How to be a Great Executive Sponsor: In-House Training This three-hour course provides key tips and techniques for becoming an actively engaged, and impactful, Executive Sponsor of projects and programs. It will explain not just what your role is, but the very specific actions you can, and must, take to increase your project's probability of success. This three-hour course provides key tips and techniques for becoming an actively engaged, and impactful, Executive Sponsor of projects and programs. It will explain not just what your role is, but the very specific actions you can, and must, take to increase your project's probability of success. And, it will highlight the key personality and other traits that are found in successful Sponsors. Regardless if you're sponsoring an Agile software development project, a construction megaproject, or any other type of project in between, this course will help get you 'hit the ground running' and being an 'impact player' on day one. Various activities and discussions will acquaint you with this important role and what you need to do to become a great executive sponsor. What you Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Define project success so everyone is 'singing from the same sheet of music' Immediately apply the ten key attributes of a great sponsor on your project Recognize great sponsorship and determine if you're the right fit for the role Practice Sponsorship over the course of the project life cycle by engaging in very specific actions and activities Be a better investment manager by analyzing the behaviors of successful activist investors Foundation Concepts The quantifiable benefits of being an actively engaged Sponsor Sponsor defined Clarence Kelly Johnson and the SR-71 Blackbird: An example of the power of Sponsorship Defining Project Success Project success: More than meeting the triple constraints Benefits management: The Sponsor's focus The Investment - Life-cycle vs. the Project Life-cycle The three questions Sponsors need to ask to define project success 10 Key Attributes of a Great Sponsor 10 Key Attributes of a Great Sponsor The Makings of a Great Sponsor The most important skills and competencies of an executive sponsor What great Sponsors do and when Four Things a Great Sponsor Can Learn from an Activist Investor The story of Outerwall, Inc. and Glen Welling of Engaged Capital, LLC Sponsors and Activist Investors Sponsorship of the 2nd Avenue Subway in Manhattan: A classic textbook example
Better Business Cases™ Foundation and Practitioner: In-House Training Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the combined foundation and practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. The outline presented in the course overview will be addressed in the first 2 days, with the Foundation exam conducted on the morning of Day 3. Then the topics will be revisited at a deeper level, for 2 more days, with the Practitioner exam conducted on the afternoon of Day 5. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario. Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraints, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post-project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans
Project Requirements Management: Virtual In-House Training Poor requirements definition and lack of adequate change control procedures to requirements and scope are the primary contributors to project difficulty and failure. This workshop will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and techniques required to minimize or avoid these pitfalls.
This highly interactive workshop will give your management team the skills and the tools necessary to understand relationships and behavioral styles of employees, improve performance and efficiency, and adopt solutions and strategies to increase your competitive edge. Optimised for tailored audiences Built for groups of 20+ Led by experienced and certified professionals Specialised to address issues around inclusivity and equity in all industries Program Details Peak Performance Part I: Observation, Assessment and Determination The final objective of this workshop is a full understanding of how managers can assess their employees for optimal behavioral team communication and assignments. Peak Performance Part II: High Efficiency Teams The final objective of this workshop is a full understanding of how managers can create High Efficiency teams taking into accounts skills and behaviors. Peak Performance Part III: Self-Learning Teams The Final objective of this workshop is KPIs agreed upon and commonly shared by employees and managers to allow employees to self-manage their learning and measure their progress monitored by managers. Investment Fee: £50,000 25 participants max per 12-week cohort TRAINING FORMAT : 12 - Week Cohorts Delivered in 1-hour sessions Virtually Facilitated Sessions Corporate Peak Performance Program One Pager
Duration 1 Days 6 CPD hours This course is intended for The audience for this course is looking to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based and related Microsoft services. The content for this course aligns to the SC-900 exam objective domain. Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 and understand how Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions can span across these solution areas to provide a holistic and end-to-end solution. Before attending this course, students must have: General understanding of networking and cloud computing concepts. General IT knowledge or any general experience working in an IT environment. General understanding of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. This course provides foundational level knowledge on security, compliance, and identity concepts and related cloud-based Microsoft solutions. Prerequisites General understanding of networking and cloud computing concepts. General IT knowledge or any general experience working in an IT environment. General understanding of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. 1 - Describe security and compliance concepts Describe the shared responsibility model Describe defense in depth Describe the Zero Trust model Describe governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) concepts 2 - Describe identity concepts Define authentication and authorization Define identity as the primary security perimeter Describe the role of the identity provider Describe the concept of directory services and Active Directory Describe the concept of federation 3 - Describe the function and identity types of Microsoft Entra ID Describe Microsoft Entra ID Describe types of identities Describe hybrid identity Describe external identities 4 - Describe the authentication capabilities of Microsoft Entra ID Describe authentication methods Describe multifactor authentication Describe self-service password reset Describe password protection and management capabilities 5 - Describe access management capabilities of Microsoft Entra ID Describe Conditional Access Describe Microsoft Entra roles and role-based access control (RBAC) 6 - Describe the identity protection and governance capabilities of Azure AD Describe Microsoft Entra ID Governance Describe access reviews Describe entitlement management Describe the capabilities of Privileged identity Management Describe Microsoft Entra ID Protection Describe Microsoft Entra Permissions Management Describe Microsoft Entra Verified ID 7 - Describe core infrastructure security services in Azure Describe Azure DDoS protection Describe Azure Firewall Describe Web Application Firewall Describe network segmentation in Azure Describe Azure Network Security Groups Describe Azure Bastion Describe Azure Key Vault 8 - Describe the security management capabilities in Azure Describe Microsoft Defender for Cloud Describe how security policies and initiatives improve cloud security posture Describe Cloud security posture management Describe the enhanced security of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Describe DevOps security management 9 - Describe security capabilities of Microsoft Sentinel Describe threat detection and mitigation capabilities in Microsoft Sentinel Describe Microsoft Security Copilot 10 - Describe threat protection with Microsoft Defender XDR Describe Microsoft Defender XDR services Describe Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Describe Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Describe Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps Describe Microsoft Defender for Identity Describe Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Describe Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence Describe the Microsoft Defender portal 11 - Describe Microsoft?s Service Trust portal and privacy capabilities Describe the offerings of the Service Trust portal Describe Microsoft's privacy principles Describe Microsoft Priva 12 - Describe the compliance management capabilities in Microsoft Purview Describe the Microsoft Purview compliance portal Describe Compliance Manager Describe use and benefits of compliance score 13 - Describe information protection, data lifecycle management, and data governance capabilities in Microsoft Purview Know your data, protect your data, and govern your data Describe the data classification capabilities of the compliance portal Describe sensitivity labels and policies Describe data loss prevention Describe retention policies and retention labels Describe records management Describe the Microsoft Purview unified data governance solution 14 - Describe the insider risk capabilities in Microsoft Purview Describe insider risk management Describe communication compliance 15 - Describe the eDiscovery and Audit capabilities in Microsoft Purview Describe the eDiscovery solutions in Microsoft Purview Describe the audit solutions in Microsoft Purview
Elite EA/PA Forum We are delighted to announce the Elite EA/PA Forum for the UK & Ireland will be on the 13th November 2025. Our workshop aims to: Enhance your influence and impact by mastering assertive communication, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills. Stay composed and solution-focused in high-pressure situations with practical tools for crisis management and clear decision-making. Embrace evolving technology by understanding how AI and automation can streamline your role and boost efficiency. Future-proof your career by building strategic value, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing professional landscape. Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience: What to expect from Sam's Keynote: With over 30 years supporting leaders at the highest levels, Sam Cohen brings a wealth of insight, experience, and stories (the kind she can share) to the stage. From 18 years serving within The Royal Household - including as Deputy Private Secretary and Press Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - to working with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, running the Prime Minister’s Office at Downing Street, and serving as Chief of Staff to the global CEO of Rio Tinto, Sam’s career is a masterclass in discretion, diplomacy, and delivering at the top. In this exclusive keynote, Beyond the Role, Sam will explore how Executive Assistants don’t just support leaders - they shape leadership, drive strategy, and build legacy from behind the scenes. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear from someone who’s been at the epicentre of power - and bring your questions! The keynote will include a live Q&A, where you can ask Sam about her remarkable career, leadership insights, and how to truly excel in high-performance environments. (Don’t ask her what the Queen kept in her handbag - she’s not telling.) Sam Cohen Career Bio: Sam Cohen has spent the last 30 years working to support leaders in the public and private sectors. Sam spent 18 years serving The Royal Household, as Deputy Private Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Press Secretary to The Queen. Sam also served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following this time, Sam worked as Director of the Prime Minister’s Office at Downing Street under Boris Johnson and, most recently, was Chief of Staff to the global CEO at Rio Tinto. Source: ABC News - YouTube Channel. Facilitator - AM: Monika Turner The Confident Assistant - Speak Up, Go After What You Want & Create The Future You Deserve: Develop practical strategies to negotiate workload, boundaries, and career growth with confidence. Learn assertive communication techniques to handle challenging conversations effectively. Build self-advocacy skills to articulate your value and influence outcomes in the workplace. Monika Turner Career Bio: Monika Anna Turner is an ICF-certified Leadership and Executive coach with over seven years of experience helping professionals unlock their confidence, elevate their voice, and lead with authenticity. Before stepping into coaching, she built a successful career as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, and ultimately Chief Of Staff —giving her a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of support roles. Originally from Poland, Monika knows firsthand what it’s like to question your voice and your value—especially in a second language. Her journey from self-doubt to self-assurance informs everything she does today. Through her coaching, she empowers assistants and leaders alike to move beyond fear, speak up and create fulfilling careers they’re proud of. Panel Fabiana Goncalves Executive Assistant to Global VP PerfectDraft & PerfectDraft Commercial Director An accomplished C-Suite Executive & Personal Assistant, I bring over a decade of experience supporting top-level leadership—including CEOs, Founders, and Executive Teams—across multinational and national organizations. I specialize in executive support that goes far beyond calendar management, contributing as a strategic partner in decision-making, operations, and leadership effectiveness. Known for my discretion, diplomacy, and operational precision, I help executives stay focused on what matters most—by anticipating needs, managing complexity, and driving efficiency in both corporate and personal domains. I bring a strategic lens to every task, balancing immediate priorities with long-term objectives. With a proactive mindset, sharp judgment, and strong communication skills, I serve as a trusted advisor and problem-solver in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Rebecca Polson Executive Support Manager to the Chief Executive An award-winning Executive Assistant with over 10 years’ experience across the higher education, charity, private, and public sectors. Currently Executive Support Manager to the Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, she provides high-level support in the fast-paced, mission-driven environment of the largest dementia research charity in the UK. Her previous roles include supporting senior leaders at the Natural History Museum, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and the Royal College of Music. She brings expertise in executive support, governance, stakeholder engagement, and complex diary and project management. Named PA of the Year in 2023 and a finalist in the SecsintheCity PA of the Year Awards, she is known for her professionalism, discretion, and ability to stay ahead of the needs of the people and organisations she supports. Ola Boddington Senior Executive Assistant As a seasoned Executive Assistant, she has honed her skills in management and project planning over the years. She has worked with various organisations, including Zoa, Signal AI, and ConsenSys, where she provided high-level administrative support to senior executives. Her expertise lies in managing complex schedules, coordinating travel arrangements, and ensuring seamless communication among team members. She is also proficient in using various software tools to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. She is passionate about delivering exceptional service and contributing to the success of the teams she works with. Claudine Martin Senior Executive Assistant Claudine is a highly skilled Senior Executive Assistant, currently supporting the Head of BNY Pershing EMEA. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 17 years in the British Army, Claudine retired in 2023 at the rank of Staff Sergeant, bringing a wealth of experience in high-pressure environments and strategic operations to her current role. Throughout her military career, Claudine specialised in Human Resources, and served as the Personal Assistant to the Army Director of Engagement and Communication at the Ministry of Defence. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of significant events and initiatives, showcasing her exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail. Her dedication and professionalism were recognised when she was awarded PA of the Year in 2019 by PA Life. An advocate for the Executive Assistant profession, Claudine is also a sought-after public speaker. She regularly shares her insights at industry events, including the PA Show, and serves as an advisory board member, contributing to the ongoing development and recognition of the profession. Claudine is passionate about empowering others and has previously mentored young people through the Diana Award, a programme established in honour of Princess Diana to support disadvantaged youth. Additionally, she has participated in Fast Forward 15, a mentoring initiative aimed at women aspiring to build careers in events, hospitality, or related industries. With her extensive experience, dedication to excellence, and commitment to mentorship, Claudine continues to make a significant impact in her field and inspire the next generation of leaders. She proudly represented the UK at the Invictus Games 2023, showcasing her unwavering determination and unwavering spirit. In her spare time, Claudine enjoys park run and writing poems. The Importance of Becoming a Strategic Advisor Learn how to shift from reactive to proactive. Develop the mindset and behaviours of a strategic advisor. Understand how to add value beyond your job description. Facilitator - PM: Justin Kabbani AI Is Not Here to Replace You. It's Here to Upgrade You. We'll explore Justin's proven 3P framework: Priming – How to set up AI like a strategic advisor by feeding it context, tone and mindset Prompting – How to craft clear, structured instructions to get consistently great results Producing – How to turn AI outputs into high-leverage work that makes you stand out Your session outcomes: Real examples from admin professionals already using AI to elevate their work Prompts you can copy, adapt, and test live Interactive exercises to build confidence fast A practical challenge to implement right after the session If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI, or underwhelmed by its impact, this session will change that. You'll leave with tools you can use today, and a mindset you’ll carry forward for the rest of your career. Justin Kabbani Career Bio: Justin Kabbani is one of Australia’s most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful. He’s worked with brands like Uber, Treasury Wine Estates, and Udemy, helping their teams embed AI into daily workflows, strategic planning, and executive communication. Over the past two years, Justin has trained more than 2,000 professionals across Australia and beyond, consistently earning feedback like “mind-blowing,” and “game-changing”. His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be “tech people.” Justin believes AI isn’t here to replace people. It’s here to take the robotic work off our plate, so we can focus on what humans do best. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkabbani/ Website: https://justinkabbani.com/ Speed Connections Networking Session Join us for Speed Connections, a lively 30-minute networking session designed to foster meaningful connections in a fun, fast-paced environment. Every 10 minutes, attendees will be placed into new breakout rooms with small groups, giving everyone the chance to meet a diverse range of peers. Each breakout session will feature engaging prompts to spark conversations and make networking enjoyable and memorable! Who will attend this event? Executive Assistant (EA) Personal Assistant (PA) Virtual Assistant (VA) Legal Secretary Legal Executive Assistant Administrative Assistant Office Manager Health Care Office Manager Chief of Staff Additional roles may be relevant depending on role responsibilities along with development opportunities. This workshop is open to females, male including trans women/males and non-binary professionals. Group Rate Discounts To discuss our group rates in more detail, please email support@elite-forums.com and provide the following: Group Number (How many would like to attend) Event Date (If numerous dates, please advise if we are splitting attendees across multiple dates) Attendee Contact details (Or request our Group Rate Document. Complete and return - we'll sort the rest.) Group discounts are on request - see below group rate discount brackets: 🧩 You just need one piece to come together - to unlock your Elite Potential. 🔑 Media outlets/organisations will not be permitted to attend this event.
Give women managers and employees the skills they need to climb the corporate ladder within your organisation. Optimised for tailored audiences Built for groups of 20+ Led by experienced and certified professionals Specialised to address issues around inclusivity and equity in all industries Program Details For Upper Management Teams: Strategies for Upward Mobility Module 1 – Theories and Realities: Female Leadership 15 Principles Module 2 – Communicating Clearly Module 3 – Management Revelations: Relationship vs. Task Management Module 4 – Set Your Path: Empowerment Techniques For Middle Management & Staff Teams Module 1 – What the Data Tells Us Module 2 – What Are Your Leadership Skills?: Personal Skill Inventory Module 3 – What Does Good Company Culture Look Like? Module 4 – Taking On Your Performance Investment Fee: £50,000 25 participants max per 12-week cohort TRAINING FORMAT : 12 - Week Cohorts Delivered in 1-hour sessions Virtually Facilitated Sessions Women in Leadership Program One Pager
A practical programme for HR professionals who are keen to develop a coaching style of interaction either within their teams and/or with business stakeholders. Develop skills in taking a more engaging, non-directive approach to supporting your business and to encouraging a coaching style of communication in your organisation.