Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: In-House Training Two critical skillsets for the future of work are critical thinking and creative problem solving. These modes of working and thinking intersect and overlap; both are necessary and both can be taught. Having the ability to exercise creativity while at the same time applying structure and discipline to the thinking process is a key competency in the twenty-first century workplace. This course explores the interplay between critical and creative thinking, and the necessity of each to effective problem solving and decision making. Participants will learn a variety of techniques to apply critical thinking to real-life scenarios. They will experiment with different problem-solving approaches and will learn about cognitive influences on our decisions and choices. The course delves into the business value of creativity and involves participants in actively integrating criticality, creativity, and problem solving. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain basic concepts of problem solving Infer types of cognitive biases that impact decision making Utilize types of root cause analysis Differentiate among obstacles to sound decision making Apply a variety of problem-solving approaches / processes to existing challenges Evaluate alternative solution methods using various techniques Analyze real world problem scenarios to determine the lateral thinking type needed to address them Foundation Concepts Definitions Thinking modes and cognitive bias Basic problem-solving framework Problem Definition and Solution Generation Root cause analysis Basic problem-solving obstacles Generating alternative solutions Evaluating Alternatives Critical thinking guidelines Obstacles to sound decision making Tools for evaluating alternatives Exploring Lateral Thinking Problem-solving challenge Workplace application
If you want your employees to improve their customer service skills and deliver an amazing experience to your customers, feel free to check out my Training course focusing on the core values of customer service.
All organisations today operate in an environment of constant and rapid change. Managing this change effectively is often achieved through a portfolio of formal projects. Many organisations today have qualified and experienced project management staff to run their projects. Some organisations today have dedicated functions, staff or processes to support their project management teams. The very largest organisations have in-house Enterprise Programme Offices, or project management specialists in corporate audit or risk functions; or organise 'Red Team Reviews' of a project by other staff with project management experience who are not participating in the reviewed project. But for many mid-size businesses and SMEs - and even some larger organisations - these resources are simply not available. For them, having access to external expertise to assure project management disciplines and to coach project managers can be a major contributor to project success. Such reviews can take place at project initiation; at major stage-gates (especially if significant capital is to be committed at the stage-gate); or at any other time if concerns arise concerning project quality, cost or timescales. And it is for those organisations that we offer the necessary expertise, on an ad hoc basis, in reviewing projects and coaching senior project management staff. A document review and workshop led by one of our consultants can help you assess whether: The strategic goals and priorities for the project are clear and being addressed Governance of the project within the business is defined and being effectively executed Project roles and responsibilities are clear and effective The credibility and robustness of the project plan can be enhanced Performance measures and reporting procedures are effective Critical risks are identified and being managed and contingencies are agreed The roles, responsibilities and capabilities of the key players in the project team are fit for purpose Budgets are realistic and costs being managed effectively Communication and change management activities are effectively planned and being executed At your discretion, you can capture the outcomes from the workshop for yourselves, in terms of identifying opportunities for improvement, or you can have our consultant write a report and make recommendations to you.
Stress, self-care, and wellbeing conversation starters. This is a short 2-hour session to provide learners with tools to take better care of themselves, have the confidence to discuss mental wellbeing and know where to find tools and resources for assistance.
This one day course provides an excellent introduction to managing and supervising volunteers covering the skills, paperwork and processes needed to recruit, induct and support them. The course can be expanded to run as a series of half day sessions and can also be adapted to the specific needs of organisations who would like the session to be run in-house.
This ESS course is suitable for operatives who during the daily activities have to use power tools. By the end of the course delegates will have an understanding of the correct operational procedures of power tools. Book via our website @ ESS | Training Courses | Vp ESS (vp-ess.com) or via email at: esstrainingsales@vpplc.com or phone on: 0800 000 346
Excel but different. Harness this most powerful tool but on a course tailored to your business and needs. Using case studies relevant to your business and often actual files your firm uses on a daily basis we embark on a voyage of discovery. This isn't a boring "watch what I do and copy" course. This is exciting, engaging, funny and enjoyable. Delegates will learn relevant skills but also, because of the delivery methods they will gain an increased enjoyment of using Excel and will retain and implement all of the material covered. They also have access to the trainer for an unlimited amount of time after the course to continue to grow their knowledge
Excel but different. Harness this most powerful tool but on a course tailored to your business and needs. Using case studies relevant to your business and often actual files your firm uses on a daily basis we embark on a voyage of discovery. This isn't a boring "watch what I do and copy" course. This is exciting, engaging, funny and enjoyable. Delegates will learn relevant skills but also, because of the delivery methods they will gain an increased enjoyment of using Excel and will retain and implement all of the material covered. They also have access to the trainer for an unlimited amount of time after the course to continue to grow their knowledge
Mental Health "First Aid" Training
Being a leader can take you into vulnerable places - the unfamiliar, high expectations and high visibility, with everyone looking to you for guidance in the big moments. It is natural for doubts to creep in, including the echoes of past knock-backs, put-downs, pressures, stereotyping and internalised oppression.