232 Courses in Leeds

First Aid for Mental Health 1-day course stands at the forefront of addressing the crucial aspect of mental well-being. Designed to equip individuals with essential skills and knowledge, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of mental health first aid.

Whether you have to chair a meeting, pitch a proposal or speak at a conference you need good communication and presentation skills. Addressing a group of people with assurance and confidence does not come naturally to everyone. Our presentation skills training courses will teach you how to conquer your fears and give a successful and memorable performance. We will tailor the training to your specific needs, from coaching before an important keynote or honing your pitch to improving your negotiation and influencing skills, or learning how to network effectively. A typical course can cover: Recognising the strengths of your own communication style Using the different elements of voice and body language effectively Conquering your nerves and use body language to your advantage Pitching presentations so they meet your audiences’ needs Structuring a presentation so the audience is engaged from start to finish Using visual aids Handling questions All our presentation skills training is bespoke, with options including one-to-one coaching, combined training and coaching programmes and group training courses. All these courses can be delivered virtually, as well as face to face. As many of the skills needed to give a good presentation are shared with media interviews, we frequently combine our presentation skills and media interview skills training. Venue We deliver courses in the most appropriate format for your circumstances – whether face to face or online. Face to face courses are portable: they can be held in purpose-built studios, at your own offices or at an external venue. In the latter two cases, we create a mock studio for the practical exercises. Online courses give you flexibility and enable you to offer training to delegates from all over the world. We have run virtual courses for people from the Far East, South Asia, North America and Europe, as well as the UK.

Workplace Innovation Are You A Leader Who Wants To Enhance Your Team’s Accountability, Adaptability, Resilience, And Well-Being? Consider joining our newly launched Growth Leadership Programme: Workplace Innovation, subsided by Scottish Enterprise, which offers a unique approach to leadership development and workplace Innovation, emphasising Motivational Intelligence (MQ). Our programme will help you build on your leadership capabilities and confidence while creating a more innovative, productive, and fair workplace for employee development and growth. Growth Leadership: Workplace Innovation Leading with Motivational Intelligence (MQ) You’ll learn to: Develop MQ leadership skills that encourage fair and innovative workplace practices and inclusive economic growth. Increase engagement, innovation, and productivity among your team. Enhance your strategic decision-making skills. Build a resilient, agile, and change-driven team culture. Identify and integrate organisational values into your workplace culture. Create a successful business that is also a fair place to work. Session Overview Our comprehensive programme, consisting of eight engaging and insightful sessions, is meticulously crafted to provide a world-class education in Leadership, Workplace Innovation and Motivational Intelligence (MQ). We combine some of the most potent, powerful and cutting-edge research in workplace innovation, neuroscience and the most promising discoveries in cognitive and social psychology of the 20th century. 01 Self-Leadership and The Secret to Personal Success Session 1: Self-Leadership and The Secret to Personal Success This comprehensive kick-off session delves into the foundations of self-leadership and personal success. Participants will explore various aspects, from setting course expectations and creating a conducive learning environment to understanding motivational intelligence and managing negative thoughts. Through essential resources like the Leadership Reference Manual and Roadmap Workbook, multi-sensory perception, and spaced repetition learning techniques, participants will solidify their learnings and enhance personal and professional growth. Key Learning Outcomes: Understand the critical role of self-leadership in personal and professional success and the impact of external and internal factors on performance Develop strategies to optimise motivation, communication, and effectiveness within teams and organisations, leveraging diverse learning styles and adult learning techniques Utilise essential resources like the Leadership Reference Manual and Roadmap Workbook for ongoing growth and development while implementing practical tools like the Start, Stop, Continue plan for self-reflection and improvement Explore the power of adaptability, self-awareness, and resilience in navigating through challenging times and maintaining a positive mindset Discover the importance of a positive mental diet, gratitude, and consistent small decisions that compound over time, leading to personal and professional growth 02 The Role of Intelligence in Leadership and Management Session 2: The Role of Intelligence in Leadership and Management It's time to delve into Motivational Intelligence and its role in our personal and professional lives. In this comprehensive and interactive session, participants will explore the multifaceted aspects of intelligence in Leadership and management, focusing on IQ, EQ, and MQ. Participants will learn how to cultivate a growth mindset and motivational intelligence within themselves and their teams, fostering a culture of learning and resilience. The session will also cover the importance of crafting a clear vision for the team or organisation and provide practical strategies for effectively communicating the vision to internal and external stakeholders. Key Learning Outcomes: Understand the roles of IQ, EQ, and MQ in Leadership and management and their impact on individual and team performance Develop strategies to improve your levels of intelligence and foster a growth mindset within individuals and teams Discover the importance of vision in Leadership and management and learn to craft it using the WHERE (performance), HOW (perception), and WHY (purpose) perspectives Gain insights into effectively communicating the vision to stakeholders, ensuring alignment, ownership, and motivation Reflect on the role of a growth mindset and motivational intelligence in achieving the team's vision and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability 03 The Pillars of Human Performance: Unlocking Potential Session 3: The Pillars of Human Performance: Unlocking Unlimited Potential Discover the keys to unlocking your unlimited potential and becoming a more effective leader in this interactive course. Through engaging discussions and self-reflection, participants will dive deep into unlimited potential, understand its significance in Leadership, and learn to overcome challenges in their teams or businesses. Participants will gain insights into the characteristics of influential leaders, the importance of asking the right questions, and the value of embracing failure as a part of success. With a focus on personal and professional growth, this session will equip you with the tools and techniques to become a better manager and leader. Key Learning Outcomes: Understand the concept of unlimited potential and its importance in Leadership and personal growth Identify personal and team visions, challenges, and the role of asking the right questions in gaining insights Recognise the role of practice and reflection in transforming weaknesses into strengths Explore the characteristics and impact of great leaders and learn how to apply these traits in your leadership style Embrace the importance of failure as a crucial part of success and create a supportive environment for personal and team development 04 Defining Management and Vertical Alignment Session 4: Defining Management and Vertical Alignment In this engaging session, participants will delve into the essential differences between management and Leadership and discover how understanding these distinctions can significantly impact team culture and performance. We'll examine common management mistakes and their effects, uncover the best practices of excellent management, and discuss the development of management skills and the management hierarchy. This interactive session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies that can be applied to personal and professional life, helping participants become more effective and successful managers and leaders. Key Learning Outcomes: Differentiating between management and Leadership: Gain a deeper understanding of how these concepts differ and their impact on team culture and performance Identifying common management mistakes: Learn about these pitfalls and their consequences on team culture and performance and develop strategies to avoid them Mastering the best practices of excellent management: Discover the five essential techniques to help you become a more effective manager Developing management skills and understanding the management hierarchy: Enhance your ability to grow as a leader and manager Embracing Ultimate Responsibility: Learn the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for your and your team's success and understand the role of motivational intelligence in achieving this 05 Workplace Innovation and High-Payoff Activities Session 5: Workplace Innovation and High-Payoff Activities n (Job Crafting) This session provides a comprehensive overview of the critical principles of workplace innovation, job crafting, people leadership, and coaching in the workplace. Participants will learn about job crafting, our MQ workplace innovation process, and the crucial role of Leadership in managing and monitoring performance in the workplace. By adopting a proactive and creative approach to their work, individuals can improve their job satisfaction, contribute to their organisation's success, and drive economic health for the nation. Key Learning Outcomes: Understanding of Leadership in the job crafting innovative process Skills in job crafting and workplace innovation Knowledge of the critical role of Leadership in performance management Techniques for effective coaching and positive feedback, through trust and mutual respect in the workplace Helping individuals reflect on their role in the success of the team and company and developing a written plan to achieve their goals 06 Defining and Exploring Leadership Session 6: Defining and Exploring Leadership In this session, we will define and explore the essence of Leadership, dispelling the myths and providing a definition that will guide you through the course. We will also explore the three-tier hierarchy of success and how leaders can influence MQ (motivational intelligence) by doing five things consistently. As a manager or leader, you may have found that your team's success is not guaranteed even with the best plans, processes, and strategies. This is because not all team members will adopt new ideas or changes unless they first believe they can achieve the desired outcome. Key Learning Outcomes: Understanding the essence of Leadership to provide an in-depth understanding of the essence of successful Leadership, dispelling the myths and providing a definition that will guide you through the course Psychology of your team: Leaders understand that to achieve their goals, they need to focus on the psychology of their team Power of questions in Leadership: Leaders can gain insight into the minds of their team members and unlock the key to motivating and developing them by asking the right questions Explore the three-tier hierarchy of success and the importance of each level in determining a person's likelihood of success Five things great leaders do each day to influence a culture of responsibility, consistently build esteem and confidence, and always work on coaching and mentoring employees 07 Building a Leadership Toolbox Session 7: Building a Leadership Toolbox: Trust & Inspiration Fostering Adaptability, Responsibility, Resilience, and Courage, this step focuses on leaders' tools and techniques to promote greater team accountability and ownership. It starts to delve into the critical role of self-esteem in a person's motivational intelligence and adaptability. We also explore how self-esteem is formed and influences a person's interpretation of feedback. We also look at self-esteem's critical role in a person's motivational intelligence and adaptability, examining how self-esteem is formed and influences a person's interpretation of feedback. Key Learning Outcomes: Understanding the tools and techniques leaders can use to foster greater team accountability and ownership Delving into the critical role of self-esteem in a person's motivational intelligence and adaptability Exploring how self-esteem is formed and influences a person's interpretation of feedback Examining the levels of self-esteem and associated behaviours of each group Understanding the influence of comfort zones and tools leaders can use to help people overcome the fear of change 08 Developing a Healthy Perspective and Resilient Attitude Session 8: Developing a Healthy Perspective and Resilient Attitude This step explores how developing a healthy perspective and resilient attitude is crucial for success as a leader. In this session, we will explore the critical role of self-reflection in building motivation and adaptability. We will examine how self-esteem is formed and how it influences a person's interpretation of feedback. We will also delve into the levels of self-esteem and the associated behaviours of each class. We will provide practical strategies for cultivating resilience and adaptability in facing challenges and setbacks. Through reflection and analysis of your moments of surprise, frustration, and failure, you will develop a growth mindset that fosters continuous learning and improvement. Key Learning Outcomes: The critical role of self-reflection in building motivation and adaptability How self-esteem is formed and influences a person's interpretation of feedback The levels of self-esteem and the associated behaviours of each class Strategies for cultivating resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges and setbacks The influence of affirmations and tools leaders can use to help people overcome the fear of change

Effective communication in the workplace is part and parcel of our daily lives, but not everyone is a natural.  Do you find it tough standing up in front of people? Does the thought of engaging with audiences in any setting fill you with anxiety? Is doing a remote video message to colleagues on Zoom or Teams a tough call? Do you do it regularly but need some professional guidance on whether it’s working? At CoComms we can improve every aspect of your performance and offer a range of tips and techniques to help manage these environments and keep your audience engaged and interested. Public Speaking and Presentation Training In a professional setting it’s vital to come across as dynamic, trustworthy, credible and real. You want people to trust you and in turn get behind your vision or plan or proposal. If you can achieve this you can improve your confidence, your engagement and your prospects. Our training is designed to hone your presentation skills so whether you are pitching for work, taking colleagues through change or speaking to a new audience, you can do it with a clarity and confidence that makes your messages clear and insightful. The training includes: Perfecting your slides Working to produce a clean, easy to navigate slide deck that give logic and flow to your presentation. Developing your storytelling We use our journalistic techniques to show you how to build a story to keep your audience engaged with a well-structured and entertaining presentation. Calls to Action Make sure it is clear what you want to achieve and what you want from your audience. Rehearse and Review We film and then playback a range of practical presentation exercises so we can review your performance and work to make any improvements. Conference and Panel Training The audience at a conference may be a captive one, but that doesn’t mean they are always listening and engaging with what you have to say. We can make sure your keynote speech or panel contribution is memorable, appreciated by your audience and beneficial to your business. Our training looks at preparing for and delivering a speech from start to finish and includes: Defining your big ideas What is it you want to say and what do you want your audience to remember? Develop your narrative and script How can you get across your message using storytelling. Choosing the right language How vibrant and energised language can make the difference in your speech. The tips and tricks to make sure your speech is memorable How vocabulary and delivery techniques ensure your words are heard. Controlling the message How to deal with unhelpful questions and return to the main aspects of your story. Stakeholder Communication Training Engaging effectively with stakeholders with clarity and confidence can make all the difference to your relationships. A successful “town hall” meeting can win over your sceptics, convince those who are unsure and build a common goal between your business and stakeholders. Our stakeholder communication training prepares you for these vital meetings and includes: Focusing the meeting We look at how to control the meeting so the important business is covered and how to prepare for any questions or comments you may receive. Keep control of the conversation We teach you conversational techniques to focus on the main points without being too assertive or dismissive. Rehearse and Review We use video and practical role-play exercises to assess your performance and look for ways to improve. Breaking down the information We look at how to present facts and figures without overwhelming (or boring!) your audience. Our techniques will help you narrate the message in a clear and comprehensive way. Making an impact Using our journalistic experience we will work with you to develop your presentation skills to make the biggest impact and demonstrate credibility and authority. Video Calls for Business The world has changed. Now is the time to ensure your business is changing too. Many in-person meetings, conferences, networking events and clients hosting are, for now, a thing of the past. These face-to-face interactions have been replaced by video calls, webinars and online events. So, how do you develop contacts, maintain relationships and manage your team in this new virtual world? How do you look and sound confident, be heard, and build trust and credibility through a computer screen? At CoComms, we are online communications experts and our years of experience in broadcasting mean we understand how to engage a virtual audience. Interactive and practical training We work with you through a variety of scenarios to analyse your performance on video calls. Feedback on your performance We offer supportive, positive feedback and share our tried and tested techniques so you can improve. Make Video Calls work for you Through our training you will become more confident, more productive and more dynamic on video calls. Contact us If you have a query regarding any of our services or would like to book a consultation for free initial advice and guidance please get in touch

If your organisation manages contractors then your staff need to understand the health and safety issues. This course is the answer. The expert trainer will set out clearly the legal responsibilities of all relevant parties and explore the practical application of these responsibilities with the course participants. The course will then examine the issues associated with the planning of work to be contracted out and the evaluation, selection, control and monitoring of contractors engaged to undertake the work. Although the main focus is on health and safety, the course will also explain how health and safety issues need to be integrated into your organisation's functional management processes to ensure effective control of contractors. The course will consider all types of contracted activities, including construction and maintenance, cleaning, security, plant installation, etc. This programme will give participants: A clear understanding of the organisation's legal responsibilities for managing contractors The information they need to assess the competence of contractors A practical understanding of risk assessment principles and the transfer of risk to contractors A step-by-step guide to the key aspects of managing contractors in practice, covering:Planning of the workSelecting contractorsHandover prior to work commencementDuring the workReviewing the work on completion Practical guidance on the integration of health and safety controls into organisational procedures for contractor management 1 Introduction Who are contractors? Why manage contractors? Different types of contractors Costs of poor contractor performance 2 Overview of health and safety law and liability Health and safety law and statutory duties Relevance of civil and criminal law Enforcement and prosecution 3 Relevant legislation for controlling contractors Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended, 2007) Other relevant legislation Contract law 4 Managing contractors in practice Exercise - how well is it happening? The objectives Five step approachPlanning of the workSelecting contractorsHandover prior to work commencementDuring the workReviewing the work on completion 5 Planning the work Scope and extent Risk assessment Interface and other activities Who controls what? Contract arrangements 6 Selecting the right contractor(s) Locating contractor organisations Selection the right contractors Assessing contractor competence Approved lists/frameworks Tender process 7 Pre-work commencement Co-ordination and co-operation Exchange of information Contractor risk assessments and method statements Permits to work Case study exercise 8 During contract work Communication and liaison Supervision and inspection of the work Inspection and reporting procedures Security issues Facilities and access 9 Reviewing work on completion Why, what and how? Achieving continuous improvement in contractor performance 10 Questions, discussion and review

This course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the CDM Regulations 2015 and how these should be implemented in practice. The Regulations are put in context with other key health and safety legislation. The programme sets out clearly the roles and responsibilities of the principal duty holders and explores with the participants how these roles may vary on different types of project and procurement routes. The programme examines the content and appropriate level of information that should be included in the Pre-Construction Information and the Construction Phase Plan. The trainer will discuss best practice in implementing CDM through the new 2015 Regulations and Guidance. This course is essential for anyone who is involved in the procurement, planning, design or implementation of construction work. The course will provide you with: An overview of construction health and safety law, liability and enforcement A detailed understanding of the 2015 CDM Regulations and the part they play with other key legislation An explanation of the roles and responsibilities of all duty holders and the requirements for the CDM documentation Clear advice on current best practice for complying with the principles of the CDM Regulations and the changes introduced by the 2015 Regulations An understanding of how risk assessment should be applied practically throughout the design and how this responsibility is then transferred to contractors 1 Introduction Why manage health and safety? The costs of accidents Construction industry statistics Why CDM? Health and safety culture in the construction industry 2 Overview of health and safety law and liabilities Criminal and civil law Liability Enforcement and prosecution Compliance - how far do we go? Statutory duties 3 Health and safety law in construction Framework of relevant legislation Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Who is responsible for the risks created by construction work? Shared workplaces/shared responsibilities Control of contractors - importance of contract law 4 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Scope - What is construction? Application - When do they apply? The CDM Management System Duty holders (Client, Domestic Client, Designer, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, Contractor) Documents (HSE Notification, Pre-Construction Information, Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan, H&S File) Management process The 2015 Guidance 5 Best practice - key issues in the CDM process The client and client management arrangements Competence and resource under CDM 2015 The role of the Principal Designer in practice Design risk assessment and the role of the Designer The CDM Documents (PCI, PCI Pack, Plan and File) Construction health, safety and welfare Making CDM work in practice 6 Questions, discussion and review

This course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the CDM Regulations 2015 and how these should be implemented in practice. The Regulations are put in context with other key health and safety legislation. The programme sets out clearly the roles and responsibilities of the principal duty holders and explores with the participants how these roles may vary on different types of project and procurement routes. The programme examines the content and appropriate level of information that should be included in the Pre-Construction Information and the Construction Phase Plan. The trainer will discuss best practice in implementing CDM through the new 2015 Regulations and Guidance. This course is essential for anyone who is involved in the procurement, planning, design or implementation of construction work. The course will provide you with: An overview of construction health and safety law, liability and enforcement A detailed understanding of the 2015 CDM Regulations and the part they play with other key legislation An explanation of the roles and responsibilities of all duty holders and the requirements for the CDM documentation Clear advice on current best practice for complying with the principles of the CDM Regulations and the changes introduced by the 2015 Regulations An understanding of how risk assessment should be applied practically throughout the design and how this responsibility is then transferred to contractors 1 Introduction Why manage health and safety? The costs of accidents Construction industry statistics Why CDM? Health and safety culture in the construction industry 2 Overview of health and safety law and liabilities Criminal and civil law Liability Enforcement and prosecution Compliance - how far do we go? Statutory duties 3 Health and safety law in construction Framework of relevant legislation Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Who is responsible for the risks created by construction work? Shared workplaces/shared responsibilities Control of contractors - importance of contract law 4 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Scope - What is construction? Application - When do they apply? The CDM Management System Duty holders (Client, Domestic Client, Designer, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, Contractor) Documents (HSE Notification, Pre-Construction Information, Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan, H&S File) Management process The 2015 Guidance 5 Best practice - key issues in the CDM process The client and client management arrangements Competence and resource under CDM 2015 The role of the Principal Designer in practice Design risk assessment and the role of the Designer The CDM Documents (PCI, PCI Pack, Plan and File) Construction health, safety and welfare Making CDM work in practice 6 Questions, discussion and review

Unlock the potential of your primary school students with our exclusive workshop in Essex, UK. Join us for a full-day training on 'Empowering Young Minds: Cultivating Healthy Self-Esteem in Children.' Equip your staff with practical strategies to recognize and address self-esteem challenges, fostering a positive and affirming school environment. Contact us now to book your date and invest in the well-being of your students and staff.

This is not a single course but a set of menu options from which you can 'pick and mix' to create a draft programme yourself, as a discussion document which we can then fine-tune with you. For a day's training course, simply consider your objectives, select six hours' worth of modules and let us do the fine-tuning so that you get the best possible training result. Consider your objectives carefully for maximum benefit from the course. Is the training for new or experienced credit control staff? Are there specific issues to be addressed within your particular sector (eg, housing, education, utilities, etc)? Do your staff need to know more about the legal issues? Or would a practical demonstration of effective telephone tactics be more useful to them? Menu Rather than a generic course outline, the expert trainer has prepared a training 'menu' from which you can select those topics of most relevance to your organisation. We can then work with you to tailor a programme that will meet your specific objectives. Advanced credit control skills for supervisors - 1⁄2 day Basic legal overview: do's and don'ts of debt recovery - 2 hours Body language in the credit and debt sphere - 1⁄2 day County Court suing and enforcement - 1⁄2 day Credit checking and assessment - 1 hour Customer visits and 'face to face' debt recovery skills - 1⁄2 day Data Protection Act explained - 1⁄2 day Dealing with 'Caring Agencies' and third parties - 1 hour Debt counselling skills - 2 hours Elementary credit control skills for new staff - 1⁄2 day Granting credit and collecting debt in Europe - 1⁄2 day Identifying debtors by 'type' to handle them accurately - 1 hour Insolvency: Understanding bankruptcy / receivership / administration / winding-up / liquidation / CVAs and IVAs - 2 hours Late Payment of Commercial Debts Interest Act explained - 2 hours Liaison with sales and other departments for maximum credit effectiveness - 1 hour Suing in Scottish Courts (Small Claims and Summary Cause) - 1⁄2 day Telephone techniques for successful debt collection - 11⁄2 hours Terms and conditions of business with regard to credit and debt - 2 hours Tracing 'gone away' debtors (both corporate and individual) - 11⁄2 hours What to do if you/your organisation are sued - 1⁄2 day Other topics you might wish to consider could include: Assessment of new customers as debtor risks Attachment of Earnings Orders Bailiffs and how to make them work for you Benefit overpayments and how to recover them Cash flow problems (business) Charging Orders over property/assets Credit policy: how to write one Council and Local Authority debt recovery Consumer Credit Act debt issues Using debt collection agencies Director's or personal guarantees Domestic debt collection by telephone Exports (world-wide) and payment for Emergency debt recovery measures Education Sector debt recovery Forms used in credit control Factoring of sales invoices Finance Sector debt recovery needs Third Party Debt Orders (Enforcement) Government departments (collection from) Harassment (what it is - and what it is not) Health sector debt recovery skills Hardship (members of the public) Insolvency and the Insolvency Act In-house collection agency (how to set up) Instalments: getting offers which are kept Judgment (explanation of types) Keeping customers while collecting the debt Late payment penalties and sanctions Letter writing for debt recovery Major companies as debtors Members of the public as debtors Monitoring of major debtors and risks Negotiation skills for debt recovery Old debts and how to collect them Out of hours telephone calls and visits Office of Fair Trading and collections Oral Examination (Enforcement) Pro-active telephone collection Parents of young debtors Partnerships as debtors Positive language in debt recovery Pre-litigation checking skills Power listening skills Questions to solicit information Retention of title and 'Romalpa' clauses Sale of Goods Act explained Salesmen and debt recovery Sheriffs to enforce your judgment Students as debtors Statutory demands for payment Small companies (collection from) Sundry debts (collection of) Terms and Conditions of Contract Tracing 'gone away' debtors The telephone bureau and credit control Taking away reasons not to pay Train the trainer skills Utility collection needs Visits for collection and recovery Warrant of execution (enforcement)

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.