Time Management and Productivity Effective time management reduces stress and helps you better adhere to commitments. This course is designed to help you identify personal and organizational priorities and gain better control of where you focus your attention. You will explore the importance of planning and organizing, and you will practice sorting through and setting priorities. You will also learn how to set better time boundaries and manage the demands of others. Working with a time management framework, you will use a set of practical techniques to organize and manage your work to better deliver on your commitments. Techniques for overcoming procrastination will be addressed, as well as strategies for dealing with information overload. What you Will Learn Plan and prioritize each day's activities in a more efficient, productive manner Establish strategies to execute priorities and overcome procrastination Understand how to make trade-offs when faced with fire drills How to set and communicate boundary conditions Getting Started Introductions Course orientation Participants' expectations Foundation Concepts Exercise: A day in your life Resources to implement change Mind-set Tool-set Skill-set What is your time really worth? The dynamics of procrastination The myth of multi-tasking Brain Rules - how to optimize your efficiency Organization and Prioritization Time management best practices Goal setting Exercise: Identifying your priorities The importance of organization Time management framework Prioritizing time Time Management Techniques Tips for managing time Nine ways to overcome procrastination The STING technique Managing your time o Handling unplanned urgencies o Dealing with information overload Delegation and managing others' time Creating your personal action plan Summary Course summary and next steps Applying what you have learned
Project Management for Non-Project Managers Individuals who are involved in projects (commissioning, supporting, sponsoring, etc.) may often be unfamiliar with project management. A basic understanding of project management is essential for non-project managers, who are critical stakeholders contributing to project success. This awareness course uses A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and other sources to introduce you to project management vocabulary, concepts, and techniques. It also provides insights into the realities of being a project manager, and opportunities to explore how you can positively impact projects in your own role. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Identify the benefits of project management Use standard project management terminology Describe characteristics of successful projects, project managers, and high-performing teams Explain various project stakeholder roles, their responsibilities, and the fundamental project management processes Recognize how agile / adaptive practices are useful for certain project life cycles Create a personal action plan for how to support real-world projects within a non-PM role Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Project management overview Strategic value of project management Defining project success Project life-cycle models and governance Project roles and responsibilities Project Initiating and Planning Initiating the project Defining project requirements and scope Developing the project schedule and budget Project Risk Management, Executing, Monitoring, and Closing Understanding, evaluating, and adjusting for risk Honoring the baseline and executing the project Monitoring and controlling the project Closing the project Project Interpersonal Processes Project communication Project team development Conflict management
Enhancing Performance with Productive Conflict: In-House Training Most organizations have typically held the belief that workplace conflict is something that needs to be prevented, resolved, and/or mitigated. After all, conflict creates stress and leads to a variety of performance problems and very real costs. However, what savvy organizations have come to embrace is the understanding that when conflict is truly understood and harnessed, it can be utilized to not only add value to teams, but also enhance workplace performance. Conflict can be productive and make organizations better! Learners will explore the results of a formal, personalized, conflict-related assessment, uncovering targeted nuances of their conflict responses in action. Participants will learn to use basic strategies which allow them to transform destructive conflict responses into more productive ones, especially in the moment when they are happening. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Apply different models for understanding the lifecycle and dynamics of conflict Describe a physiological response to conflict and its impact on communication Recognize the correlation between a person's conflict style and how they respond to conflict Identify your own default responses to conflict and catch them in action Reframe automatic negative thoughts to create more positive interpersonal outcomes Utilize various tactics and strategies to transform destructive conflict responses into productive ones Getting Started Introductions and social agreements Course goal and objectives Opening activities Module 1: The Dynamics and Anatomy of Conflict Conflict basics Dynamics of conflict The anatomy of conflict Module 2: Conflict Styles and Conflict Conflict through the conflict style lens Exploring your style in conflict Destructive responses to conflict Module 3: Changing Your Response to Conflict Changing your conflict response Three steps to productive conflict Choosing a productive conflict response
Enhancing Performance with Productive Conflict Most organizations have typically held the belief that workplace conflict is something that needs to be prevented, resolved, and/or mitigated. After all, conflict creates stress and leads to a variety of performance problems and very real costs. However, what savvy organizations have come to embrace is the understanding that when conflict is truly understood and harnessed, it can be utilized to not only add value to teams, but also enhance workplace performance. Conflict can be productive and make organizations better! Learners will explore the results of a formal, personalized, conflict-related assessment, uncovering targeted nuances of their conflict responses in action. Participants will learn to use basic strategies which allow them to transform destructive conflict responses into more productive ones, especially in the moment when they are happening. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Apply different models for understanding the lifecycle and dynamics of conflict Describe a physiological response to conflict and its impact on communication Recognize the correlation between a person's conflict style and how they respond to conflict Identify your own default responses to conflict and catch them in action Reframe automatic negative thoughts to create more positive interpersonal outcomes Utilize various tactics and strategies to transform destructive conflict responses into productive ones Getting Started Introductions and social agreements Course goal and objectives Opening activities Module 1: The Dynamics and Anatomy of Conflict Conflict basics Dynamics of conflict The anatomy of conflict Module 2: Conflict Styles and Conflict Conflict through the conflict style lens Exploring your style in conflict Destructive responses to conflict Module 3: Changing Your Response to Conflict Changing your conflict response Three steps to productive conflict Choosing a productive conflict response
Estimating for Business Analysts: In-House Training A business analyst does not have authority to estimate the project and will not be held responsible for the project staying within the proposed budget; however, the business analyst does participate in various planning exercises with the project team. Many times the business analyst is on his or her own, required to provide estimates of how long it will take to perform their tasks. This course acquaints you with the basics of estimating from the point of view of the business analyst, emphasizing time estimates for the work. It also covers some of the product cost estimates that a business analyst may have to provide when the business is performing a cost/benefit analysis for the project. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Translate business needs and requirements into estimates Estimate durations using a variety of techniques Negotiate differences in estimates Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts The importance of estimating to a business analyst The good and bad of estimating The project context The meaning of good estimating Focuses of estimating Characteristics of a good estimate Estimating the Time Requirements Applicable BABOK® Knowledge Areas Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Elicitation and Collaboration Estimating the elicitation Information Gathering Plan Relative times for elicitation activities Planning and estimating the business analysis approach and activities Planning the business analysis activities Impact of process Estimating the Product Estimating the value of the product Business analyst's role Defining and determining value Function and use case points Agile estimating Planning Poker Other agile estimating techniques Negotiating estimates Negotiation techniques Negotiation approaches Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environment?
Estimating for Business Analysts A business analyst does not have authority to estimate the project and will not be held responsible for the project staying within the proposed budget; however, the business analyst does participate in various planning exercises with the project team. Many times the business analyst is on his or her own, required to provide estimates of how long it will take to perform their tasks. This course acquaints you with the basics of estimating from the point of view of the business analyst, emphasizing time estimates for the work. It also covers some of the product cost estimates that a business analyst may have to provide when the business is performing a cost/benefit analysis for the project. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Translate business needs and requirements into estimates Estimate durations using a variety of techniques Negotiate differences in estimates Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts The importance of estimating to a business analyst The good and bad of estimating The project context The meaning of good estimating Focuses of estimating Characteristics of a good estimate Estimating the Time Requirements Applicable BABOK® Knowledge Areas Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Elicitation and Collaboration Estimating the elicitation Information Gathering Plan Relative times for elicitation activities Planning and estimating the business analysis approach and activities Planning the business analysis activities Impact of process Estimating the Product Estimating the value of the product Business analyst's role Defining and determining value Function and use case points Agile estimating Planning Poker Other agile estimating techniques Negotiating estimates Negotiation techniques Negotiation approaches Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environment?
Grateful Leadership: In-House Training Effective leaders must find ways to enhance people's level of engagement, commitment, and support, especially during the difficult periods of time that all organizations may face. Grateful leaders can tap into the power of personal commitment and dedication by acknowledging people in an authentic and heartfelt manner. Those leaders who model true acknowledgment behavior will inspire others to do the same and to want to dramatically increase their levels of contribution to the organization, making the power of acknowledgment transformational. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand and develop the capability to act upon the need for Grateful Leadership to create a culture of appreciation in the workplace Understand the potentially huge benefits of Grateful Leadership in the workplace Overcome the barriers to using acknowledgment Demonstrate the language and subtleties of authentic and heartfelt acknowledgement behavior Describe the Seven Principles of Acknowledgment for 'High-Interest Benefits' in the context of participant's personal leadership style Describe how to coach teams, managers, and other corporate stakeholders in using Grateful Leadership to produce breakthrough results Getting Started Introductions Course goals and objectives Introspection on the practice of Grateful Leadership The Workforce Engagement Sustainability Challenge Employees who are engaged, not engaged, and actively disengaged The costs of non-engagement Meeting the workforce engagement challenge Acknowledgment, Engagement, and Leadership Acknowledgment and its benefits Recognition versus acknowledgment 'Challenging people' case study Blanchard, Covey, Keith (Servant Leadership): how acknowledgment fits into these leadership models Leadership and acknowledgment The 5 C's - Consciousness, Courage, Choice, Communication, Commitment Employing the Power of Acknowledgment Overcoming barriers to acknowledgment The Seven High-Interest Benefits Principles of Acknowledgment Exploring the acknowledgment process Applying the Principles of Acknowledgment within the Context of Your Personal Leadership Style Case study The ROI of Grateful Leadership Creating your Grateful Leadership Personal Action Plan™ Creating a Vision Statement for your organization that incorporates Grateful Leadership into your corporate culture The 360° Grateful Leadership Competency Assessment Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Grateful Leadership (In-Person) Effective leaders must find ways to enhance people's level of engagement, commitment, and support, especially during the difficult periods of time that all organizations may face. Grateful leaders can tap into the power of personal commitment and dedication by acknowledging people in an authentic and heartfelt manner. Those leaders who model TRUE acknowledgment behavior will inspire others to do the same and to want to dramatically increase their levels of contribution to the organization, making the power of acknowledgment transformational. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand and develop the capability to act upon the need for Grateful Leadership to create a culture of appreciation in the workplace Understand the potentially huge benefits of Grateful Leadership in the workplace Overcome the barriers to using acknowledgment Demonstrate the language and subtleties of authentic and heartfelt acknowledgement behavior Describe the Seven Principles of Acknowledgment for 'High-Interest Benefits' in the context of participant's personal leadership style Describe how to coach teams, managers, and other corporate stakeholders in using Grateful Leadership to produce breakthrough results Getting Started Introductions Course goals and objectives Introspection on the practice of Grateful Leadership The Workforce Engagement Sustainability Challenge Employees who are engaged, not engaged, and actively disengaged The costs of non-engagement Meeting the workforce engagement challenge Acknowledgment, Engagement, and Leadership Acknowledgment and its benefits Recognition versus acknowledgment 'Challenging people' case study Blanchard, Covey, Keith (Servant Leadership): how acknowledgment fits into these leadership models Leadership and acknowledgment The 5 C's - Consciousness, Courage, Choice, Communication, Commitment Employing the Power of Acknowledgment Overcoming barriers to acknowledgment The Seven High-Interest Benefits Principles of Acknowledgment Exploring the acknowledgment process Applying the Principles of Acknowledgment within the Context of Your Personal Leadership Style Case study The ROI of Grateful Leadership Creating your Grateful Leadership Personal Action Plan™ Creating a Vision Statement for your organization that incorporates Grateful Leadership into your corporate culture The 360° Grateful Leadership Competency Assessment Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Writing Clear Business Communication (In-Person) Effective writing seldom, if ever, 'magically materializes' on the spot. In reality, it is most often the product of planning, writing, and rewriting. This is why writing is called a process; it must go through a series of steps before it is clear and complete. This program is about learning about the writing process and covers the full spectrum of documents used when corresponding in the workplace. The ability to write effectively comes naturally to some people, but for the vast majority, it is a task often approached with a mixture of trepidation and dread. However, the ability to communicate in the written word, for whatever purpose, is an important part of our working and personal lives and can have a direct impact on our ability to persuade, gain commitment or agreement and enhance understanding. Good writing sounds like talking on paper, which is why this program is focused on getting the message across and achieving the desired results using the 'keep it simple and direct' approach. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Plan and prioritize each day's activities in a more efficient, productive manner Establish strategies to execute priorities and overcome procrastination Understand how to make trade-offs when faced with fire drills How to set and communicate boundary conditions Getting Started Introductions Course orientation Participants' expectations Foundation Concepts Exercise: A day in your life Resources to implement change o Mind-set o Tool-set o Skill-set What is your time really worth? The dynamics of procrastination The myth of multi-tasking Brain Rules - how to optimize your efficiency Organization and Prioritization Time management best practices Goal setting Exercise: Identifying your priorities The importance of organization Time management framework Prioritizing time Time Management Techniques Tips for managing time Nine ways to overcome procrastination The STING technique Managing your time o Handling unplanned urgencies o Dealing with information overload Delegation and managing others' time Creating your personal action plan
This English Exam Preparation course is specifically designed for adult learners who are preparing to take an English language proficiency exam, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge exams. Participants will focus on developing the necessary skills and strategies to achieve a successful outcome in their chosen exam. Through targeted practice, exam-specific tasks, and personalised feedback, learners will gain confidence and proficiency in all sections of the exam. Course Duration: 12 weeks (48 sessions) Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will: 1. Understand the format and requirements of the chosen English language proficiency exam. 2. Develop effective strategies for each section of the exam. 3. Enhance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills within the context of the exam. 4. Expand vocabulary and improve language accuracy for exam-specific tasks. 5. Practice time management techniques to complete tasks within the allocated time. Course Outline: Week 1: Introduction to the Exam - Introduction to the chosen English language proficiency exam - Overview of the exam format, sections, and scoring criteria - Assessment of participants' current language proficiency and individual learning goals Week 2: Reading Skills and Strategies - Understanding different question types in the reading section - Developing reading skills for comprehension, skimming, and scanning - Practice exercises and strategies to improve speed and accuracy Week 3: Writing Skills and Strategies - Analyzing the writing tasks and requirements of the exam - Developing skills for organising ideas, structuring paragraphs, and coherence - Practice exercises for different writing tasks (essays, reports, letters, etc.) Week 4: Listening Skills and Strategies - Identifying question types and understanding the listening section format - Developing listening skills for main ideas, details, and inference - Practice exercises and strategies for improving listening accuracy and note-taking Week 5: Speaking Skills and Strategies - Understanding the speaking section requirements and assessment criteria - Developing skills for fluency, coherence, and pronunciation - Practice exercises for different speaking tasks (interviews, presentations, etc.) Week 6: Vocabulary Expansion for Exam Tasks - Expanding vocabulary in specific topics and themes relevant to the exam - Practice exercises to reinforce and use new vocabulary effectively - Techniques for deducing meaning from context and using appropriate vocabulary Week 7: Grammar and Language Accuracy - Reviewing and reinforcing essential grammar rules and structures - Identification and correction of common grammar errors in exam tasks - Exercises and activities to improve language accuracy in writing and speaking Week 8: Time Management and Exam Strategies - Strategies for time management and prioritizing tasks during the exam - Practice exercises to improve speed and efficiency in completing tasks - Tips and techniques for maximizing scores in each section Week 9: Mock Exam: Reading and Writing - Simulating a complete reading and writing section of the exam - Timed practice sessions to replicate exam conditions - Detailed feedback and analysis of strengths and areas for improvement Week 10: Mock Exam: Listening and Speaking - Simulating a complete listening and speaking section of the exam - Timed practice sessions to replicate exam conditions - Detailed feedback and analysis of strengths and areas for improvement Week 11: Exam Strategies Review and Practice - Reviewing and reinforcing exam strategies for each section - Targeted practice exercises to address specific challenges and areas of improvement - Individualised feedback and guidance based on participants' performance Week 12: Final Evaluation and Exam Tips - Comprehensive review of all exam sections and strategies - Final evaluation to assess participants' progress and readiness for the exam - Tips for managing test anxiety and mental preparation for the exam Note: This syllabus is a guideline and can be customised based on the specific exam requirements and the needs, interests, and proficiency levels of the participants. The course may also include additional topics or activities to cater to learners' specific goals or areas of focus.