118 Courses in Edinburgh

Risk Management for IT Projects: In-House Training IT projects may have direct bottom-line impact on the organization, cost millions of dollars, cause organizational change and change the way the organization is perceived by clients. Many IT projects are notoriously hard to predict and are filled with risk. IT Risk Management takes a comprehensive look at IT project risk management using PMI's PMBOK® Guide Risk Management Model in the context of IT Project Life Cycle phases. The goal of this course is to arm the practitioner with a rigorous, common-sense approach to addressing uncertainty in projects. This approach includes the ability to influence project outcomes, avoid many potential project risks, and be ready to calmly and efficiently respond to unavoidable challenges. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Describe the risk management process, using the PMBOK® Guide's standard models and terminology Discuss the potential barriers to managing risk effectively in IT project organizations Develop an effective risk management plan for IT projects Identify project risks using IT-specific, practical tools Analyze individual risk events and overall project risk using IT-specific, practical approaches Plan effective responses to IT-specific risk based on the results of risk analysis and integrate risk responses into project schedules and cost estimates Manage and control risk throughout the IT project life cycle Implement selected elements of IT project risk management on your next project Foundation Concepts Basic concepts and purpose Risk and project constraints Risk and corporate cultures Risk management and IT PLC standards Plan Risk Management for IT Projects Plan Risk management process Plan Risk management activities Design a standard template Assess the project-specific needs Tailor the template Produce a project-specific risk management plan Gain consensus and submit as part of overall project plan A risk management plan of IT projects Identify Risks for IT Projects Identify risk process overview Risk categories and examples Risk identification tools Risk events by project life-cycle phases Perform Risk Analysis for IT Projects Perform qualitative risk analysis overview Core qualitative tools for IT projects Auxiliary qualitative tools for cost and schedule estimates When to use quantitative analysis for IT projects Plan Risk Response for IT Projects Plan risk response overview Active risk response strategies for IT projects (Threat and Opportunity) Acceptance and contingency reserves Contingency planning for IT projects Plan risk responses for IT projects Implement Risk Response for IT Projects Implement Risk Responses Executing Risk Response Plans Techniques and Tools Used Continuous Risk Management Monitor Risks for IT Projects Monitor risks overview Monitor risks tips for IT projects Technical performance measurement systems Risk management implementation for IT projects

Our Team Building Programmes are 'simply excellent' (quote from Unilever). They always deliver much greater energy' motivation and efficiently accelerates to a galvanised, integrated team for their Manager/Team Leader. They're great fun and very commercially orientated - the best of both key elements to a successful and long-lasting high performance team. A successful company is always made up of successful teams. Teams that can work autonomously with a clearly defined set of goals, roles, vision, responsibility and culture will always reach for and achieve far greater success than a team that works just as a group of individuals. Our team building solutions are individually built and geared towards teams at any level within an organisation, providing an independent and objective perspective to promote a common purpose such as the creation of a 'high performance team'. Out With The Old Traditionally, team building events have been restricted to certain levels of management where they head off site for a bit of archery, quad biking and paintballing or something along those lines. Then over some coffee and cocktails, business plans and more efficient ways to work are casually discussed. Whilst being out having fun instead of being at work may improve an individual person's mood, the effect will only be short-term, and will not go far in creating permanent and cohesive teams who are able to overcome challenges together and drive the business forward when back in the workplace. In With The New Today's business thinking is more strategic and certainly has to look for returns on the investment. That is why Dickson Training Ltd's team building programmes are bespoke and built to your requirements through research, understanding your business and, most importantly, what results and achievements you are looking to get out of the programme. Once "what success looks like" has been established, we create tasks and activities that will test your leadership, problem solving, communication and team work skills. When the tasks have been completed, the learning - both practical and theory - is debriefed to the group as well as how it will translate back in your business. Not only are our events great fun, but they provide participants with learning points they can act upon to improve or enhance the working practices/environment. Team Building That Gets Results We have a highly innovative team who design team builds to suit all budgets and time or space restrictions. Large or small, we will develop the perfect event to meet your commercial objectives, keeping in line with your values and company culture. More recently we have combined team galvanising events with ways to engage the participants with and support their local communities. This solution has proved extremely popular with our clients and we are continuing to develop more and more programmes doing exactly this. " Phil did everything in a very professional and focused manner, without losing sight of the overall aims or having 'fun'. When I moved to Airbus UK and subsequently European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), I had no hesitation in recommending Phil and the team to deliver the required training and team events.  Without doubt Phil and his team are excellent providers of training, to suit even bespoke requirements, and I would not hesitate in recommending the team to any business in the future. " Glenn Brown, Systems & Expertise Manager, Airbus Personnel Service Augmented Skills – an Essay by Phil Dickson All of you, who are reading this, and all the people you meet and work with will have – ‘Augmented Skills’. So – if you are an IT Engineer or a Pharmacist; perhaps you are, or know, a Departmental Leader and you work with a Logistics Project Manager; these roles will demand core skills, whether they be technical know-how or qualifications in the discipline. But to be that bit better; more reliable; more effective & productive and therefore more valuable and, frankly, marketable – capitalizing on ‘Augment Skills’ comes into play. The I T Engineer who was a Chess Champion at Uni, which would indicate that they possess some key ‘Augmented skills’ including how they plan 3 steps ahead and are always prepared for the unexpected. The Pharmacist, who is a keen sportsperson in their private life, will likely be tenacious, team-orientated and disciplined – again these are superb qualities to have in this – or any – role. Your colleagues, as well as yourself, will have ‘Augmented Skills’ that will be an asset if only they are explored and applied to their role and indeed, career. Everyone has their own 'Super-power' If they love gardening, they are probably strategic, patient and inclined to research; if they cook or bake, they are usually well organized and comfortable with multi-tasking. A big reader will tend to be considered and possess good critical thinking faculties, and an amateur mechanic or keen DIY person will often be practical, resourceful and very determined. I have observed that many new Parents discover they have ‘Augmented Skills’ they didn’t know they had... such as getting order out of chaos and displaying industrial amounts of patience and good grace when they really do not feel like it. They very often become far more compassionate and empathetic. Most people have their very own ‘Superpower’. Invite your team members to offer their ‘Augmented Skills’ to your work-place – and just watch as it elevates the motivation levels and improves results. It’ll be very rewarding for all concerned – and for meeting the Team’s objectives, to encourage the person who is a talented artist to be a sounding board on some of the marketing imagery and layouts; for the team member who is great at Maths or resolving crosswords to be asked for their input to solving a problem that is causing logistical or operational headaches. Never exploit a Team member’s unique special skills at their expense I would like to stress, however, that it must never be an area where a team member gets exploited by harvesting their unique special skills to coerce them into taking on greater responsibilities and tasks without providing them with the commensurate salary and status. To do so would be immoral and, ultimately, counter-productive as it would lead to resentment and disenfranchisement. This is about encouraging people’s capability and inviting their input to boost confidence and enhance the team’s capability. Often, we need to be more than what our Job Description says It is also important to highlight that whatever a person’s role or function is – they will definitely need to have additional capabilities to be effective. The best example of this is when we designed and delivered a range of ‘Advanced Customer Care skills’ training sessions for the Met Office a few years ago…we met so many remarkably super-bright Meteorologists, many of whom were having to make significant adjustments to answering questions from Customers that seemed to be illogical and often, obtuse. It wasn’t enough for these Meteorologists to be highly skilled at interpreting data and identifying patterns – they needed ‘Augmented skills’ to make that information accessible to members of the public (and Council workers and Air Traffic controllers and Shipping agents) and many other people, as to what that particular weather system was going to be like in their area and at what time. They have to know how to ‘de-jargonise’ the material and provide succinct, clear, and yet temperate, descriptions without ever appearing exasperated, impatient or judgmental in response to sometimes quite silly questions. For a highly trained scientist – that can be counter-intuitive. Being Philosophical... and a wee bit pretentious At the risk of being a little Philosophical (and probably a wee bit pretentious) – in my own role of Trainer – my core skills have to include – being a very good communicator, an active listener and have innovative and engaging ways to convert an idea, or a model, into practical application that my Delegates and Clients gain tangible benefits from. This is how it applies to me... I really enjoy composing short, light classical-style piano pieces. Now, to do this well, you need to be able to find a transition from one chord or melody to a different theme or key. It has to be worked out very carefully to have incremental transitions and pleasant-sounding developments as the piece unfolds. I think I have become better at this as I have honed my skills as a composer. But I have realized that these very same skills have ‘Augmented’ my ability to help a Manager, or a Team, move from a state of conflict; tension; disfunction; disenfranchisement; lack of confidence to a place that is more harmonious with far greater productivity. The very same process of careful listening, considering options, taking well-considered steps, having a creative, sometimes brave, move towards a resolution are at play in both Training and Piano Compositions! Scheduled Courses Unfortunately this course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. Please contact us for more information.

Healing Circles are not the same as "women’s circles" or the gatherings that have become more common in recent times. In traditional shamanic cultures, healing took place within the entire tribe rather than just in one-on-one sessions. The community saw itself as a unified whole, where each person contributed to the well-being of others. When someone became unwell, it affected everyone, so the group shared the responsibility of restoring balance and health. In these communal healing sessions, a powerful collective energy would emerge, greatly amplifying the healing process for the person in need. This is what we aim to recreate during our weekend together: a strong, collective contribution where everyone plays a part in the healing of those in need. You will have the opportunity to: Receive healing Channel spirits and offer your support to others Trained practitioners will guide the healing process. At the start, I will provide a thorough introduction to shamanism and healing, so no prior experience is required—just an open heart filled with unconditional love. If joining online, please have a wooden stick and any other tools you feel connected to (such as feathers, stones, drums, rattles, sound instruments, crystals—whatever you wish to bring). If attending in person, feel free to bring any healing tools you like or come as you are, with nothing at all. Giada's Journey Creative explorer of the human well-being with twenty years’ experience running events, workshops and retreats. Co-author of a non-profit book with other 33 Italian women about their stories in different countries. She has been learning to heal herself supporting a Holistic connection between mind, body and spirit. She has been studying and practicing Buddhist teachings, meditation and the Five Tibetan Rites Yoga in Nepal, India and Italy. Approached the imaginal world and dreams with the psychologist Elio Occhipinti and a regressive hypnosis journey with the vision of the psychiatrist Brian Weiss.  Her studies and practice have helped her become: Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher with the two years formal training in Scotland and Teacher Training in Wales  Shamanic and Integral Yoga Teacher, Ikigai Coach, Forest Therapy Guide qualified with Selene Calloni Williams at the Imaginal Academy and part of the Italian-Swiss Association for Counselling and Coaching, Aiscon.  Professional Esoteric Numerologist graduated at The Connaissance School of Numerology Corporate Mental Health Coach achieved with WeFocus Founder of Drink In Art exhibitions of local artists in private flats Founder of School of Shamanism creative and spiritual workshops, classes and therapies Founder of the Art and Spirituality Centre centre for creativity and well-being in Edinburgh By attending to our classes, workshops and retreats you agree to our TERMS AND CONDITIONS Payment  Bookings are non-refundable.  Disclaimer  By booking a class or workshop or retreat or 1-1 session -online or any other venues – with us, you release Giada Gaslini, Invisible Caims/School of Shamanism and any business partners working with Invisible Caims from any liability arising out of any personal injuries, emotional or physical release, death, expectations of results, theft in the venue or damages that may happen to people and objects while attending. We recommend that you consult your GP regarding the suitability of undertaking an exercise programme, if the class you are booking includes it like with yoga or similar, and following all the safety instructions required before beginning to exercise. When participating in an exercise, there is the possibility of sustaining a physical injury. If you engage in this exercise programme, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities and assume all risk of injury to yourself. You acknowledge that coaching, shamanic healing and counselling are not to be used as a substitute for psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other professionals. Our sessions are aimed at inner research, problem solving and personal growth, they do not replace the work of doctors and psychotherapists because they do not consider, treat or aim to solve pathologies and symptoms that are strictly medical. All contracts subject to and governed by English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales according to my current insurance.  

In this workshop, you will gain a better understanding of the benefits and challenges of working with neurodiverse people. Make your Organisation a more inclusive place for neurodiverse individuals.

The session can happen ONLINE or IN PERSON. If online and you wish to receive the cacao bar via mail, material and shipment costs will be applied, otherwise I will suggest where to purchase your ceremonial cacao.  Cacao is a sacred plant for the indigenous people, who call it 'The Drink of the Gods'. This is also the meaning of the scientific name given to the cacao plant Theobroma Cacao (Theo - God, broma - drink). To give the cacao spirit the opportunity to enter the person who takes it, the traditional way is to do it through a specific ceremony. It has been used for millennia by the indigenous peoples of Central America as an essential element in rituals. The Cacao Spirit was considered one of the most important deities in the Mayan cosmovision. In Mexico, the Aztecs considered it so precious that cocoa beans were regarded as coins. Ceremonial cacao is very different from the cacao found in our supermarkets. It is produced by simply cold milling cocoa beans from indigenous plants, after which the beans are lightly roasted and peeled. In this way, the cacao contains all the elements of the fruit in its entirety, including the cacao butter, which in industrial production is immediately separated. Returning to the ceremony, the intake of cacao is a sacred moment to connect with the Divine through a deep inner journey from the heart. Cacao has the property of encouraging a loving opening of the heart, allowing you to listen to the deepest parts of yourself. it is through the Heart that the connection with Heaven, Heart of Heaven, and with Earth, Heart of Earth, takes place. The heart is the seat of love in all traditional cultures, sometimes it is also the seat of some wounds that one receives in life, that is why Cacao has an effect first of all of releasing and releasing the emotions that bring the pains of life, but later it connects the individual with the true and great Heart, seat of infinite, unlimited Love. Mama Cacao also works on our Ancestors, it has the ability to release and heal the suffering that was theirs. The Cacao Ceremony leads to a very profound experience of healing, especially towards the awareness that each person's life is in any case imbued with Pure Love, from the moment of conception to the moment of the present breath. Love, also in the Mayan tradition, is the engine of all life, it is the source and source of well-being, harmony and balance of the entire Cosmos. Before attending, you will receive a full form to fill and extra info. The only medical contraindications are mixing Ceremonial Cacao with antidepressants, anti-psychotics, suffering from heart conditions, low blood pressure or serious illness.If you are on any anti-depressants, antipsychotics or any medication for mental health please get in touch with me. Ceremonial Cacao can cause serious interactions.Please arrive with an empty stomach - no food for 2/3 hours prior to the ceremony. Some light fruit is fine. Please avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy, red meat for 24 hours before and after - they do not mix well with Cacao. Keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If you smoke, please try to reduce as much as possible, especially if it is not pure tobacco due to the chemicals as cacao is a strong stimulant & detoxifier.If you want to get the very best out of the ceremony and support your integration, it is recommended to continue this diet for 48-72 hours before and after.  By attending to our classes, workshops, 1 to 1 sessions and retreats you agree to our TERMS AND CONDITIONS Payment  Bookings are non-refundable.  Disclaimer  By booking a class or workshop or retreat or 1-1 session -online or any other venues – with us, you release Giada Gaslini, Invisible Caims and any business partners working with Invisible Caims from any liability arising out of any personal injuries, emotional or physical release, death, expectations of results, theft in the venue or damages that may happen to people and objects while attending. We recommend that you consult your GP regarding the suitability of undertaking an exercise programme, if the class you are booking includes it like with yoga or similar, and following all the safety instructions required before beginning to exercise. When participating in an exercise, there is the possibility of sustaining a physical injury. If you engage in this exercise programme, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities and assume all risk of injury to yourself. You acknowledge that coaching, shamanic healing and counselling are not to be used as a substitute for psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other professionals. Our sessions are aimed at inner research, problem solving and personal growth, they do not replace the work of doctors and psychotherapists because they do not consider, treat or aim to solve pathologies and symptoms that are strictly medical. All contracts subject to and governed by the law according to my current insurance.   Added element of the disclaimer If the class happens in any venue and you are causing any damage to the property, you are taking responsibility of your actions. It is down to the individual to take personal responsibility when participating in physical activity and when entering a space that is used and shared by other parties. Invisible Caims does not take any responsibility about possible risks that may arise but can only advise and enforce guidelines and legal requirements as defined by the Scottish Government and local authorities.   

Singing as a magical experience. Find your own voice, surrendering to the flow of the body and develop a heightened awareness of how the body wants to sing.

Any successful business manager will tell you that you never get the deal you deserve - you always get the deal you negotiate! This two-day workshop includes recent research and practical techniques from the Harvard Business School Negotiation Project and provides a unique opportunity to learn and practice these skills in a safe environment using up to date materials and life-like practice negotiation case studies. This course will help participants to: Understand the basics of negotiation Develop negotiating skills Increase their business acumen Develop their communication skills Learn the models, techniques and tools for an effective negotiation Identify the barriers to agreements Close the deal 1 What is negotiation? Key skills for negotiation Types of negotiation Win-lose negotiations versus Win-win negotiations Wise agreements and Principled Negotiation 2 Four key negotiating concepts BATNA - Best alternative to negotiated agreement Setting your reservation price ZOPA - Zone of possible agreement Creating and trading value 3 Business acumen Understanding pricing, gross margins and profit Knowing the key points on which to negotiate 4 A Four Phase Model for negotiation Nine steps to successful planning Discussing a deal - creating and claiming value Making and framing proposals Bargaining for the winning deal 5 Effective communication Effective questioning Active listening skills Understanding and interpreting body language Barriers to effective communication 6 Understanding influence and persuasion Influencing strategies Ten proven ways to influence people Six universal methods of persuasion Understanding why people do business with other people 7 Negotiating tactics Tactics for win-lose negotiations Tactics for win-win negotiations Effective team negotiating Understanding and using powerv What do you do when the other side has more power? 8 Barriers to agreement Common barriers to agreement The Negotiators Dilemma Dealing with die-hard negotiators Dealing with lack of trust 9 Potential barriers to cross-border agreements Understanding business methods and practice in other cultures Figuring out who has the power and who makes decisions Recognising and dealing with cultural differences What's OK here might not be OK there 10 Closing the deal Four steps to closing the winning deal

The 'golden rule' of negotiation is simple - don't! But life's rarely that simple and very often we do have to negotiate, particularly if we want to win the business and especially if we want to win it on our terms. Such negotiations are crucial. We need to prepare for them. We need a strategy, and the skills to execute it. Does your team have a structured approach? Is it flawlessly executed, every time? Or is there room for improvement? This programme will help them master the six fundamentals of closing better business: Manage all these elements well and you will win more business, more profitably. This course will help participants: Negotiate from a position of partnership, not competition Deal more effectively and profitably with price objections Identify and practise successful sales negotiating skills Identify strengths and weaknesses as a sales negotiator Understand different types of buyer behaviour Learn to recognise negotiating tactics and stances Apply a new and proven structure to their business negotiations Identify and adapt for different behavioural styles Be alert to unconscious (non-verbal) communication Prepare and present a proposal at a final business negotiation stage Project confidence and exercise assertiveness in all sales negotiations 1 Planning for successful business negotiations This session introduces the concept of business negotiation and looks at its importance in the context of the participants' roles and activities. It briefly examines why we negotiate and the dynamics involved. Session highlights: What kind of a negotiator are you? Negotiation skills self-assessment and best practice How to establish roles and responsibilities for both parties How to identify and set objectives for both buyer and seller How to research and establish the other person's position (business negotiation stance) 2 How to structure your negotiations This module presents an eight-step framework or structure for use in negotiations and considers how best to prepare and plan your negotiations within the context of a supplier/customer relationship or business cycle. It also includes a brief review of legal responsibilities and what constitutes a 'deal'. Session highlights: Learn and apply a formal structure to use when negotiating How to establish short- and longer-term objectives and opportunities How best to plan, prepare and co-ordinate a major business negotiation meeting, or on-going negotiations Understanding of basic legal and organisational requirements 3 Verbal negotiation skills This session examines the human and communication dynamics inherent in any negotiation situation. It emphasises the importance of professional skills in preparing for a negotiation by identifying needs, wants and requirements accurately and by qualifying the competitive and organisational influences present. Session highlights: How to fully 'qualify' the other party's needs, requirements and constraints during the negotiation process by using advanced questioning and listening skills How to pre-empt negotiation objections by promoting and gaining commitment to options, benefits, value and solutions How best to propose and suggest ideas, using drawing-out skills 4 Non-verbal negotiation skills This module highlights how different personal styles, corporate cultures and organisation positions can influence events, and demonstrates practical methods for dealing with and controlling these factors. It also examines key principles of body language and non-verbal communication in a practical way. Session highlights: Gaining rapport and influencing unconsciously Understanding the importance of non-verbal communication; reading other people's meaning and communicating effectively as a result Ensure that non-verbal behaviour is fully utilised and observed to create maximum impact and monitor progress (eg, buying signals) Recognising that business negotiations are precisely structured and agreements gained incrementally 5 Proposing and 'packaging' This session highlights how best to present and package your proposal. It looks at how to pre-empt the need for negotiating by creating minor-options and 'bargaining' points, as well as how to manage the expectations and perceptions of the customer or buyer. Session highlights: How to identify the key variables that can be negotiated The power and use of 'authority' within your negotiations How to structure and present your proposal, ideas or quotation to best effect The importance of when and how to identify and influence buyer's objections 6 Dealing with price This module highlights how to best present and package price within your proposal or negotiation. In most cases, price has more to do with psychology than affordability and preparation and careful handling are essential. Session highlights: The three reasons that people will pay your asking price How to set price in a competitive market The key differences between selling and negotiating Ten ways to present price more effectively and persuasively 7 Getting to 'Yes': tactics and strategies There are many different tactics and strategies common to successful negotiators. This session looks at those that are most appropriate to the participants' own personal styles and situations. The importance of 'follow-through' is also explained and how to deal with protracted or 'stale-mate' business negotiations. Session highlights: How to negotiate price and reduce discounting early in the process How to recognise negotiating tactics and strategies in your customer or supplier Key strategies, techniques and tactics to use in negotiation The importance of follow-through and watching the details How to deal with stalled business negotiations or competitor 'lock-out' 8 Case studies and review This session examines a number of different situations and participants discuss ways to approach each. This will allow learning to be consolidated and applied in a very practical way. There will also be a chance to have individual points raised in a question and answer session. Session highlights: Case studies Question and answer Planning worksheet Negotiation 'toolkit' and check-list 9 Personal action plans Session highlights: Identify the most important personal learning points from the programme Highlight specific actions and goals Flag topics for future personal development and improvement