15 Courses in Leeds

Where should management effort be directed? In controlling costs and ensuring proper engineering in live projects? - yes, of course, but true cost control comes by understanding, eliminating and minimising risk prior to a business committing any funds. This course studies the stages required for practical financial and business appraisals of projects and capital expenditure. This course has two primary objectives: To impart the knowledge and skills required to ensure as risk-free as possible expenditure of that scarce resource, cash - the investors', governments' or shareholders' money must not be squandered To improve the quality of the appraisal process in the widest sense - demonstrating how the process of project and capital expenditure appraisal can be used to dramatically improve cost control and deliver as risk-free as possible expenditure As a result of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the economics of appraisal Be in control of their projects from the start Understand the economics of their projects - and devise the most appropriate mode Carry out sensitivity analysis and identify risk Improve their methods of appraisal and approach Focus on the risk areas and take out risk and control costs before they over-run The benefits of attending this course will be demonstrable from day one. Thorough appraisals and risk assessment follow through to success in project management and detailed cost control and project management. 1 Introduction Why appraise? Taking risk out of investment The short- and long-term results of not appraising business expenditure 2 Developing an appraisal process The process - overall and stage-by-stage objectives Understand business and technical risks Manage resources and time Do you invest enough time and effort at this stage? Take out the risks - control costs before you are committed to contracts and action Checklists 3 Appraisal arithmetic Review of the arithmetic of appraisalThe time value of moneyThe effects of different interest or required ratesThe effects of inflation (or deflation) in prices and costs Understanding the economics of appraisal is essential 4 Appraisal measures Meaning and use of appraisal measures Identifying the most appropriate measures for your particular business Payback Discounted cash flow measures - NPV and IRR Other measures - FW, AW, Profitability Index The meaning of the measures and their application in practice 5 Cost benefit analysis The effect on decision-making of more intangible benefits Cost benefit analysis Ensuring costs are genuine Measuring intangible benefits Environmental issues Consideration of intangible benefits in the appraisal decision-making process 6 Developing appropriate models Developing models - examples of spreadsheet models and measures for many different situations Modelling investment opportunities - summarising outcomes Sensitivity analysis - identifying, quantifying and taking out risk 7 Developing an appraisal process The process - managing risk from the outset Using the process in risk management, negotiating and project management Take out risk by thoroughly knowing your project - developing your own process

MySQL for developers training course description This MySQL Developers training course is designed for MySQL Developers who have a good understanding of a MySQL database and experience of using SQL commands. The course provides further practical experience in more advanced MySQL commands and SQL statements including Stored Routines, Triggers and Event Scheduling. What will you learn Provide the skills needed to write more advanced queries and database maintenance statements on a MySQL database. Use advanced features of the MySQL Client. Use advanced data types. Manage the structure of databases and tables. Manage and using indexes. Write complex SQL query statements. Use advanced SQL expressions. Use advanced SQL functions. Perform advanced Insert, Update, Delete, Replace and Truncate Operations. Use user variable syntax and properties. Import and export data from within MySQL. Import and export data from the command line. Perform complex joins to access multiple tables. Perform complex subqueries. Create, manage and us views. Use prepared statements. Create and use stored routines. Create and use triggers. Obtain database metadata. Optimize queries. Work with the main storage engines. Debug MySQL applications. MySQL for developers training course details Who will benefit: MySQL Developers who have a basic understanding of a MySQL database and SQL commands as covered on the Introduction to MySQL course. Prerequisites: MySQL foundation Duration 5 days MySQL for developers training course contents Introduction Administration and Course Materials, Course Structure and Agenda, Delegate and Trainer Introductions. Client/server concepts MySQL client/server architecture, Server modes, Using client programs, Logging in options, Configuration files, Precedence of logging in options Hands on Using client/server The MySQL client program Using MySQL interactively, The MySQL prompts, Client commands and SQL statements, Editing, Selecting a database, Help, Safe updates, Using script files, Using a source file, Redirecting output into a file, Command line execution, Mysql output formats, Overriding the defaults, Html and xml output, MySQL Utilities. Hands on Using the MySQL client program Data types Bit data type, Numeric data types, Auto_increment, Character string data types, Character sets and collation, Binary string data types, Enum and Set data types, Temporal data types, Timezone support, Handling Missing Or Invalid Data Values, SQL_MODE options. Hands on Using data types Identifiers Using Quotes with identifier naming, Case sensitivity in Identifier naming, Qualifying columns with table and database names, Using reserved words as identifiers, Function names Hands on Using identifiers Databases Database properties, Creating a database, Selecting a database, Altering databases, Dropping databases, Obtaining database metadata, The SHOW command, The INFORMATION_SCHEMA database, The SHOW CREATE command Hands on Using databases Tables and indexes Table properties, Creating tables, Create table using Select or Like, Temporary tables and memory tables, Altering tables, Adding columns, Changing column widths and types, Renaming columns, Dropping columns, Adding constraints, Dropping constraints, Renaming tables, Change the table storage engine, Multiple alterations, Dropping tables, Emptying tables, Obtaining table metadata, Show create table, The information_schema, Index introduction, Structure of a mysql index, Creating and dropping indexes, Creating an index, Altering a table to add an index, Specifying index type, Dropping indexes, Obtaining Index Metadata. Hands on Creating, altering and dropping tables/indexes Querying for data The SQL select statement and MySQL differences, Advanced order by, Order by and collation, Order by with enum datatype, Order by with Set datatype, Ordering with distinct and group by Special features of union, Limit and order by clauses, Group By clause, Group_concat, Using Rollup in a Group By clause. Hands on Querying for data SQL Expressions and functions Components of expressions, Nulls, Numeric expressions, String expressions, Temporal expressions, Comparison functions, Flow control functions, Numeric functions, String functions, Temporal functions. Hands on Using expressions and functions Updating data Update operations and privileges, Inserting rows, Insert using a set clause, Inserting duplicate values, Replacing rows, Updating rows, Update using the order by and limit clauses, Deleting rows, The delete and truncate statements. Exercise: Inserting, updating, replacing and deleting data Connectors MySQL client interfaces, MySQL connectors, Oracle and community conectors, Connecting to MySQL server using Java and PHP connectors, MySQL and NoSQL, Innodb integration with memcached. Obtaining database metadata What is metadata?, The mysqlshow utility, The show and describe commands, Describing tables, The information_schema, Listing tables, Listing columns, Listing views, Listing key_columns_usage. Hands on Obtaining database metadata Debugging Mysql error messages, The show statement, Show errors, Show count(*) errors, Show warnings, Show count(*) warnings, Note messages, The perror utility. Hands on Debugging Joins Overview of inner joins, Cartesian product, Inner joins with original syntax, Non equi-join, Using table aliases to avoid name clashes, Inner Joins With ISO/ANSI Syntax, Outer Joins, Left outer joins, Right outer joins, Full outer joins, Updating multiple tables simultaneously, Updating rows in one table based on a condition in another, Updating rows in one table reading data from another, Deleting from multiple tables simultaneously, Deleting rows in one table based on a condition in another. Hands on Coding joins Subqueries Types of subquery, Multiple-column subqueries, Correlated subqueries, Using the ANY, ALL and SOME operators, Using the EXISTS operator, Subqueries as scalar expressions, Inline views, Converting subqueries to joins, Using subqueries in updates and deletes. Hands on Coding subqueries Views Why views are used, Creating views, View creation restrictions, View algorithms, Updateable views, Altering and dropping views, Displaying information about views, Privileges for views. Hands on Using views Import and Export Exporting using SQL, Privileges required to export data, Importing using SQL, Messages when loading data, Privileges required to load data, Exporting from the command line, Mysqldump main options, Importing from the command line, Mysqlimport main options. Hands on Importing and exporting User variables and prepared statements Creating User variables, User variables in a select, Prepared statements, The prepare statement, The execute statement, The deallocate statement, Using prepared statements in code, with connectors. Hands on Using variables and prepared statements Introduction to stored routines Types of stored routines, Benefits of stored routines, Stored routine features, Differences between procedures and functions, Introduction to the Block, Declaring variables and constants, Assigning values to variables, Definer rights and invoker rights, Using SELECT in stored routines, Altering and dropping stored routines, Obtaining stored routine metadata, Stored routine privileges and execution security. Hands on Writing simple stored routines Stored routines - program logic The IF .. THEN .. ELSEIF construct, The CASE statement, The basic loop, The while loop, The repeat loop, The iterate statement, Nested loops. Hands on Writing stored routines with program logic Stored routines - exception handlers and cursors Dealing with errors using Exception handlers, Cursors, What is a cursor?, Cursor operations, Declaring cursors, Opening and closing cursors, Fetching rows, Status checking. Hands on Writing stored routines with program logic Procedures with parameters Creating procedures with parameters, Calling Procedures With Parameters. Hands on Writing stored routines with parameters Functions What is a function?, The create function statement, Executing functions, Executing functions from code, Executing functions from SQL statements, The deterministic and SQL clauses. Hands on Writing functions Triggers Trigger creation, Restrictions on triggers, The create trigger statement, Using the old and new qualifiers, Managing triggers, Destroying triggers, Required privileges. Hands on Writing triggers Basic optimizations Normalisation of data to third normal form, Using indexes for optimization, General query enhancement, Using Explain to analyze queries, Choosing an INNODB or MYISAM storage engine, Using MySQL Enterprise Monitor in query optimization. Hands on Making use of basic optimizations More about indexes Indexes and joins Hands on Investigating indexes and joins

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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

Key Objectives for the Training provision Effective listening to a client's needs and requirements during various stages of the sales process. Engage in meaningful communication with clients, learn to identify challenges and opportunities that relate to the prospects. Overcome the identified challenge. Build long term rapport and establish trust with the prospect throughout the sales process, Ensure continued customer satisfaction that can turn into repeat business. Be able to build rapport with customers or clients. Know the right questions to ask to fully understand the customer or client’s needs without putting on any pressure. Be able to check you have the right information from the customer or client. Be able to match products and services to the customer or client using the information you have gathered. Be able to influence effectively. Know how to stand out from your competitors. Stage 1 – Research the Company’s ‘Value Propositions’ and USP Analysis  Conducting 30 min confidential interviews with a cross-section of the eligible Attendees & the Stakeholders, in order to gain an objective understanding of the various scenarios and clients that the Participants work with. the Company’s ‘Value Propositions’ Unique Selling Points The Customers’ journey(s) The Competition’s offers for analysis and comparisons. From these findings, a carefully calibrated bespoke Programme will be designed and delivered.  Stage 2 - Design the Bespoke 2 x day Course  nd Stage 3 - Delivery of the Course Programme This Programme can be delivered in 2 x consecutive days, or split between 2 – 3 weeks, to make it more ‘work-friendly’ – if required. It is very practical and commercially focussed in approach, with lots of interactive exercises designed to draw out the learning applications via the debriefings. The ‘Real Play’ scenarios on day 2 will be based on specific case studies drawn from the Research findings so that they are authentic to optimise the learning. Individual Action Plans will be captured at the end of each day to be debriefed by the Participants’ respective Line Managers.  Template Programme Day One – Foundation – Strategic Approach Section One – The Principles of Consultative Selling Defining ‘Consultative Selling’ The Company’s ‘Unique Selling Points’ & Value Proposition The Consultative Selling model – the five stages Avoiding appearing ‘pushy’, ‘pressurising’ or ‘talking through the sale’ Section Two –Strategy & Preparation  ‘Buy-Class’ Matrix Strategic plan Template – matching services/products to identified needs & opportunities. Preparing a range of objectives Constants and variables – USP’s Researching key Client/Decision Makers’ priorities, profile & background (LinkedIn etc.) Preparing for potential & likely Objections Section Three – Email etiquette & ‘influencing’ email correspondence.  Email etiquette A.B.S.U.R.D model Clarity and tone – discovery of clients’ needs & motivational factors. Techniques to influence and ‘nudge’. Ensuring the data and content have a ‘gentle’ motivational & appealing message. Top Tips Day Two – Practical Application Section Four – Rapport Building & Effective Communication skills ‘Behaviour Labelling’ techniques – setting a positive tone. Asking Open Questions – gaining a full understanding of the clients’ priorities & expectations. EQ - Inviting opinions; perspectives; experiences – winning confidence. Active Listening – focus and commitment to understand. ‘Reading the room’ – adapting to responses and reactions. Maintaining focus on relevant topics that the Client cares about; carefully consider the opportunities to influence. But NO PRESSURE! Building a ‘bond of trust’ with commitments and authentic, shared values. Section Five – Explaining the Benefits – aligned to the Customers’ Priorities Understanding ‘Why do People Buy?’ Research data analysis. Open questions that lead to understanding the key issues and Clients’ priorities. Avoiding the danger of ‘pressurising’ the Client. Responding to objections effectively, with confidence and sensitivity. Explaining the benefits that are aligned to the Clients’ stated requirements. Making the Data ‘sing’ – memorable takeaways for the Client. Augmented benefits – Brand confidence; Case studies; Warranty; Service; Range; Flexibility etc. in alignment with their stated preferences/requirements Differentials compared to Competitors Section Six – Winning Commitment Inviting commitment – with confidence Consultative Selling Closing techniques (e.g. Alternative Close/Assumptive Close et al) Avoiding ‘talking through the sale’ – knowing when to ‘Shut UP!’ Confirming agreement – ensuring Clients’ motivation for repeat business Section Seven – Practical Application ‘Real Play’ From the Research findings, carefully devised scenarios can be generated to provide the most valuable learning opportunities to underpin all the skills & techniques covered in the Programme.  Potential Real Play scenarios: A well-established customer has indicated that they are soon to be opening up additional new offices – this presents an opportunity to arrange for the Company to support them with their upcoming needs. After some very positive feedback and with the upcoming contract renewal imminent – how can the Company give the Customer more high-quality support in other areas of their business? A Competitor has been to see the client and they have prompted some concerns about ‘value for money’ & ‘quality of service’. How Real Play works… The group is split the group into 2 sub-groups, one with our Professional Actor (option available); the other with the Trainer or a willing Participant. Each group has a brief and has to instruct their Trainer/Actor/Participant on how to approach the scenario supplied. The Actor and Trainer (or willing Participant) perform the role play(s) as instructed by their respective teams; however, during the action they can be paused for further recommendations or direction. The outcome is the responsibility of the team(s) – not the performers. Debrief the full Programme Individual Action Plans - to be followed through. ‘Best Practices’ for application into the business Options for Exercises within the Programme  Sample Exercise – Red & White  There is a specific time managed agenda and itinerary, which puts the group under pressure.  The key challenge is for the sub-groups to maximise the commercial value from the task, however there is always a great danger that the individuals attempt to gain financial progress at the expense of the other group! Debriefing points: Persuasive communication and influence across barriers Gaining buy-in when others are sceptical Strategic planning accounting for others’ behaviours Sample Exercise – Communication Challenge Each Participant has different pieces of information, but are not allowed to share it visually. They are only allowed to communicate to work out the solution hidden among the large amount of data. Debrief: Structured approach Maintaining focus through distractions/interference Active Listening Controlled communication Sample Exercise – Persuasive emails Sample emails are shared to be critiqued and improved upon to be debriefed: Tone & impact Making the Data ‘sing’ Influential & motivational language Customer centric message. Sample Exercise –Juggling   Each Participant has to pass the ‘Customers’ (Juggling balls) carefully through the system with all the other Participants to reach a profitable conclusion  Debrief: EQ to read the room and effectively communicate, when the pressure is on Customer focus and adapting to challenges Devising a plan that wins buy-in Overcoming competing ideas to get to ‘best practice’ Consistent commitment, communication and motivational drivers that influenced performance. Sample Exercise –Critical Path  The group are provided with 30 x discs and some ‘post-it’ notes. (no pens or pencils are allowed) Their brief is to create a grid shape with the 30 x discs, which will act as ‘stepping stones’ for the ‘Critical Path’ But they have to follow the correct order through the grid from the start to finish, which they will have to work out through ‘trial & error’ All of the team must pass through the ‘Critical Path’ worked out on the grid, observing the constraints, within the time limit. No talking is permitted once they start using the materials Debrief: - Clear communication focussing on the ‘client’s journey’ Planning for challenges Identifying risks and mitigating them Role allocations & support Quality control and disciplines  Sample Exercise –Back to Back  Each Participant is positioned back-to-back with a partner. They have to work out precisely what the ‘statement’ given to the other person is without looking around. Each person has a different brief. Debrief: - Asking Open Questions Active Listening Accuracy in identifying the objective.