This very practical one-day IACCM-approved programme enables participants to manage the process of commercial contracting and contract management effectively and efficiently to ensure value for money, improved service, and appropriate relationships. It covers a wide range of contract types in terms of risk and value. The programme empowers participants with the tools and techniques needed to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Understand the total process of managing contracts Exploit opportunities to extract even more added value Develop appropriate relationships with contractors Understand and use a range of contracting strategies and options Measure and improve contract performance Understand the impact of legislation on contract performance 1 Welcome Introductions Aims and objectives Plan for the day 2 Contract management An overview of the contracting process, mapping the 'territory' 3 Contract managers Skills Knowledge Attributes Responsibilities 4 Critical success factors Defining successful outcomes Effective stakeholder engagement Creating a shared vision of the outcomes 5 Placing contracts How to develop an effective specification and scope of work documents How to develop a robust contracting strategy Appropriate types of contract 6 Customers and stakeholders Customer and stakeholder analysis Managing expectations and the 'shared vision' concept to ensure customer co-operation, satisfaction, and delight 7 Working with suppliers Creating and developing commercial relationships Types of relationship How to manage difficult relationships Contractor motivational issues How to use incentives 8 Negotiation and related skills Introduction to key negotiation skills Persuading and influencing skills to work with stakeholders to improve outcomes for all 9 Dealing with change Claims and variations How to challenge contractor claims and requests for variations by making use of contractual terms Specifications to prevent false claims 10 Performance improvement How to measure and improve contractor performance Developing KPI systems Using contractual terms and conditions and basic legal principles 11 Contract close The importance of effective contract close processes 12 Close Review of key learning points Personal action planning
The aim of this programme is to help attendees create better quality technical documents in an organised and efficient manner. It will give those new to the topic an appreciation of how to approach the task professionally whilst those with more experience will be able to refresh and refine their skills. The programme comprises three complementary one-day modules: The programme presents a structured methodology for creating technical documents and provides a range of practical techniques that help delegates put principles into practice. Although not essential, it is strongly advised that delegates for modules 2 and 3 have already attended module 1, or another equivalent course. Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. This course will: Explain the qualities and benefits of well written technical documents Present a structured approach for producing technical documents Review the essential skills of effective technical writing Demonstrate practical methods to help create better documents Provide tools and techniques for specification and report writing Review how technical documents should be issued and controlled Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. Module 1: Essential skills for technical writers 1 Introduction to the programme Aims and objectives of the module Introductions and interests of participants 2 Creating effective technical documents What is technical writing? how does it differ from other writing? Key qualities of an effective technical document Communication essentials and the challenges faced by technical writers The lessons of experience: how the best writers write The five key steps : prepare - organise - write - edit - release (POWER) 3 Preparing to write Defining the document aims and objectives; choosing the title Understanding technical readers and their needs Getting organised; planning and managing the process Integrating technical and commercial elements The role of intellectual property rights (IPR), eg, copyright 4 Organising the content The vital role of structure in technical documents Deciding what to include and how to organise the information Categorising information: introductory, key and supporting Tools and techniques for scoping and structuring the document Creating and using document templates - pro's and con's 5 Writing the document Avoiding 'blinding them with science': the qualities of clear writing Problem words and words that confuse; building and using 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 Using diagrams and other graphics; avoiding potential pitfalls 6 Editing and releasing the document Why editing is difficult; developing a personal editing strategy Some useful editing tools and techniques Key requirements for document issue and control Module 2: Creating better specifications 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the day Introductions and interests of participants The 'POWER' writing process for specifications 2 Creating better specifications The role and characteristics of an effective specification Specifications and contracts; the legal role of specifications Deciding how to specify; understanding functional and design requirements Developing the specification design; applying the principles of BS 7373 Getting organised: the key stages in compiling an effective specification 3 Preparing to write a specification Defining the scope of the specification; deciding what to include and what not Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming The why/what/how pyramid; establishing and understanding requirements Clarifying priorities; separating needs and desires: the MoSCoW method Useful quantitative techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify 4 Organising the content The role of structure in specifications Typical contents and layout for a specification What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 Writing the specification Identifying and understanding the specification reader Key words: will, shall, must; building and using a glossary Writing performance targets that are clear and unambiguous Choosing and using graphics Exercise: writing a specification 6 Editing and releasing the document Key editing issues for specifications Issue and control of specifications Module 3: Writing better reports 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the day Introductions and interests of participants The 'POWER' technical writing process for technical reports 2 Creating better reports What is a technical report? types and formats of report The role and characteristics of an effective technical report Understanding technical report readers and their needs The commercial role and impact of technical reports Getting organised: the key stages in compiling a technical report 3 Preparing to write reports Agreeing the terms of reference; defining aims and objectives Being clear about constraints; defining what is not to be included Legal aspects and intellectual property rights (IPR) for reports Preparing the ground; gathering information and reference documents Keeping track of information: note making, cataloguing and cross referencing Tools and techniques for developing a valid and convincing argument 4 Organising the content The role of structure reviewed; some typical report structures Who needs what: identifying the varied needs of the readership What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 Writing the report Planning the storyline: the report as a journey in understanding Recognising assumptions about the reader; what they do and don't know Converting complex concepts into understandable statements Presenting technical data and its analysis; the role of graphics Presenting the case simply whilst maintaining technical integrity Exercise: writing a technical report 6 Editing and releasing the report Key editing issues for technical reports Issue and control of technical reports
The ability to influence others is a life skill but also one that has never been so critically useful at work. This one day workshop will set you on the road to discover what you need to be able to think and do that will help you take people with you. This involves learning some new tools and strategies that fit the situation you are in and making sure you use the right skills and behaviours to influence well, whether it is a single person or a room full of cynical expectant people! This workshop will enable you to: Learn about and understand influencing styles and strategies available and formulate plans and ideas on how to use them in influencing situations Understand which skills and behaviours to use to be the most effective influencer Have greater confidence in situations where they need to influence someone Use thinking, speaking and behavioural techniques that enable influencing to be effective and positive Review and evaluate learning and have an action plan to take back and implement in the workplace 1 Welcome, introductions & getting to know you and why you are here Course objectives 2 Personal objectives Introducing a learning diary 3 Gallery exercise - using images of exemplars brought by participants Plenary discussion The skills and behaviours of an exemplar influencer 4 Group task - what does your self-evaluation say? Discussion and conclusions 5 Influencing - what is it? - why do we need it? The current organisational landscape including values and behaviours the influencer operates in 6 Pit Stop - 'pull / push', 'the lost horse' and 'talking at' 7 Direct / support / delegate / coach: the different choices and approaches to choose from 8 Updating the learning diary 9 Power and types of power - its impact on influencing ability and approach and what is within your control Group task and discussion 10 The 5 influencing styles tool Series of tasks and exercises Drilling down to a personal action plan for maximising influence 11 'The person with the most flexibility has the most influence' Skills and behaviours for effective influencing Exercises and techniques that develop skills for influencing 12 Review and evaluation Action planning
Some people naturally possess an ability to sell and others over time develop their own style. We have created a highly practical course to give you the confidence and ability to sell over the phone or face to face. We focus the exercises, theory and discussion on your own job role and experiences to ensure you can return to the workplace to deliver tangible results. This 2-day course is designed for individuals who are new to selling, those in a sales role but have not received any formal training, or professionals who would like to brush up and enhance their current selling skills and learn some new techniques. Course Syllabus The syllabus of the Essential Selling Skills course is comprised of seven modules, covering the following: Module One Understanding the Customer The importance of good customer care Selling vs. selling attitude The reasons people buy Adopting a positive approach Module Two Self-Awareness Understanding your selling style Adapting your selling style to your customer Understanding your customers buying style Module Three Effective Communication and Rapport Building Why does communication need to be effective? Actively listening to your customers' needs Right question at the right time The impact of positive and emotive language Module Four Taking a Consultative Approach Different styles of selling Taking a consultative approach to selling Preparation techniques Buyer behaviour and motivation A selling approach to match the buyers mind Module Five Presenting the Solution Selling the benefits Sales tool kit Unique sales points Advanced questioning techniques Module Six Gaining Commitment Recognising and acting upon buying signals Dealing with customers concerns No means no? How to cope in stressful situations Module Seven Confirming the Sale Confirming or closing? Effective confirming techniques Going the extra mile Benefits For you as an individual This course will increase your confidence and ability to sell, having provided you with tools and techniques to achieve maximum results. Delegates always leave with fresh ideas, energy and motivation to succeed. For an employer The attitude of the delegates and the results they deliver will speak for themselves. All techniques are easy to apply back into the workplace for an immediate impact. What will I learn? By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Appreciate the need for preparation before a sales appointment Effectively identify and meet needs with advanced questioning techniques Identify verbal and non-verbal buying signals Construct professional answers to questions and possible objections Present your products and/or services with the buyer in mind Identify and use a selling style appropriate to capture the buyer's attention Recognise and overcome major objection types How to apply effective confirmation techniques with the buyer in mind Real Play Option We offer an innovative solution to engage the learners and bring real negotiation and closing scenarios to life. We use actors who improvise scenarios which have been specified by the group. The group is split the group into 2 sub-groups, one with the actor, the other with the trainer. Each group has a brief and has to instruct their trainer/actor on how to approach the scenario supplied. The actor and trainer perform the role play(s) as instructed by their respective teams; however during the action they can be paused for further recommendations or direction. The outcome is the responsibility of the team(s) - not the performers. Scheduled Courses This course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. For more information please contact us.
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for beginner to intermediate business and requirements analysts who are looking to improve their elicitation and requirements writing and documentation skills. This course is also a great fit for technical writers, product and software testers, project managers, product owners who work closely with business analysts or who perform some for of business analysis themselves. Overview Understand the role of the business analyst and core competencies for performing successfully Discuss the criticality of business analysis and requirements for successful project outcomes Understand the main professional associations and standards supporting business analysts in the industry Discuss the common problems with requirements and explore approaches to address these issues Obtain a clear understanding of the various requirements types and the significance for eliciting each type Demonstrate your ability to identify stakeholders Explore various methods for understanding and analyzing stakeholders Discuss and apply good planning practices to requirements elicitation efforts Obtain knowledge and understanding of over 15 current and commonly applied elicitation techniques Understand how to progress from elicitation to analysis to documentation Write well-formed and validated requirements Gain understanding of the best practices for writing quality requirements Learn the technical writing techniques that apply directly to writing requirements documents Discuss writing pitfalls, risks that impact requirements, and how to address them Learn best practices for communicating and collaborating with stakeholders, sharing the results of elicitation and the resulting documentation Learn approaches for validating requirements Understand the difference between validating requirements and validating the solution With elicitation serving as a major component of the requirements process, it is imperative that business analysts maintain high competency levels in elicitation practices and technique use to help organizations overcome the requirements related challenges faced on projects. Regardless whether you are a practitioner just starting off your career in business analysis or whether you have been performing the role for some years, this course will provide insight into the latest thoughts on elicitation and writing effective requirements and present a number of current techniques that are being applied on projects across industries today. Review of Foundational Concepts Definition of a business analysis Definition of business analyst BA role vs. PM role Business analysis competencies Benefits of business analysis Purpose for having a BA standard IIBA?s BABOK© Guide and PMI?s Practice Guide in Business Analysis Business analysis core concepts Discussion: Project challenges Understanding Requirements Common problems with requirements Understand the problem first Define the business need Situation statements and moving to requirements Understanding requirement types Business requirements Stakeholder/User Requirements Solution Requirements Functional Requirements Non-Functional Requirements Assumptions and Constraints Discussions: Requirement problems, business needs, and identifying non-functional requirements Discovering Stakeholders Definition of a stakeholder Stakeholder types Identifying stakeholders Performing stakeholder analysis Stakeholders and requirements Tips for identifying stakeholders Grouping stakeholders Creating a RACI model Tips for analyzing stakeholders Documenting results of stakeholder analysis Workshop: Discovering stakeholders Preparing for Requirements Elicitation Planning for elicitation Benefits of elicitation planning What do you plan? The elicitation plan Setting objectives for elicitation Determining the scope for elicitation Establishing pre-work Determining the outputs for the session The iterative nature of elicitation Elicitation roles Elicitation planning techniques Discussions: Who to involve in elicitation, planning impacts, and unplanned elicitation Workshop: Planning for elicitation Conduct Requirements Elicitation Elicitation skillset Types of elicitation techniques Using active listening in elicitation Techniques for performing elicitation Benchmarking/Market Analysis Brainstorming Business Rules Analysis Collaborative Games Concept Modeling Data Mining Data Modeling Document Analysis Focus Groups Interface Analysis Interviews Observation Process Modeling Prototyping Survey or Questionnaire Workshops Write Effective Requirements Elicitation and Analysis Requirements related issues Implications of bad requirements Elicitation and documentation Writing skillset Documenting requirements Modeling requirements Defining the project life cycle Impact of project life cycle on documentation Requirements specifications Characteristics of good requirements Guidelines for writing textual requirements Structuring a requirement Writing pitfalls Traceability Requirements attributes Risks associated to requirements Discussions: Project Life Cycle and Correcting Poorly Written Requirements Workshops: Documenting Requirements and Identify Characteristics of Good Requirements Confirm and Communicate Elicitation Requirements Business analysis communication Requirements communication Communication skills The 7 Cs Timing of communication Planning communication Importance of Collaboration Planning collaboration Documenting communication/collaboration needs Confirming elicitation results Verify requirements Characteristics of good requirements (revisited) Requirements checklist Requirements validation Signing off on requirements Discussions: Responsibility for Communication, Eliciting Communication Needs, Validation Signoff Workshops: Communicating Requirements and Obtaining Signoff Evaluate the Solution Business analyst role in solution evaluation Why solutions under perform What we are looking for in solution evaluation When does solution evaluation occur Performing solution evaluation Planning solution evaluation Metrics that might exist Evaluating long term performance Qualitative vs. quantitative measures Tools & techniques used in solution evaluation Comparing expected to actuals When solution evaluation discovers a variance Tools/techniques for analyzing variances Proposing a recommendation Communicating results of solution evaluation Discussion: Addressing Variance Wrap up and Next Steps Useful books and links on writing effective requirements BABOK© Guide Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide Additional course details: Nexus Humans BA04 - Eliciting and Writing Effective Requirements training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the BA04 - Eliciting and Writing Effective Requirements course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.
Introduction to International Trade This module provides a foundational understanding of the development and significance of international trade, focusing on the UK's trade strategy and its global role. Participants will explore key topics such as trade definitions, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the evolution of customs, and major post-WW2 trade developments. Additionally, the module covers the UK's entry into and exit from the EU, and the current UK Digital Strategy for International Trade. **Agenda Highlights**: - Definitions and importance of international trade - Overview of the WTO - Customs fundamentals - Post-WW2 global trade growth - Impact of EU membership and Brexit - UK Digital Strategy for international trade growth
Training & Networking - TikTok: time to get your Gen Z on! This session is suitable for mid to senior level fundraisers with strategic responsibility, either with or overseeing specialisms in individual giving and social fundraising, and for sole operators covering both comms and fundraising functions for their charities. Synopsis: Z are deemed a mystery to many of us. What are they passionate about? What makes them tick? And most importantly, how can you reach them, and turn them into loyal supporters? In this session, we’ll de-mystify this elusive group of donors, and look at strategies for how charities can and do successfully engage them. And as the name suggests, we’ll of course be looking at one of the world’s fastest growing channels, TikTok - and what your charity can do to add value, demonstrate impact and most importantly of all, inspire action amongst young people. Presented by Rebs Curtis-Moss: For the last fifteen years, Rebs has worked with some of the biggest charities in the UK and Scotland in a range of strategic digital engagement, social media and fundraising roles. Most recently, they’ve worked with the RNLI as Senior Social Media Manager, and with Shelter as their Social Media Manager. They now work as a Consultant, offering a wide range of consultancy, training and content creation services for charities of all sizes.
Duration 4.125 Days 24.75 CPD hours This course is intended for The job roles best suited to the material in this course are: Project managers and consultants involved in business continuity Expert advisors seeking to master the implementation of the business continuity management system Individuals responsible to maintain conformity with BCMS requirements within an organization Members of the BCMS team Overview Understand the concepts, approaches, methods, and techniques used for the implementation and effective management of a BCMS. Learn how to interpret and implement the requirements of ISO 22301 in the specific context of an organization. Understand the operation of the business continuity management system and its processes based on ISO 22301. Learn how to interpret and implement the requirements of ISO 22301 in the specific context of an organization. No two disasters in the world cause equal damage. Between the unpredictability of natural disasters, information security breaches, and incidents of different nature, preparedness can make you stand out in the crowd and predict the future of your business. In light of this, proper planning is essential to mitigating risks, avoiding consequences, coping with the negative effects of disasters and incidents, but at the same time, continuing your daily operations so that customer needs do not remain unfulfilled.This training course will prepare its participants to implement a business continuity management system (BCMS) in compliance with the requirements of ISO 22301. Attending this training course allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the best practices of the business continuity management system and to be able to establish a framework that allows the organization to continue operating efficiently during disruptive events Introduction to ISO 22301 and initiation of a BCMS Training course objectives and structure Standards and regulatory frameworks Business continuity management system (BCMS) Fundamental business continuity concepts and principles Initiation of the BCMS implementation Understanding the organization and its context BCMS scope Implementation plan of a BCMS Leadership and commitment Business continuity policy Risks, opportunities, and business continuity objectives Support for the BCMS Business impact analysis Risk assessment Implementation of a BCMS Business continuity strategies and solutions Business continuity plans and procedures Incident response and emergency response Crisis management Exercise programs Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation Internal audit BCMS monitoring, continual improvement, and preparation for the certification audi Management review Treatment of nonconformities Continual improvement Preparation for the certification audit Closing of the training course
Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours This course is intended for Data Protection Officers IT Managers and Administrators Records Managers System Developers IT Security specialist Anyone who builds and develops IT systems Overview Critical data protection concepts and practices that impact IT Consumer data protection expectations and responsibility How to bake privacy into early stages of IT products and services for cost control, accuracy and speed-to-market How to establish data protection practices for data collection and transfer How to preempt data protection issues in the Internet of Things How to factor data protection into data classification and emerging tech such as cloud computing, facial recognition and surveillance How to communicate data protection issues with partners such as management, development, marketing and legal The Principles of Privacy in Technology training is the how to course on privacy and data protection practices in the development, engineering, deployment and auditing of IT products and services. Those taking the course will develop an understanding of privacy-related issues and practices in the context of the design and implementation of information and communication technologies and systems. The training is based on the body of knowledge for the IAPP?s ANSI accredited Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) certification program. Fundamentals of information privacy Reviewing the modern history of privacy Foundational privacy concepts Data protection roles and fair information practices Exploring the impacts of privacy and data protection regulations on information management Privacy in the IT environment Compliance requirements IT risks Stakeholder privacy expectations Differentiating between privacy and security Core privacy concepts Foundational elements for embedding privacy in IT Common privacy principles Data protection by design and default Privacy considerations in the information life cycle Privacy considerations throughout the stages of the information life cycle Privacy in systems and applications Examining the risks inherent in the IT environment and options for addressing them Identity and access management Credit card information and processing Remote access BYOD and telecommuting Data encryption Additional privacy-enhancing technologies in the enterprise environment Privacy techniques Strengths and weaknesses of authentication techniques Using identifiers Privacy by design Online privacy issues Unique challenges that come from online privacy issues Laws and regulations Online threats Social media E-commerce Tracking technologies Web security protocols Technologies with privacy considerations Privacy considerations associated with a variety of technologies Cloud computing Wireless IDs Location-based services ?Smart? technologies Video/data/audio surveillance Biometric recognition
This award introduces the critical concepts associated with AI and explores its relationship with the systems and processes that make up the digital ecosystem. It explores how AI can empower organisations to utilise Big Data through the use of Business Analysis and Machine Learning, and encourages candidates to consider a future vision of the world that is powered by AI.