301 Courses in London

High quality specifications are of paramount importance in achieving the right technical performance and value for money. This long-established training programme has been developed to help those involved in producing specifications to create high quality documents in an organised and effective way. It provides a sound foundation for those new to the topic whilst at the same time offering new insights to those with more experience. The programme emphasises the need for a clear definition of requirements combined with the ability to communicate those requirements effectively to third parties. A structured method of preparing specifications is provided, and a range of practical techniques is presented, to enable participants to put the principles into practice. The commercial and contractual role of specifications is also addressed. The objectives of the workshop are to: Provide a clear understanding of the role and purpose of specifications Present a framework for organising and producing specifications Define the key steps involved in creating effective specifications Demonstrate methods for assisting in defining requirements Provide tools and techniques for scoping and structuring specifications Show the role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope Present methods to assist the writing and editing of specifications Review how specifications should be issued and controlled DAY ONE 1 Introduction Review of course objectives Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Creating effective specifications The role of specifications in communicating requirements The costs, benefits and qualities of effective specifications Understanding the differences between verbal and written communication The five key steps of 'POWER' writing: prepare-organise-write-edit-release Exercise: qualities of an effective specification 3 Step 1: Preparing to write - defining readership and purpose; the specification and the contract Designing the specifications required; applying BS 7373 Defining the purpose, readership and title of each document Effective procedures for writing, issuing and controlling specifications The roles and responsibilities of the key players Understanding contracts; the contractual role of the specification Integrating and balancing the technical and commercial requirements Writing specifications to achieve the appropriate contract risk strategy Deciding how to specify: when to use functional and technical specifications The role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope 4 Case study 1 Teams review a typical project scenario and identify the implications for the specification Feedback and discussion 5 Step 2: Organising the specification content Defining the need and establishing user requirements Deciding what issues the specification should cover Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming Clarifying priorities: separating needs and desires Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify Useful techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis 6 Case study 2 Teams apply the scoping techniques to develop the outline contents for a specification Feedback and discussion DAY TWO 7 Step 2: Organising the specification content (cont) Deciding what goes where; typical contents and layout for a specification The three main segments: introductory, key and supporting Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub-sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Tools and techniques for outlining and structuring specifications 8 Case study 3 Teams develop the detailed specification contents using a model form Feedback and discussion 9 Step 3: Writing the specification The challenges of written communication Identifying and understanding the readers needs Choosing and using the right words; dealing with jargon Problem words; will, shall, must, etc; building a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity Being concise and ensuring clarity Choosing and using graphics to best effect Exercises and examples 10 Step 4: Editing the specification Why editing is difficult; how to develop a personal editing strategy Key areas to review: structure, content, accuracy, clarity, style and grammar Editing tools and techniques 11 Step 5: Releasing and controlling the specification Key requirements for document issue and control Final formatting and publication issues; document approval Requirements management: managing revisions and changes 12 Course review and action planning What actions should be implemented to improve specifications? Conclusion

We all tend to have challenges throughout our lives that cause varying levels of pressure. It is healthy and essential that people experience such challenges because up to a certain point an increase in pressure improves performance and quality of life. Too much pressure can be harmful and affect our health and wellbeing. This participative half-day workshop will explore the causes and impact of stress and provide an opportunity to learn some new ideas and techniques to cope with it. Practical tasks and exercises will be used to promote discussion and participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and approaches. By the end of the workshop participants will be able to: Understand the causes and symptoms of stress and how to spot them Become more aware of personal habitual behaviours and approaches that get in the way of dealing with stress productively Learn ideas and approaches that help you to cope with the thoughts, emotions and physical feelings that happen in stressful and difficult situations Review and evaluate learning and have an action plan to take back and put into practice at work 1 Welcome, introductions and objectives Breaking the ice 2 Stress Its sources and effects on you Defining stress, its signs and symptoms 3 Exploring your 'default' habits Their consequences in stressful situations 4 Dealing with perception Strategies and approaches for coping with stress 5 Setting goals with positive outcomes Review and evaluation of learning Action planning

This is for New leaders/Managers working within early years. This programme is consists of 6 topics which all include work based projects. 1. What does good leadership look like? 2 Enhance your communication skills .3. Promoting good teamwork. 4 Managing Difficult Conversations. 5. Getting to know sector relevant documents. 6. The importance of wellbeing for yourself and for your team. This programme of training ensures new leaders are professional, knowledgeable and confident in leading teams of people.  The work based projects gives the opportunity to practise new skills and then reflect on that practise with the trainer. The programme is delivered individually for maximum impact either face to face or virtually depending on the location The trainer has 24 years experience of managing teams of people in the early years and can relate to the busy, challenging emotional environments that Early Years Leaders work in. Each session is 1.5hrs.  

– how to react, support and move forward Discover how you can best help a young person who self-harms – gain the insights and skills you need to approach this distressing subject respectfully and safely, a better understanding of what self-harm is, why young people self-harm, and much more… Date: Tues 14th May 2024 Accredited CPD Certificate: 3.5 hours Length: 3.5 hours (with breaks) Start time: 9.15am GMT (until 1.30pm) "This is one of the best self-harm trainings I’ve had, honestly..."EMILY LOVE, PRIMARY PREVENTION WORKER Live Online Webinar – Join Emily Gajewski – an expert in helping people overcome self-harm – for her live webinar on Tuesday 14th May 2024. All you need is a quiet place to watch, a computer or tablet and a strong internet signal, the rest is easy. Book your place and we’ll email you confirmation – you’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the event. RECORDING – the training is recorded in case anyone experiences technical difficulties – or you can’t attend on the day – so you will also get a recording for a limited time afterwards to maximise your learning. Want to attend but can’t make this date? Then please register your interest below – and we’ll email you when a new date is available. The aim of this live online training with Emily Gajewski, a highly experienced psychotherapist specialising in treating self-harm, is to give you a thorough, in-depth understanding of why young people self-harm and how to approach/react when helping someone in both the short and long term, including the essential skills most likely to effectively support the young person on their journey to find less harmful ways of coping – the webinar focuses on the most evidence-based knowledge and skills in this area. It will also help you find ways of calming yourself in moments of overwhelm to ensure that you can be as supportive and helpful as you’d like to be. Why you should attend With the ever changing, uncertain world we live in creating a vast amount of pressure on children – emotionally and physically – more children and teenagers are experiencing extremely stressful, distressing situations, with many looking for coping mechanisms to help them deal with their negative thoughts, feelings and emotions. Self harm (including self injury) is hugely on the increase and rates are higher than ever since Covid-19 and the long periods of isolation and uncertainty young people have experienced in ‘lock downs’. A survey of 61 secondary school children by charity Place2Be, shows self-harm reports increased by 77%, from 48 to 85, from August to September 2021. Finding the right words to approach self-harming can be difficult – this online webinar was created to help you (parents, carers, teachers) approach this topic with empathy and confidence. Discovering that a young person you are caring for is self harming can be an extremely stressful situation. When we are highly emotional, it can cause us to react in desperate ways, which are often not helpful or supportive to the young person, even if our intentions are totally well-meaning. “A really helpful, caring approach – it has clarified so much for me and I can now see a sensible way forward.”MARTIN, PARENT. This course is relevant to a range of self-harming behaviours including: self-injury cutting, ripping or carving skin burning skin punching or hitting themselves scratching or pinching (including dermatillomania) poisoning themselves with tablets or liquids (or similar) over-eating and under-eating (anorexia or bulimia) biting yourself (dermatophagia) inserting objects into your body overdosing, exercising excessively pulling your hair (trichotillomania) getting into fights where you know you will get hurt What you will learn What is self-harm? Why young people self-harm How common is self-harming How to approach the subject (building rapport, trust…) How to react if your child (or any young person) tells you they are self harming (what not to say and do) The distinction between self harm and a suicide attempt The addictive element to self harm How to help a young person break the addictive pattern Helping a child in the short- and long term The influence of social media and peers Keeping your child safe Looking after yourself (managing stress, anxiety and worry for the household) Finding professional help View booking details Who this training is suitable for Parents, other family members and/or carers of children and young people who are at risk of self harming or currently self harming. Anyone who works with young people and needs to know how best to help when someone discloses that they self-harm or who they suspect may be self-harming. Therapists and counsellors who want to gain a better understanding so they can support families with a member who self harms. Course Programme The ‘How to help young people who self harm’ live online webinar starts at 9.15am and runs until 1.30pm (GMT). 9.15am Join the Zoom meeting 9.30am Understanding self harm 10.45am Comfort break and discussion 10.55am How to approach self harm and be most helpful 12.00pm Comfort break and discussion 12.10pm Creating the optimal conditions for recovery 1.30pm Webinar ends This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 3.5 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

This is a practical ‘non medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people with serious attachment issues arising from loss, trauma and abuse. We look at what Psychology may help us in our understanding of children who have faced issues with love and attachment. Splitting, handling projected feelings, constancy and permanence are explored. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Understanding Attachment Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Meeting emotional needs Behaviour and Relationships Inclusion Teaching and Learning Description This is a practical ‘non medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people with serious attachment issues arising from loss, trauma and abuse. Drawing from the international research and literature and our own experience over many years as educational psychologists of the challenges of children with major social and emotional needs, we will explore together what the best practice can and could look like. We explore the language of attachment and outline very practical classroom strategies. We look at what Psychology may help us in our understanding of children who have faced issues with love and attachment. We explore the feelings of being on a desolate island of relational poverty or to imagine swimming with sharks. We explore the themes of violence, anxiety and experience of being a victim as young people grow older. We look at telling lies and explore how we can respectfully understand this. We reveal the new and innovative compass of vulnerability – the cognitive errors to which some are much more vulnerable. We look at triggers, self regulation and unpack a range of strategies.  Transference and counter transference are examined along with splitting, handling projected feelings, constancy and permanence. We explore what young people with these difficulties really need from us. We also spend time looking at the emotional impact on practitioners working with children with such needs and what helps at an personal and team level. We can all do something – we do not have to wait for expert therapists to arrive!  Testimonials Very moving presentation I will always try and think behind the behaviour now It had a huge impact on all levels We all seem to need it Belonging and feelings are so important Very user friendly Excellent! Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice for children with serious attachment needs in mainstream schools Simple understandable explanation of attachment understood Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on social and behavioural needs Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of emotionally disabled children Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils with complex emotional needs New skills, scripts and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For ? Practitioners working in schools and other settings with children and young people of all ages Key workers Teaching Assistants with support roles Heads and deputies SENCOs Advanced skills teachers Primary and secondary classroom teachers Parents Local authority support services Course Content The course explores the questions : How can we start to develop an understanding of children with attachment needs? What is the true impact of loss, trauma and abuse? What else can we do to go about including high profile children or young people with challenging emotional needs? What useful psychological constructs can we use to guide us? This course also explores practical strategies and language for key adults rebuilding relationships with individual pupils. This is a participative day that aims to be explorative and practical. Opportunities to develop empathy with the children of concern will be created.

About this course This practical course will help primary teachers to understand the purpose of assessment in history and consider current best practice. We will explore ways of continuing to improve the quality of teaching and learning in history through effective assessment strategies. We will go through practical ideas and resources to enliven teaching and learning in history and provide opportunities for assessment. This course will provide guidance and support to help develop the accuracy of teacher judgements. During the course, we will look at examples of writing and outcomes from different schools and consider how these outcomes demonstrate progress and attainment in history. Outcomes • understand the purpose of assessment in history • consider current best practice • explore ways of continuing to improve the quality of teaching and learning in history through effective assessment strategies • explore practical ideas and resources to enliven teaching and learning in history and provide opportunities for assessment • provide guidance and support to help develop the accuracy of teacher judgements Course leader The course is led by Steven Kenyon. Steven is a member of the Historical Association’s primary committee, having worked as a primary school teacher and then Deputy Head Teacher between 2004 and 2018. He joined Lancashire Professional Development Service in April 2018 as a Teaching and Learning Consultant for Primary History and English. He works closely with Lancashire Archives to promote and develop local history work in primary schools. This year he is a judge for the Historical Association's Young Quills Awards.

Are your sales people too stressed, running on adrenalin, perhaps driving towards burnout, struggling to reach targets? Wouldn't you rather they delivered consistently good performance, sustainable over longer periods of time, with less stress (for both them and you)? This uniquely empowering workshop will help your team develop naturally high levels of focus, energy and motivation. They will attain a sense of grounded euphoria, giving them a very distinct and ethical edge in selling. A one-day programme, it gives salespeople an introduction to the 'Natural Superheroes' concepts and resources, tools and techniques, to help them improve their sales performance - realising greater sales potential, developing deeper and more profitable client relationships, winning more business. Through this experience, sales teams gain: Information about profiling clients to instantly understand more about their deepest drives and true needs so they can be genuinely met and, where possible, exceeded Insights into deep, honest and very 'real' reasons for sales procrastination - participants are given specific workable strategies they can easily apply to overcome sales resistance, by tapping their natural motivational styles An understanding of communicating at the very highest levels with different people so they truly understand your sales message and have a significantly more positive sales experience A realisation of their very specific natural sales talents as individuals and as a team A deeper level of experience and understanding of what specifically drives their own behaviour and the behaviour of their clients - these unique insights explain not only how but exactly why people behave the way they do An experience of what it takes to be unshakeable under pressure and manage the sales processes and relationships to a positive outcome for all Brand-new insights into working with and handling difficult people across all levels of authority An understanding of the pitfalls and the psychological traps we set ourselves which cause unnecessary stress, anxiety and frustration on a daily basis and, in turn, limit our sales performance Access to very simple and practical tools that massively increase self-awareness, engender accountability and responsibility and develop emotional sales mastery 1 Introducing 'Natural Superheroes' for sales What is a 'Natural Superhero'? Defining emotional intelligence in the context of sales and why it is so important Knowing yourself - why most people don't know themselves at all and how we can understand exactly what drives our behaviour for the purpose of improving sales performance specifically Knowing exactly why others, and specifically clients and team members, behave the way they do - understanding the real motives behind people's good and bad behaviour in a sales meeting Simple steps to freeing yourself of any anxiety, pressure and false sense of limitation when selling Being yourself in sales - why this is not as easy as it sounds but how you can make it effortless How to take control of achieving the sales performance you really need and want for yourself and others Strategies that raise your self-awareness, increase an authentic and sustainable sense of self-confidence, in difficult situations and in moments of crisis 2 Understanding yourself, your team members and your customers - using the Enneagram Introducing the Enneagram and why it is so valuable to sales people and their clients Exploring the 9 types of motivational drives and why people have different reasons for buying from you Core types and wings - understanding the influence of other motivations either side of the core Enneagram type How to confirm the profile of your client - using celebrities from the world of politics, cinema, sports - we explore how to identify each type - what are their core drives, why have they arisen and how can we use these insights to help you in improving your sales performance The 3 levels of behaviour within your personal profile and that of your clients Lookalike Enneagram types - mistaken identities - how to avoid these traps when profiling your clients and your team How to communicate effectively in a sales environment with each of the different Enneagram types - communication strategies for positive impact on morale, performance and, ultimately, sales results How to interpret and make use of the results of your online personal profile - participants complete an online profile before the event and have the opportunity to analyse their results with a view to improving their sales performance How sales teams sabotage their own performance and that of other people within the team - and how to stop it Uncovering your particular edge in a sales role - what unconsciously trips you up as a sales person? How the Enneagram helps us in sustaining a truly great sales performance over time 3 Why positive thinking alone doesn't work in sales Why 'PMA' does not stand for positive mental attitude when selling - learn its alternative meaning that can serve you even more effectively in a sales role 3 steps and exercises that naturally increase PMA The value of making unconscious thinking conscious and how to do this without any pain or discomfort in a sales meeting Why each Enneagram type has a different experience of PMA in terms of their outward behaviour and how to know when you are maximising your sales performance 4 Measuring success How to measure the development of your individual profile as a sales person Development planning and review Into the future - how to continue your Natural Superhero development

Essential trauma awareness training on the causes, symptoms and best ways to treat PTSD Join our expert tutor live online to deepen your understanding of trauma and our responses to it – recovery is possible… Accredited CPD Certificate: 6 hours Length: 1 day (9.15am - 4.00pm GMT) Excellent online trauma course! I've worked with complex trauma for over 5 years and there was still plenty for me to take away...KAT MARLOW, PSYCHOTHERAPIST Why do some people become traumatised and others not? What makes an event traumatic? Why are the symptoms of trauma so many and varied? What happens if someone freezes – or experiences a shutdown or dissociative response – during a traumatic event? Live Online Training – Join Ros Townsend on Tues 16th April 2024 to find out the answers to these questions, and many more… You’ll also have time to ask your own questions and benefit from the group discussions. Once you’ve booked you’ll receive emailed confirmation – you’ll get your Zoom link the day before the event. Limited numbers – book soon to ensure your place. BONUS RECORDING – the training is recorded, in case anyone experiences technical difficulties on the day, so you will also get a recording for a limited time afterwards to maximise your learning. This inspiring and helpful online course with Ros Townsend, a highly experienced psychotherapist and trainer who specialises in treating trauma, will give you a thorough, clear understanding of how and why we can be impacted by traumatic events, what is happening in our brains, what causes post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, why we respond in different ways (fight, flight, freeze or shutdown/dissociation), how to help someone who is suffering, when to seek professional help – and more. Why take this course Suffering from trauma, whether from a single incident or multiple events spread over the course of many years, can have a significantly detrimental impact on a person’s mental and physical health, and their quality of life. It can also greatly affect the lives of those around them. Since the Covid-19 Pandemic, more people than usual have experienced extremely stressful, distressing and/or frightening events, and many are finding that it has left them with symptoms of post-traumatic stress which can, in themselves, be very frightening. Recovery is possible – understanding is key Understanding what causes PTSD symptoms, how our brains and bodies react to distressing events and what makes us vulnerable to becoming traumatised, are all key to successful recovery. This knowledge creates a firm foundation on which to build successful coping strategies and clarifies what needs to happen to enable successful self-help and recovery. During the day you will also gain a clear understanding of how to spot the ‘early warning signs’ of trauma, before they go on to affect further areas of someone’s life, which red-flag signs indicate that it is time to seek professional help, and how trauma specialists are able to help people recover, from even the most difficult times, effectively – and lots more. Jam-packed full of essential information and important insights, real-life case studies and tips, this trauma course clarifies the different ways trauma can impact on people, leaving you better equipped to help support recovery and build resilience. It is an essential course for anyone who works with distressed people or who wishes to support someone they care for in their recovery from trauma, or for those simply wishing to better understand what they, or someone they care for, are experiencing. You will have plenty of time to ask questions throughout the day as the course is designed as a balance between structured learning, group discussion and activities (it is a live, expanded version of our shorter online course: Understanding Trauma). Ros is a brilliant teacher and presenter. She made the whole course interesting, engaging and informative as well as very supportive. She was also very patient with all our questions!GEMMA ROGERS, COUNSELLOR/COACH What you will learn A clear understanding of what trauma is – and the different survival responses we have evolved to help us deal with it What happens in our brains when we experience a traumatic event Why some people are affected by traumatic events, but not others What makes something ‘a trauma’ What symptoms may indicate that someone has been traumatised Why post-traumatic stress (PTS) occurs and the many different ways it can present The physical and psychological causes of post traumatic stress symptoms such as flash backs, hypervigilance, anger, poor sleep, poor memory, physical pain, difficulty thinking, digestive problems, low mood, apparent over-reaction to non-threatening situations Why PTS symptoms can develop years after a traumatic event The fight, flight and freeze response – its impact on our brain and body, and why it can be triggered inappropriately Why experiencing trauma in a passive survival state – such as freeze, shutdown or a dissociative state – can affect an individual particularly deeply How high emotional arousal impacts on our ability to think clearly Why our brains evolved this way Why some people experience trauma in a passive survival state such as freeze, shutdown or a dissociative state – and why we shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty if we do The double whammy that comes with the ‘freeze’ response Why some sufferers experience ‘shutdown’ or dissociation as a result of trauma – and how this can lead to feelings of shame or guilt Why anger and other strong emotions can follow when someone comes out of a shutdown state during recovery from trauma How traumatic memories can stay ‘live’, keeping us on constant alert for danger ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back’: why one seemingly small event can tip someone into PTSD after years of exposure to other distressing events The importance of pattern-matching in understanding how our brains work Why post-traumatic stress triggers seemingly inappropriately extreme fear reactions The far-reaching impacts of unresolved trauma, including the development of co-morbid conditions and unhelpful coping strategies, such as addictions How unresolved trauma can lead to depression – the trauma / depression cycle Differences when treating single incident trauma, multiple trauma or ‘complex trauma’ When to seek professional help – spotting the ‘red-flag’ signs that you, or someone you care for, might need further support Where to find effective professional help An understanding of how the rewind technique works; its many advantages and applications The common elements of all effective treatments for post traumatic stress (PTSD) How we need to adapt traditional approaches to treating trauma for those experiencing shutdown or dissociative symptoms in the present Working holistically from the human givens approach The natural way we recover from distressing events What we all need as human beings to live emotionally healthy lives How to best employ self-help strategies to support your own recovery or to help others’ suffering from the effects of trauma How to build resilience and recover from symptoms How to access the ‘recovery zone’ Using breathing techniques with clients suffering from trauma Self-help strategies for improving your mental health and minimising traumatic symptoms A wonderfully informative course – I learned so much about traumaCOUNSELLOR Please note This live online training course is an expanded, live version of our shorter online course: Understanding Trauma. If you work with people with Complex Trauma, you may also like our attended workshops: Complex Trauma: Working effectively with challenging cases. Who this workshop is suitable for Anyone interested in understanding trauma and the many different ways it can present, the physical and psychological causes of post traumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), and what can be done to help – whether for personal or professional reasons. Anyone working with traumatised people including health and welfare professionals, such as: psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, school counsellors, student wellbeing officers, doctors, nurses, OTs, social workers, health visitors, youth workers, outreach, support workers, clinical psychologists, midwives, welfare officers, youth workers, hypnotherapists Anyone working with traumatised members of public services, such as: firefighters, police, paramedics and military personnel Family members of a traumatised individual who wish to understand more about how they can support their recovery or help them to access support Individuals wanting to understand more about their own experience of symptoms relating to trauma and learn more about what effective support is available – you will find the information on this course hugely helpful. Please note As the course deals with the subject of trauma, participants should be aware that discussion of specifically chosen examples of trauma and PTS symptoms will take place, for illustrative purposes, during the day. These will be generic examples for teaching purposes, however, and will not go into unnecessary detail or be voyeuristic or inherently distressing. Participants on the course will not at any stage be expected or put under pressure to discuss or disclose details of any personal experiences of a traumatic nature that they may have had. Course Programme The ‘Trauma: Patterns from the Past’ live online course starts at 9.15am and runs until 4.00pm. 9.15am Join the Zoom meeting 9.30am Introducing PTS 11.00am Comfort break and discussion 11.30am Understanding PTS 1.00pm Lunch break 1.45pm Red-flag signs – when to seek professional support 2.45pm Comfort break and discussion 3.00pm Self-help strategies 4.00pm Day ends This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

This course has a simple objective: to help gain appointments with potential clients. In most consultative selling situations clients won't commit to purchases over the telephone. This means setting up a meeting to discuss the options with them face-to-face. But getting 'face time' can be tricky. This practical workshop can help. Participants will acquire essential tools, skills and methods; discuss specific organisational issues; and identify areas for improvement. They will discover how to: Increase their effectiveness through proper preparation Construct attention-grabbing opening statements Help potential clients feel comfortable agreeing to a meeting Develop tactics for responding to difficult excuses and objections Stress the benefits of a face-to-face consultation Develop and enhance their questioning and listening skills Prevent customers cancelling booked appointments 1 Introduction to appointment setting Key trends that have changed the way people buy today - and will buy tomorrow Why many sales people avoid picking up the phone The difference that makes a difference - what makes a good appointment-maker? 2 Before you pick up the telephone It all starts with a plan... Who and what to focus our attention How much research should we undertake and why? Setting primary and secondary objectives 3 Making your approach Key considerations Every call is an opportunity - creating a positive mind-set Using a structured approach Using partnership language 4 Gaining an insight into the customer's needs How to quickly 'tune in' to your customers, so that you can serve them more easily Developing speech patterns that put customers at their ease Using effective questioning and listening skills Finding and building pain points 5 Dealing with excuses and objections Pre-empting potential excuses Developing techniques for responding to client objections Keeping the door open for future contact 6 Securing the appointment Selling the benefits of a consultancy meeting Techniques for avoiding cancelled appointments Gaining commitment 7 Action plans Course summary and presentation of action plans

This very practical one-day IACCM-approved programme enables participants to manage the process of commercial contracting and contract management effectively and efficiently to ensure value for money, improved service, and appropriate relationships. It covers a wide range of contract types in terms of risk and value. The programme empowers participants with the tools and techniques needed to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Understand the total process of managing contracts Exploit opportunities to extract even more added value Develop appropriate relationships with contractors Understand and use a range of contracting strategies and options Measure and improve contract performance Understand the impact of legislation on contract performance 1 Welcome Introductions Aims and objectives Plan for the day 2 Contract management An overview of the contracting process, mapping the 'territory' 3 Contract managers Skills Knowledge Attributes Responsibilities 4 Critical success factors Defining successful outcomes Effective stakeholder engagement Creating a shared vision of the outcomes 5 Placing contracts How to develop an effective specification and scope of work documents How to develop a robust contracting strategy Appropriate types of contract 6 Customers and stakeholders Customer and stakeholder analysis Managing expectations and the 'shared vision' concept to ensure customer co-operation, satisfaction, and delight 7 Working with suppliers Creating and developing commercial relationships Types of relationship How to manage difficult relationships Contractor motivational issues How to use incentives 8 Negotiation and related skills Introduction to key negotiation skills Persuading and influencing skills to work with stakeholders to improve outcomes for all 9 Dealing with change Claims and variations How to challenge contractor claims and requests for variations by making use of contractual terms Specifications to prevent false claims 10 Performance improvement How to measure and improve contractor performance Developing KPI systems Using contractual terms and conditions and basic legal principles 11 Contract close The importance of effective contract close processes 12 Close Review of key learning points Personal action planning