The aim of this programme is to provide current / prospective senior project managers with an in-depth review of the role and importance of project management in the organisation. It focuses on the strategic role of the project manager and aims to draw out the full scope of the role and how it impacts on project performance. The five key objectives of this programme are to enable the participants to: Identify the characteristics and attributes needed by project managers in ensuring the organisation is recognised as an industry leader in delivering successful projects Understand the full scope and impact of the project manager / leader's role in managing projects or programmes to maximise benefit to the business Define the hallmarks and skills required to manage significant business projects or project portfolios Develop an understanding of the skills required and their impact on the project through case study work and syndicate exercises Benefit from an effective forum for exchanging experience and fostering a sense of team spirit and mutual support between senior project managers DAY ONE 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) A vision of future opportunities and challenges The impact of project managers / leaders on future success 2 The determinants of success The contractor's perspective The client's perspective Success and failure: factors that determine the project outcome The impact of the project manager 3 Case study: Project Giotto How successful was this project? What were the primary factors that influenced the outcome? How relevant are these factors to current projects? Feedback and review 4 Project team exercise A practical exercise demonstrating the role of the project manager in managing the interfaces between the client, the project team and suppliers Review - what skills are required to be a 'world class' project manager? 5 The role of the Project Manager The role and skills of the 'world class' project manager The three key dimensions of effective project leadershipManaging influential stakeholdersManaging project performanceManaging the project team Project leadership skills appraisal (individual review) DAY TWO 6 Managing influential stakeholders Project management and the art of leadership Who are the influential stakeholders and how do they affect the project? What we need to do / not do, to build successful working relationships 7 Case study: Understanding the customer What are the likely problems the project manager will encounter? What should the project manager do to ensure an effective partnership? 8 Managing project performance Issues affecting commercial performance Joining up the project life-cycle: getting performance from inception to closure The roles of project manager, line manager and project sponsor 9 Project team exercise: Making the promise / delivering the promise An exercise demonstrating the commercial and team leadership skills needed by the project manager Review - what must the project manager do to optimise project performance? 10 Managing multi-functional project teams The challenges of building effective, multi-functional project teams Co-ordinating work across functional and organisational boundaries Maintaining strategic focus and balancing priorities 11 Making it happen Individual action planning Syndicate discussion 12 Course review and transfer planning (Course sponsor present) What will we do differently? How will we make it happen? Conclusion
Customers are astute and well-practised in researching and seeking information, solutions and added value in the minimum number of clicks online. There's only so much time they're willing to spend carrying on clicking. This mentality isn't just restricted to the world of B2C. In our increasingly hectic world, where information is expected to be available instantly, it applies just as much to B2B. In this workshop, we look at how putting yourself in the shoes of your customer and mapping their decision-making and buying journey is critical to ensuring that you provide what they perceive as fast solutions and added value. You will learn all about the three pillars for creating competitive brand experiences: Customer engagement planning puts you firmly in the shoes of your customer, helping you to build meaningful marketing communications delivered through the right resources at the right time to inspire your customers to engage with you. This programme will help participants to: Understand the evolution of the customer buying journey Map a customer buying journey for your brand or solutions Understand the customer micro-moments and signals indicating interest and buying intent, both online and offline Apply the psychology of branding to build marketing communications with impact Develop sales and marketing content that differentiates your brand(s) from the competition by demonstrating unique value and how you can meet your customer's needs 1 The evolution of the customer journey Understand how the use of mobile has had an impact on the customer buying journey where today's customers can research and compare products and solutions whenever and wherever they like, making the purchase journey even less linear Explore how marketers are adapting to this new customer behaviour and drawing upon various strategies to win the hearts and minds of their audiences 2 The See-Think-Do-Care framework Explore the many different frameworks used to track the customer journey Understand and apply the modern marketing model, where the internet has enabled the customer to hop between multiple touchpoints before making a purchase decision 3 Customer micro-moments and signals in their buying journey Understand the online and offline moments when customers seek information to research and make buying decisions Apply this understanding to build a marketing communication plan to reach customers at all stages of their buying journey 4 The role of branding in the customer journey Explore the psychology of branding Learn how to ensure your branding is relevant to your target customer needs Bring together your brand value and story to achieve brand loyalty 5 The Why-How-What framework Apply a systematic approach to build a successful and compelling brand Understand how starting with 'why' will help build your brand purpose Apply the content marketing matrix to communicate your brand's value Apply the hero-help-hub model to build engaging content marketing Actionable outcomes We will use your brand examples to provide opportunities for practice: You will learn and reflect on best practice examples of customer engagement You will discover your brand value, purpose and the 'sweet spot' to drive engagement with your customers You will create a customer engagement plan that can be implemented immediately within your business You will receive immediate feedback on your customer engagement plan You will have the opportunity to share common issues and solutions with your colleagues in the group
Better Business Cases™ Practitioner: Virtual In-House Training Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case, through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this Practitioner course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and to establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraint, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans
This very practical workshop has a simple objective: to help you prepare, design and deliver memorable and high-quality presentations. This programme will help you: Use a proven, structured tool-kit when designing and developing presentations Benefit from short cuts and best practice when designing and using Powerpoint presentations Select the right information, examples, exercises and activities - and use them well Prepare and structure a presentation or session appropriate to the audience, and to best achieve your objectives Maintain audience or group interest Develop and practise presentation skills to improve your voice tone, speech power and body language Use practical methods to control nerves and anxiety - develop higher levels of confidence and credibility Command a room, hold attention and create a high impact 1 Introduction Personal objectives Key messages and learning objectives of the workshop 2 Presentation skills What does good look like? Exercise: Characteristics of high/low impact presentations Presenting yourself as a 'winner' The energy / attitude model Exercise: Being a winner 3 Preparation skills - eight steps to preparing a great presentation, plus Powerpoint tips •The magic circle• How to 'assume the role' when presenting• The eight steps• Step 1 - develop your objectives- The five questions that you must answer before preparing your presentation- Defining your objectives and outcomes- Creating a first draft- Step 1 exercise• Step 2 - analyse your audience- Doing your homework: audience, event, venue- Developing a pre-event check-list- Methods and means for researching your audience- Step 2 exercise• Steps 3 and 4 - structure the main body of your presentation and state the main ideas- Ways to structure your presentation for maximum impact- Balancing and managing content and topics- Organising your information: 6 options and methods- Your 'one main point' and creating a 30-second summary- Steps 3 and 4 exercises• Step 5 - decide on supporting information, using the toolkit- Making your case convincing: ways to support your claims- Selecting and using relevant and interesting examples- Quotes, case studies and printed material- Presenting statistics, tables and graphs- Ways of maintaining visual interest- Transitions and links, creating a 'golden thread'- Step 5 exercise: Creating compelling stories and anecdotes4• Step 6 - create an effective 'opening'- Claiming the stage and creating a good first impression- The three most powerful ways of opening a presentation- The five elements of a strong opening- Step 6 exercise: Participants work individually to prepare an opening, focusing onpersonal introduction, and then deliver to the group, with structured feedback• Step 7 - develop transitions- Step 7 exercise / examples• Step 8 - create an effective close- Signalling and sign-posting; the importance of, and how to do it effectively- Five ways to close a presentation successfully- Step 8 exercise / examples• Presentation design and Powerpoint- An interactive review of participants' own real-life past presentations and advanced tipsand techniques on using Powerpoint effectively 4 Facilitation skills The three main types of group activity - triads, teams and main group How to select the right activity, define the objectives, set it up and run the debrief Using energisers - with examples Exercise: Dealing with 'difficult' behaviours Exercise: Working in triads, design and deliver 5 Tips and tricks: presentation and facilitation 10 reasons why facilitation fails Five golden rules for success Defining the session goals and the facilitation plan Open and closed questions - why and when to use Using a 'car park' to manage unresolved issues Using AV aids - tips and tricks Exercises: Including participants working in pairs to prepare a short section form of one of their own presentations 6 Putting it all together Summary of key learning points Action plan
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for: Intermediate software developers Overview In this course, you will learn to: Set up the AWS SDK and developer credentials for Java, C#/.NET, Python, and JavaScript Interact with AWS services and develop solutions by using the AWS SDK Use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for service authentication Use Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and Amazon DynamoDB as data stores Integrate applications and data by using AWS Lambda, Amazon API Gateway, Amazon Simple Queue Service (Amazon SQS), Amazon Simple Notification Service (Amazon SNS), and AWS Step Functions Use Amazon Cognito for user authentication Use Amazon ElastiCache to improve application scalability Leverage the CI/CD pipeline to deploy applications on AWS In this course, you learn how to use the AWS SDK to develop secure and scalable cloud applications using multiple AWS services such as Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Simple Storage Service, and AWS Lambda. You explore how to interact with AWS using code and learn about key concepts, best practices, and troubleshooting tips. Module 0: Course Overview Agenda Introductions Student resources Module 1: Introduction to AWS Introduction to the AWS Cloud Cloud scenarios Infrastructure overview Introduction to AWS foundation services Module 2: Introduction to Developing on AWS Getting started with developing on AWS Introduction to developer tools Introduction to management tools Module 3: Introduction to AWS Identity and Access Management Shared responsibility model Introduction to IAM Use authentication and authorization Module 4: Introduction to the Lab Environment Introduction to the lab environment Lab 1: Getting started and working with IAM Module 5: Developing Storage Solutions with Amazon Simple Storage Service Overview of AWS storage options Amazon S3 key concepts Best practices Troubleshooting Scenario: Building a complete application Lab 2: Developing storage solutions with Amazon S3 Module 6: Developing Flexible NoSQL Solutions with Amazon DynamoDB Introduction to AWS database options Introduction to Amazon DynamoDB Developing with DynamoDB Best practices Troubleshooting Scenario: Building an end-to-end app Lab 3: Developing flexible NoSQL solutions with Amazon DynamoDB Module 7: Developing Event-Driven Solutions with AWS Lambda What is serverless computing? Introduction to AWS Lambda Key concepts How Lambda works Use cases Best practices Scenario: Build an end-to-end app Module 8: Developing Solutions with Amazon API Gateway Introduction to Amazon API Gateway Developing with API Gateway Best practices Introduction to AWS Serverless Application Model Scenario: Building an end-to-end app Lab 4: Developing event-driven solutions with AWS Lambda Module 9: Developing Solutions with AWS Step Functions Understanding the need for Step Functions Introduction to AWS Step Functions Use cases Module 10: Developing Solutions with Amazon Simple Queue Service and Amazon Simple Notification Service Why use a queueing service? Developing with Amazon Simple Queue Service Developing with Amazon Simple Notification Service Developing with Amazon MQ Lab 5: Developing messaging solutions with Amazon SQS and Amazon SNS Module 11: Caching Information with Amazon ElastiCache Caching overview Caching with Amazon ElastiCache Caching strategies Module 12: Developing Secure Applications Securing your applications Authenticating your applications to AWS Authenticating your customers Scenario: Building an end-to-end app Module 13: Deploying Applications Introduction to DevOps Introduction to deployment and testing strategies Deploying applications with AWS Elastic Beanstalk Scenario: Building an end-to-end app Lab 6: Building an end-to-end app Module 14: Course wrap-up Course overview AWS training courses Certifications Course feedback
Our courses have been designed by experienced teachers to make getting TEFL qualified as convenient as possible. These online courses are entirely self-paced, meaning you can fit study around your life in a way that works best for you. Throughout the course, you will have the support of your own personal tutor who is with you from beginning to end to mark your work, provide helpful feedback, and answer all your questions. 120-hour Premier Online TEFL Course: 50-hour Online TEFL Course Learn about classroom management, teaching styles and advanced TEFL methodology. Includes units on business English, young learners, and teaching English one-to-one. Study with a personal tutor and meet fellow students on our course forums. 30-hour Online Grammar Course Do not know your irregular verbs from auxiliary verbs? This course will improve your basic grammar and give you the grounding you will need to communicate complicated language rules to a student audience. 20-hour Online Video Course Seeing an English teacher in action is a potent learning tool and really brings the theory to life. Feel free to steal the ideas in these video courses to use in your first lessons. We do not mind! Two 10-hour specialist mini-modules. Two mini-modules designed for specific TEFL jobs, which will help your CV stand out. One 10-hour unit is about teaching online, and the other 10-hour unit will help you teach large classes. Included in the 120-hour Premier Online TEFL Course: Lifetime access to the TEFL Job Centre The TEFL Virtual Educators course doesn’t just train you to teach; it helps you find and be offered great TEFL jobs around the world. From exclusive access to our job vacancies to a lifetime of free TEFL career advice, we’re here to help you kick-start your new career. Internationally recognised TEFL certificate – hard copy & PDF A widely-recognised certificate posted straight to your door which shows your achievements on our course, something you can show to TEFL employers to secure you a job. Personal online TEFL tutor Work through your course with the help of an experienced and qualified TEFL tutor. Throughout the course, you’ll have the same tutor, so you have one point of contact for advice and assistance. Online TEFL Class breakdown Lesson Planning Teaching English Vocabulary Teaching Pronunciation Understanding English Grammar Teaching Receptive Skills: Listening and Reading Teaching Productive Skills: Speaking and Writing Teaching English Grammar Principles of Teaching English as a Foreign Language Materials and Aids for Teaching English/Classroom Management Strategies Using Resources Effectively when Teaching English as a Foreign Language Case Study, CV and Cover Letter, Job Sites and Resources You will explore the latest theories in topics such as second language acquisition and social discourse and have the chance to apply these to your own classroom practice and curriculum development. You will also learn to conduct your own research, compile and analyse qualitative and quantitative data and develop your critical-evaluative skills. These skills will be used on your own research project at the end of the course, as well as in your future career. Core modules: Second Language Acquisition You will focus on the major themes that have emerged from literature on second language learning over the last three decades. You will examine some of the research on the second-language acquisition process, look critically at reports of second-language research, and examine some of the theories which endeavour to interpret research evidence. You will be encouraged to use your own language learning and teaching experience to assess the relative merits of such materials. Discourse in Society You will examine the relationship between language and society and the construction of discourse in various domains. You will explore sociological and sociolinguistic models and theories, such as speech communities, communities of practice and ethnolinguistic vitality, with a particular focus on social variation and stratification across various linguistic levels (phonology, lexicon, syntax). You will explore discourse's notion (or notions) in both its linguistic and wider meaning and its construction in and through society and language use. You will study methods for collecting and transcribing data and discover various linguistic and discourse analysis approaches. These methods and approaches will then be put into context and used in the analysis of the relevant social spheres and domains, such as educational or institutional discourse. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics This module will provide you with an introduction to research methods in preparation for the MA dissertation. It will familiarise you with the basic processes of conducting research, including general methodological approaches as well as research ethics. You will analyse and discuss both qualitative and quantitative data in order to develop your critical-evaluative skills. Materials and Course Design You will explore the factors involved in the design of language courses and teaching materials, reflecting on one possible course design process. You will start with an analysis of the context in which the course will take place, the needs of the learners, and current theories of language and language learning. You will move on to consider how course content can be selected and ordered in a principled way, how assessment relates to course design, and how and when courses should be evaluated. Finally, you will consider the evaluation, adaptation, and creation of course materials. Classroom Theory and Practice You will examine current research on modern classroom operations, exploring key concepts and issues through relevant professional and academic literature. A more practical element will be realised through filmed observation of teachers in practice. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your teaching and learning experience and analyse and discuss your beliefs and attitudes towards learning and teaching. Major Project This module will support you in the preparation and submission of a master’s dissertation, allowing you to explore in-depth a particular topic that reflects your academic interest. Assessment You will show your understanding of theoretical issues and their practical application through a combination of portfolios, classroom observation tasks and critical essays. After completing your final module, you will also research and prepare a 15,000-word dissertation.
Better Business Cases™ Foundation and Practitioner Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the combined foundation and practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. The outline presented in the course overview will be addressed in the first 2 days, with the Foundation exam conducted on the morning of Day 3. Then the topics will be revisited at a deeper level, for 2 more days, with the Practitioner exam conducted on the afternoon of Day 5. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario. Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraints, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post-project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans
This workshop will help you improve the impact, clarity, accuracy and effectiveness of your sales proposals. It takes bid and proposal teams right through the process, from start to finish - from forming the team and gathering the information, through to writing and reviewing the proposal document, and on to presenting it to the client. The learning points shared in the programme come from the trainer's extensive real-world experience with a wide variety of businesses. As a result of attending this programme, participants will be able to: Write more clearly, more grammatically and more persuasively Structure their written communications more effectively Avoid the 'howlers' that can cost you business Impress your clients Win more business 1 Bid strategy How to combine your knowledge of the market or customer, your products and services, and your competitors, to create a quality bid New insights into your comparative advantages and competitive position in the marketplace Understanding more about how your client views you and other suppliers A plan of attack to build on your strengths and attack the weaknesses of your competition Dealing with RFP/ITT situations 2 Teamwork How a bid or proposal team needs to prioritise and manage preparation time Co-ordinating input from team members Agreeing responsibilities 3 The importance and role of a well-written sales proposal Why bother? - the value of the sales proposal to you and to the customer What the customer wants and needs to make a decision in your favour Understanding and delivering on customer expectations Review and discussion of different proposals - with real-life examples 4 The best way to structure your sales proposals A section-by-section, page-by-page review of best practice in structuring great sales proposals How to improve the way you match your proposal to the customer's objectives and requirements Plan your sales documents systematically - to make them easy to read and more persuasive How to make your proposal look like the 'least risky' option 5 Making your proposal a compelling and persuasive proposition Choosing the right words that sell effectively Selecting the right content and information for your document or proposal Using an option matrix to summarise complex choices and increase final order value How to write an executive summary 6 Well-written and error-free Developing your writing style for maximum impact Expressing the content (ie, selling points) clearly, concisely and correctly Proof-reading and editing work effectively, using formal marks and techniques Improving visual layout, format and appearance Keeping it customer-focused 7 Presenting to the client - overview Presentation options Understanding the client's objectives - as well as your own The proposal review meeting - logistics Managing to the next step Designing and delivering a compelling presentation Isolating objections and concerns Follow-up and follow-through 8 Positioning your final proposal Finalising your bid - presenting the right 'best few' USPs, features and benefits and making them relevant and real to the customer Smart ways to position price and be a strong player - without being the cheapest How to differentiate yourselves by how you present, as well as what you present How to design and deliver a successful bid presentation 9 Bid presentation practice session with structured feedback Participants work in small groups or pairs to prepare and later present a sample section from a real life bid or proposal presentation The trainer will provide assistance and input During group review and discussions, input from others will be encouraged and many best practice ideas summarised 10 Managing the end game How best to draw-out, understand, isolate and answer customer objections, negotiate points and concerns How to read the situation to plan the next step Identifying negotiation tactics - and how to deal with them Planning for a negotiation and how to get the customer feel they have the 'best deal' 11 Workshop summary and close
Master Xero accounting & bookkeeping with this CPD-accredited Level 7 course. Gain skills in invoicing, payroll, VAT returns & financial management.
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