617 Organ courses in Leeds

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

High quality specifications are of paramount importance in achieving the right technical performance and value for money. This long-established training programme has been developed to help those involved in producing specifications to create high quality documents in an organised and effective way. It provides a sound foundation for those new to the topic whilst at the same time offering new insights to those with more experience. The programme emphasises the need for a clear definition of requirements combined with the ability to communicate those requirements effectively to third parties. A structured method of preparing specifications is provided, and a range of practical techniques is presented, to enable participants to put the principles into practice. The commercial and contractual role of specifications is also addressed. The objectives of the workshop are to: Provide a clear understanding of the role and purpose of specifications Present a framework for organising and producing specifications Define the key steps involved in creating effective specifications Demonstrate methods for assisting in defining requirements Provide tools and techniques for scoping and structuring specifications Show the role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope Present methods to assist the writing and editing of specifications Review how specifications should be issued and controlled DAY ONE 1 Introduction Review of course objectives Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Creating effective specifications The role of specifications in communicating requirements The costs, benefits and qualities of effective specifications Understanding the differences between verbal and written communication The five key steps of 'POWER' writing: prepare-organise-write-edit-release Exercise: qualities of an effective specification 3 Step 1: Preparing to write - defining readership and purpose; the specification and the contract Designing the specifications required; applying BS 7373 Defining the purpose, readership and title of each document Effective procedures for writing, issuing and controlling specifications The roles and responsibilities of the key players Understanding contracts; the contractual role of the specification Integrating and balancing the technical and commercial requirements Writing specifications to achieve the appropriate contract risk strategy Deciding how to specify: when to use functional and technical specifications The role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope 4 Case study 1 Teams review a typical project scenario and identify the implications for the specification Feedback and discussion 5 Step 2: Organising the specification content Defining the need and establishing user requirements Deciding what issues the specification should cover Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming Clarifying priorities: separating needs and desires Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify Useful techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis 6 Case study 2 Teams apply the scoping techniques to develop the outline contents for a specification Feedback and discussion DAY TWO 7 Step 2: Organising the specification content (cont) Deciding what goes where; typical contents and layout for a specification The three main segments: introductory, key and supporting Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub-sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Tools and techniques for outlining and structuring specifications 8 Case study 3 Teams develop the detailed specification contents using a model form Feedback and discussion 9 Step 3: Writing the specification The challenges of written communication Identifying and understanding the readers needs Choosing and using the right words; dealing with jargon Problem words; will, shall, must, etc; building a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity Being concise and ensuring clarity Choosing and using graphics to best effect Exercises and examples 10 Step 4: Editing the specification Why editing is difficult; how to develop a personal editing strategy Key areas to review: structure, content, accuracy, clarity, style and grammar Editing tools and techniques 11 Step 5: Releasing and controlling the specification Key requirements for document issue and control Final formatting and publication issues; document approval Requirements management: managing revisions and changes 12 Course review and action planning What actions should be implemented to improve specifications? Conclusion

This course is very much a discussion, so be prepared to present and critically analyse your own and class mates work. You will also need to bring a few examples of work you have done in the past. Learning and applying best practice visualisation principles will improve effective discussions amongst decision makers throughout your organisation. As a result more end-users of your dashboards will be able to make better decisions, more quickly. This 2 Day training course is aimed at analysts with good working knowledge of BI tools (we use Tableau to present, but attendees can use their own software such as Power BI or Qlik Sense). It is a great preparation for taking advanced certifications, such as Tableau Certified Professional. Contact us to discuss the Visual Analytics Best Practice course Email us if you are interested in an on-site course, or would be interested in different dates and locations This Tableau Desktop training intermediate course is designed for the professional who has a solid foundation with Tableau and is looking to take it to the next level. Attendees should have a good understanding of the fundamental concepts of building Tableau worksheets and dashboards typically achieved from having attended our Tableau Desktop Foundation Course. At the end of this course you will be able to communicate insights more effectively, enabling your organisation to make better decisions, quickly. The Tableau Desktop Analyst training course is aimed at people who are used to working with MS Excel or other Business Intelligence tools and who have preferably been using Tableau already for basic reporting. The course includes the following topics: WHAT IS VISUAL ANALYSIS? Visual Analytics Visual Analytics Process Advantages of Visual Analysis Exercise: Interpreting Visualisations HOW DO WE PROCESS VISUAL INFORMATION? Memory and Processing Types Exercise: Identifying Types of Processing Cognitive Load Exercise: Analysing Cognitive Load Focus and Guide the Viewer Remove Visual Distractions Organise Information into Chunks Design for Proximity Exercise: Reducing Cognitive Load SENSORY MEMORY Pre-attentive Attributes Quantitatively-Perceived Attributes Categorically-Perceived Attributes Exercise: Analysing Pre-attentive Attributes Form & Attributes Exercise: Using Form Effectively Colour & Attributes Exercise: Using Colour Effectively Position & Attributes Exercise: Using Position Effectively ENSURING VISUAL INTEGRITY Informing without Misleading Gestalt Principles Visual Area Axis & Scale Colour Detail Exercise: Informing without Misleading CHOOSING THE RIGHT VISUALISATION Comparing and Ranking Categories Comparing Measures Comparing Parts to Whole Viewing Data Over Time Charts Types for Mapping Viewing Correlation Viewing Distributions Viewing Specific Values DASHBOARDS AND STORIES Exercise: Picking the Chart Type Exercise: Brainstorming Visual Best Practice Development Process for Dashboards and Stories Plan the Visualisation Create the Visualisation Test the Visualisation Exercise: Designing Dashboards and Stories This training course includes over 20 hands-on exercises to help participants “learn by doing” and to assist group discussions around real-life use cases. Each attendee receives an extensive training manual which covers the theory, practical applications and use cases, exercises and solutions together with a USB with all the materials required for the training. The course starts at 09:30 on the first day and ends at 17:00. On the second day the course starts at 09:00 and ends at 17:00. Students must bring their own laptop with an active version of Tableau Desktop 10.5 (or later) pre-installed. What People Are Saying About This Course "Steve was willing to address questions arising from his content in a full and understandable way"Lisa L. "Really enjoyed the course and feel the subject and the way it was taught was very close to my needs"James G. "The course tutor Steve was incredibly helpful and taught the information very well while making the two days very enjoyable."Bradd P. "The host and his courses will give you the tools and confidence that you need to be comfortable with Tableau."Jack S. "Steve was fantastic with his knowledge and knowhow about the product. Where possible he made sure you could put demonstrations in to working practice, to give the audience a clear understanding."Tim H. "This was a very interesting and helpful course, which will definitely help me produce smarter, cleaner visualisations that will deliver more data-driven insights within our business."Richard A. "Steve is very open to questions and will go out of his way to answer any query. Thank you"Wasif N. "Steve was willing to address questions arising from his content in a full and understandable way"Lisa L. "Really enjoyed the course and feel the subject and the way it was taught was very close to my needs"James G.

Health and safety awareness training is mandatory for staff at all levels of an organisation. This is the ideal course to satisfy that requirement - a stimulating 'entry-level' programme explaining how health and safety should be managed in any working environment. The course outlines the basics of health and safety law and how organisations and individuals can become liable for health and safety offences. Roles and responsibilities for health and safety are discussed by reference to the key legislation and the expert trainer will explore with the delegates how these responsibilities are managed in practice in different types of organisation. The principles of risk assessment will be considered and their practical implementation discussed in relation to the management of the various hazards that are likely to be present in a typical workplace. This course will give staff: An understanding of health and safety law, liability and enforcement An explanation of the principles of health and safety management in the workplace and an understanding of who should be responsible for different aspects of health and safety A practical explanation of risk assessment and what constitutes a suitable and sufficient assessment A broad knowledge of the typical hazards in a workplace and how these should be managed 1 Overview of health and safety law Statute and civil law Liability and enforcement Statutory duties Contract law 2 Legislative framework The workplace - extent of responsibility / shared responsibility Relevant legislation 3 Management of Health and Safety Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Accident Reporting (RIDDOR) Consultation with Employees and Safety Committees 4 Risk management within your organisation Business risk management Health and safety risk management The principles of risk assessment Transferring the risk to contractors and third parties 5 Risk assessment exercise - 'Challenge Anneka' 6 Managing the hazards in the workplace Work equipment Lifting equipment Display screens Manual handling Fire Chemicals (COSHH) Personal protective equipment (PPE) 7 Practical exercise - Workplace inspection 8 Questions, discussion and review

No-one in business will succeed if they are not financially literate - and no business will succeed without financially-literate people. This is the ideal programme for managers and others who don't have a financial qualification or background but who nonetheless need a greater understanding of the financial management disciplines essential to your organisation. This course will give the participants a sound understanding of financial reports, measures and techniques to make them even more effective in their roles. It will enable participants to: Overcome the barrier of the accountants' strange language Deal confidently with financial colleagues Improve their understanding of your organisation's finance function Radically improve their planning and budgeting skills Be much more aware of the impact of their decisions on the profitability of your organisation Enhance their role in the organisation Boost their confidence and career development 1 Review of the principal financial statements What each statement containsOutlineDetail Not just what the statements contain but what they mean Balance sheets and P&L accounts (income statements) Cash flow statements Detailed terminology and interpretation Types of fixed asset - tangible, etc. Working capital, equity, gearing 2 The 'rules' - Accounting Standards, concepts and conventions Fundamental or 'bedrock' accounting concepts Detailed accounting concepts and conventions What depreciation means The importance of stock, inventory and work in progress values Accounting policies that most affect reporting and results The importance of accounting standards and IFRS 3 Where the figures come from Accounting records Assets / liabilities, Income / expenditure General / nominal ledgers Need for internal controls 'Sarbox' and related issues 4 Managing the budget process Have clear objectives, remit, responsibilities and time schedule The business plan Links with corporate strategy The budget cycle Links with company culture Budgeting methods'New' budgetingZero-based budgets Reviewing budgets Responding to the figures The need for appropriate accounting and reporting systems 5 What are costs? How to account for them Cost definitions Full / absorption costing Overheads - overhead allocation or absorption Activity based costing Marginal costing / break-even - use in planning 6 Who does what? A review of what different types of accountant do Financial accounting Management accounting Treasury function Activities and terms 7 How the statements can be interpreted What published accounts contain Analytical review (ratio analysis) Return on capital employed, margins and profitability Making assets work - asset turnover Fixed assets, debtor, stock turnover Responding to figures EBIT, EBITEDIA, eps and other analysts' measure 8 Other key issues Creative accounting Accounting for groups Intangible assets - brand names Company valuations Fixed assets / leased assets / off-balance sheet finance

This intensive one-day training programme has been developed to help those involved in producing specifications create high quality documents in an organised and effective way. The programme explains the primary purpose of specifications and the importance of understanding the context in which they are used. It focuses particularly on how to develop and structure content and write requirements that are clear and concise. The methods and techniques presented will provide a practical foundation course for those new to the topic whilst offering new insights to those with more experience. The objectives of the workshop are to: Review and discuss the role and purpose of specifications Present a structured approach for organising and producing specifications Explain each of the key steps involved in creating effective specifications Review some methods for assisting in defining requirements Explain how to define the scope and develop the structure for a specification Present methods to assist the writing and editing of specifications Review how specifications should be issued and controlled 1 Introduction Course objectives Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Specifications in perspective The role and purpose of specifications The impact of specifications on commercial performance The qualities of an effective specification The five key steps of 'POWER' writing: prepare-organise-write-edit-release 3 Step 1: Preparing to write Defining the purpose the specification; integrating the specification and contract Deciding how to specify: when to specify in functional and technical terms Getting the right people involved at the right time; engaging stakeholders Applying procedures for writing, issuing and controlling specifications 4 Step 2: Organising the specification content Scoping the document: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming Clarifying requirements; separating needs and desires Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify Useful techniques: cost benefit analysis, Pareto analysis Deciding what goes where; typical contents and layout for a specification Creating and using model forms: typical sections and sub sections 5 Step 3: Writing the specification Identifying and understanding the readers needs Choosing and using the right words; dealing with jargon Important words; will, shall, must; building a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity; being concise and ensuring clarity 6 Step 4: Editing the specification Why editing is difficult; how to develop a personal editing strategy Key areas to review: structure, content, accuracy, clarity, style and grammar Editing tools and techniques 7 Step 5: Releasing and controlling the specification Key requirements for document issue and control Final formatting and publication issues; document approval Requirements management: managing revisions and changes 8 Course review and action planning What actions should be implemented to improve specifications? Conclusion

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

Many organisations find that project teams struggle to create and maintain effective plans. Estimates are often overly optimistic and risks go unmanaged until the inevitable happens. Resource managers also find it hard to forecast the likely loading on their departments and requests for support are not provided in a consistent format. This programme has been developed to address these needs in a very practical, hands-on format. Case study work can be based on simulations or on the organisation's current projects for maximum benefit to participants. The aim of this training is to develop and enhance participants' planning and risk management skills in order to maximise the success of project work undertaken by the organisation. The principal training objectives for this programme are to: Provide a structured, integrated approach to planning and risk management Demonstrate practical tools and techniques for each stage of planning Show how to organise and involve relevant people in the planning process Explain how to use the plan for forecasting and pro-active project control Identify ways to improve planning, both individually and corporately The course will emphasise the importance of participative planning techniques that improve the quality of plans whilst reducing overall time and cost of planning. The course will encourage discussion of internal procedures and practices and may be customised to include them if required. DAY ONE 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Projects and planning Why plan? The benefits of good planning / penalties of poor planning Planning in the project lifecycle; the need for a 'living' plan The interaction between target setting and the planning process Team exercise: planning the project 3 Planning the plan Defining the application and structure of the plan Impact of planning decisions during the project lifecycle Using available time to create an effective plan 4 Defining deliverables Assessing the context; reviewing the goals and stakeholders Developing the scope and defining deliverables; scope mapping Understanding customer priorities; delivering value for money Case study: defining the project deliverables 5 Creating the work breakdown Building the work breakdown structure Detailing the tasks and sub-tasks; structured brainstorming Defining task ownership; the task responsibility matrix 6 Creating and using a logical network Developing the logical network; task boarding Determining the critical path and calculating float Accelerating the plan; concurrent programming and risk Individual and group exercises DAY TWO 7 Developing resource schedules Deriving the Gantt chart from the network Developing the detailed resource schedules Calculating the expenditure profile ('S' curve) 8 Estimating task durations and costs Understanding estimates: effort, availability and duration Estimating tools and techniques Application of estimating techniques during the project lifecycle 9 Case study Developing the project plan Refining the project plan Team presentations and discussion 10 Managing risks and refining the plan Awareness of contractual issues associated with risk Identifying and evaluating risks; deciding ownership Managing risks: determining levels of provision and contingency Controlling risks: maintaining an up-to date risk register 11 Planning for pro-active control The earned value analysis (EVA) concept and its predictive value Deriving the measures needed for cost and delivery performance Practical issues associated with implementing EVA 12 Using and maintaining the plan Tracking progress and updating the plan Publishing and controlling the plan 13 Course review and transfer planning (Course sponsor present) Identify ways of implementing the techniques learnt Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion

This very practical two-day workshop analyses the content and implications of key MoD terms and conditions of contract. The programme explains the principles and terminology of the contractual aspects of defence procurement as well as considering a number of relevant policies and initiatives. The course covers key components, constructs and methodologies associated with any commercial venture entered into with the UK MoD. Starting at the MoD organisational level the workshop sets the scene by looking at the acquisition process and organisation, detailing the various roles and responsibilities of MoD personnel. The workshop provides an in-depth examination of MoD DEFCONs and many narrative terms, setting them in the context of the organisation and its structures. The workshop helps participants to gain an understanding of the content and purpose of the range of MoD DEFCONs and narrative conditions commonly used throughout the acquisition lifecycle. It includes a review of Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 regarding Single Source Pricing, which comes into effect in 2015 and is already starting to be applied to significant contracts. On completion of this programme the participants will understand the terminology associated with the MoD terms and conditions of contract and will have an accurate view of their relevance, usage and their legal basis and how they can affect contractual and commercial decision-making. They will have gained an insight into defence acquisition contracting and they will be more commercially aware. DAY ONE 1 The commercial environment Key roles and responsibilities of the MoD organisations at the heart of the acquisition process 2 Tendering to MoD An appraisal of some of the obligations placed upon contractors when they are submitting a proposal to the MoD pre-contract 3 Standardised contracting MoD have introduced non-negotiable standardised contracts for certain levels of procurement. This section considers their use and relevance to defence contracting 4 Pricing, profit, post-costing and payment The parameters specific to a costing structure and the differences between competitive and non-competitive bidding The role of the QMAC, the profit formula, the requirements for equality of information and post-costing Different types of pricing and issues surrounding payment 5 Defence Reform Act - Single Source Pricing Single Source Pricing under Part 2 of the new Defence Reform Act Changes from the existing position, how contractors are affected and the compliance regime that accompanies the new requirements 6 Delivery and acceptance Specific requirements and the significance and impact of failing to meet them Acceptance plans Non-performance and the remedies that may be applied by the Customer - breach of contract, liquidated damages and force majeure DAY TWO 7 Protection of information and IPR Contractor's and MoD's rights to own and use information How to identify background and foreground intellectual property Technical information and copyright in documentation and software How to protect IPR at the various stages of the bidding and contracting process 8 Defence Transformation and Defence Commercial Directorate Widening and increasing roles and functions of the Defence Commercial Directorate Background to the Defence Reform Act 2014 9 Legal requirements Terms used in MoD contracts to reflect basic legal requirements Records and materials required for MOD contracts and therefore the obligations, responsibilities and liabilities that a company undertakes when it accepts these conditions Overseas activities 10 Subcontracting and flowdown Understanding the constructs required by the MoD for subcontracting Which terms must be flowed down to the subcontractor and which are discretionary 11 Termination Termination of a contract for default Termination for convenience How to optimise the company's position on termination 12 Warranties and liabilities Obligations and liabilities a company might incur and how they might be mitigated MoD policy on indemnities and limits of liability 13 Electronic contracting environment Electronic forms of contracting Progress toward a fully electronic contracting environment

It is important for Officers to understand the roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures involved when working with Elected Members. They also need to appreciate the significance of Elected Members as the decision-makers in local government. Officers have a responsibility to work and communicate with Elected Members effectively. This very successful course is designed to help Officers with this. Note: this is very much an indicative outline. The programme is tailored to the needs of each particular organisation. To provide managers with the knowledge and understanding they need to have productive working relationships with Elected Members and provide appropriate support. By the end of the course participants will: Understand the roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures in place for working with Elected Members Be able to identify the best way to approach potentially sensitive issues Understand the skills and behaviours required for working effectively with Members Be able to deploy their influencing skills more successfully Review their learning and have an action plan to take back and implement at work Note: this is very much an indicative outline. The programme is tailored to the needs of each particular organisation. 1 Introduction Welcome and introductions Objectives and programme overview 2 Working in a political environment What is political awareness? Contact and experience with Members Importance of the role of Members 3 Why be an Elected Member? Perceptions of what Elected Members are and do Values of Members and their motivations for doing what they do 4 Political decision-making in local government Current challenges and drivers affecting the organisation / the council Roles and responsibilities of Officers and Members Centrality of Members' strategic role 5 (Option) A day in the life of an Elected Member An Elected Member gives a talk about what they do 6 Having a beneficial relationship between Officers and Members 7 Member / Officer communication Discussion of the formal processes, service procedures, etc (whether enshrined in a protocol, Memorandum of Understanding, etc) Response times and requirements Procedures required by Heads of Service [if appropriate] 8 Influencing styles and strategies Different forms of power and how they impact Developing an appropriate 'influencing style' Exploring strategies for improving communication and influencing at work 9 Review and evaluation Review and evaluation of learning Personal action plans