621 Opportunities courses in Cardiff delivered Live Online

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.

In today's fast-moving competitive environment, sales are often made or lost on the strength of a telephone conversation or a brief email. This means that not only is customer service everyone's responsibility - so is sales. Customer service staff are failing the customer if they don't think about sales. And sales staff are failing customers if they don't think about service. And anyone failing a customer is failing both themselves and their employer. Too often, customer service staff feel neither capable nor empowered to recognise or capitalise upon a sales opportunity. Too often, sales people pursue the short-term opportunity at the expense of the bigger picture. The good news is - it doesn't have to be this way! Sales and customer service skills can be acquired, developed and polished just like any other skill. This tried-and-tested programme shows you how to do it. As a result of this course, participants will be able to: Take control of a customer conversation, with confidence Refresh and polish their customer service and sales performance Recognise and develop a sales opportunity Engage the customer and build rapport Identify a customer's needs Match the customer's needs to the organisation's products or services Handle objections confidently Ask for the order At the end of the workshop each participant will have developed their own action plan for developing and using their skills in the workplace. 1 Introduction Course overview, objectives and introductions 2 Serving or selling? Feelings and attitudes - How we can affect the outcome by our feelings and behaviour What is selling? - Selling is helping people to buy, identifying the opportunities that exist within the conversation to develop the customer's interest in our products or services 3 Developing the right skills Communication- The impact of body language, voice tone and words- How to make the best impression on the customer and create a 'buying environment' Rapport-building- What makes a good working relationship?- What do customers look for when they call us?- How can we match their expectations in terms of our own interpersonal skills? Relating to different types of people by identifying and matching their communication style on the telephone 4 Making it easy for the customer Starting it right- Opening the conversation positively- Building rapport- How to develop interest in our products or services Gaining and clarifying information- Questioning skills and questioning style- What do we need to know from the customer?- How can we use that information in the conversation? Active listening- The most under-rated skill of all- Picking up on the 'Golden Moments' when a customer shows they may be interested Presenting information confidently- Knowing the benefits of our products or services- How to tell the customer what they need to know in order to enable them to buy Closing on a positive note- When and how to ask for commitment Dealing with the customer's objections and concerns in a positive manner 5 Course summary and action plans Review of main learning points Presentation of personal action plans

Software comes in a variety of guises - application software, firmware, middleware, system software. Increasingly, however, it doesn't necessarily present that way, especially as the boundaries between software, data and source code are becoming more and more blurred. And as software becomes more complex and more difficult to disentangle, so it becomes harder to manage and to value. But as it becomes more integral to every aspect of a business, so it is ever more important to keep on top of the technical, legal and commercial issues that arise, issues such as: To address these issues, organisations need a process for evaluating their current situation from all perspectives and for identifying the key actions they need to take to ensure holistic management of their software. This very practical programme will help set your organisation on the right path. 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 programme is designed to give you a deeper understanding of: The technical, legal and commercial risks associated with software development, procurement, use and commercial exploitation The most appropriate processes and responsibilities for managing those risks 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 Software business model What is the software business model? What options exist? Has the software business model been thoroughly reviewed to ensure its viability? This means fully understanding the market opportunity, the business environment and customer and end-user expectations. 2 Technology What are the technologies? How has the technology selection been validated considering the competitiveness, structure, and potential for future innovation? 3 UI and UX What is the UI and UX? How to best articulate this? Has the user interface and user experience been studied from both a subjective and objective view to give insight into customer behaviour? 4 Legal framework / commercial aspects Has the necessary legal framework or commercial aspects that may impact upon use or operation of the software been understood and risks identified and mitigated? 5 Software development What is the software development process? Are both the business management and development team's processes resilient in order to improve the company's capability and the maturity of the software? 6 Software quality What is quality? What are the metrics around software quality? What is the maturity level, based around a qualitative and quantitative assessment? 7 Intellectual property associated What IP should be considered when it comes to software? Does the company understand both the intellectual property risks and potential opportunities associated with this software? 8 Security What does software security mean in this context? How is it being addressed? 9 An holistic approach Review of roles and responsibilities to ensure appropriate management and protection

Duration 4.125 Days 24.75 CPD hours This course is intended for The job roles best suited to the material in this course are: Personnel responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of the products and services of the organization, Personnel responsible for meeting customer requirements, Consultants, advisors, professionals wishing to obtain in-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 requirements for a QMS, Professionals wishing to acquaint themselves with PECB's IMS2 Methodology for implementing a QMS, Individuals responsible for maintaining the conformity of QMS to ISO 9001 requirements, Members of QMS implementation and operation teams, Individuals aspiring to pursue a career in quality management Overview Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001 Interpret the requirements of ISO 9001 for a QMS from the perspective of an implementer Initiate and plan the implementation of a QMS based on ISO 9001, by utilizing PECB's IMS2 Methodology and other best practices Support an organization in operating, maintaining, and continually improving a QMS based on ISO 9001 Prepare an organization to undergo a third-party certification audit The ISO 9001 aims to help you develop the competence necessary to establish, implement, operate, maintain, and continually improve a QMS. This training course aims to equip you with in-depth knowledge on ISO 9001 requirements, as well as the best practices and approaches used for the implementation and subsequent maintenance of a QMS. Introduction to ISO 9001 and the initiation of a QMS implementation Training course objectives and structure Overview of ISO, management systems, and ISO 9000 family Introduction to quality and QMS based on ISO 9001 Initiation of the QMS implementation Leadership and commitment Quality policy Roles, responsibilities, and authorities Implementation plan of a QMS Context of the organization QMS scope Actions to address risks and opportunities Quality objectives Change management Resources Competence Implementation of a QMS Awareness and communication Management of documented information Requirements for products and services Design and development of products and services Outsourcing Production and service provision Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation QMS monitoring, continual improvement, and preparation for the certification audit Internal audit Management reviews Nonconformities and corrective actions Continual improvement Preparation for the certification audit Closing of the training course Additional course details: Nexus Humans ISO 9001 Lead Implementer training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the ISO 9001 Lead Implementer course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.

Getting Started With highly experienced tutors guiding the completion of an MBA dissertation, this programme fosters personal and managerial development, encouraging students to make unique contributions. The MBA programme has earned an excellent reputation among employers in private, public and voluntary sectors, enabling graduates to pursue senior positions within organisations or even continue their academic journey with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. For those seeking to specialise, the Research Specialisation Certificate is an optional add-on, allowing students to choose a management area of interest, such as finance, marketing, human resources, or operations and conduct in-depth research. Successful completion of the MBA Dissertation module earns students this exclusive certificate, recognised by the University and emphasises their commitment to academic research and specialised knowledge. The programme MBA Top Up is awarded and delivered by the University of Central Lancashire. This programme offers the same high-quality education as its on-campus counterparts, with access to video lectures, interactive assessments and online discussion forums. Students also benefit from comprehensive support services, including academic and technical assistance and access to online resources. School of Business and Technology London partners with Chestnut Education Group to promote this programme.  About Awarding Body Founded in 1828, the University of Central Lancashire is a public university based in Preston, Lancashire, England. Today, UCLAN is one of the largest in the United Kingdom, with a student and staff community of nearly 38,000. At present, the University has academic partners in all regions of the globe, and it is on a world stage that the first-class quality of its education was first recognised. In 2010, UCLAN became the first UK modern Higher Education institution to appear in the QS World University Rankings. In 2018, the Centre for World University Rankings estimated Central Lancashire to be in the top 3.7 per cent of all global universities, highlighting the growth the University has made in offering students real-world learning experiences and reflecting the University's extensive pool of academic talent. Ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide. Student Communities from more than 100 countries WES Recognised Qualifi is a UK Government (Ofqual.gov.uk) regulated awarding organisation and has developed a reputation for supporting relevant skills in a range of job roles and industries, including Leadership, Enterprise and Management, Hospitality and catering, Health and Social Care, Business Process Outsourcing and Public Services. Qualifi is also a signatory to BIS international commitments of quality. The following are the key facts about Qualifi. Regulated by Ofqual.gov.uk World Education Services (WES) Recognised Assessment Major Project No examinations Entry Requirements Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Applicants should normally have a good first degree or equivalent and be working in or have recently worked within business management area. If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification. 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. An 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 you choose 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 Module Delivery Methods The MBA Top Up, awarded and delivered by the University of Central Lancashire through distance learning. The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) offers a range of distance learning options for students who require the flexibility to study remotely. These options include online courses, blended learning, and supported distance learning. UCLan's distance learning courses are designed to provide students with the same high-quality education as on-campus courses, with access to resources such as video lectures, online discussion forums, and interactive assessments. The University also provides a range of support services for distance learning students, including academic support, technical support, and access to the University's library and online resources. 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.

Course Overview This course on "Capital Budgeting & Investment Decision Rules" provides a comprehensive foundation in the key concepts and techniques used in evaluating long-term investments. Covering fundamental methods such as Net Present Value (NPV), Payback Period, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), the course explores how businesses make critical decisions on capital allocation. Learners will gain a deep understanding of the tools used to assess the financial viability of projects, ensuring they can apply these methods in real-world situations. This course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge to evaluate investment opportunities effectively and contribute to strategic decision-making. Course Description The "Capital Budgeting & Investment Decision Rules" course delves into essential financial decision-making techniques used by organisations to evaluate potential investments. Topics include the NPV method, Payback Period, IRR, and how to assess projects with varying timelines. Learners will explore the advantages and limitations of each method and understand their applications in different business contexts. The course also covers the evaluation of projects with different durations and how to select the best investment strategies to achieve organisational goals. Through this learning experience, participants will acquire the analytical skills necessary to make informed capital budgeting decisions, ultimately strengthening their financial decision-making acumen. Course Modules Module 01: Introduction Module 02: NPV Method Module 03: Payback Period Method Module 04: Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Module 05: Evaluating Projects in Different Lives Module 06: Conclusion (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to understand capital budgeting methods. Professionals aiming to enhance their financial analysis skills. Beginners with an interest in finance and investment decision-making. Anyone looking to develop their knowledge in investment evaluation techniques. Career Path Financial Analyst Investment Analyst Corporate Finance Professional Project Manager Risk Manager Business Consultant

Payroll Accounting Training Fast Track (Level 1-3): This course brings you the skills you need to use this popular payroll program to confidently process any businesses payroll. Being able to use Sage 50 Payroll should lead to greater productivity. But it also helps the business conform to employment legislation and data security requirements. Furthermore, broken down into practical modules this course is a very popular and well-received introduction to moving from manual payroll to computerised payroll. Moreover, it incorporates all the new government requirements for RTI reporting. Finally, Payroll is a vital role within any organisation. A career in payroll means specialising in a niche field with excellent progression opportunities. In this course, you will be learning from Level 1 to Level 3 of Sage Computerised Payroll which could help you to land your dream job in the Payroll sector. As Osborne Training is a Sage (UK) Approved training provider, you could gain the following qualifications provided that you book and register for exams and pass the exams successfully: Sage 50c Computerised Payroll Course (Level 1) Sage 50c Computerised Payroll Course (Level 2) Sage 50c Computerised Payroll Course (Level 3) All exams are conducted online through Sage (UK). Level 1: Introduction to payroll Introduction to Real-Time Information (RTI) Preparing employee records Starters - new employees Calculation of Gross Pay The PAYE and National Insurance systems Creating Payslips and analysis Creating Backups and Restoring data Payment analysis Processing National Insurance contributions Voluntary deductions Processing Leavers Completing the Payroll Procedures Level 2: Introduction to Payroll Introduction to Real Time Information (RTI) Preparing employee records Creating Backup and Restoring Data Starters - new employees Calculation of Gross Pay Deductions - Pension schemes and pension contributions Processing the payroll - introduction to the PAYE system Processing the payroll - income tax National Insurance contributions - Processing in the payroll Voluntary deductions Student Loan repayments Attachment of Earnings Orders & Deductions from Earnings Orders Processing Leavers Introduction to statutory additions and deductions Processing Statutory sick pay (SSP) Processing Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) Statutory paternity pay and paternity leave Completing the processing of the payroll Creating Payslips and analysis Reports and payments due to HMRC Level 3: Advanced processing of the payroll for employees Preparation and use of period end preparation of internal reports Maintaining accuracy, security and data integrity in performing payroll tasks. Deductions - Pension schemes and pension contributions Processing the payroll -complex income tax issues Payroll Giving Scheme processing Processing Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) Advanced Income tax implications for company pension schemes Student Loan repayments Processing Holiday Payments Processing Car Benefit on to the Payroll System Attachment of Earnings Orders & Deductions from Earnings Orders Leavers with complex issues Advanced processing of statutory additions and deductions Recovery of statutory additions payments - from HMRC Completing the processing of the payroll Complex Reports and payments due to HMRC Cost Centre Analysis Advanced, routine and complex payroll tasks Calculation of complex gross pay

This programme concentrates on the core planning skills needed to develop sound practical project plans in a team environment. This enables the plan to be modified should requirements change or difficulties arise. The programme also gives participants the confidence to practise those skills and apply them in the work environment and deliver their projects more successfully in the future. Participants learn fundamental project management concepts and terminology, demystifying the project management process, and, in particular, how to: Break a project down into manageable sections and ensure nothing is left out Understand and apply estimating techniques to develop realistic estimates Sequence work effectively and carry out critical path analysis to determine project duration and which tasks to pay closest attention to Manage project risk effectively to protect project value Monitor, control and re-plan the project to best keep it on track Close out the project and ensure the project comes to an orderly end 1 Introduction Self-introductions and personal objectives Course objectives Sharing of project issues 2 Project management concepts Characteristics of a project and what should be kept as operational responsibilities Understanding the triple and quadruple constraints - and their limitations Prioritising requirements through the MOSCOW technique Product v project life cycle Key project roles and responsibilities - the importance of sponsorship and clarity of roles 3 Starting a project, and the importance of the terms of reference / project brief Avoiding the pressure to 'just do it'! The importance and benefits of planning The best time to learn! Initial project documentation - the BOSCARDI approach 4 Breaking the work down Understanding alternative breakdown structures such as the product breakdown structure and work breakdown structure Guidelines for creating a work breakdown structure to ensure the full work scope is identified 5 Estimating Alternative estimating techniques and associated confidence levels Further considerations - loss and resource factors 6 Organising the work Use of network diagrams to develop a clear sequence of work Critical path analysis and calculating the project duration and task float - and usage 7 The management of project risk Understanding the nature of project risk The risk analysis and risk management processes How to best manage threats and opportunities Running a risk workshop Using the risk register 8 Scheduling the work The importance of the Gantt chart and understanding its limitations The Gantt chart layout and using alternative views such as the tracking Gantt Using alternative dependencies 9 Resource issues Assigning resources and resolving resource overloads Crashing and fast-tracking your project and potential issues to look out for 10 Controlling the project The control cycle and alternative feedback mechanisms Alternative progress reporting Assessing the impact The importance of re-planning The benefits of control Change control - the importance of impact analysis The steps of change control and the use of the issue register 11 Closing the project The project closure checklist Reviewing the project - things to avoid Developing meaningful lessons and ensuring they are applied effectively The post-project review - its importance to the organisation

The need for key staff to have commercial skills is paramount, as the public sector is increasingly opened up as a commercial market, in which organisations compete against each other and the private sector for contracts. Generating additional income and being commercially aware is vital for this to be a success, and is what many public sector organisations are looking to do. This programme will help you: See commercial awareness as not just another skill-set, but as a different mind-set Use a variety of tried-and-tested commercial, analytical decision-making techniques and tools Define your commercial objectives Develop a strategic focus Start looking at service clients as market segments Analyse, in a competitive context, your service offering Plan a commercial strategy, prepare for its implementation and see it through to execution 1 What is commercial thinking? Understand what it means to be a commercial thinker Identifying commercial opportunities often involves not only a different skill set but also a different mindset; looking at the services that you provide 2 Defining strategic commercial objectives Defining your key commercial objectives Prioritising your strategic objectives Two key strategic planning tools:Resource and Competency MatrixPESTLE How to apply these tools to your particular situation 3 Developing a strategic focus Decision-making on how to compete in the markets identified by your strategic objectives requires a strategic focus Developing strategic focus A tool for helping you to make those decisions: using the Ansoff Matrix 4 Defining customer targets How to think more commercially by understanding who all your customers are and how they differ from each other how to apply the principles to your areas to identify the type of customers you have and their key characteristics - Customer segmentation Who are your customers? How do their needs vary? - Scenarios 5 The competitive market place Understanding the competitive forces at play Different types of competition Analysing your competitive environment using Porter's 5 Forces model 6 Meeting stakeholder expectations Two simple models to help you identify the key stakeholders who could influence your commercial environment How to use your stakeholders to help you achieve your commercial objectives 7 Implementation - systems, structures and processes Effective commercial activity involves working with others to implement ideas and strategies What do you need to have in place before you implement your commercial strategy? How to health-check your organisation prior to implementation using the McKinsey 7S framework 8 Implementation - people and culture A good commercial strategy only works if the people involved buy in to the ideas and if the culture of the organisation is conducive to the effective implementation How the latest thinking in behavioural economics can help you develop your culture and people to work commercially 9 Tools and checklists Be more commercial within your sphere of influence using a commercial checklist to help you Using the checklist as a benchmark against the most commercially aware organisations Using the checklist as a health check - both corporately and individually

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the key principles and techniques for leading and managing project work. It will focus on the core principles and generic methods of project management, showing how these can be applied to typical projects. The scope of the programme includes: The course also emphasises the importance of the leadership and team-working skills needed by project managers and team members in carrying out their roles. The principal training objectives for this programme are to: Explain and demonstrate the key principles of successful project management Demonstrate a range of useful project management tools and techniques Define the role of, and help participants understand the skills required by, the project leader Illustrate the use of project skills through examples and case studies Identify ways to improve project management, both individually and corporately DAY ONE 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Key concepts and requirements for success Projects and project management Lessons from past projects; the essential requirements for success Differences between projects; characteristic project life cycles The challenges of project management; the role of the project manager Project exerciseA team exercise to demonstrate the challenges of project management 3 Defining project objectives and scope Identifying the stakeholders; key roles and responsibilities Getting organised; managing the definition process Working with the 'customer' to define the project scope 4 Project case study: part 1 Defining the project objectives: syndicate teams define the objectives and scope for a typical project 5 Project planning The nature of planning; recognising planning assumptions Planning the plan; the importance of team involvement Developing the work breakdown structure Estimating task resources, timescales and costs Developing the project schedule Analysing the plan and identifying the critical path 6 Project case study: part 2 Creating the project plan Syndicate teams begin development of their project plans (for completion after session 7) Team presentations and group discussion (after session 7) DAY TWO 7 Managing project risks Understanding and defining project risks Classifying risks and adopting an appropriate risk strategy Identifying, evaluating and managing project risks Agreeing ownership of project risks; the risk register Integrating planning and risk management 8 Project control Pro-active and re-active control; striking the right balance Pre-requisites for effective, pro-active project control Avoiding unnecessary 'scope creep' and controlling change Selecting the data needed to provide early warning of problems Monitoring project performance: 'S' curves, slip charts, earned value Getting good data and assessing project status Defining the roles and responsibilities for control Setting up a routine process for keeping up to date Managing and controlling multiple projects 9 Project case study: part 3 Controlling the project Teams control their project as new developments take place 10 Course review and transfer planning (Course sponsor present) Identify actions to be implemented individually Identify corporate opportunities for improving project management Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion