This workshop is very practical in its nature and aims to give delegates an opportunity to not only learn about the key aspects of successful bid writing, but to also put them into practice. The workshop helps delegates understand what is most important to buyers and how to successfully convey they proposition to them. 1 Welcome and introductions 2 The mindset of successful bid writing The mindset needed for successful bid writing Thinking from the buyer's perspective and not your own 3 Decision making The way buyers make decisions - rational and emotional Understanding buying motives Looking at how to present ideas against those motives The idea of cognitive fluency How to pitch an idea in a way that leads to a positive decision 4 To bid or not to bid? Writing a bid is a big commitment; a clear understanding of the chances of winning is required Understanding of the implications of winning and the impact it will have on the organisation 5 Understanding your value proposition Framework to help identify unique proposition and how that fits in with the requirements of the bid 6 The tender process Understanding the process to enable a successful chance of winning the bid Different types of tender processes Evaluation of criteria and the impact on bid writing 7 Writing skills Different ways of writing and structuring bids to ensure their messages gets across well in a way that will be looked on favourably by the buyer 8 Summarise 9 Close
Self-understanding is a prerequisite for leading and managing others responsibly and honourably. The field of Neuro Linguistic Programming has helped us to gain a better insight into how we all think and behave. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: Gain an insight into the purpose and functions of the unconscious mind Develop flexibility to increase their for behaviours in different circumstances Appreciate how different people experience the world Create and set effective goals and direction Understand the NLP Model of Communication Adapt their communication style to maximise effectiveness Influence and persuade others by connecting with people Understand how empowerment can make life easier Appreciate how creativity works Learn creativity techniques to tap into the power of the team 1 Self-awareness Autopilot - your unconscious mind Developing flexibility How identify, values & beliefs shape our behaviour Models of the world 2 Creating direction Describing present and desired state Designing your direction Making it happen Self-mastery 3 Communication The NLP Model of Communication Insights to the way people think Understanding representation systems Reframing the way people think about negative experiences Using metaphor 4 Influence and persuasion Building trust Connecting with people Purpose intention and outcomes The difference empowerment makes 5 Creativity and innovation Hindrances to creativity and innovation Your natural state of creativity Getting unblocked Creativity techniques 6 Action plan Course summary and presentation of action plans
The aim of this course is to provide project managers, project engineers and project support staff with a toolkit they can use on their projects. The tools range from the simple that can be used on all projects to the advanced that can be used where appropriate. This programme will help the participants to: Identify and engage with stakeholders Use tools for requirements gathering and scope management Produce better estimates using a range of techniques Develop more reliable schedules Effectively manage delivery DAY ONE 1 Introduction Overview of the programme Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Stakeholder management Using PESTLE to aid stakeholder identification Stakeholder mapping The Salience model Stakeholder engagement grid 3 Requirements management Using prototypes and models to elucidate requirements Prioritising techniques Roadmaps Requirements traceability 4 Scope management Work breakdown structures Responsibility assignment matrix 5 Delivery approaches Sequential Agile 6 Estimating Comparative estimating Parametric Bottom-up Three-point estimating Delphi and Planning Poker Creating realistic budgets DAY TWO 7 Scheduling Critical path analysis Smoothing and levelling Timeboxing Team boards Monte Carlo simulations Probability of completion 8 People management Situational Leadership The Tuckman model Negotiation Conflict management Belbin 9 Monitoring and control Earned value management 10 Course review and action planning Identify actions to be implemented individually Conclusion PMI, CAPM, PMP and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Getting Started The Master of Business Administration Top Up is a prestigious postgraduate qualification that leading employers highly value. The programme is designed to enhance business managers' strategic thinking and decision-making and develop their critical understanding of business management. The programme is designed for individuals who hold a Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. This programme covers the core business sectors: entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, statistics, finance, business ethics, business law, managerial economics, business strategy and analysis, operations, administration and communication. This programme, qualified from UK business schools, is well acknowledged and globally respected as it dominates critical thinking and research. MBA can also help you specialise in a new industry you want to move to or in your current sector. This professional qualification improves the chances of progression in a career path. This qualification helps the learner to oversee, supervise and allocate the operations in a business firm. The programme aims to make the candidate capable of understanding the functional aspects of a company and acquiring the skills for communication and decision-making. The MBA Top-Up programme is awarded and delivered 100% online by Anglia Ruskin University. At Anglia Ruskin University, you will study through Canvas, a world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments. After successfully completing your studies, you'll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus at Anglia Ruskin University. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible, we'll arrange to send your certificate to you. School of Business and Technology London partners with Chestnut Education Group to promote this programme. About Awarding Body Anglia Ruskin University began in 1858 as the Cambridge School of Art founded by William Beaumont. It was then merged with the Cambridge shire College of Arts and Technology and the Essex Institute of Higher Education and was renamed Anglia Polytechnic. It was then given university status in 1992 and renamed Anglia Ruskin University in 2005. The university has campuses in the UK (Cambridge, Chelmsford, London and Peterborough), as well as they are partnered with institutions around the world including Berlin, Budapest, Trinidad, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Assessment Major Project No examinations Entry Requirements Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership or any equivalent diploma Further, candidates are also required to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Progression An MBA graduate can pursue a fruitful career in many industries. MBA can open career opportunities in various sectors such as banking and financial services, investment banking, management consulting, insurance, hospitality, media, information technology (IT) and marketing. MBA is often a pathway to promotion or a career change as you will gain a professional reputation and develop essential skills in the sector one chooses to pursue. Learners must request before enrolment to interchange unit(s) other than the preselected units shown in the SBTL website because we need to make sure the availability of learning materials for the requested unit(s). SBTL will reject an application if the learning materials for the requested interchange unit(s) are unavailable. Learners are not allowed to make any request to interchange unit(s) once enrolment is complete. Structure MBA Top-Up Programme Structure Dissertation (Major Project) Delivery Methods The MBA Top-Up programme is awarded and delivered 100% online by Anglia Ruskin University. At Anglia Ruskin University, you will study through Canvas, a world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments. After successfully completing your studies, you'll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus at Anglia Ruskin University. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible, we'll arrange to send your certificate to you. School of Business and Technology London partners with Chestnut Education Group to promote this programme. Resources and Support School of Business & Technology London is dedicated to offering excellent support on every step of your learning journey. School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal. Our support team liaises with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receives a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and streamline all the support processes efficiently. Quality learning materials made by industry experts is a significant competitive edge of the School of Business & Technology London. Quality learning materials comprised of structured lecture notes, study guides, practical applications which includes real-world examples, and case studies that will enable you to apply your knowledge. Learning materials are provided in one of the three formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or Interactive Text Content on the learning portal. How does the Online Learning work at SBTL? We at SBTL follow a unique approach which differentiates us from other institutions. Indeed, we have taken distance education to a new phase where the support level is incredibly high.Now a days, convenience, flexibility and user-friendliness outweigh demands. Today, the transition from traditional classroom-based learning to online platforms is a significant result of these specifications. In this context, a crucial role played by online learning by leveraging the opportunities for convenience and easier access. It benefits the people who want to enhance their career, life and education in parallel streams. SBTL's simplified online learning facilitates an individual to progress towards the accomplishment of higher career growth without stress and dilemmas. How will you study online? With the School of Business & Technology London, you can study wherever you are. You finish your program with the utmost flexibility. You will be provided with comprehensive tutor support online through SBTL Support Desk portal. How will I get tutor support online? School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal, through which our support team liaise with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receive a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and to streamline all the support process efficiently. Learners should expect to receive a response on queries like guidance and assistance within 1 - 2 working days. However, if the support request is for assessment feedback, learners will receive the reply with feedback as per the time frame outlined in the Assessment Feedback Policy.
This course is designed specifically to help improve your collection rates. The UK's leading trainer in the subject uses practical examples and case studies to show how to use debt collection techniques that really work. This programme will help participants to: Understand debtors and communicate with them effectively Improve their telephone and writing skills Appreciate the key legal issues Track down 'gone-aways' Improve their collection rates 1 Giving credit and collecting debts The benefits when you get it right The cost of getting it wrong 2 Analysing yourself The importance of making the right 'first impression' Assessing your own personal communication style and how this affects your results How do you (or might you) look in the debtor's eyes? What would you like to change? 3 Analysing your debtors Types of debtorThe delaying debtorThe genuine debtorThe cashflow or hardship problem debtorThe ones who never intended to pay Spot the most common reasons and excuses for non-payment - and learn how to deal with them 4 Understanding debt recovery and the law Data protection issues County Court suing enforcement methods Human rights and debt recovery Retention of title matters 5 Telephone skills for debt recovery A 7-point plan which works every time Learning by example: listening to and analysing some pre-recorded (or live) collection callsWhat was done well?What should have been done differently?Did the collector recognise opportunities?Did the collector create opportunities where seemingly none existed?Did the collector negotiate well or not at all? 6 Writing skills for debt recovery Key phrases to avoid What to include A sample letter which gets results in over 90% of cases 7 Tracking down the 'gone aways' A unique debtor-tracing plan Why spend money on external tracers when you can find those 'gone away' debtors for yourself? 8 Course review The traps to avoid Key personal learning points
How to protect your cash flow In the current economic climate more and more companies are finding that their customers are taking longer to pay - or are not even paying at all. As cash flow is key to the survival of any business, effective debt collection tactics are vital for all businesses. This workshop concentrates on the telephone skills and techniques you can use to achieve the most positive outcome in any debt collection situation - payment of money owed, as soon as possible, whilst keeping the collection cost as low as possible. The course will help you: Understand your debtors and communicate with them accordingly Develop a strategy for more effective debt collection Make every call count Handle difficult calls Reduce the amount of time you need to spend on chasing payment Increase your collection rates 1 The debt collection process Understanding the reasons behind payment default Looking at the debt situation from the customer's point of view Developing a strategy for effective debt collection 2 Advanced telephone communication skills Techniques for speaking to the person responsible for paying the debt How to gain the customer's trust when discussing debt Telephone collection skills best practice Key phrases that keep the conversation positive and open 3 Questioning and listening skills for gathering information Different types of question Using high-gain questions to uncover key information Active listening that will help you understand what customers are really saying Leading with examples and high-impact questions Summarising and restating 4 Overcoming objections and excuses Identifying objections Preparing suitable responses Probing objections and ways to overcome them 5 Gaining commitment and ending the call Learn how to negotiate an agreement to suit both parties Summarising actions for you and the customer Ending the call professionally 6 Dealing with difficult and challenging situations Understand different personality types The correct way to respond to an upset customer Ways to calm angry customers (and handle verbal attacks) 7 Action plans Course summary and presentation of action plans
The aim of this course is to expose the commercial context within which technical work is carried out. It is to allow technical staff to understand how they fit into a larger picture, why they may be asked to undertake tasks that may not appear to be technical and the impact their interactions have within the commercial context. The scope of the programme includes: The course emphasises the collaborative nature of delivery and the need to offer value to customers. The principal training objectives for this programme are to help participants: Understand why technical roles are broader than we might assume Appreciate the importance of, and the need to support, sales Value the idea of 'Good Enough' Recognise what can affect profitability Realise the future needs protecting 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 That's not my job! How we see our own role in work How other people see our role Stakeholders: who are they and why do they matter? The organisational backdrop What is my role really? 3 Sales and marketing Where does the money come from? Where do we find customers? The sales process One-off sales versus repeat business Customer/supplier relationships What something costs versus what the customer will pay The value chain 4 Estimating Purpose of estimates The problem with precision Five estimating techniques 5 Change control Can you just do this for me? When being helpful leads to bankruptcy How to deal with change requests 6 Risk management Risk in projects Risk in operations Categories of risk 7 The value of intellectual property Issues with sharing information Commercial in confidence Non-disclosure agreements 8 Course review and action planning (Course sponsor present) Identify actions to be implemented individually What actions should be implemented to improve working with non-technical people? Conclusion
Most organisations and businesses are trying to navigate the best way back to a functional working framework. But two things need to happen - 1. The working practices need to be efficient, sustainable and compatible for meeting the demands and needs of the organisation; it’s clients, it’s workforce and it’s Leaders 2. The culture needs to be welcoming, authentic and supportive otherwise there will be disenfranchisement and potentially a churn of staff and loss of talent What has been proven to be a very successful approach to mitigate the dangers of demotivated team members and poor efficiency levels is a bespoke ‘Ushering the Team Back to the Workplace’ workshop. Programme Outline Below is a template of an actual Programme that has been delivered very successfully for clients such as the NHS; Claranet; Jotun Paints & Workspace. This, however, can be modified to suit any group or size. It will be designed to reflect the Organisation’s preferred Hybrid working framework and communication systems. The options of having the innovative Real Play technique to help handle delicate conversations is especially effective. The biggest gain is to reconnect the relationships via the activities and exercises, which would be selected carefully. Key commitments and buy-in is always the priority outcomes - which this programme will help deliver in just 1 day. The objectives include: Making the transition back to working as a collaborative team Enhancing the Leadership skills of the team Reviewing/establishing the Hybrid working protocols Galvanising the Team spirit Maintain inclusivity among full-time; part-time and Region based team members Energising and motivational Fun! Exercise – Round the Bend The team are to follow the instructions delivered as they walk (and jump) through the route – always keeping a safe distance apart. The instructions become more complicated as they progress. Debriefing points: Dealing with Change Attention to Detail Adapting approach Optimising results Exercise - Number Crunch (3 x Cohorts of 12/13) The team must be effectively led and motivated to work as one unified group to reach their objective of visiting each numbered location within a very tight deadline. Debriefing points: Support and co-ordination Strategy and planning Adapting approach Optimising results Tutorial – Team Dynamics Tuckman model Phases of Development towards Maturity Exercise - Juggling (3 x Cohorts of 12/13) The group(s) will be invited to optimise the number of ‘clients’ (juggling balls) they can manage at one time. This involves devising a sequence between the group to achieve maximum results without making any mistakes. We introduce different balls which represent different degrees of complexity, challenging the group’s preparation and approach to a variety ‘customers’ needs. Debriefing points: Ensuring effective communication Clarifying the approach for dealing with the unexpected Setting expectations and reviewing delivery Treating every colleague with care and respect Tutorial - Email Etiquette The primary standards – best practices ABSURD model Preparation and planning Top Tips World Cafe The team are split into 5-6 sub-groups – each with a specific review focus:- What recommendations do you have to engage the team back into the Workplace? How do we ensure the framework is efficient? What are the best ways to optimise team working strategically when most/all team members are in the office? What potential barriers are there? How do we accommodate for the Regional team members? What are the benefits to bringing the team back to the workplace? Each session has 2 – 3 rounds with each table’s ‘host’ sharing feedback for applying to the Team Action Plan – or Charter. Debriefing points: Each Syndicate’s recommendations and capture the key actions they generate 'Real Play' We offer an innovative solution to bring real Leadership/team scenarios to life. We use actors who improvise scenarios which have been specified by the group. The group is split the group into 2 sub-groups, one with the Actor, the other with the Trainer. Each group has a brief and has to instruct their Trainer/Actor on how to approach the scenario supplied. The Actor and Trainer perform the role play(s) as instructed by their respective teams; however, during the action they can be paused for further recommendations or direction. The outcome is the responsibility of the team(s) – not the performers Assign 24 x ‘Directors’ (4 for each Player – Phil & Julia – for each Real Play. Potential Real Play Scenarios: Engaging with a team member as to how the new working plans will be applied. Overcoming concerns to the new working practices/framework Addressing issues where a team member feels excluded from the teamworking practices/culture Debrief the Programme Individual Action Plans Team Priorities for application into the workplace
In the fast-changing world of business, and especially IT, everyone in the organisation should be involved in sales. One of the best ways is to give the customer an outstanding experience. The customer experience is the competitive battlefield of today. Sales may be won or lost here. You can either close a sale for a quick buck, or open a long-term relationship to create a high lifetime value customer. By developing excellent communication skills, rapport and, most of all, a desire to serve and listen to the needs of the customer to the best of their ability, both sales teams and other IT professionals will create trust, nurture relationships and develop awareness of other opportunities with the customer. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the power of a positive customer experience in developing sales opportunities Recognise and develop a sales opportunity when it arises Engage with customers and develop rapport and trust Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills and pick up on signals Ask powerful questions - and listen to the answers Create 'magic moments' for the customer Turn a complaint into an opportunity Know when to ask for referrals and testimonials Pass on leads to the relevant people 1 Introduction Aims and objectives Beliefs about sales 2 Building rapport First impressions Short cuts to rapport Finding common interests 3 Selling or serving? Managing emotions and behaviour - Transactional Analysis Moments of truth - creating 'magic moments' Speed sells - the follow-up 4 Meetings Planning a successful meeting Pre-meeting connection and assistance Sales meeting failure reasons Right v wrong mindset 5 Communication - verbal and non-verbal The 3 Vs - Visual, Verbal, Vocal Picking up on signals 7 power questions Questioning techniques LISTEN - 3 types of listening skills 6 Influencing 6 levels of influence Framing to change perspectives Turning complaints into opportunities 7 Referrals The power of referrals How and when to ask for a referral 5 steps from rapport to referral 8 Presentation and pitching (optional session) Basic presentation structure and delivery Creating powerful impressions Creating a 60-second pitch The elevator 10-second pitch - answering 'What do you do?' Sales presentations Emotion v Intellect - how to engage Using visuals
ChatGPT, along with other AI tools, aims not to replace the human touch in management, but to enhance it. By addressing repetitive, daily tasks, these tools free up managers to concentrate on core responsibilities like strategic decision-making, team development, and innovation. As we move further into the digital age, integrating tools such as ChatGPT isn't a luxury; it's the future of proactive leadership. In this guide, we'll delve into 10 practical ways through which AI can elevate your efficiency and refine the quality of your work. Gain familiarity with prominent AI tools in the market Efficiently compose and respond to emails Generate concise summaries of complex reports and data. Obtain quick insights, data, and research across varied topics Streamline the writing of articles, training notes, and posts Craft interview tests, form relevant questions, and design checklists for the hiring process 1 Streamlining emails An inbox can be a goldmine of information but also a significant time drain for managers. Here's how to optimise it: Drafting responses: Give the AI a brief, and watch it craft a well-structured response. Sorting and prioritising: By employing user-defined rules and keywords, ChatGPT can flag important emails, ensuring no vital communication slips through the cracks. 2 Efficient report writing Reports, especially routine ones, can be time-intensive. Here's a smarter approach: Automate content: Supply key data points to the AI, and let it weave them into an insightful report. Proofreading: Lean on ChatGPT for grammar checks and consistency, ensuring each report remains crisp and error-free. 3 Rapid research From competitor insights to market trends, research is a pivotal part of management. Data synthesis: Feed raw data to the AI and receive succinct summaries in return. Question-answering: Pose specific questions about a dataset to ChatGPT and extract swift insights without diving deep into the entire content. 4 Reinventing recruitment Hiring can be a lengthy process. Here's how to make it more efficient: Resume screening: Equip the AI to spot keywords and qualifications, ensuring that only the most fitting candidates are shortlisted. Preliminary interviews: Leverage ChatGPT for the initial rounds of interviews by framing critical questions and evaluating the responses. 5 Enhancing training Especially for extensive teams, training can be a monumental task. Here's how ChatGPT can assist: Customised content: Inform the AI of your training goals, and it will draft tailored content suitable for various roles. PowerPoint design: Create visually appealing slide presentations on any topic in minimal time.