17 Magic courses in Soham

See how plastic bottle tops are remelted into beautiful objects!

Our suite of modules are based around helping the customer to buy and enabling salespeople to maximise their conversations with their customers.

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

In this course you will understand what mentoring is about, understand your roles in the process. Gain self-insight into your own interpersonal style and way of relating to others that may affect mentoring interactions.

Helping people become more efficient in how they manage and prioritise their working day, and for leaders and managers, how they can work efficiently by collaborating effectively with their people.

This very practical workshop has a simple objective: to help you prepare, design and deliver memorable and high-quality presentations. This programme will help you: Use a proven, structured tool-kit when designing and developing presentations Benefit from short cuts and best practice when designing and using Powerpoint presentations Select the right information, examples, exercises and activities - and use them well Prepare and structure a presentation or session appropriate to the audience, and to best achieve your objectives Maintain audience or group interest Develop and practise presentation skills to improve your voice tone, speech power and body language Use practical methods to control nerves and anxiety - develop higher levels of confidence and credibility Command a room, hold attention and create a high impact 1 Introduction Personal objectives Key messages and learning objectives of the workshop 2 Presentation skills What does good look like? Exercise: Characteristics of high/low impact presentations Presenting yourself as a 'winner' The energy / attitude model Exercise: Being a winner 3 Preparation skills - eight steps to preparing a great presentation, plus Powerpoint tips •The magic circle• How to 'assume the role' when presenting• The eight steps• Step 1 - develop your objectives- The five questions that you must answer before preparing your presentation- Defining your objectives and outcomes- Creating a first draft- Step 1 exercise• Step 2 - analyse your audience- Doing your homework: audience, event, venue- Developing a pre-event check-list- Methods and means for researching your audience- Step 2 exercise• Steps 3 and 4 - structure the main body of your presentation and state the main ideas- Ways to structure your presentation for maximum impact- Balancing and managing content and topics- Organising your information: 6 options and methods- Your 'one main point' and creating a 30-second summary- Steps 3 and 4 exercises• Step 5 - decide on supporting information, using the toolkit- Making your case convincing: ways to support your claims- Selecting and using relevant and interesting examples- Quotes, case studies and printed material- Presenting statistics, tables and graphs- Ways of maintaining visual interest- Transitions and links, creating a 'golden thread'- Step 5 exercise: Creating compelling stories and anecdotes4• Step 6 - create an effective 'opening'- Claiming the stage and creating a good first impression- The three most powerful ways of opening a presentation- The five elements of a strong opening- Step 6 exercise: Participants work individually to prepare an opening, focusing onpersonal introduction, and then deliver to the group, with structured feedback• Step 7 - develop transitions- Step 7 exercise / examples• Step 8 - create an effective close- Signalling and sign-posting; the importance of, and how to do it effectively- Five ways to close a presentation successfully- Step 8 exercise / examples• Presentation design and Powerpoint- An interactive review of participants' own real-life past presentations and advanced tipsand techniques on using Powerpoint effectively 4 Facilitation skills The three main types of group activity - triads, teams and main group How to select the right activity, define the objectives, set it up and run the debrief Using energisers - with examples Exercise: Dealing with 'difficult' behaviours Exercise: Working in triads, design and deliver 5 Tips and tricks: presentation and facilitation 10 reasons why facilitation fails Five golden rules for success Defining the session goals and the facilitation plan Open and closed questions - why and when to use Using a 'car park' to manage unresolved issues Using AV aids - tips and tricks Exercises: Including participants working in pairs to prepare a short section form of one of their own presentations 6 Putting it all together Summary of key learning points Action plan

Every Saturday at 10:25 – 11:10 Embark on a delightful journey into the world of ballet and movement with our specially designed classes, where the magic of storytelling meets the grace of dance. Inspired by the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Pre-School Curriculum and further personalized by our dedicated teacher, each session is a gateway to a world where imagination knows no bounds. Imagine a place where each leap and twirl brings the tales of Sleeping Beauty, The Lion King, and other beloved stories to life. Through dance, movement, and expressive facial gestures, our young dancers become the heroes and heroines of their favorite narratives, exploring enchanted forests and distant lands without ever leaving the room. Storybooks come alive, and props become the tools through which audial, visual, and kinesthetic learning are enhanced, sparking imagination and creativity in every child. But it’s not just about the dance; it’s a holistic journey towards building confidence, mastering rhythm, nurturing social connections, and developing both motor and performance skills. These classes are a celebration of childhood wonder, providing a fun, relaxed environment where every child is encouraged to express themselves, connect with others, and discover the joy of movement. Join us, and watch your child dance their way through tales of adventure and magic, developing not just as dancers, but as confident, creative individuals ready to take on the world’s stage. Book first lesson here: https://mandlschoolofperformingarts.com/book-first-lesson/

Every Wednesday at 17:30 – 18:30 (The Stable) or Every Saturday at 11:55 – 12:55 (Exning Community Church Hall) Step into our Grade 1 ballet class at M & L School of Performing Arts, where budding ballet enthusiasts aged 7 and older are invited to deepen their dance journey. This class is a vibrant exploration of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet curriculum, meticulously designed to enhance technical skill, musicality, and the pure joy of performance across a spectrum of dance styles. Here, students are welcomed into a world where each plié and pirouette is more than a movement—it’s a step towards mastering the art of ballet. Our expert instructors are committed to cultivating each student’s physical fitness, timing, rhythm, and ability to interpret music through dance. With a focus on technique and performance, we prepare our dancers for the exciting opportunity of optional examinations and class awards, fostering a sense of achievement and growth. Joining our Grade 1 ballet class means your child will not only find a fulfilling physical outlet in ballet but will also engage in artistic expression, building bonds with a community of young dance lovers. Enroll today and watch your child’s passion for ballet blossom in a nurturing, inspiring setting. Why Ballet Lessons Are a Leap Forward for Kids Aged 7+ Years: Refined Motor Skills and Coordination: Ballet’s detailed movements refine motor skills, improving balance and coordination. Discipline and Focus: Learning choreography requires discipline, enhancing focus and attention to detail. Physical Fitness: Ballet is a holistic exercise, promoting flexibility, strength, and a healthy lifestyle. Self-Expression and Confidence: Ballet serves as a creative outlet for emotions, with performance opportunities boosting self-esteem. Artistic Appreciation: Children grow a profound appreciation for the arts, enriching their emotional and cultural understanding. Social Interaction: Classes provide a space for friendship and teamwork, vital for social development. Cultural Awareness: Ballet introduces children to diverse cultures and histories, broadening their worldview. Enhanced Posture and Grace: Essential ballet principles teach poise and elegance in movement. Mental Agility: Memorizing routines and understanding dance terms sharpen cognitive abilities. Goal Setting and Achievement: Working towards exams and performances teaches the value of setting and achieving goals. Life Skills: Ballet encourages perseverance, time management, and a strong work ethic, skills valuable beyond the dance studio. Long-Lasting Passion: Ballet often ignites a lifelong love for the arts, with potential pathways to future careers in dance. Why M&L School of Performing Arts Stands Out: M & L School of Performing Arts isn’t just about learning ballet; it’s about embracing a dream sparked by the pure joy and innate dance passion of a child. Founded by Martin and Lwena, our school’s journey from musical performances to ballet teaching reflects a profound commitment to sharing the magic of ballet with young minds. Lwena, inspired by their daughter and certified by the Royal Academy of Dance, alongside Martin, aims to create a legacy of artistic expression and joy in dance. At our school, your child will dive into a world where ballet lessons are a gateway to self-confidence, discipline, and artistic fulfillment. It’s a place where passion meets dedication, and every dancer’s journey is celebrated. Join us and be part of a story where music and dance continue to inspire generation after generation. Book first lesson here: https://mandlschoolofperformingarts.com/book-first-lesson/

Commission an original, traditional and quirky Portrait in oils, acrylics or digital sketches

Writing Clear Business Communication: In-House Training 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. 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 At the end of this program, you will be able to: Write effective e-mails, letters, memos, and reports Clearly articulate the message Achieve desired results from correspondence Organize content for maximum impact Format for enhanced understanding Choose the appropriate communication medium for each document Revise documents to increase clarity and impact Foundations Concepts Business writing as a form of professional communication How business writing compares to other forms of writing Characteristics of good business writing Challenges with business writing The Project Environment Business writing in the project environment The concept of art, science, and optics of business writing Art Economy Precision Action Music Personality Science Purpose, simple, compound, and complex sentence structures Techniques to engage the reader Point of view: tone, attitude, and humor Organization: opening, body, and closing Support and coherence Optics Visual optics Sound optics Feel optics Effective optics Efficient optics Email Formal vs. informal emails Suggestions for improving email communication Instant and text messaging Reports Common types of reports created Formatting of reports Guidelines for meeting minutes Contracts Types of contracts Common agreements Procurement documents Templates, Forms, and Checklists Templates Forms Checklists Other Formatting Good Documentation Practices Good documentation practices Data integrity in business communication