1920 Courses

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

Develop the essential skills to begin your presentation journey. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Overview When surveyed about their greatest fears, many people cite public speaking as their first. Also, in today’s business world staff and management are expected more and more to present to an audience of some kind. Whether it’s holding a staff meeting, speaking at a business event, training or simply motivating a team, this requires continued development of presentation knowledge and skills. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to deliver confident, meaningful presentations that influence and inspire their audiences. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Design, develop and deliver a confident presentation Control nerves during training sessions Make presentations memorable and relevant for an audience, therefore improving the opportunity for influence Deal with questions and minimise the impact of difficult situations Content Presenting with Power Why presenting with power is important How to present with power How to improve your public speaking Setting up for Successful Presentations Techniques that will help prepare effectively How to anticipate problems with presenting How to apply techniques to prepare for successful presentation Dealing with Nerves Effective preparation techniques to manage stress How performance anxiety affects you How to implement a plan to successfully deliver a presentation

This workshop equips participants with essential tools for business planning, strategic partnerships, team building, and securing financial support, all crucial for successful business growth and development.

Every employee needs to have their performance managed and it is equally important to 'catch people doing something right

This course aims to increase and enhance delegates’ understanding of the various cyber threats which impact upon them and the organisations, sectors and regions in which they operate and provide them with the tools necessary to mitigate those threats at both a personal and organisational level. It assumes no prior knowledge of the subject but ensures through a high level of interactivity that delegates with any level of experience in the field will be able share and receive the collective knowledge of the group.

High quality specifications are of paramount importance in achieving the right technical performance and value for money. This long-established training programme has been developed to help those involved in producing specifications to create high quality documents in an organised and effective way. It provides a sound foundation for those new to the topic whilst at the same time offering new insights to those with more experience. The programme emphasises the need for a clear definition of requirements combined with the ability to communicate those requirements effectively to third parties. A structured method of preparing specifications is provided, and a range of practical techniques is presented, to enable participants to put the principles into practice. The commercial and contractual role of specifications is also addressed. The objectives of the workshop are to: Provide a clear understanding of the role and purpose of specifications Present a framework for organising and producing specifications Define the key steps involved in creating effective specifications Demonstrate methods for assisting in defining requirements Provide tools and techniques for scoping and structuring specifications Show the role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope Present methods to assist the writing and editing of specifications Review how specifications should be issued and controlled DAY ONE 1 Introduction Review of course objectives Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Creating effective specifications The role of specifications in communicating requirements The costs, benefits and qualities of effective specifications Understanding the differences between verbal and written communication The five key steps of 'POWER' writing: prepare-organise-write-edit-release Exercise: qualities of an effective specification 3 Step 1: Preparing to write - defining readership and purpose; the specification and the contract Designing the specifications required; applying BS 7373 Defining the purpose, readership and title of each document Effective procedures for writing, issuing and controlling specifications The roles and responsibilities of the key players Understanding contracts; the contractual role of the specification Integrating and balancing the technical and commercial requirements Writing specifications to achieve the appropriate contract risk strategy Deciding how to specify: when to use functional and technical specifications The role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope 4 Case study 1 Teams review a typical project scenario and identify the implications for the specification Feedback and discussion 5 Step 2: Organising the specification content Defining the need and establishing user requirements Deciding what issues the specification should cover Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming Clarifying priorities: separating needs and desires Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify Useful techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis 6 Case study 2 Teams apply the scoping techniques to develop the outline contents for a specification Feedback and discussion DAY TWO 7 Step 2: Organising the specification content (cont) Deciding what goes where; typical contents and layout for a specification The three main segments: introductory, key and supporting Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub-sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Tools and techniques for outlining and structuring specifications 8 Case study 3 Teams develop the detailed specification contents using a model form Feedback and discussion 9 Step 3: Writing the specification The challenges of written communication Identifying and understanding the readers needs Choosing and using the right words; dealing with jargon Problem words; will, shall, must, etc; building a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity Being concise and ensuring clarity Choosing and using graphics to best effect Exercises and examples 10 Step 4: Editing the specification Why editing is difficult; how to develop a personal editing strategy Key areas to review: structure, content, accuracy, clarity, style and grammar Editing tools and techniques 11 Step 5: Releasing and controlling the specification Key requirements for document issue and control Final formatting and publication issues; document approval Requirements management: managing revisions and changes 12 Course review and action planning What actions should be implemented to improve specifications? Conclusion

EQ is a pattern of how people's biases in their thinking leads them to think one choice or thing is better than another, as well as their clarity in differentiating within those biases to exercise clear and sound judgement. Where your thinking and responses lie within your biases spectrum, and your ability in adjusting to the situation you find yourself in, will determine responses equating to poor or strong Emotional Intelligence (EI). This course will enhance and promote the skill set necessary for any working leader or manager, allowing our in-depth emotional intelligence knowledge to be applied into your working environment. From an employer's perspective, this award can be a significant long-term return on investment by further developing your leaders and managers. What Does This Course Offer? Our program offers an EQ-SWOT™ assessment and EI Model in detail, and through activity and discussion we explore how applying and possibly adjusting, you may offer an improved Emotional Intelligence. Our learning experiences are successful because the outcomes are quickly embedded and demonstrate an immediate visible impact on the day-to-day working environment. Our engaging learning inspires employees to want to personally add value to the companies they work for. We also offer our Paradigm EQ-SWOT™ online assessment and report as a frame of reference within the program. This assessment should be completed before attending the program, and will be expanded upon during the program delivery. Course Content The Emotional Intelligence for Today’s Leadership and Management course covers the following topics: What makes EI so important within the workplace Self-Awareness and your EQ Profile The EQ unpacked Unconscious Bias & EI How to develop your EI quotient Accreditation Activity Our accredited tutors deliver training that encourages delegates to confidently and practically apply all they have learnt as soon as they get back into the business. To achieve this award, delegates need to prepare and deliver a 3 minute presentation* on the highlights of their learning and immediate application avenues when back in their working environment. *Participants will be given 30 minutes during the program to prepare for their 3 min presentation at the end of the program. Scheduled Course Dates Unfortunately this course is not currently scheduled as an open course as it is primarily run as an in-house programme. For more information, please contact us. In-House Courses This is our own management training course which has been developed and refined over the many years we have been providing it to delegates from organisations in virtually every industry. This means that the course syllabus is extremely flexible and can be tailored to your specific requirements. If you would like to discuss how we can tailor this management training course for you and/or run it at your premises, please contact us.

– the practical skills you need High levels of anxiety can be very debilitating – this workshop gives you important insights and a wide range of proven techniques to help reduce long-term anxiety, panic attacks, GAD and much more… Accredited CPD Certificate : 6 hours Length 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) Jo is incredibly adept at teaching this important subject, backed up with evidence and so many useful techniques. Thank youCATHERINE, FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER What will you learn Tried and tested psychological techniques for dealing with over-anxiety Why it’s important to distinguish between two fundamental kinds of anxiety – and methods for dealing with both How to recognise panic attacks and deal with them effectively The genetic factors that make some people more vulnerable to anxiety Ways to change a poor sleep pattern caused by anxiety New perspectives on what drives anxiety – including when its basis lies in trauma Why some people may dissociate (appear to ‘tune out’ or not be present) when very stressed, and what to do about it The three different components of anxiety – and why anxiety can get out of control How anxiety affects the body – and how the body affects anxiety Why people become hypervigilant – and how this can be reduced How to separate a person from their anxiety Five effective methods for bringing down physiological arousal very quickly – and safely Why social anxiety occurs and how to handle it Tips for reducing anxiety in those with additional conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, bipolar and borderline personality disorder What happens in the brain when we become anxious – insights from neuroscience How guided imagery speeds up treatment for high anxiety plus special tips for using it with clients suffering from over-anxiety How stories can complement therapy for anxiety A range of new skills and techniques for reducing severe anxiety, with plenty of opportunity to practise them yourself on the day Very useful - lots of practical new anxiety management techniquesCOUNSELLOR Why take this course More and more people’s lives are being blighted by anxiety, causing distress to all involved. The anxiety may have initially been focused on realistic, understandable concerns – such as financial difficulties, health, job insecurity or unemployment, relationship problems (particularly complex in blended families) or fears about the future in an increasingly uncertain world – but has spiralled out of control. Or it may have no clear cause and manifests as an ever-present feeling of being ‘wired’, tense or vulnerable, very often accompanied by out-of-control thoughts. The person may be hypervigilant, unable to relax and highly miserable. Left unaddressed, chronic anxiety can also badly affect sleep and physical, as well as mental, health. The good news is there’s much that we can do to reduce this suffering. This highly practical course focuses on giving you the key information and practical skills you need to lower anxiety levels and help people manage their own anxiety better. It concentrates on generalised anxiety (including generalised anxiety disorder – GAD), social anxiety and panic attacks, but also addresses how to handle anxiety that is a feature of conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD and bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Good to know This day complements the Online Course: ‘Understanding anxiety – and managing it without drugs’ Trauma, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders are dealt with on separate practical skills training days (see “The Rewind Technique – Effective treatment for trauma (PTSD) and phobias” and “Obsessive compulsive disorder – understanding OCD and how best to treat it.”) Course Programme The ‘How to Control Chronic Anxiety’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am Understanding the causes, indications and impacts of chronic anxiety 11.00am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.30am Approaches to help overcome difficulties with anxiety 1.00pm Lunch (included) 1.45pm Anxiety and associated conditions 3.00pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.15pm Using guided imagery and mental rehearsal 4.00pm Day ends Who is this course suitable for? Anyone who works with or treats people who may be highly anxious – such as psychotherapists, counsellors, health and social care professionals, educators and individuals working in a variety of capacities in any number of organisations. The course will also provide valuable understanding and practical help for anyone struggling to deal with their own chronic anxiety or for those in relationships or families affected by chronic anxiety.* The day offers the chance to gain life skills of benefit to everyone. * Please Note: This course is not a substitute for individual therapy but there are lots of techniques that anyone suffering from anxiety can take away and use themselves. This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Learn the basics of financial awareness and better understand the language used by accountants and how financial statements fit together within organisations. Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours)  This workshop will provide participants with a grasp of basic financial awareness, to help them to better understand the language used by accountants and how financial statements fit together. Training is done in a jargon-free way that is aimed building attendees’ confidence in using financial terms and concepts within their organisation.  Competent financial management has many aspects, it is wide reaching and requires multiple skills but if participants work to become organised and effective in planning, these skills can be easily acquired. There is a misconception that to be a good operational manager dealing with financial decisions people must be accounting or numerical geniuses. There are basic skills that attendees can easily learn that will support them in those areas.  Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify the importance of financial management and its impact Identify the link between financial information and decision making Set, manage, monitor and review budgets Analyse financial statements Demonstrate the link between the statements, budgets and decision making. Content Financial Management Budgeting process (generic / client specific if possible) Forecasting and re forecasting process The need for accurate forecasting Accrual v cash accounting revisited Financial Objectives of the business Users of the accounts Financial Tools Depreciation and Amortisation Accruals and Prepayments Deferred and Accrued Income Costs, Opex and Capex Financial Statements The Income Statement The Balance Sheet Understanding capital employed The relationship between balance sheet and income statement The cash flow statement Profitability: gross, operating and net margins Review of client’s management information reports Building the Business Case Break even analysis Discounted Cash Flow Discount factors Net Present Value (NPV) Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Learn the skills, knowledge and have the confidence to tackle difficult conversations in a productive way. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Do you worry about how to give negative feedback or deal with performance issues? Are you concerned about giving bad news? This workshop is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle these scenarios in a productive way. If you are a people manager, team leader or supervisor looking to make those challenging conversations less stressful and more effective, this workshop is for you. Lots of practical sessions will ensure you have the opportunity to relate your learning to your real life work situations. The one day session will use professional actors in the afternoon so that you can practice handling real-life challenging conversations. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Deal with a wide range of challenging conversations Describe the preferred behavioural style for giving feedback State the most appropriate influencing technique to use in your situations Explain how to give successful constructive feedback Content What are challenging conversations What type of challenging conversations occur? Why do we find them challenging? Communication Practical exercise to demonstrate and act as a refresher of the fundamentals of communication Barriers to communication especially in a difficult discussion Choosing the right behavioural style Refresher of assertiveness and why it is important in this context Practical exercise demonstrating how behaviour breeds behaviour, and the impact of choosing an inappropriate style Steps to using assertive behaviour Influencing Cialdini’s model for influence How to use influencing techniques in handling challenging conversations Practical application Feedback Understanding feedback – positive vs. negative Using the ABCBC model for feedback Using the basics of emotional intelligence to give effective feedback Practical application Practical Activities Professional actors will work with you in small groups in the afternoon to practice real-life challenging conversations.