QoS impact on KPIs and measurements, Introduction to mobile internet, The concept of shared access technologies, Support for QoS in the WCDMA environment, The PDP context model, Supporting end-to-end QoS, EPS bearer concepts, Default EPS bearer, Dedicated EPS bearer, APN-AMBR, UE-AMBR.

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Marilia Savvides founded The Plot Agency in 2024. She began her career in publishing at Peters Fraser and Dunlop, where she spent eight years, first as International Rights Agent, and later as Literary Agent, building her own list of authors. In 2019, she joined 42MP, where she worked as Literary Agent for four years, helping to launch and set up the Book Division. She is particularly interested in fiction that is beautifully written and cleverly constructed, but still accessible to a wide readership. She is often drawn to darker tales that weave together excellent characters and an impossible-to-put-down story, from immersive book club novels with a splash of suspense, crime and thrillers, accessible horror, and speculative, genre-bending or dystopian stories. She also adores smart, witty contemporary rom-com in the style of Emily Henry. In the thriller, crime and mystery space she is interested in most areas, except military thrillers and organised crime/ mafia / mob stories. Big hooks and clever set ups are a big bonus! She adores Karin Slaughter (especially her standalone novels) and Gillian Flynn. In the book club / reading group space, she’s particularly drawn to fiction in the vein of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng, and absolutely fell in love with Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, both for the incredible voice, and the exquisite use of structure and time. Complicated family dynamics, empathetic and smart approaches to controversial issues, stand out protagonists (like Elizabeth Zott in Lessons in Chemistry or Bernadette in Where D’You Go Bernadette), long buried secrets, complicity, the road to justice, and impossible decisions, are all themes she finds herself drawn to. In the horror space, she’s a sucker for amazing female-centric stories in the vein of Yellowjackets, and the kind of contemporary, accessible horror that Stephen King always nails. She wants to get lost in a world that feels within reach of ours. In the speculative and dystopian spaces, she’s interested in genius ideas that set up big questions or reflect the most broken (and sometimes hidden) parts of society. She loves Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood, George Orwell, and also adored The Leftovers, Station Eleven, Wanderers, and The Power. The what-ifs of life and fiction fascinate her. In the grounded sci-fi space, she’d love to find a smart, immersive, and accessible story like The Martian. She doesn’t represent fantasy or romantasy. In regards to sci-fi, unless it’s very grounded and has crossover potential to a mainstream audience, it’s not for her. In the romance space, she’s particularly drawn to smart, complex and witty characters, where the chemistry is jumping off the page. She loves contemporary settings and all the tropes, though the voice and characters must come first to make the reading experience fully immersive. She wants to be cackling, and rooting for the characters with all her heart. She is very hands-on editorially, and loves working with her authors to shape their manuscripts, and brainstorm ideas. The best part of the job is discovering debut authors, and helping them find a home for their books. Marilia would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single Word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Marilia is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 13th August 2025

This is an online course sat at your own pace to introduce you to clinical coaching. As an Abbeydale training practice the cost of this course is including with the annual TP fee. During the course we will go into the concept of training a student, learning methods, tutorial techniques, safeguarding and how to use the Central Skills Log (CSL). The course is open for 2 months. Once completed we can then arrange access to the CSL for one of Abbeydale’s students.

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Liza represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. On the fiction side, she is looking for historical fiction that is well researched, immerses readers in the era, and looks at overlooked characters from the past, or perhaps gives a new spin on someone we think we know. On the literary and upmarket side, she is looking for novels infused with emotions that capture the human experience and make readers think. If your literary novel is something that A24 productions might turn into a movie, this is Liza’s taste. When it comes to fantasy, she loves urban and grounded fantasy (no sci-fi please!), and is always happy to look at anything with a vampire, werewolf, witches, warlocks, fairies, and perhaps a sinister selkie or two. She is also very much looking for romantasy and is the best person at the agency to submit that too. For thrillers, send her anything set in an exotic location, high-concept, or things with a speculative twist. She loves when characters are put in situations she would never want to be in, and then they have to get out of it. Her recent favourite fiction includes: Notes on an Execution, Lady Macbethad, Hamnet, A Discovery of Witches, House of Earth and Blood, The Starless Sea, Piranesi, Our Wives Under the Sea, The Pisces, Such A Fun Age. When it comes to non fiction, she is looking for books that teach her something new or reframe a topic from an alternative point of view. This can include cookery, pop science, and social history. Liza’s recent favourite non-fiction include: The Five, A History of Art Without Men, Messalina, The Authority Gap, Finding The Mother Tree, Cook This Book, Dessert Person. Liza would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 5000 words of your manuscript in a single word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Liza is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 27th August 2025