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: Tuesday 8th July 2025
At HFX Training, we are passionate about business simulations because they bring learning to life through hands-on experience. This Level 1 Certification Program is the first step in our Instructor Training Certification Pathway, equipping you to confidently use the Healthcare Hero simulation in your teaching environment. In this program, you will experience the simulation as a student, navigating its complexities and dynamics. Upon successfully completing Level 1, you’ll be ready to advance to Level 2 Training, where you will deepen your expertise in simulation facilitation and administration. The program is cohort-based, and the timetable is coordinated in advance through discussions with the HFX team to ensure maximum participation. For more information on the program structure, instructional materials, and certification requirements, please read on. What to Expect: The Healthcare Hero simulation places you in charge of a fictional hospital. Over eight simulation rounds - each representing one quarter of business operations - you will make strategic decisions to optimize patient care while managing staffing, capacity, quality, and finances. Throughout the simulation, you’ll navigate challenges like healthcare and economic crises, all while balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. Your ultimate goal is to outperform competing hospitals managed by other participants in the program. Program and Certification Requirements This program equips you to confidently lead the simulation by requiring more than attendance or participation. To earn certification, you must: Thoroughly Prepare: Review all instructional materials and the scenario manual before the course begins. Fully Participate: Attend all Zoom sessions and complete each simulation round with focus and effort. Demonstrate Mastery: Show a comprehensive understanding of the simulation’s dynamics, decision-making processes, and strategies during practice and live rounds. Engage in Reflection: Actively participate in debrief sessions, assess your performance, and identify strategies for improvement. This certification ensures you are equipped to facilitate this complex simulation with confidence. Auditing the course is an option, but participants who choose to audit will not receive certification. Program Format The program is delivered intensively over one or more Zoom sessions, totaling six hours. This compressed format demands your full attention and focus to successfully navigate the simulation’s complexities. Eligibility Requirements: By registering for this training program, you acknowledge the following: You have discussed your needs with the HFX team and confirmed that the simulation aligns with your class or program objectives. You are an instructor at an academic institution. You agree to the confidentiality terms and commit not to distribute, disclose, or replicate any program content for purposes outside of this training. This program is offered in goodwill to academic instructors as a resource to enhance their teaching. As part of this agreement, you understand that all materials, including the simulation itself, are proprietary to HFX and its partners. Any use of these materials for purposes beyond this program, such as developing similar tools or simulations, is strictly prohibited. Course Structure: After registering, you will gain immediate access to the simulation’s instructional materials. This includes: The Scenario Manual: Your guide to understanding the game. The Capacity Planner Worksheet and Financial Planning Worksheet: Tools to help you strategize. The Strategy Planning Exercise: Designed to align your decisions with overall objectives. The Portal Guide: A walkthrough of the simulation platform. The program unfolds in four key phases: Phase 1: Pre Zoom Call / Study / Set Up Register using the button at the bottom of this page. Review the instructional materials thoroughly. Once the cohort is finalized, you will be sent your login credentials for the simulation itself. Try to submit decisions for the first practice round using the simulation portal at www.simulationportal.com. Phase 2: Play We run two practice rounds over the first 2 hours of the zoom call. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the platform and decision-making process, and think through what your strategy might be in the live game. The simulation resets ("zeroed") after the practice rounds. A brief session will clarify lessons learned and expectations for the live rounds. Over eight rounds, you’ll compete against other participants while refining your strategic decisions. Phase 3: Feedback Reflect on your performance during a structured debrief, including: Strengths and areas for improvement. Insights into competitors’ strategies. Strategic lessons learned, and applicability to local healthcare organizations. Phase 4: Implementation Planning Work with the HFX team to plan your first application of the simulation in a teaching environment. Certification Outcome Upon completing this program, you will earn the HFX Instructor Training Certification: Level One, signifying your expertise in conducting impactful simulation-based training using Healthcare Hero.
Duration 1.75 Days 10.5 CPD hours This course is intended for The course is aimed at experienced project managers, business management and specialists in both private and public companies. A good understanding of the basic mechanisms in organisations and markets is required. Overview Knowledge of the 4 dimensions needed for efficient business transformation and digital transformation: Platform, Planning, People and Processes Be able to look at your own organisation in an outside-in perspective Insight into the journey from a precise project scope to the project's components of work packages and to the following organisational implementation Ability to define precise digital service processes Understanding of business and organisational dynamics Tools to break down a defined business algorithm to specific specifications for an IT project Transformation Framework integrates well known management theory with common project management methods. Provides access to a unique and coherent toolbox and IT workbench, which includes the ability to transform digital strategies. The Structure Of 4Dimensions Framework The Digital Ecosystem Organisational setup Structure of the Business Platform Understanding of the course goal The 4D Framework Platform Dimension Plan Dimension People Dimension Working with the framework Views Approaches Wrap up of the day How To Work With 4Dimensions Framework Wrap up of day 1 Toolbox Change sheets Agile Transformation Plan Case work How to use the transformation tool 4dimensions.info How to succeed with the transformation Transformation roles How to get started
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION Ciara McEllin is building her list as a Junior Agent at Watson Little. She reads widely across book club, upmarket and literary fiction. Within these areas, she is drawn to novels that examine family and relationship dynamics, sexuality, identity, and vulnerability. Ciara is keen to hear from writers who take a fresh approach to these themes, whether that be a new perspective on a traditional narrative or a focus on characters and voices that remain underrepresented: think Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday or Monkey Grip by Helen Garner. She will always want to read beautifully written novels with a strong sense of place, tangible characters and an essence that stays with you – living deep in your bones – long after you’ve finished reading. Recent reads Ciara has enjoyed include: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, Close to Home by Michael Magee, Siblings by Brigitte Reimann, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Highway Blue by Ailsa McFarlane and My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley. At the moment Ciara is particularly eager to see: - Sexy, sensual and seductive stories that explore desire and sexual boundaries not often represented in literature such as Little Rabbit by Alyssa Songsiridej, Cleanness by Garth Greenwell and Mrs. S by K Patrick - An atmospheric and existential thriller in the vein of Intimacies by Katie Kitamura, In The Cut by Susanna Moore and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk - An intoxicating coming of-age-tale that captures the aliveness, intelligence and wildness of girlhood like Brutes by Dizz Tate, The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Girls by Emma Cline - Books that are joyful or brutal, particularly those that are both, similar to Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel, Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - Stories exploring an Australia or Ireland that is rarely seen in literature for example A Loving, Faithful Animal by Josephine Rowe and Wild Houses by Colin Barrett In non-fiction, Ciara enjoys narrative, memoir and essay collections. She is interested in hearing from experts, academics, critics and journalists writing about society, culture and food, and excited by writers seeking to revise, reshape or revolutionise the conversation in their area of expertise. Some of her favourite non-fiction titles include How To Survive A Plague by David France, The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye, the Living Autobiography Series by Deborah Levy, Last Witnesses: Unchildlike Stories by Svetlana Alexievich, King Kong Theory by Virginie Despentes; and she particularly enjoys the work of M.F.K Fisher, Annie Ernaux, Natalia Ginsburg and Helen Garner. Ciara is not looking for Children’s, YA or Fantasy. Ciara would like you to submit a covering letter, 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, Ciara 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: Thursday 17th July 2025
We offer the most advanced “Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Course” as per the curriculum outline of The ASQ Body of Knowledge and accredited by top international Lean & Six Sigma accreditation bodies. Six Sigma Green Belt Deliverables: 22+ hours of Instructor-led interactive virtual classroom session on the weekend Access to 45+ hours of Module based Six Sigma lectures via LMS 100+ Toolkits and Project Templates for Analysis and Implementation Soft copy of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge Live Data-oriented project, with Scenario and Analysis Methodology 20+ Dummy Projects and Case studies for Lean Six Sigma Application Support via subject expert through telephonic discussion on the weekend Sample Questions and Examination Guide for Certification Preparation Pre and Post assignments for process groups and knowledge areas Project implementation support and Data visualization using MINITAB PRO CLSSGB certification examination anytime within the 90 days course duration Certification Validation Tool for third-party credentials validation PARTICULARS Duration (Hours) 1. Define Phase 22 2. Measure Phase 14 3. Analyse Phase 20 4. Improve Phase 7 5. Control Phase 7 Total Duration 70 (Hours) Introduction Become an expert in six sigma methodology by getting hands-on knowledge on DMAIC, Project Charter, Process Capability, FMEA, Sigma calculation, Test of Hypothesis, Control Charts, VSM, JIT using real case scenarios and real-life examples. Lean and DMAIC methodologies using live projects. The Six Sigma Certification is accredited by The Council for Six Sigma Certification. The certification also acknowledges the BOK outline of The American Society for Quality, USA. The course features world-class content with live projects and MINITAB PRO driven data analysis training with end to end support in project implementation by Master Black Belt Experts and Trainers. What is Six Sigma Certification? A person with Six Sigma certification has problem-solving abilities. Someone may gain Green Belt, Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification. The higher certification one attains, the more is the ability to solve complex organizational problems. Six Sigma certification is a process of individual’s knowledge validation using a classification system, generally referred to as "Belts" (Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt) This verification test individual commands over six sigma methodology and tools. The belt classification shows the position these certified individuals would occupy in an organizational structure and job roles. Six Sigma Green Belt training is especially for the future project leaders of Lean Six Sigma projects. We deliberately mix non-profit with profit participants. There will then be fun, useful discussions and knowledge exchanges during the training sessions. In addition, there are also many self-employed people who follow the LSS Green Belt training to increase their expertise as in a trimmer. What do you do to get the Six Sigma Green Belt certificate? Our Six Sigma Green Belt training consists of a number of components: Training: in an intensive training program you learn the background of Lean and Six Sigma and we put what we have learned into practice with different simulations. Extra: With our Body of Knowledge and whitepapers you place what you have learned in a theoretical framework. The program also contains various homework assignments, in which we focus, among other things, on the use of MINITAB PRO. Follow-up: During the training, you will receive an access code to an e-learning module. You can pass the substance again in an interactive way. Exam: On the last training day you will make the CLSSGB Green Belt exam. If you succeed, you will immediately receive the official Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Global Recognition of Your Certification: Agenda Overview of Six Sigma and the organizationSix Sigma and organizational goalsValue of six sigmaOrganizational goals and six sigma projectsOrganizational drivers and metricsLean principles in the organizationLean conceptsValue-streaming mappingDesign for six sigma (DFSS) methodologiesRoadmaps for DFSSBasic failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)Design FMEA and process FMEA Define PhaseProject identificationProject SelectionProcess elementsBenchmarkingProcess inputs and outputsOwners and stakeholders Voice of the customer (VOC) Customer identificationCustomer dataCustomer requirements Project Management Basics Project charterProject scopeProject metricsProject planning toolsProject documentationProject risk analysisProject closureManagement and planning toolsBusiness results for projectsProcess performance CommunicationTeam dynamics and performanceTeam stages and dynamicsTeam roles and responsibilitiesTeam toolsTeam Communication Measure PhaseProcess analysis and documentationProbability and statisticsBasic probability conceptsCentral limit theorem, Statistical distributions, Collecting and summarizing dataTypes of data and measurement scalesSampling and data collection methodsDescriptive statisticsGraphical methodsMeasure Phase (contd E. Measurement system analysis (MSA) F. Process and performance capabilityProcess performance vs. process specificationsProcess capability studiesProcess capability (Cp, Cpk) and process performance (Pp, Ppk) indicesShort-term vs. long-term capability and sigma shift Analyze PhaseExploratory data analysisMulti-vari studiesCorrelation and linear regression B, Hypothesis testingBasics Tests for means, variances, and proportionsIntroduction to MINITAB Data analysis Improve Phase of Six SigmaDesign of experiments (DOE)Basic terms, DOE graphs, and plotsThe root cause analysisLean Tools 1. Waste elimination 2. Cycle-time reduction 3. Kaizen and kaizen blitz V1. Control PhaseStatistical process control (SPC)SPC BasicsRational subgroupingControl chartsControl planLean tools for process controlTotal productive maintenance (TPM)Visual factory Project Implementation & SupportMINITAB Practice and guidance for projectProject implementation supportTemplates and Toolkits application for Project workSupport on Data Project, Implementation and project completion BenefitsFrom the course Learn the principles and philosophy behind the Six Sigma technique Learn to apply statistical methods to improve business processes Design and implement Six Sigma projects in a practical scenario Learn the DMAIC process and various tools used in Six Sigma methodology Knowledge of Six Sigma Green Belt Professional enables you to understand real-world business problems, increase an organization's revenue by streamlining the process, and become an asset to an organization According to Villanova University, employers such as United Health Group, Honeywell, GE and Volkswagen have been actively seeking professionals with Six Sigma to fill a variety of positions The Training enhances your skills and enables you to perform roles like Quality Manager, Quality Analyst, Finance Manager, Supervisor, Quality Control, etc. According to Indeed.com, the national average salary for a Six Sigma Green Belt is $72,000 per year in the United States. From the workshop Instructor LED training by Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Belt experts to make candidate learn the real scenario of six sigma tools and methodology Learn the principles and philosophy behind the Six Sigma method Dummy project by instructors to make candidate get a hands-on six sigma projects Downloadable Six Sigma PPT & Six Sigma PDF Industry Based case studies High-Quality training from an experienced trainer The Program extensively uses Minitab, specialized statistical software. It provides you with a thorough knowledge of Six Sigma philosophies and principles (including supporting systems and tools). Know about six sigma certification cost and six sigma green belt certification cost. Who should attend? The Six Sigma program is designed for professionals and students who want to develop the ability to lead process improvement initiatives. Six Sigma tools and process is widely used in all business processes. Six Sigma is applicable in all industry and in all functional areas. An indicative list of participants in our Green Belt program could include: Financial/business analyst Commodity manager Project manager Quality manager Production manager Production Engineer Business development manager Manufacturing process engineer Continuous improvement director Business managers or consultants Project manager/Program Manager Director or VP of operations CEO, CFO, CTO Certification On successful completion of the course and course requisites, the candidate will receive Internationally recognized Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. This course offers Six Sigma Certification Validation Tool for Employers Your Six Sigma Certification Validation Tool can be used by employers, clients and other stakeholders to validate the authenticity of your Six Sigma Certifications you have received. Using the programming code located on your certified LSSGB certification, one can see all your training and certification details online.
Every relationship has its ups and downs, but sometimes these become too difficult for a couple to manage on their own… Accredited CPD Certificate: 6 hours Length: 1 day (9.15am–4.00pm GMT) Probably the best couples therapy training course I have ever attended. Very full, hugely informative contentWELLBEING OFFICER, SOLENT MIND Live training delivered online – Attend Jennifer Broadley’s online training masterclass live online on Tuesday 21st May 24 via Zoom. The content covered is the same as her attended workshop with a few modifications to some of the exercises, and you will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions. All you need is a quiet place to watch, a computer or tablet and a strong internet signal, the rest is easy – simply book your place as normal, and we will email you details of how to join the Zoom workshop. BONUS RECORDING – the training is recorded, in case anyone experiences technical difficulties on the day, so you will also get a recording for a limited time afterwards to maximise your learning. Why take this course Relationship issues are one of the most common causes of emotional distress – and often the reason people seek help. A solid understanding of why difficulties arise, and what can be done about them, is extremely useful therefore for all caring professionals, not just those working with couples. Drawing on pioneering research, Jennifer Broadley’s one-day couples counselling course gives you this important knowledge, along with a range of strategies and proven tips for working effectively and ethically with more than one client. She shares the practical guidelines and skills she has acquired over many years of successfully helping couples using the human givens approach to build and maintain supportive and mutually rewarding relationships. Presented without psychobabble, and making good use of insightful case histories, Jennifer demystifies an area of counselling that many find daunting or fear is complicated. The day covers: the most effective ways to help and build rapport with couples in conflicted relationships; the sex differences in processing emotions; non-blame talking styles; the long-term impact of parenting; past conditioning, including psychological traumas, that can give clues about why difficulties arose; and what we can learn from the way successful couples facilitate mutual needs satisfaction. Well worth attending – and the money. I'm going back refreshed and well resourced, with lots of new skills and strategies to try.PSYCHOTHERAPIST What will you learn Essential skills for building and maintaining rapport with two emotionally-aroused people Ways to encourage both partners to engage in solving their difficulties How to teach non-blaming communication skills and explain the differences in male and female behaviour to clients What to do if one or even both parties are having an affair How to deal with issues specific to couple counselling, such as confidentiality The key points you need to bear in mind when working with more than one client at a time How to structure effective therapy sessions and goal setting with two people Effective ways to help each partner begin to cooperate in helping the other get their emotional needs met The key ingredients for a healthy and mutually rewarding relationship An insight into the many common relationship problems – and how to help clients overcome them (illustrated with case histories) Tips and techniques for staying objective and empathetic, whilst calming your clients’ high emotional arousal How to recognise and interrupt disruptive behaviour patterns How to use Solution Focused Questioning to initiate change How to manage setbacks and keep the partners motivated How to tell when the relationship isn’t the problem – and what to do about it How to use Guided Imagery with two people Information regarding the latest research into effective couples therapy How early life experiences can influence our relationships, and what to do about this now Creative ways to develop effective interventions, including using tasks and metaphor Asperger’s syndrome – how to work with couples if one or both show Asperger traits, a common cause of relationship problems Considering the wider picture, including other family members Course notes, Accredited CPD Certificate and more… Course Programme The ‘Couples therapy – a practical masterclass’ counselling course starts at 9.15am and runs until 4.00pm. (GMT). 9.15am Join the Zoom meeting 9.30am What predicts relationship stability and fulfilment? 11.00am Comfort break and discussion 11.30am Building empathy, how to use RIGAAR™ 1.00pm Lunch break 1.45pm Structuring therapeutic interventions, establishing goals, and moving forward 2.45pm Comfort break and discussion 3.00pm Valuing the bigger context 4.00pm Day ends Who is this course suitable for? Anyone considering working therapeutically with couples Psychotherapists and counsellors already working with couples who would like additional insights, tools and strategies to use Anyone involved in mental health or whose work involves dealing with couples or families, including: social workers, psychologists, teachers, GPs and health visitors Anyone who is interested in learning solution focused, brief therapy interventions, working from the human givens approach, to facilitate a rapid process of change for couples in distress Anyone wanting to overcome their own insecurity in a relationship or to learn more about the myriad dynamics that come into play in relationships will benefit from the information given on this course. Please Note This course is not a substitute for therapy.
Duration 1 Days 6 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for organizations engaged with remote workforce teams. Overview Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to identify and create high performance teams. In this course, teams will learn the importance of developing performance skills while working remotely. Getting Started Workshop Objectives Action Plan Remote Workforce What is a Remote Workforce? Types of Remote Workforce Benefits of a Remote Workforce Materials for Remote Workforce Practical Illustration High Performance Teams What is a High-Performance Team? Benefits of High-Performance Teams Leadership for High Performance Team Understanding Team Dynamics Practical Illustration Characteristics of High-Performance Teams Excellent Communication Goal-Oriented Flexibility Committed Practical Illustration How to Create Teamwork Identify Group & Individual Responsibilities Give Permission to Take Action Build Relationships between Team Members and Management Give Feedback Practical Illustration Types of Communication Virtual Team Meetings Telephone Conferences Email Communication Intranet, Webpage, and Social Media Communication Practical Illustration Training Your Team Telecommute Training Web-based Training Peer Training Training Assessment and Retraining Practical Illustration Types of Communication Tracking Team Performance Counseling Employees Positive Recognition for Employees Training Never Stops! Practical Illustration Effective Team Meeting How-to 43 Have a Clear Agenda Have a Clear Agenda Use Screen Shots or References Create a Safe Place Team Meeting Don?ts Practical Illustration Keep a Happy and Motivated High-Performance Team Watch for Signs of Conflict or Unhappiness Employee Feedback and Concerns Give Opportunities for Additional Education Impart Opportunities for Career Growth Practical Illustration Don?ts? with High Performance Teams Don't Forget to Share Success Don't Delay in Responding Don?t Assign Vague Responsibilities Don?t Lead as a Dictator Practical Illustration Wrapping Up Words from the Wise
The 'golden rule' of negotiation is simple - don't! But life's rarely that simple and very often we do have to negotiate, particularly if we want to win the business and especially if we want to win it on our terms. Such negotiations are crucial. We need to prepare for them. We need a strategy, and the skills to execute it. Does your team have a structured approach? Is it flawlessly executed, every time? Or is there room for improvement? This programme will help them master the six fundamentals of closing better business: Manage all these elements well and you will win more business, more profitably. This course will help participants: Negotiate from a position of partnership, not competition Deal more effectively and profitably with price objections Identify and practise successful sales negotiating skills Identify strengths and weaknesses as a sales negotiator Understand different types of buyer behaviour Learn to recognise negotiating tactics and stances Apply a new and proven structure to their business negotiations Identify and adapt for different behavioural styles Be alert to unconscious (non-verbal) communication Prepare and present a proposal at a final business negotiation stage Project confidence and exercise assertiveness in all sales negotiations 1 Planning for successful business negotiations This session introduces the concept of business negotiation and looks at its importance in the context of the participants' roles and activities. It briefly examines why we negotiate and the dynamics involved. Session highlights: What kind of a negotiator are you? Negotiation skills self-assessment and best practice How to establish roles and responsibilities for both parties How to identify and set objectives for both buyer and seller How to research and establish the other person's position (business negotiation stance) 2 How to structure your negotiations This module presents an eight-step framework or structure for use in negotiations and considers how best to prepare and plan your negotiations within the context of a supplier/customer relationship or business cycle. It also includes a brief review of legal responsibilities and what constitutes a 'deal'. Session highlights: Learn and apply a formal structure to use when negotiating How to establish short- and longer-term objectives and opportunities How best to plan, prepare and co-ordinate a major business negotiation meeting, or on-going negotiations Understanding of basic legal and organisational requirements 3 Verbal negotiation skills This session examines the human and communication dynamics inherent in any negotiation situation. It emphasises the importance of professional skills in preparing for a negotiation by identifying needs, wants and requirements accurately and by qualifying the competitive and organisational influences present. Session highlights: How to fully 'qualify' the other party's needs, requirements and constraints during the negotiation process by using advanced questioning and listening skills How to pre-empt negotiation objections by promoting and gaining commitment to options, benefits, value and solutions How best to propose and suggest ideas, using drawing-out skills 4 Non-verbal negotiation skills This module highlights how different personal styles, corporate cultures and organisation positions can influence events, and demonstrates practical methods for dealing with and controlling these factors. It also examines key principles of body language and non-verbal communication in a practical way. Session highlights: Gaining rapport and influencing unconsciously Understanding the importance of non-verbal communication; reading other people's meaning and communicating effectively as a result Ensure that non-verbal behaviour is fully utilised and observed to create maximum impact and monitor progress (eg, buying signals) Recognising that business negotiations are precisely structured and agreements gained incrementally 5 Proposing and 'packaging' This session highlights how best to present and package your proposal. It looks at how to pre-empt the need for negotiating by creating minor-options and 'bargaining' points, as well as how to manage the expectations and perceptions of the customer or buyer. Session highlights: How to identify the key variables that can be negotiated The power and use of 'authority' within your negotiations How to structure and present your proposal, ideas or quotation to best effect The importance of when and how to identify and influence buyer's objections 6 Dealing with price This module highlights how to best present and package price within your proposal or negotiation. In most cases, price has more to do with psychology than affordability and preparation and careful handling are essential. Session highlights: The three reasons that people will pay your asking price How to set price in a competitive market The key differences between selling and negotiating Ten ways to present price more effectively and persuasively 7 Getting to 'Yes': tactics and strategies There are many different tactics and strategies common to successful negotiators. This session looks at those that are most appropriate to the participants' own personal styles and situations. The importance of 'follow-through' is also explained and how to deal with protracted or 'stale-mate' business negotiations. Session highlights: How to negotiate price and reduce discounting early in the process How to recognise negotiating tactics and strategies in your customer or supplier Key strategies, techniques and tactics to use in negotiation The importance of follow-through and watching the details How to deal with stalled business negotiations or competitor 'lock-out' 8 Case studies and review This session examines a number of different situations and participants discuss ways to approach each. This will allow learning to be consolidated and applied in a very practical way. There will also be a chance to have individual points raised in a question and answer session. Session highlights: Case studies Question and answer Planning worksheet Negotiation 'toolkit' and check-list 9 Personal action plans Session highlights: Identify the most important personal learning points from the programme Highlight specific actions and goals Flag topics for future personal development and improvement
Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for Test Programme Managers, Test Managers, and anyone else wishing to take the ISTQB© Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager examination. Overview Whilst this course is focused on the syllabus, giving participants the maximum chance of passing the examination, it also contains many real world practical examples. On completion of this course, attendees will have an advanced understanding of test design techniques and will be fully prepared to take the ISTQB© Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager examination. ISTQB© is the standard for international qualifications in software testing at an advanced level. The course thoroughly prepares attendees for the ISTQB© Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager examination. Testing Process The fundamental test process Test levels and test types Test planning, monitoring and control Test analysis Test design Test implementation Test execution Evaluating exit criteria and reporting Test closure activities Test Management Test management in context Risk-based testing and other approaches for test prioritization and effort allocation Test documentation and other work products Project risk management Other test work products Test estimation Defining and using test metrics Business value of testing Distributed, outsourced, and insourced testing Managing the application of industry standards Reviews Management reviews and audits Managing reviews Metrics for reviews Managing formal reviews Defect Management The defect lifecycle and the software development lifecycle Cross-functional defect management Defect report information Assessing process capability with defect report information Improving the Testing Process Introduction Test improvement process Improving the testing process Improving the testing process with TMMI Improving the testing process with TPI Next Improving the testing process with CTP Improving the testing process with STEP Test Tools and Automation Tool selection Return on investment (ROI) Selection process Tool lifecycle Tool metrics People Skills ? Team Composition Individual skills Test team dynamics Fitting testing within an organization Motivation Communication
Explore why people, groups, and states engage in conflict and why peace remains elusive. Dive into the causes of conflict, effective resolution strategies, and peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Learn how historical, cultural, and political factors shape disputes and discover insights into fostering lasting peace. #ConflictStudies #PeaceInitiatives #GlobalUnderstanding