Microsoft Project White Belt® 2013: In-House Training This workshop serves as an introduction to the interface and features of Microsoft® Project 2013. This course will be led by an IIL-certified instructor who will outline the benefits of Microsoft Project, provide tips on using various features and common shortcuts, recommend guidelines, and discuss the application of scheduling concepts to manage project work This workshop serves as an introduction to the interface and features of Microsoft® Project 2013. This course will be led by an IIL-certified instructor who will outline the benefits of Microsoft Project, provide tips on using various features and common shortcuts, recommend guidelines, and discuss the application of scheduling concepts to manage project work. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Define key scheduling concepts and terms Effectively navigate the user interface and interpret common views Configure essential elements of a new schedule Enter and modify a task list Set dependencies between tasks Create a basic resource list and generate assignments Format targeted areas of the Gantt Chart view Prepare the schedule for printing Getting Started Introductions Course objectives Course outline Navigating the User Interface and Views Navigate and use the Ribbon Use and customize the Quick Access Toolbar Modify general and display options Become familiar with major elements on the Project screen Navigate Gantt Chart, calendar, and network diagram views Search for a help topic Setting up a New Schedule Create new schedules Create a new schedule using existing information Enter and modify the schedule start date Enter and modify exception days in the calendar Entering, Modifying, and Outlining Task Data Enter, edit, correct, and clear information Enter unscheduled tasks Enter duration estimates for a single task or multiple tasks Organize tasks Set up a multi-level outline Add notes to tasks Creating Dependencies by Setting Links Identify a critical path in a simple schedule Understand how scheduling software calculates a critical path Describe dynamic schedules and dependencies Create links using various methods Display the critical path Entering and Assigning Resources Plan for resources Create a list of available resources Assign resources Formatting Gantt Chart View Format text and Gantt Chart bars Format a collection of items Configure print options
Overview This one day Accident Investigation course will give participants the necessary information and skills to enable them to carry out a thorough and effective accident investigation. Description This course will provide attendees with the necessary information and skills, to reach the right conclusions, make effective, practical recommendations and thereby make a significant contribution to improving workplace health and safety. Topics covered: Accidents & Accident Causation – If an organisation does not properly control risks, the outcome of an accident often depends on chance. Because the outcome of an accident cannot be accurately predicted, the only way to effectively reduce accidents is by controlling the underlying causes of all the different accident types. Accident Reporting Process – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) The Process – You have 2 top priorities when you are first notified of an accident. The first is to the injured person to ensure that appropriate medical attention is available. The second priority is then to ensure that the area is made safe to ensure no other persons are injured Accident Investigation – Every employer has a Moral, Legal & Economic obligation to protect the health and safety of employees while at work The Cause of Accidents – During an accident investigation you will be looking for the unsafe acts and the unsafe conditions which contributed to the accident. If you carry out the investigation effectively, then you will find the root cause or causes of the accident Facts to be Collated – When you conduct an accident investigation you should be seeking to obtain information on unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, immediate failures and latent failures. To find out these various elements of the accident you need to ask the questions who, where, when, and what, which will give you details of the event Reaching Conclusion – Identifying all the failure modes, satisfy all the answers to what, where, why, who etc., and thus identify all the causes of the accident Review of Session – Creating an action plan to embed learning. Who should attend Managers, leaders, trainers, health and safety officers and anyone involved in health and safety training and/or procedures. Requirements for Attendees None.
Overview This one day course is designed for anyone that deals with telephone sales in either an inbound or outbound call environment. Description The telephone has become a critical tool in obtaining sales in today’s competitive market, and yet it is often an area we pay little attention to, and consequently it becomes a negative aspect of our business rather than the highly positive one it can be. This course sets out to enable the attendees to sell effectively over the phone. The tools that are covered will help generate sales and whether they take inbound or receive outbound calls they will find that if they apply the techniques in this session, their success rate will increase immensely. Topics covered: Advantages and Disadvantages – A look at how the phone can work for and against us in a sales environment. An Introduction to Selling on the Telephone – Understanding the key points that encourage a customer to purchase from us. Structuring and the Sales Process – Defining a set process for structuring a sales call with a chance to demonstrate understanding. Why People Buy – A look at the reasoning behind people’s purchasing decisions. How People Buy – An insight into the emotional factors behind how people arrive at purchasing decisions. Turning Inbound Calls into Sales – Gauging the level of interest of a caller in order to establish the likelihood of a sale. Making Effective Outbound Calls – A set process of ensuring you gain the best advantage with this type of call. Getting Past the Gatekeeper – Understanding the role of the gatekeeper and developing methods of dealing with them in order to speak to the decision maker. Using scripts and techniques that are proven and effective. Sounds Interesting? – Studying three key communication factors when projecting the voice over the phone. Including a chance to review how the participant’s voice comes across over the phone. Methods of Improving the Way You Sound – 10 key tips on vocal improvement. Telephone Questioning Techniques – Giving the delegates the chance to fully understand the different questioning techniques that can be used during a sales call. Features and Benefits – How to practically apply them in a sales scenario. Logical and Emotional Purchasing – A further look at the reasons we buy. Overcoming Objections – Practical use of a set process and ways to apply it in the workplace. Closing the Sale – Clear methodology with a chance to practice the skills in a fun way. Post-course Assignment – A method of carrying the learning into the workplace and ensure continual review. Who should attend the course? Anyone who handles inbound or outbound sales calls over the telephone. Requirements for Attendance No prerequisites required.
Overview Account Management is an important role within any organisation. Account Managers are responsible for nurturing customer relationships and increasing sales with their organisation’s key customers. The Account Manager will usually act as a first point of contact for clients; responding to complaints, purchases, project requests and any general queries. Their approach should help maintain client relationships in order to ensure that they continue to use the company for business. This one day course can help them learn the key skills they need. Description Build a strong account management team that are able to effectively manage customer relationships and drive sales The role of account manager is both important and demanding. The account manager acts as the ‘face’ of the business and should professionally represent the business by creating a strategy for success and delivering a high level of customer service. Account managers need to be effective communicators, needing to both engage with the client and also develop internal relationships to ensure promises are delivered upon. Another key responsibility of the account manager is to identify business opportunities and help drive business results for their company. Account Management can be a very challenging role depending on the number of clients, the range of industries the clients represent, and the nature and attitude of the client. The main focus of the role is to provide continual client service to clients, this may include quarterly or annual business reviews, additions to the account in terms of extra services supplied plus face-to-face and online meetings, on a regular basis. The Account Manager will also be responsible for delivering high levels of client service to ensure that clients do not leave and will need to create a strategy around this. This strategy will depend on the type of client in terms of size of the business commitment, Key Performance Indicators plus contractual agreements which may dictate the framework for the relationship. Building a personal relationship as well as a business one is key to becoming an effective Account Manager. After all, “It is easier to fire a business associate or employee than it is to fire a friend”. Why should people attend this training course? Well, just imagine if your employees were better able to: Build effective business relationships with clients and help drive sales performance. Add value to clients and help ensure their requirements are met or exceeded. Measure the performance of their key accounts and adapt their approach accordingly. Understand the key attributes required for success and work on developing them. Set a strategy for sales success and create action plans for pre-defined goals. Monitor and measure their own performance and set their own targets. Ultimately, this training course will help employees to focus on what is required to succeed in the role of account manager, building a strategy with clear actions and helping the organisation to business success. Who is this course for? This Account Management training course is for anyone that works in an account management role or relevant sales function and will assist the participants in improving their working practices, developing customer relationships and in turn increasing business performance and sales success. Requirements for Attendance Prior sales experience is recommended, but an awareness of the sales process as a minimum will suffice.
Overview This course sets out to develop attendee’s skills in understanding their own body language as well as being able to read the body language of others. If we can learn to identify and appreciate non-verbal clues, we can begin to improve our communication as a whole. This use of body language skills could impact situations such as; sales visits, interviews, presentations and normal day-to-day interactions where body language plays a part. Description Effective communication skills are critical in the development of relationships between people and although verbal communication plays a large part in this, studies have shown that a proportionate amount of our message comes from not what we say, but very often the non-verbal communication behind the message. Therefore, it is clear that body language is an important, influential aspect of communication and understanding how it works is essential in the development of your personal communication skills. Topics covered: Core Principles and the Five C’s – Exploring the subconscious effects of body language and setting the scene by ensuring participants appreciate the rules to interpreting body language. Reading Body Language – Gestures – An activity that helps participants realise the power of body language and how important it is to communication. Arm Barriers – Understanding the different arm barrier gestures and crossed arm positions and what each means. Palm and Handshake Gestures – Discussing the different handshakes and palm actions, what they mean and how they are applied in real life. Includes activities that test the theory. Hand and Thumb Gestures – A review of these different gestures and what they mean. Hand to Face Gestures…or… How to Spot a Liar! – An exploration of different gestures that involve the hand moving to the face. Identifying how to spot body language that signifies lying and what to watch out for. Chin and Cheek Gestures – An activity that helps participants understand the different chin and cheek gestures and how to interpret this body language. Eye Signals – A review of pupil dilation, directed gazes and eye accessing cues in order to fully understand how eyes provide body language clues. Matching & Mirroring – Looking at the technique of building rapport and developing relationships through careful observation of body language. Bringing it all Together – An activity that allows participants to embed their learning and realise how much they now understand and appreciate body language and its effect on communication. Who should attend Anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of their own body language, and that of others. Requirements for Attendees None.
Overview This one day course will provide guidance on how to become more assertive and build self-confidence, which in-turn will help your attendees to achieve greater work effectiveness and productivity, whilst putting them in control of their daily activities and making them more able to overcome stressful work and life situations. Description Being assertive is being able to express yourself with confidence without having to resort to passive, aggressive or manipulative behaviour. By developing assertiveness and becoming aware of our own strengths and weaknesses, we can modify our behaviour for greater effectiveness in social and business interactions. Topics covered: What is Assertiveness? – A series of activities relating to what assertiveness means and, perhaps more importantly, what it means to the participants. My Assertiveness Goals – A chance for the participants to review what they want to get out of the session and where they would like to end up with regard to their approach to assertiveness. How Assertiveness Works – A look at human reactions and the reasoning behind them culminating in an activity that looks at the participants own observations in relation to assertive behaviour. My Assertive Rights – A review of the rights we have as individuals followed by a commitment to the rights by the participants. Taking a Positive Approach – Looking at key methodology, including: – Giving and Receiving Compliments A review of typical responses to compliments and their negative consequences, followed by an opportunity to develop new, positive responses. – Improving Self-Esteem An in-depth review of each individual’s positive aspects. – New Challenges A set of challenges to take participants out of their comfort-zone and into the realm of possibilities. – Effective Communication A look at what makes effective communication, with some modelling of behaviours. Approaching Assertiveness – A look at the four cornerstones of being assertive with an opportunity to practice these behaviours. The Words You Use – Understanding the key areas of effective communication. Covering the areas of; Disclosing Your Feelings, Being Clear, Being Persistent, Empathising and Working Towards a Wise Outcome. Preparing to Be Assertive – A chance to understand and practice a set process of ‘scripting’ in order to develop an effective and natural approach to assertive interactions. Assertive Review – An activity that solidifies the reasoning behind wanting to become assertive, whilst demonstrating that it is not an unachievable outcome. Who should attend Anyone that needs to develop their assertiveness skills and improve communication with others Requirements for Attendees None.
Overview Networking has become a crucial factor in the modern workplace. It is the most effective method of developing your business or career and is a key component of your personal brand. This one day course will teach you how to be able to build strong business relationships, develop a level of personal credibility and increase your network of contacts in order to enhance your visibility and create opportunities for yourself and your organisation. Description This training course will help your participants build a professional reputation and develop a network of connections through the two key methods available to them; face-to-face and online. Attendees will discover how to effectively combine these two approaches and create a strategy for networking success that will generate their own community and actively grow their personal network. This will result in an improved performance in their approach to networking and consequently provide opportunities and prospects that will increase their business success. The training provides them with the tools and techniques to both plan a successful, strategic approach to networking and develop their personal communication skills, which will ensure they build effective business relationships. Topics covered: Why Network? – Establishing the importance of networking with some shocking statistics and an activity that defines the importance of networking to the individual. This is followed by some insight into the key aims of a networking strategy, what puts people off, as well as some personal revelations about networking. Increase Your Business Presence – Looking at the components of a strong business presence, including; credibility, personal brand, visibility and social capital. Developing a Networkers Attitude – An exercise that clarifies the perfect attitudes and behaviours of great networkers and comparing the participants against this. Thus identifying areas for development. Face to Face Networking – An overview and insight into the main types of face to face networking opportunities available with the benefits and pitfalls of each. Online Networking – An overview of the different social media and online networking tools and how to get the best out of them. Includes; LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and online forums. Communication Skills for Networking Success – Ensuring a good first impression, creating an opening sound bite and writing an online profile that promotes and engages. Developing a Conversation – Building on the opening sound bite and developing a conversation through good questioning techniques and following a selection of key networking rules. Including an activity to test and practice the skills. Working a Room – A fun activity that embeds and develops learning while encouraging practice and communication. This activity covers 10 of the main skills required to work a room. Breaking into a Group – Identifying body language to spot when a group or pair is open to new people entering the conversation or would rather not encourage participation. Knowing how to break into a group, what to say and how to remain professional. Exiting a Conversation – Developing some techniques to extricate oneself from a conversation without causing embarrassment or rudeness. The Follow-Up – Using a structure to identify the most important contacts created and establishing when and how to follow up with each group. Includes example follow-up email and a chance to develop their own. Creating a Network Plan – Participants are provided with a networking action plan to review and complete. This sets them on the journey of developing their networking skills and ensures they have a strategy and goals to target. Who should attend Anyone who is looking to improve their networking performance, or the networking performance of a management or sales team. Requirements for Attendees No pre-requisites required.
Overview This one day course covers the basics of brainstorming and then goes on to look at a number of different yet highly effective techniques that can be employed. Description Brainstorming is probably the most well known and most widely used method for bringing groups of people together to generate ideas about an issue or problem. This is because it’s a good way to gather a lot of ideas very quickly. It is also a great way of bringing people together and helping to build them as a team. Just imagine the effect on the team and its morale if ideas that they generate are actually used. There is no doubt that people are more likely to buy into the ideas that they came up with themselves. Although brainstorming is widely used for decision-making, it is not always handled very well. If that is the case, it can have the opposite effect to the one that is intended. Rather than creating ideas it can stifle them and rather than motivating people it demotivates them. This highly interactive course will help learners to make the most of brainstorming sessions and also provides alternative techniques to enliven any session that is beginning to flag. Topics covered: What is Brainstorming? – A discussion to help participants understand what brainstorming is, and what it involves. Brainstorming rules – A quick look at the very limited rules suggested by Alex Osborn who is generally credited with being the inventor of brainstorming. Preparation – Although many brainstorming sessions take place on the spur of the moment they all require some preparation. We look at the importance of defining the purpose of the session, selecting the right participants, and then briefing them properly. Storm and Floods – This is an activity that we re-visit on several occasions to take participants through the whole brainstorming process and to give them plenty of practice. The Three R’s of Facilitation – The three R’s take you through the essential elements of facilitating an effective brainstorming session. Closing the Session – Effective closing of the brainstorm may be just as important as the session itself. We look at the essential elements that the facilitator needs to cover. Clarify and Nurture – Learners discover the importance of ensuring that all ideas that are unclear are clarified and that ideas are nurtured. They also learn what this involves practically. Alternative Techniques – There are many ways to enliven a flagging brainstorming session, provide a fresh approach or simply build on initial ideas. The learners are introduced to some of the most important of these. Brainstorming Scenarios – Learners work through up to 6 scenarios so that they can practice the alternative techniques covered during the programme. Who should attend Anyone who facilitates or takes part in brainstorming sessions, or wants to work with organisational teams to develop their problem-solving abilities. Requirements for Attendees None.
Overview This course has been created to help safely navigate attendees through the minefield of absence management, paying attention to issues of systems, procedures and organisational culture along the way. Using a selection of exercises, activities and sample documents, the course examines some traditional methods of management as well as some more contemporary and innovative ways of keeping a lid on casual absence. Attendees will take away a number of practical tools and ideas to enable them to target performance improvement when back at their desks. Description It’s estimated that absence from work costs the UK economy over £13 billion per year, with the ‘average’ employee taking around seven days off sick annually. The need for managers, HR people and leaders to control absenteeism is critical if a company is to survive and prosper. But just what is ‘absence’? And how do we go about managing it and reducing it wherever we can, without falling foul of employment law? As well as the usual training material, attendees on this course also receive several useful handouts and exercises relating to absence management. Topics covered: An Absence Management Model – this section identifies a simple model for managers to apply when dealing with absenteeism Defining Absence – the text book definition will help learners clearly understand what is meant by absence Types of Absence – unravelling the different types of absence and distinguishing between absence and leave Classifying Absence – by classifying types of absence, the learner can begin to get a steer on how to manage it Statistics – identifying the real cost of absence and looking at regional and sector differences Reasons for Absence – considering the high-level issues that have an impact on absence, like culture and job design Causes of Sickness – here the national league tables of sickness causes are discussed, giving the learner the chance to reflect on their own team or company Absence Management – Stage 1 – contracts, policies, procedures and legal entitlements are all examined here, to allow learners to get a grasp of what they have to know to Absence Management – Stage 2 – record keeping, costing absence and benchmarking provide the chance for analysis and understanding in the context of the learner’s own organisation Absence Management – Stage 3 – setting out the skills and interventions that managers need to apply in the effective management of absence, including: communication, professional advice, workplace issues and return to work interviews Traditional Approaches – an examination of performance management, sick pay, discipline, recruitment and selection and how these can lend themselves to effective absence management Reducing Absenteeism – through less traditional approaches, looking at ‘carrots and sticks’, targets, employee assistance, unusual initiatives and organisational culture. Recent Developments – considering the impact of ‘fit notes’ and potential pandemics. Who should attend This course has been designed for anyone that deals with absence or needs to have an awareness of the absence management process. This could include; Team leaders, supervisors, managers, HR professionals and anyone else involved in the management of people or organisations. Requirements for Attendance None.
Overview Networking has become a crucial factor in the modern workplace. It is the most effective method of developing your business or career and is a key component of your personal brand. This one day course will teach you how to be able to build strong business relationships, develop a level of personal credibility and increase your network of contacts in order to enhance your visibility and create opportunities for yourself and your organisation. Description This training course will help your participants build a professional reputation and develop a network of connections through the two key methods available to them; face-to-face and online. Attendees will discover how to effectively combine these two approaches and create a strategy for networking success that will generate their own community and actively grow their personal network. This will result in an improved performance in their approach to networking and consequently provide opportunities and prospects that will increase their business success. The training provides them with the tools and techniques to both plan a successful, strategic approach to networking and develop their personal communication skills, which will ensure they build effective business relationships. Topics covered: Why Network? – Establishing the importance of networking with some shocking statistics and an activity that defines the importance of networking to the individual. This is followed by some insight into the key aims of a networking strategy, what puts people off, as well as some personal revelations about networking. Increase Your Business Presence – Looking at the components of a strong business presence, including; credibility, personal brand, visibility and social capital. Developing a Networkers Attitude – An exercise that clarifies the perfect attitudes and behaviours of great networkers and comparing the participants against this. Thus identifying areas for development. Face to Face Networking – An overview and insight into the main types of face to face networking opportunities available with the benefits and pitfalls of each. Online Networking – An overview of the different social media and online networking tools and how to get the best out of them. Includes; LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and online forums. Communication Skills for Networking Success – Ensuring a good first impression, creating an opening sound bite and writing an online profile that promotes and engages. Developing a Conversation – Building on the opening sound bite and developing a conversation through good questioning techniques and following a selection of key networking rules. Including an activity to test and practice the skills. Working a Room – A fun activity that embeds and develops learning while encouraging practice and communication. This activity covers 10 of the main skills required to work a room. Breaking into a Group – Identifying body language to spot when a group or pair is open to new people entering the conversation or would rather not encourage participation. Knowing how to break into a group, what to say and how to remain professional. Exiting a Conversation – Developing some techniques to extricate oneself from a conversation without causing embarrassment or rudeness. The Follow-Up – Using a structure to identify the most important contacts created and establishing when and how to follow up with each group. Includes example follow-up email and a chance to develop their own. Creating a Network Plan – Participants are provided with a networking action plan to review and complete. This sets them on the journey of developing their networking skills and ensures they have a strategy and goals to target. Who should attend Anyone who is looking to improve their networking performance, or the networking performance of a management or sales team. Requirements for Attendees No pre-requisites required.