'Selling' doesn't work. You've got to help customers buy. And that means engaging with the customer in a positive way, showing that you understand their requirement and giving them confidence that your product or service is the best possible way of meeting that requirement. This may sound painless but there's more to it than meets the eye and it's all too easy to get it wrong. You need to follow a process. This programme will help participants: Understand 'how buyers buy' and align their selling activities accordingly Recognise the difference between 'latent pain' and 'active vision' opportunities Conduct effective pre-call planning and research Stimulate interest and establish credibility with your prospects Get prospects to share / admit high priority pain Engage in consultative dialogue that promotes the differentiating strengths of your offerings Gain access to 'power' people within an opportunity Effectively qualify and disqualify opportunities based on objective decision criteria Better control and manage sell cycles Improve their chances of winning competitive opportunities Shorten sales cycles and avoid 'no decision' Negotiate the steps leading to a successful sale 1 An introduction to selling Understanding the key points that encourage a customer to purchase from us The difference between consultative selling and a transactional sale Understanding the roles that trust and empathy play in a sale Understanding how tricks and manipulation can sink a sale Vital pre-meeting research that must take place before a conversation Understanding how the customer sees us and why positioning is important 2 Structuring the sales conversation process Defining a set process for structuring a sales call with a chance to demonstrate understanding How the first minute of a conversation can destroy a sale Understanding BPO objectives for a sale How a step-by-step sales conversation process helps win more sales Understanding the mis-match between the customers buying process How our sales processes can lead to mistakes 3 How and why people buy An insight into the emotional factors behind how people arrive at purchasing decisions Using research from neuroscience that shows how sales people can really make mistakes Understanding how people make decisions about larger purchases Understanding the stakeholders in companies and their buying motives How to analyse the stakeholders and determine a win-plan 4 Understanding the funnel Studying the sales and buying process to understand the ratios of sales to prospects and better forecasting Understanding the role of forecasting in sales analysis Why many forecasts are nearly always wrong Understanding the stages of a sales process How 'verifiable outcomes' can really change forecasting 5 Questioning techniques Understanding the different questioning techniques and when they should be used Using the 'knowledge tree' as a framework for questioning Understanding the use of real empathy to help customers uncover their needs How effective research can really empower your questions How to ask 'high gain' questions How to ask difficult questions without feeling intrusive 6 Features and benefits How to practically apply them in a sales scenario How to align the benefits to customers' business goals Really understanding the difference and how to demonstrate true economic benefits to a customer How to discover business goals, and align value propositions to these How to craft an effective value proposition for a customer Using the SAR storytelling method to really engage customers to align their thinking patterns Using the latest neuroscience research that explains what customers are really thinking 7 Overcoming objections How 'confirmation bias' can hinder any sales conversation How the CLARA method of responding to customer concerns can dramatically improve the chances of customers responding to us in a positive way Practising the method to become comfortable and congruent with it 8 Closing the sale A deep dive into what closing is How different sales have different closes How too many closing methods can destroy a sale How to lead up to a close with a logical sequence of questions Using the ACSAT trust method of closing A clear methodology with a chance to practise the skills in a fun way
Personal Tax Return and Self Assessment Accounting training Course Overview: Most self-employed people and directors of companies have to do submit a Tax Return every year. If you are a self-employed person you may learn how to do tax return yourself. As a result, you can save money by not having to pay an external agent. Don't forget You can also save more money as you will know more about how to apply for a tax rebate. According to statistics, more than 60% of taxpayers not sure how to do tax return correctly and lose money for not knowing how to apply for a tax rebate correctly. If you want to offer tax services to the general public, then skills in this sector can dramatically improve your job prospect or business prospect. How to do a tax return? Firstly, you need to be registered with HMRC to process your tax return. You should get a UTR (Unique Tax Reference) no, which is your personal identification no for tax purpose. Once you have details for all incomes and expenditure, you can submit them electronically to HMRC. The deadline for submitting a personal tax return is 31 January for the previous tax year. Apply for a Tax Rebate It is possible that you could be eligible for a tax rebate. The most possible scenarios are: When you pay more tax than required Submitting an incorrect tax return Claiming special Tax relief There could be many more reasons why should you get a tax refund. It is vital to know the scenarios under which you should apply for a tax rebate. Certificate of Attendance Identify the type(s) of returns that may be completed Understand the duties and responsibilities of a bookkeeper/tax agent when completing self-assessment tax returns Calculating the taxes on profits for Self Employed & on income for Employed individuals Understanding differences between Drawings & Dividends Introduction to UTR and NI Classes Understanding Tax Return submission procedures to HMRC (using 2 individual Scenarios) Analysing Class 2 & Class 4 NIC Analysing Personal Allowance Analysing Income from Self Employments Employment benefits Analysis Analysis of Car & Fuel benefits Analysis of savings and investment income and tax implications on them. Introduction to Capital Gains Tax analysis Introduction to Inheritance Tax Analysis Understanding the procedure for payment and administration of both tax and National Insurance Contributions
Personal Tax Return and Self Assessment training Course Most self-employed people and directors of companies have to do submit a Tax Return every year. If you are a self-employed person you may learn how to do tax return yourself. As a result, you can save money by not having to pay an external agent. Don't forget You can also save more money as you will know more about how to apply for a tax rebate. According to statistics, more than 60% of taxpayers not sure how to do tax return correctly and lose money for not knowing how to apply for a tax rebate correctly. If you want to offer tax services to the general public, then skills in this sector can dramatically improve your job prospect or business prospect. How to do a tax return Firstly, you need to be registered with HMRC to process your tax return. You should get a UTR (Unique Tax Reference) no, which is your personal identification no for tax purpose. Once you have details for all incomes and expenditure, you can submit them electronically to HMRC. The deadline for submitting a personal tax return is 31 January for the previous tax year. Apply for a Tax Rebate It is possible that you could be eligible for a tax rebate. The most possible scenarios are When you pay more tax than required Submitting an incorrect tax return Claiming special Tax relief There could be many more reasons why should you get a tax refund. It is vital to know the scenarios under which you should apply for a tax rebate. Identify the type(s) of returns that may be completed Understand the duties and responsibilities of a bookkeeper / tax agent when completing self-assessment tax returns Calculating the taxes on profits for Self Employed & on income for Employed individuals Understanding differences between Drawings & Dividends Introduction to UTR and NI Classes Understanding Tax Return submission procedures to HMRC (using 2 individual Scenarios) Analysing Class 2 & Class 4 NIC Analysing Personal Allowance Analysing Income from Self Employments Employment benefits Analysis Analysis of Car & Fuel benefits Analysis on savings and investment income and tax implications on them. Introduction to Capital Gains Tax analysis Introduction to Inheritance Tax Analysis Understanding the procedure for payment and administration of both tax and National Insurance Contributions
Kickstart or invigorate your mindfulness practice! Commit to joining a live guided meditation every morning for seven days.
Does your voice abandon you when you present? Do you find you become much less articulate and much less yourself when you are under the spotlight? Have you experienced brain freeze where you "umm" all the way through your presentation? Maybe you blush or your voice wavers. Presenting is a big source of pain for many of us. I've been there. For years, I hated presenting. I went all weird under the spot light and the best I could hope for was just to grit my teeth, force myself to do it and hope for the best. Mostly it was okay, pretty good, a couple of times it was downright traumatic! But sadly, because of my intense dislike of presenting I never felt that i did myself justice. What if I told you that I now relish the opportunity to express myself and my thinking? The bigger the audience, the better! I've done a complete 180 turnaround on giving presentations and I've been reflecting on why. In my next masterclass, I breakdown my 5 top insights that have transformed the way I think about giving presentations. And when you feel good about doing something, your performance improves dramatically. Whether it's presenting to real people in a real room, or presenting in your living room to a ton of people with their cameras off, my top tips and tools will help you find your natural and confident voice so that you can do yourself justice and maybe even start to enjoy the opportunity.
DATE: Tuesday 28th May TIME: 4pm LOCATION: Studio A Jordan Gifford is an up and coming writer, director and producer who will be coming in to give advice on looking for Freelance Film work. He will discuss his own burgeoning career, how he went from a runner to working in film locations, to being given the opportunity to produce his first feature film, all whilst also finding his own voice as a writer/director of dramatic short films. You will get the chance to ask him questions directly as well, and hear advice from someone who not too long ago was in your shoes exactly. Be sure to book in advance if you want to come along.
Professor Meredith A. Crowley, Professor of Economics at Cambridge University, will give the 2025 IFS Annual Lecture on "Trade Wars and the Future of Globalisation". The world enjoyed a dramatic fall in policy barriers to international trade and rising international integration of national markets throughout the 1990s and 2000s. However, since 2010, trade integration has stalled, with the global trade to GDP ratio hovering around 30 percent. Over the last fifteen years, the world has witnessed Britain’s exit from the EU, the 2018 US-China Trade War, major trade sanctions against Russia, and, most recently, the threat of broader American trade restrictions. This lecture will examine recent evidence on exporting firms in multiple countries and suggest new approaches to evaluating the price and welfare impacts of market fragmentation due to Brexit and the US-China Trade War. Meredith A. Crowley is a Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge, a Fellow of St. John’s College Cambridge, President of the International Economics and Finance Society, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR – London). Her research, focused on international trade, trade policy, and exchange rates has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the American Economic Review and the Journal of International Economics. She has appeared or been cited in over 100 print and broadcast media outlets including the BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times and National Public Radio (US). Prior to arriving at Cambridge in 2013, Crowley worked in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She has taught at Georgetown University, the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Nanjing University. She has presented her research at central banks and international institutions around the world, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. Crowley received her MPP from Harvard University and her PhD in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Course Overview This practical, one-day course is designed to equip participants with the essential skills, tools and confidence to effectively facilitate discussions, meetings, and workshops. Whether you're guiding a team brainstorming session, leading a stakeholder workshop, or managing a complex meeting, strong facilitation skills can dramatically improve outcomes and engagement. Participants will learn how to plan and structure sessions, manage group dynamics, keep discussions on track, and handle challenging behaviours—all while creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. The course combines theory with hands-on activities, group discussions, and real-world scenarios to build practical, transferable skills. Who Should Attend This course is ideal for: Project managers Team leaders and supervisors Business analysts Community engagement officers Policy officers Trainers and consultants Anyone responsible for leading meetings or workshops No prior facilitation experience is necessary. Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the role and mindset of an effective facilitator Plan and design structured facilitation sessions Use a range of facilitation tools and techniques to encourage participation Manage group dynamics, including difficult participants and off-topic conversations Apply active listening, summarising and questioning techniques Create safe, inclusive and engaging environments for diverse groups Maintain neutrality and guide discussions to achieve desired outcomes Course Content 1. Introduction to Facilitation What is facilitation? Key differences between facilitation, presentation and training The mindset of an effective facilitator 2. Planning for Success Clarifying session purpose and outcomes Structuring the session: openings, transitions, closings Selecting the right tools and approaches for your audience 3. Core Facilitation Techniques Questioning strategies (open, probing, clarifying) Active listening and reflection Encouraging balanced participation Visual facilitation basics (whiteboards, templates, sticky notes) 4. Managing Group Dynamics Reading the room and adapting your approach Handling dominant or disengaged participants Dealing with conflict or resistance constructively Techniques for decision-making and consensus-building 5. Practice and Feedback Facilitated role-plays and group exercises Constructive peer and trainer feedback Personal action planning Delivery Method This course is delivered in a highly interactive, face-to-face or virtual format. It includes a blend of short presentations, group work, facilitated discussions and hands-on activities to embed learning. Inclusions Comprehensive participant workbook and toolkit Facilitator guides and templates Certificate of completion Optional post-course coaching (available on request)
Course Overview This practical, one-day course is designed to equip participants with the essential skills, tools and confidence to effectively facilitate discussions, meetings, and workshops. Whether you're guiding a team brainstorming session, leading a stakeholder workshop, or managing a complex meeting, strong facilitation skills can dramatically improve outcomes and engagement. Participants will learn how to plan and structure sessions, manage group dynamics, keep discussions on track, and handle challenging behaviours—all while creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. The course combines theory with hands-on activities, group discussions, and real-world scenarios to build practical, transferable skills. Who Should Attend This course is ideal for: Project managers Team leaders and supervisors Business analysts Community engagement officers Policy officers Trainers and consultants Anyone responsible for leading meetings or workshops No prior facilitation experience is necessary. Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the role and mindset of an effective facilitator Plan and design structured facilitation sessions Use a range of facilitation tools and techniques to encourage participation Manage group dynamics, including difficult participants and off-topic conversations Apply active listening, summarising and questioning techniques Create safe, inclusive and engaging environments for diverse groups Maintain neutrality and guide discussions to achieve desired outcomes Course Content 1. Introduction to Facilitation What is facilitation? Key differences between facilitation, presentation and training The mindset of an effective facilitator 2. Planning for Success Clarifying session purpose and outcomes Structuring the session: openings, transitions, closings Selecting the right tools and approaches for your audience 3. Core Facilitation Techniques Questioning strategies (open, probing, clarifying) Active listening and reflection Encouraging balanced participation Visual facilitation basics (whiteboards, templates, sticky notes) 4. Managing Group Dynamics Reading the room and adapting your approach Handling dominant or disengaged participants Dealing with conflict or resistance constructively Techniques for decision-making and consensus-building 5. Practice and Feedback Facilitated role-plays and group exercises Constructive peer and trainer feedback Personal action planning Delivery Method This course is delivered in a highly interactive, face-to-face or virtual format. It includes a blend of short presentations, group work, facilitated discussions and hands-on activities to embed learning. Inclusions Comprehensive participant workbook and toolkit Facilitator guides and templates Certificate of completion Optional post-course coaching (available on request)
Course Overview This practical, one-day course is designed to equip participants with the essential skills, tools and confidence to effectively facilitate discussions, meetings, and workshops. Whether you're guiding a team brainstorming session, leading a stakeholder workshop, or managing a complex meeting, strong facilitation skills can dramatically improve outcomes and engagement. Participants will learn how to plan and structure sessions, manage group dynamics, keep discussions on track, and handle challenging behaviours—all while creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. The course combines theory with hands-on activities, group discussions, and real-world scenarios to build practical, transferable skills. Who Should Attend This course is ideal for: Project managers Team leaders and supervisors Business analysts Community engagement officers Policy officers Trainers and consultants Anyone responsible for leading meetings or workshops No prior facilitation experience is necessary. Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the role and mindset of an effective facilitator Plan and design structured facilitation sessions Use a range of facilitation tools and techniques to encourage participation Manage group dynamics, including difficult participants and off-topic conversations Apply active listening, summarising and questioning techniques Create safe, inclusive and engaging environments for diverse groups Maintain neutrality and guide discussions to achieve desired outcomes Course Content 1. Introduction to Facilitation What is facilitation? Key differences between facilitation, presentation and training The mindset of an effective facilitator 2. Planning for Success Clarifying session purpose and outcomes Structuring the session: openings, transitions, closings Selecting the right tools and approaches for your audience 3. Core Facilitation Techniques Questioning strategies (open, probing, clarifying) Active listening and reflection Encouraging balanced participation Visual facilitation basics (whiteboards, templates, sticky notes) 4. Managing Group Dynamics Reading the room and adapting your approach Handling dominant or disengaged participants Dealing with conflict or resistance constructively Techniques for decision-making and consensus-building 5. Practice and Feedback Facilitated role-plays and group exercises Constructive peer and trainer feedback Personal action planning Delivery Method This course is delivered in a highly interactive, face-to-face or virtual format. It includes a blend of short presentations, group work, facilitated discussions and hands-on activities to embed learning. Inclusions Comprehensive participant workbook and toolkit Facilitator guides and templates Certificate of completion Optional post-course coaching (available on request)