Are you looking for something that will help you understand yourself and how to interact with others more effectively? Would you like something that uses a simple four colour model to quickly allow you to understand your personality type and how you can use this knowledge to enhance your relationships and reach your goals, whatever they are? We think that Insights Discovery might be just the thing for you! What's even better is that our Discovery bundle includes both a copy of your unique profile and a 90 minute personal session with our executive coach, Cami Rose, to chat it all through and set you up for success using your new knowledge for the future. Just request a session and we'll be in touch with the link that will allow you to complete the Insights evaluator and arrange your personal coaching session at a time to suit you. Want Discovery for your team? We can do that too. Leave us your name and details and we'll be in touch to chat through your needs and objectives.
Trade barriers are going up across the globe. And cybercrime is on the increase. The link between the two? The value of trade secrets. As countries become increasingly protectionist as regards international trade, so their IP law has been changing, with the result that companies that previously would have sought protection through patents are opting to go down the trade secret route instead. But is this a high-risk strategy? Technology is changing and this is having an impact on forms of commercial co-operation. Collaborative or open forms of innovation by their very nature involve the sharing of intellectual property (IP), and in many instances this IP is in the form of valuable confidential business information (ie, trade secrets). Little surprise, then, that trade secrets disputes have increased accordingly. At the same time, the changes in technology make trade secrets more vulnerable to attack, misappropriation, theft. So just how effective are the legal protections for trade secrets? How can organisations safeguard the value in their IP (increasingly, the single biggest line in their balance sheets)? This programme is designed to help you address these issues. Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. This session is designed to give you a deeper understanding of: Emerging trends in trade secrets protection and exploitation The current situation in key jurisdictions Recent case law How leading companies are responding The importance of trade secret metadata Different external stakeholders and their interests Key steps for effective protection of trade secrets Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. 1 What are trade secrets? Definitions Examples Comparison with other forms of IP (patents, confidential information, know-how, copyright) 2 Current trends The various changes taking place affecting trade secrets - legal changes, trade wars, cybercrime, technology, commercial practice The current position in the UK, Europe, USA, China, Japan, Russia Corporate best practice 3 Trade secret disputes - how to avoid them Trade secret policies, processes and systems Administrative, legal and technical protection mechanisms The role of employees The sharing of trade secrets with others 4 Trade secret disputes - how to manage them Causes Anatomy of a trade secret court case 'Reasonable particularity' 5 Related issues Insurance Tax authorities and investigations Investor relations 6 Trade secret asset management roadmap Maturity ladder First steps Pilot projects
Agile project management, already widely used for software development, is increasingly recognised as having much more general application. Continuous improvement programmes, business change projects, new technology development, research and development and a variety of other scenarios characterised by rapid change and high uncertainty can all benefit from an Agile approach. This programme presents the concepts and methods of Agile project management, and shows how to apply them to a range of project and change management situations. Participants will learn: how Agile project management can help with project and change management the 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile 'manifesto' and the range of Agile methodologies how to apply Agile project management methods and techniques in a range of project scenarios alternative Agile project management methods and how they can be applied and adapted what makes Agile project teams succeed the key roles and responsibilities needed to enable Agile project teams to work effectively how to encourage an Agile mindset within their organisation and how to move toward an Agile approach to managing projects 1 Introduction to Agile project management Overview of 'classical' project management and methodologies The link between project success and management performance Limitations of classical approaches and the need for Agile methods The 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile manifesto explained Agile project management values:Individuals and interactions over processes and toolsWorking outputs over comprehensive documentationCustomer collaboration over contract negotiationResponding to change over following a plan The cultural challenges of using Agile project management Choosing when and how to adopt Agile project management 2 Initiating a project using Agile project management Some key Agile methodologies explained: SCRUM, XP, Crystal Identifying and engaging project stakeholders; defining roles and responsibilities Setting the project vision and goals; defining project scope The Agile approach to requirements capture and elicitation of needs Tools and techniques for capturing and characterising requirements The role of documentation, reporting and process management 3 The Agile approach to definition and planning Understanding Agile planning; the 'planning onion' concept Developing the culture needed for collaborative involvement and iterative planning Defining project deliverables; the 'product backlog' concept Tools and techniques for defining and prioritising requirements in Agile projects Understanding and applying Agile estimating techniques Dealing with uncertainty and managing risks 4 The Agile approach to execution and delivery The results orientated, fast adapting culture of Agile teams The monthly 'Sprint' process for project planning and review The disciplines needed for effective daily SCRUM meetings Reviewing progress, managing change and project reporting Testing, completing and handing over of work packages Managing the interface between the project team and the business 5 Leadership and teamwork in Agile project teams Why Agile teams are different: the importance of individuals and interactions The skills and attributes needed to lead an Agile project team The challenges faced and skills needed by Agile team members Recognising team development needs; adopting the right leadership style Making the transition from project manager to Agile coach Key coaching skills explored: mentoring, facilitating, managing conflict
This two-day programme gives the key insights and understanding of contracting principles and the impact they have on business and operations. The course is designed for individuals involved in or supporting contracting who want to improve their commercial management skills; individuals in functions such as project management, business development, finance, operations who need practical training in commercial management; general audiences wanting to gain a basic understanding of commercial management. This is an assessed programme, leading to the International Association for Contracts & Commercial Management (IACCM)'s coveted Contract and Commercial Management Associate (CCMA) qualification. The programme addresses 31 different subject areas, across the five stages of the contracting process. By the end of the course the participants will be able, among other things, to: Develop robust contract plans, including scope of work and award strategies Conduct effective contracting activities, including ITT, RFP, negotiated outcomes Negotiate effectively with key stakeholders, making use of the key skills of persuading and influencing and to work with stakeholders to improve outcomes Set up and maintain contract management systems Take a proactive approach to managing contracts Make effective use of lessons learned to promote improvements from less than optimal outcomes, using appropriate templates Develop and monitor appropriate and robust Key Performance Indicators to manage the contractor and facilitate improved performance Understand the approvals process and how to develop and present robust propositions Make appropriate use of best practice contract management tools, techniques and templates DAY ONE 1 Introductions Aims Objectives Plan for the day 2 Commercial context Explaining the contracting context Define the key objective The importance of contact management Impact upon the business 3 Stakeholders How to undertake stakeholder mapping and analysis Shared vision concept, How to engage with HSE, Finance, Operations 4 Roles and responsibilities Exploring the key roles and responsibilities of contract administrators, HSE, Finance, Divisional managers, etc 5 Initiating the contract cycle Overview of the contracting cycle Requirement to tender Methods Rationale and exceptions 6 Specifications Developing robust scope of works Use of performance specifications Output based SOW 7 Strategy and award criteria Developing a robust contract strategy Award submissions/criteria 8 Managing the tender process Review the pre-qualification process Vendor registration rules and processes Creation of bidder lists Evaluation, short listing, and how to use of the 10Cs© model template and app 9 Types of contract Classify the different types of contracts Call-offs Framework agreement Price agreements Supply agreements 10 The contract I: price Understanding contract terms Methods of compensation Lump sum, unit price, cost plus, time and materials, alternative methods Cost plus a fee, target cost, gain share contracts Advanced payments Price escalation clauses DAY TWO 11 Risk How to manage risks Risk classification Mitigation of contractual risks 12 Contractor relationship management session Effectively managing relationships with contractors, Types of relationships Driving forces? Link between type of contract and style of relationship 13 Disputes Dealing with disputes Conflict resolution Negotiation Mediation Arbitration 14 Contract management Measuring and improving contract performance Using KPIs and SLAs Benchmarking Cost controls 15 The contract II: terms and conditions Contract terms and conditions Legal aspects Drafting special terms 16 Managing claims and variations How to manage contract and works variations orders Identifying the causes of variations Contractor claims process 17 Completion Contract close-out process Acceptance/completion Capture the learning/HSE Final payments, evaluation of performance 18 Close Review Final assessment
An insightful, enjoyable and experiential programme to help you analyse data and information and make a balanced decision based upon sound commercial reasoning. It will enable you to identify options, make decisions and take actions based on a thorough analysis combined with instinct and intuition to make a positive effect on profitability. This programme will help you: Identify ways to analyse data and sort relevant from irrelevant information Develop analytical and numerate thinking, and consider the financial implications of a decision Make decisions based on sound commercial reasoning - a mix of intuition and analysis Select from a range of tools to analyse a situation and apply these effectively Understand how costs and profits are calculated Use tried-and-tested techniques to manage and control your budgets Appreciate the fundamentals of financial analysis Focus on the bottom line Identify the basics of capital investment appraisal for your business Evaluate results and seek opportunities for improvement to your business 1 The commercial environment What do shareholders and investors want? What do managers want? Profit v non-profit organisations Investor expectations 2 Financial and non-financial information Risk and reward considerations Drivers of commercial decisions 3 Running a business A practical exercise to bring financial statements to life Different stakeholder interests in a business The impact and consequences of decisions on financial statements 4 Where do I make a difference to the organisation? How can I contribute to an improved business performance? Key performance indicators - measuring the right things A 'balanced scorecard' approach - it's not all about money! 5 A 'balanced scorecard' approach Analysing and reviewing my contribution to the business direction What is the current focus of my commercial decisions? Developing the business in the right way - getting the balance right! Where should/could it be in the future? Do my decisions support the overall vision and strategy? 6 Making commercial decisions Left-brain and right-brain thinking Convergent and divergent thinking Analysis and instinct Interactive case study exercise - emotional and rational decisions Reflection - what is my style of making decisions 7 Let's consider the customer! Identifying target markets Differentiating propositions and products Customer service considerations Marketing considerations and initiatives Pricing strategies and considerations 8 Strategic analysis The external environment The internal environment LEPEST analysis SWOT analysis Forecasting Group activity - analysing markets and the competition How do these improve your decisions? 9 Comparing performance Analysing key financial ratios Ways to compare performance and results Break-even analysis 10 Profit and loss accounts and budgeting Managing income and expenditure The budgeting process How does this link to the profit and loss account? Managing and controlling a cost centre/budget The role of the finance department Different ways of budgeting Incremental budgeting Zero-based budgeting 11 Understanding the balance sheet Purpose of balance sheets Understanding and navigating the content What does a balance sheet tell you? How do you affect your balance sheet? Links to the profit and loss account A practical team exercise that brings financial statements to life 12 Business decisions exercise How does this improve your decisions? A practical exercise to apply new knowledge and bring commercial thinking to to life The impact and consequences of decisions on financial statements 13 Working capital Why is this important? The importance of keeping cash flowing Business decisions that affect cash Calculating profit 14 Capital investment appraisal Capex v Opex Payback Return on investment The future value of money The concept of hurdle rate 15 Lessons learned and action planning So what? Recap and consolidation of learning The decisions that I need to consider Actions to achieve my plan
What do engineers and project managers need to know of finance? 'Nothing - leave it to the accountants!' No, no, no! Engineers must be conversant with the terminology and statements that accountants use. Technical expertise in projects, service delivery, production or other areas can only really be harnessed if the managers understand the accounting and reporting that drives businesses. This course gives the necessary understanding to project, production and technical managers. It develops their skills in understanding financial and management accounting. Accountants may not always like it but a major part of their work is to be the 'servants of business' and to gather, compile and present your figures. So you must understand the figures - they belong to you, your processes or projects. There are many reasons for maintaining accurate accounts. This course focuses on the strategic issues (those over-used words) - what figures reveal about the drivers of business and what they reveal about the day-to-day issues that accountants bother you with. The course will enhance your understanding of finance and of the accounting issues which affect your projects, production and technical areas of business. This course will help you: Understand the business world in figures - make sense of what the accountants are telling you Appreciate what drives business - and how this affects your role in your part of the business Relate your activities to the success of the business - through figures Gain the skills to advance in management - financial awareness is a 'must have' if you are to progress in your career 1 What do accountants do? The finance function, types of accountant, financial v management accounting and the treasury function Understanding the role of the finance function and how the information you provide may be used 2 The basic financial statements Balance sheets and income statements (P&L accounts) What they are, what they contain and above all what they can reveal - how to read them The accounting process - from transactions to financial statements What underpins the statements - accounting systems and internal controls 3 Why be in business - from a financial perspective The driving forces behind financial information Performance measures - profitability, asset utilisation, sales and throughput, managing capital expenditure 4 Accounting rules - accounting standards Accounting concepts and the accounting rules: accruals, 'going concern' - substance over form and other 'desirable qualities' Accruals - why the timing of a transaction is so important to the finance function Depreciation and amortisation - the concepts and practice Accounting standards - the role of International Financial Reporting Standards 5 Cash The importance of cash flow - working capital management Cash flow statements - monitoring overall cash flows Raising cash - levels of borrowing, gearing Spending cash - an outline of capital expenditure appraisal 6 Budgeting Why budget? - good and bad practice Determining why budgets play a key role and should not be simply an annual ritual Justifying your budgets - the link between the strategic plan and day-to-day budgeting - alignment of company culture Budgets as motivators - the importance of the right culture Techniques to improve budgeting - whether day-to-day or capital budgeting 7 Costing The type and detail of costing very much depends on your business - eg, manufacturing piston rings is quite different from the construction of a power plant Issues with overhead allocation Accounting for R&D 8 Reading financial statements Annual financial statements - why they are produced, what's in them and what you should look for Learning what a set of accounts reveals about a company's current situation, profitability and future prospects 9 Performance measurement - analytical reviews and ratio analysis ROI/ROCE Profitability, margins and cost control Sales - asset turnover Efficiency (asset / stock turnover, debtor / creditor days) 'City' measures Investment (interest / dividend cover, earnings per share, dividend yield)
The NVQ Diploma in Senior Construction Management Qualification is suited to those who are engaged in high level management activity of a construction business and who working in a senior management role and are seeking to obtain the Black CSCS Card. Our team will discuss the qualification process with you prior to signing up in order to ensure that you will be able to complete the qualification. Complete your qualification quickly with the support of your assessor in as little as 10 to 12 weeks providing that you work with your assessor to provide the required evidence. We offer two other qualifications that lead to the Black CSCS card, follow the links below for more information (open in new window): Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management – 8 Units – Complete in as little as 10 weeks. Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management – 19 units – Complete in as little 16 to 20 weeks. CSCS Cards We can provide CSCS tests and CSCS cards alongside your qualification without the need to attend the test centre. Speak to our friendly and helpful team for more information.
COBOL training course description A hands on training course providing an introduction to COBOL. What will you learn Write COBOL programs Debug COBOL programs Examine existing code and determine its function. COBOL training course details Who will benefit: Programmers working with COBOL. Prerequisites: None although experience in another high level language would be useful. A 10 day version of this course would be more applicable for those new to programming. Duration 5 days COBOL training course contents Introduction to COBOL Compilation, linkage editor. Compile errors, compiler options. Divisions, syntax and format, COBOL character set, program structure. COBOL statement structure COBOL words, format of statements. Divisions Identification entries, Environment entries, Data division: FD, record descriptions, hierarchy and level numbers, description-string entry. File and Working-Storage Sections Literals, figurative constants, redefines clause, data representation, Usage clause, synchronization, sign clause. Procedure Division File status codes; Open, Read, Write, Close, Stop, Goback; Accept, display; Move, Justified, data name qualification, reference modification. Perform statement Out-of-line, With test ... Until, ... Times, in-line statement; Go to statement. Program design Design techniques, design considerations, procedure names, program structure. Printing Printed output, Write, advancing option, editing characters; Initialize. Condition testing Conditional statements: IF, class, sign and relation conditions, condition-name conditionals, Set, compound conditions, logical operators. Evaluate, Continue. Arithmetic Rounded option, On Size Error option, Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, Compute. Non-sequential files File access modes, Select. Indexed and relative files. Open, Close, creating / reading sequential access files, Write, Read, Invalid key clause, reading, writing / updating Random access files, Rewrite, Delete, Start. Declarative routines Clauses. Subroutines Call, Using clause - calling program/called program, Linkage Section, returning control. Table handling Subscripted tables: One/two/three dimensional tables, Perform, variable length tables. Indexed tables: Set, using an index; Search. Copy code: Copy, Suppress, Replacing. Data Manipulation Inspect, String, Unstring. COBOL/370 LE/370 and Intrinsic Functions.
CCNP (ENARSI) training course description The Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI) v1.0 gives you the knowledge you need to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot an enterprise network. This course covers advanced routing and infrastructure technologies, expanding on the topics covered in the Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.0 course. This course helps prepare for the exam, Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (300- 410 ENARSI), which leads to the new CCNP What will you learn Gain the knowledge you need to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot an enterprise network. Qualify for professional-level job roles in advance routing and services Prepare for the Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services Exam (300-410 ENARSI). CCNP (ENARSI) training course details Who will benefit: Enterprise network engineers, System engineers, System administrators, Network administrators. Prerequisites: CCNP core Duration 5 days CCNP (ENARSI) training course content Course Objectives Configure classic Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) and named EIGRP for IPv4 and IPv6 Optimize classic EIGRP and named EIGRP for IPv4 and IPv6 Troubleshoot classic EIGRP and named EIGRP for IPv4 and IPv6 Configure Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)v2 and OSPFv3 in IPv4 and IPv6 environments Optimize OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 behaviour Troubleshoot OSPFv2 for IPv4 and OSPFv3 for IPv4 and IPv6 Implement route redistribution using filtering mechanisms Troubleshoot redistribution Implement path control using Policy-Based Routing (PBR) and IP Service Level Agreement (SLA) Configure Multiprotocol-Border Gateway Protocol (MPBGP) in IPv4 and IPv6 environments Optimize MPBGP in IPv4 and IPv6 environments Troubleshoot MPBGP for IPv4 and IPv6 Describe the features of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Describe the major architectural components of an MPLS VPN Identify the routing and packet forwarding functionalities for MPLS VPNs Explain how packets are forwarded in an MPLS VPN environment Implement Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) Dynamic Multipoint VPNs (DMVPNs) Implement Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Describe the tools available to secure the IPV6 first hop Troubleshoot Cisco router security features Troubleshoot infrastructure security and services Course Outline Implementing EIGRP Optimizing EIGRP Troubleshooting EIGRP Implementing OSPF Optimizing OSPF Troubleshooting OSPF Configuring Redistribution Troubleshooting Redistribution Implementing Path Control Implementing Internal Border Gateway Protocol (IBGP) Optimizing BGP Implementing MP-BGP Troubleshooting BGP Exploring MPLS Introducing MPLS L3 VPN Architecture Introducing MPLS L3 VPN Routing Configuring Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)-Lite Implementing DMVPN Implementing DHCP Introducing IPv6 First Hop Security Securing Cisco Routers Troubleshooting Infrastructure Security and Services Troubleshooting with DNA Center Assurance. Lab outline Configure EIGRP Using Classic Mode and Named Mode for IPv4 and IPv6 Verify the EIGRP Topology Table Configure EIGRP Stub Routing, Summarization, and Default Routing Configure EIGRP Load Balancing and Authentication Troubleshoot EIGRP Issues Configure OSPFv3 for IPv4 and IPv6 Verify the LinkState Database Configure OSPF Stub Areas and Summarization Configure OSPF Authentication Troubleshoot OSPF Issues Implement Routing Protocol Redistribution Manipulate Redistribution Manipulate Redistribution Using Route Maps Troubleshoot Redistribution Issues Implement PBR Configure IBGP and External Border Gateway Protocol (EBGP) Implement BGP Path Selection Configure BGP Advanced Features Configure BGP Route Reflectors Configure MP-BGP for IPv4 and IPv6 Troubleshoot BGP Issues Configure Routing with VRF -Lite Implement Cisco IOS DMVPN Obtain IPv6 Addresses Dynamically Troubleshoot DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 Issues Troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 Access Control List (ACL) Issues Configure and Verify Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding (uRPF) Troubleshoot Network Management Protocol Issues: Lab 1 and 2
CentOS training course description This three day hands on course provides a comprehensive coverage of core Linux administration tasks on CentOS Linux. What will you learn Administer & configure Linux systems. Maintain Linux by handling disk space and taking regular backups. Manage software packages. Perform basic troubleshooting. Maintain a secure Linux system. Describe the organisation and implementation of the filesystem. CentOS training course details Who will benefit: System administrators. Network administrators. Prerequisites: Linux fundamentals Duration 3 days CentOS training course contents Managing software Package Concepts, RPM, rpm Commands, Yum, Dependencies and Conflicts, Startup Script Problems, Shared Libraries, Library Management, Managing Processes, the Kernel: The First Process, Process Lists, Foreground & Background Processes, Process Priorities, Killing Processes. Configuring hardware Configuring Firmware and Hardware, IRQs, I/O Addresses, DMA Addresses, Boot Disks, Coldplug and Hotplug Devices, Configuring Expansion Cards and PCI Cards, Kernel Modules, USB Devices, Linux USB Drivers, Configuring Hard Disks, Partitioning Systems, LVM, Common Layouts, Creating Partitions and Filesystems, Maintaining Filesystem Health, Tuning, Journals, Checking Filesystems, Monitoring Disk Use, Mounting and Unmounting Filesystems. Managing files File Management Commands, File Naming and Wildcards, File Archiving, Links, Directory Commands, File Ownership and Group, File access control, Permissions, chmod, Defaults, File Attributes, Disk Quotas, Enabling and setting Quotas, Locating Files, The FHS. Booting Linux and editing files Installing Boot Loaders, GRUB Legacy, GRUB 2, Alternative Boot Loaders, the Boot Process, Boot Messages, Runlevels and the Initialization Process, Runlevel Functions, Runlevel Services, Alternative Boot Systems , Upstart, system. Administering the system Managing Users and Groups, Tuning User and System Environments, Using System Log Files, Understanding syslogd , Setting Logging Options, Manually Logging Data, Rotating Log Files, Reviewing Log File Contents, Maintaining the System Time, Linux Time Concepts, Manually Setting the Time, Using NTP, Running Jobs in the Future, Understanding the Role of cron, Creating System cron Jobs, Creating User cron Jobs, Using anacron, Using at. Configuring basic networking TCP/IP, Network Hardware, Network Addresses, Hostnames, Network Ports, Configuring Linux for a Local Network, Configuring with DHCP, Static IP Address, Configuring Routing, Using GUI Configuration Tools, ifup and ifdown, Diagnosing Network Connections, Testing Connectivity, Tracing a Route, Checking Network Status , Examining Network Traffic, Additional Tools. Securing your systems Administering Network Security, Super Server Restrictions, Disabling Unused Servers, Administering Local Security, Securing Passwords, Limiting root Access, Setting Login, Process, SUID/SGID Files, Configuring SSH, Using GPG, Generating, Importing and Revoking Keys, Encrypting and Decrypting Data, Signing Messages and Verifying Signatures.