In today's competitive business world firms are under unprecedented pressure to deliver value to their shareholders and other key stakeholders. Senior executives in all parts of the organisation are finding that they need some degree of financial know how to cope with the responsibility placed on them as business managers and key decision-makers; monitoring and improving business performance, investing in capital projects, mergers and acquisitions: all require some degree of financial knowledge. The key financial skills are not as difficult to learn as many people believe and in the hands of an experienced senior executive they can provide a formidable competitive advantage. After completing this course delegates will be able to: Understand fundamental business finance concepts; understand, analyse and interpret financial statements: Profit Statement, Balance Sheet and Cashflow Statement Understand the vital difference between profit and cashflow; identify the key components of working capital and how they can be managed to generate strong cashflow Evaluate pricing decisions based on an understanding of the nature of business costs and their impact on gross margin and break-even sales; managing pricing, discounts and costs to generate strong business profits; understand how lean manufacturing methods improve profit Use powerful analytical tools to measure and improve the performance of their own company and assess the effectiveness of their competitors Apply and interpret techniques for assessing and comparing investment opportunities in capital projects, business acquisitions and other ventures; understand and apply common methods of business valuation Understand the role of business finance in formulating and implementing competitive business strategy; the role of budgeting as part of the planning process and the various approaches to budgeting and performance measurement 1 Basic principles Delivering value to key stakeholders Accounting concepts, GAAP, IFRS and common terms Understanding and using the balance sheet Understanding and using the profit statement Recognising the vital difference between profit and cashflow Understanding and using the cashflow statement What financial statements can and cannot tell us 2 Managing and improving cashflow Sources of finance and their advantages and disadvantages What is working capital and why is it so important? Managing stocks, debtors and creditors Understanding how working capital drives business growth Understanding and avoiding the over-trading trap Unlocking the funds tied up in fixed assets: asset backed loans and leasing 3 Managing and improving profit Understanding how profits generate cashflow The fundamental nature of costs: fixed and variable business costs Understanding gross margin and break-even How common pricing methods affect gross margin and profit Effective strategies to improve gross margin Using value chain analysis to reduce costs Lean manufacturing methodsUnderstanding Just-in-time, 6 Sigma and Kaizen methods Improving profitEffective and defective strategies 4 Measuring and managing business performance Measures of financial performance and strength Investor behaviour: the risk and reward relationship Return on investment (ROI): the ultimate measure of business performance How profit margin and net asset turnover drive return on net assets Why some companies are more profitable that others Understanding competitive advantage: cost and differentiation advantage Why great companies failWhat happened to Kodak? Using a 'Pyramid of Ratios' to improve business performance Using Critical Success Factors to develop Key Performance Indicators 5 Budgeting and forecasting methods Using budgets to support strategy Objectives and methods for effective budgets Using budgets to monitor and manage business performance Alternative approaches to budgeting Developing and implementing Balanced Scorecards Beyond Budgeting Forecasting methods and techniques Identifying key business drivers Using rolling forecasts and 'what-if' models to aid decision-making
Businesses that don't control their costs don't stay in business. How well are you doing? Is everyone in your organisation sufficiently aware of costs, managing them effectively and maximising opportunities to reduce them? If there is scope for improvement, this course will help get you back on track. It will demonstrate that cost reduction is so much more than cost control and cost cutting. True cost management is about being aware of costs, seeking to reduce them through good design and efficient operating practices whilst taking continuing action on overspending. This course will develop the participants' skills in: Being aware of costs at all times Seeking cost reduction from the start (including life-cycle costing) Appraising projects / production to identify and take out risk Understanding real budgeting Using techniques such as ZBB and ABC where appropriate Ensuring cost reports lead to action Managing a cost reduction process that delivers Benefits to the organisation will include: Identification of cost reduction and business improvement opportunities Better reporting and ownership of costs Greater awareness and control of everyday costs 1 Introduction - the cost management process The risks of poor cost control Capital and revenue costs The importance of cost awareness The importance of cost reduction Cost management - the key aspects How to build a cost management and control process checklist for your areas of responsibility 2 Cost removal - taking out costs Cost awareness Costs of poor design / poor processes Value engineering Removing redundant costs 3 The need for commercial, technical and financial appraisals Understand the problems before cash is committed and costs incurred Making the effort to identify commercial and technical risk The time value of money - DCF techniques for long term projects Cost models for production processes and projects Costing models - project appraisals The use of spreadsheets to identify sensitivity and risk How to focus on risk management 4 Budgeting - proper budgeting challenges costs The philosophy of the business - are costs an issue? The importance of having the right culture The need for detailed business objectives Budgetary control measures Designing budget reports - for action 5 Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) - the principles Much more than starting with a clean sheet of paper What ZBB can achieve The concept of decision packages - to challenge business methods and costs Only necessary costs should be incurred A review of an operating budget - demonstrating what ZBB challenges and the costs it may lead to being taken out 6 Awareness of overheads and other costs Definitions of cost - direct and indirect Dealing with overheads - what is meant by allocation, absorption or apportionment? The apparent and real problems with overheads Different ways of dealing with overheads Review of overhead allocation methods and accounting and reporting issues 7 Overheads and product costing Activity-based costing (ABC) - the principles Where and how the ABC approach may be helpful Know the 'true' cost of a product or a project Should you be in business? Will you stay in business? Identifying weaknesses in a traditional overhead allocation How ABC will help improve product or service costing Identifying which products and activities should be developed and which abandoned 8 Cost reduction culture The need for cost reports What measures can be used to identify over-spends as early as possible Cost control performance measures and ratios 9 Design of cost control reports Reports should lead to action and deliver Selecting cost control measures which can be acted upon Practice in designing action reports 10 Course summary - developing your own cost action plan Group and individual action plans will be prepared with a view to participants identifying their cost risks areas and the techniques which can be immediately applied to improve costing and reduce costs
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
Did you know 1 in 4 people in the UK are likely to experience mental health problems each year? Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet whilst we know how to take care of our own physical health, many people do not know how to support relatives, friends and even colleagues who are experiencing poor mental health. By developing a greater understanding of common mental health issues, as well as how best to support and guide someone to professional help, you can help further reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the UK. The QA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification that has been specifically designed for those who would like to raise their awareness of mental health, develop an understanding on how best to support, reassure and signpost colleagues to professional support. What’s more, candidates will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to actively promote positive mental health within their workplace, making it an ideal qualification for mental health champions/first aiders, human resources, managers, supervisors and team leaders. What’s Covered? Understanding mental health and its importance The roles and responsibilities for mental health in the workplace Importance of own wellbeing as a mental health first aider Common mental health conditions, including: Characteristics and features Work-related stress Anxiety Eating disorders Depression Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Phobias Bipolar Self-harm Psychosis Suicide Promoting positive mental health first aid in the workplace Best practice for employers Mental health first aid at work action plan Appropriate coping strategies How employers can provide support to employees in the workplace Assisting those off work or returning to work Procedures to support employees who are off work whilst experiencing poor mental health Types of support available both locally and nationally
This five-day programme empowers participants with the skills and knowledge to understand and effectively apply best practice commercial and contracting principles and techniques, ensuring better contractor performance and greater value add. This is an assessed programme, leading to the International Association for Contracts & Commercial Management (IACCM)'s coveted Contract and Commercial Management Practitioner (CCMP) qualification. By the end of this comprehensive programme the participants will be able to: Develop robust contracting plans, including scopes of work and award strategies Undertake early market engagements to maximise competition Conduct effective contracting and commercial management activities, including ITT, RFP, negotiated outcomes Understand the legalities of contract and commercial management Negotiate effectively with key stakeholders and clients, making use of the key skills of persuading and influencing to optimise outcomes Undertake effective Supplier Relationship Management Appreciate the implications of national and organisational culture on contracting and commercial activities Appreciate professional contract management standards Set up and maintain contract and commercial management governance systems Take a proactive, collaborative, and agile approach to managing commercial contracts Develop and monitor appropriate and robust KPIs and SLAs to manage the contractor and facilitate improved contractor performance Appreciate the cross-functional nature of contract management Collaborate with clients to deliver sustainable performance and to manage and exceed client expectations Understand the roles and responsibilities of contract and commercial managers Use effective contractor selection and award methods and models (including the 10Cs model) and use these models to prepare robust propositions to clients Make effective use of lessons learned to promote improvements from less than optimal outcomes, using appropriate templates Effectively manage the process of change, claims, variations, and dispute resolution Develop and present robust propositions Make appropriate use of best practice contract and commercial management tools, techniques, and templates DAY ONE 1 Introduction Aims Objectives KPIs Learning strategies Plan for the programme 2 The contracting context Key objectives of contract management Importance and impact on the business 3 Critical success factors Essential features of professional commercial and contract management and administration The 6-step model 4 Putting the 'management' into commercial and contract management Traditional v 'new age' models The need for a commercial approach The added value generated 5 Definitions 'Commercial management' 'Contract management' 'Contracting' ... and why have formal contracts? 6 Stakeholders Stakeholder mapping and analysis The 'shared vision' concept Engaging with key functions, eg, HSE, finance, operations 7 Roles and responsibilities Contract administrators Stakeholders 8 Strategy and planning Developing effective contracting plans and strategies DAY TWO 1 Contract control Tools and techniques, including CPA and Gantt charts A project management approach Developing effective contract programmes 2 The contracting context Key objectives of contract management Importance and impact on the business 3 Tendering Overview of the contracting cycle Requirement to tender Methods Rationale Exceptions Steps Gateways Controls One and two package bids 4 Tender assessment and contract award I - framework Tender board procedures Role of the tender board (including minor and major tender boards) Membership Administration Developing robust contract award strategies and presentations DAY THREE 1 Tender assessment and contract award II - processes Pre-qualification processes CRS Vendor registration rules and processes Creating bidder lists Disqualification criteria Short-listing Using the 10Cs model Contract award and contract execution processes 2 Minor works orders Process Need for competition Role and purpose Controls Risks 3 Contract strategy Types of contract Call-offs Framework agreements Price agreements Supply agreements 4 Contract terms I: Pricing structures Lump sum Unit price Cost plus Time and materials Alternative methods Target cost Gain share contracts Advance payments Price escalation clauses 5 Contract terms II: Other financial clauses Insurance Currencies Parent body guarantees Tender bonds Performance bonds Retentions Sub-contracting Termination Invoicing 6 Contract terms III: Risk and reward Incentive contracts Management and mitigation of contractual risk DAY FOUR 1 Contract terms IV: Jurisdiction and related matters Applicable laws and regulations Registration Commercial registry Commercial agencies 2 Managing the client-contractor relationship Types of relationship Driving forces Link between type of contract and style of relationships Motivation - use of incentives and remedies 3 Disputes Types of dispute Conflict resolution strategies Negotiation Mediation Arbitration DAY FIVE 1 Performance measurement KPIs Benchmarking Cost controls Validity of savings Balanced scorecards Using the KPI template 2 Personal qualities of the contract manager Negotiation Communication Persuasion and influencing Working in a matrix environment 3 Contract terms V: Drafting skills Drafting special terms 4 Variations Contract and works variation orders Causes of variations Risk management Controls Prevention Negotiation with contractors 5 Claims Claims management processes Controls Risk mitigation Schedules of rates 6 Close-out Contract close-out and acceptance / completion HSE Final payments Performance evaluation Capturing the learning 7 Close Review Final assessment Next steps
AAT Revision Courses - Overview AAT Revision Courses are greatly beneficial for people who want to prepare for AAT synoptic assessments. For each AAT Qualification, there is a synoptic assessment which students need to pass to gain the qualification for any particular level. (Level 2/Level 3/Level 4). Getting extra support just before the synoptic assessment can help you understand various exam strategies to achieve greater marks/grade and avoid wasted time and the cost of resitting. Osborne Training is an AAT Approved Training Provider and we are proud to maintain the highest standard of teaching. From a recent survey, it was found that people who studied the revision course at Osborne Training are 70% more likely to pass the Synoptic Assessment on the first sitting. Benefits For each revision course for any level, you get the following benefits. 1 Synoptic Workbook Lectures led by Expert & Qualified Teacher Helping you to get ready for the exam Achieve better grade/marks Exam Booking Service Supports you with your preparation for the Synoptic Exam Structure your revision by module Tutor feedback and workings provided Full walkthrough a practice assessment by a tutor Professional or Industry specific qualification
AAT Bookkeeping Course Online Overview If you want to become a certified bookkeeper with AATQB (AAT Qualified Bookkeeper) status, then you must complete the AAT bookkeeping course successfully. This bookkeeping course is broken down into two levels, Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping Once you pass all 5 exams successfully, you can gain AATQB status giving you a leading edge to build a successful career in bookkeeping. Next steps after qualifying You will be awarded Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. What you will gain? Firstly, this course will help you develop your skills in double-entry bookkeeping and give you an understanding of management and administrative processes. You'll learn how to use manual bookkeepin systems and to work with the purchase ledger, sales ledger and general ledger. You would also get better understanding about VAT system and how to do VAT Return. You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. The AAT bookkeeping course covers the following areas: Bookkeeping transactions Bookkeeping Controls Advanced Bookkeeping Final Accounts Preparation Indirect Tax
AAT Bookkeeping Course Online Overview If you want to become a certified bookkeeper with AATQB (AAT Qualified Bookkeeper) status, then you must complete the AAT bookkeeping course successfully. This bookkeeping course is broken down into two levels, Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping Once you pass all 5 exams successfully, you can gain AATQB status giving you a leading edge to build a successful career in bookkeeping. Next steps after qualifying You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. What you will gain? Firstly, this course will help you develop your skills in double entry bookkeeping and give you an understanding of management and administrative processes. You'll learn how to use manual bookkeepin systems and to work with the purchase ledger, sales ledger and general ledger. You would also get better understanding about VAT system and how to do VAT Return. You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. The AAT bookkeeping course covers the following areas: Bookkeeping transactions Bookkeeping Controls Advanced Bookkeeping Final Accounts Preparation Indirect Tax
AAT Bookkeeping Course If you want to become a certified bookkeeper with AATQB (AAT Qualified Bookkeeper) status, then you must complete the AAT bookkeeping course successfully. This bookkeeping course is broken down into two levels, Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping Once you pass all 5 exams successfully, you can gain AATQB status giving you leading edge to build a successful career in bookkeeping. Next steps after qualifying You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. What you will gain? Firstly, this course will help you develop your skills in double entry bookkeeping and give you an understanding of management and administrative processes. You'll learn how to use manual bookkeepin systems and to work with the purchase ledger, sales ledger and general ledger. You would also get better understanding about VAT system and how to do VAT Return. You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. The AAT bookkeeping course covers the following areas: Bookkeeping transactions Bookkeeping Controls Advanced Bookkeeping Final Accounts Preparation Indirect Tax
Why Join Digital Marketing Training Course at Osborne Training Osborne Training is well Recognised for quality Regular Lectures led by Industry Expert Tutors Unlimited Access to the State of the Art Virtual Learning Campus Exclusive Access to High quality study materials Flexible payment option available Join Digital Marketing Training course as Pure Online or Blended with Classroom Delivery Access to Digital Marketing Internship for 3 months at the end of the training Unlimited Tutorial Support from expert tutors Get a Student Discount Card from NUS* Get a Free Tablet PC for limited period* Practical Hands-on Projects, Practical focused Assignments and Group-work for greater skills enhancement and understanding real life issues for real life problems Once you complete the bookkeeping course, you will get a certificate from Osborne Training confirming your professional Digital Marketing Qualifications. What jobs could I qualify for? Senior Digital Marketing Manager Digital Marketing Coordinator Executive Digital Marketing Strategist Digital Marketing Consultant In these roles, you could earn on average more than £40,000 annually (source: Reed Salary Checker, UK). Moreover, many go on to become successful (Millionaire sometime) entrepreneur by offering Digital Marketing services or formulating successful Digital Marketing Strategy for their own business. Digital Marketing Qualifications Digital Marketing Qualifications at Osborne Training are developed in Association with Google. Osborne Training offers Total Digital Marketing Course which combines all major skills required to be a successful Digital Marketeer and you also have option to join a complementary Internship at the end of your course. In joining the Total Digital Marketing Course at Osborne Training, you will make one of the greatest decision of your career and can look forward to a successful career in digital marketing. Digital Marketing Course Overview Total Digital Marketing Course covers major areas of Digital Marketing to make you completely ready for the digital era. The Digital Marketing course comes with optional Internship at the end of the training making you highly employable. Practical focused and hands-on approach of the training method helps you to be ready to offer real life solutions for real life problems. Digital Marketing Training Course Content Basics of marketing Marketing In Digital Era All About Web Search Engine Optimization Search Engine Marketing Affiliate Marketing Social Media Marketing Email marketing and nurturing (inbound) Mobile app marketing Content marketing Web, mobile and app analytics Growth Hacking Creating robust digital marketing strategy