Look at the in depth features of charts and some specialist tools to make your charts come to life. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Our Excel Charting Specialist course examines how to unlock the full potential of Charts in Excel. It investigates the useful tools needed for creating bespoke Charts, allowing you to creatively present data more visually. By the end of the course, you will have an awareness of the tools used for creating more advanced Charts and will be able to create your own Dynamic Charts. The course is designed for existing users of Excel who are looking at more advanced ways to visualise data in Excel using Charts. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create and Amend Charts Format multiple areas of a Chart Use a Combo Chart Apply Conditional Formatting to a Chart Create Dynamic Charts Work with Custom Formatting Create an Advanced Dynamic Chart Content Creating and amending charts Creating Simple Charts Using the Chart Design tab Adding Chart Elements Changing the type of Chart Formatting charts Format Chart Area Format Data Series Format Data Point Format Axis Working with combo charts Adding additional data to a Chart Customising Chart types Creating Clustered Column/line Charts Applying conditional formatting on charts Using IF Statements Highlighting Max/Min Data points in Charts Using Series Overlap Dynamic charts Creating dynamic Target vs Actual Charts Introducing the NA function Hiding data used for Charts Custom formatting charts Formatting Data Labels Customising number formats Using Trend Arrows to show changes Editing Format Code Advanced dynamic charts Pivot Chart rules Creating a Pivot Chart Working with your Pivot Chart Creating calculations Combining all elements to create an Advanced Chart Using Error Bars to create a line Adding a scroll bar and linking with data
Learn how to be fully effective in your role without burning yourself out. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) There are only 24 hours in a day, and only so many of those that you want to spend in the office! While many people seem to see working long hours and being highly stressed as a badge of honour you can in fact be more productive and fully effective in your role without burning yourself out. Quite simply in this whirlwind world we need to be great at managing the time and that’s what this interactive one day workshop will teach you. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Use a selection of tools to set goals, plan and prioritise your time Stop self-sabotaging and create more productive time every day Take control of your day, the time you have available and other people who try to steal your time Hold more effective meetings Manage stress so that you can be at your peak more often Content Getting Started Understanding the need to manage your time effectively Identifying your time stealers Setting goals Getting clarity about what needs to be done Understanding what is urgent and what is important in order to prioritise your tasks Planning your time Using to do lists and other time management tools Stop Self Sabotaging Understanding your time personality and the impact it can have on how you use your time and how others perceive your time management Recognising procrastination and taking action The myth of multitasking Creating focus and clarity in your day Using the time you have to be most productive Taking Control How to assert yourself with others who might be impacting your time management Managing interruptions Saying no and feeling OK about it Negotiating workloads Delegating How to hold productive meetings Managing your meeting attendance effectively Avoiding Burnout Exploring stress and how we respond to it Shifting mindsets Thinking differently Managing overwhelm and panic Tools to manage stress at work
Develop the commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, to influence the direction of the business Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) This course is aimed at managers who want to develop their commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, so that they can influence the direction of their business and deliver to their full potential. Day one of the course provides the skills and insights to make sense of your company’s financial position and performance. Day two helps delegates to consider the strategic thinking tools required to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. As well as looking at how to make effective business decisions, this course gives a good grounding in finance and profitability. As a two day programme, day one provides the skills and insights to make sense of the company’s financial position and performance. Day two then considers the strategic thinking tools needed to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: An understanding of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow and statutory and management accounts Learnt to correctly employment key financial ratios to analyse your business A practical definition of strategy analysis tools to examine the current environment and capabilities Steps to devise a mission and vision statement Recognition of the skills and resources needed to achieve the vision Generation of appropriate strategic and tactical commercial objectives Content What is Strategy Defining Strategy Strategic thinking Strategic models Commercial thinking – what is money? Where are we now STEEPLE analysis SWOT Analysis P&E forces at work Political distortions in capitalist markets Where are we trying to get to Setting the mission and vision Creating a BHAG Strategies for deflation and inflation The role of banks Commercial and investment banking Fractional reserving Securitisation How to get there Skill gap analysis Business Process Re engineering The role of creativity How to get there Getting the team on board Individual and team motivation The power of the brand Overcoming challenges Debt and deleveraging Change management Creating value Discounted Cash Flows Building the business case Asset Valuation techniques Making it happen Turning Strategic Thinking into Strategic Plans Scenario planning for an uncertain future Creating commitments and lock in Discussion and review Time will be set aside during the course for review sessions with time for questions, answers and action learning.
Discover the amazing features this tool has to offer in combining, collating and editing documents and the forms, markups and redaction techniques available. Duration 1 day (6.5 hours) Overview This Adobe Acrobat course looks at the powerful features of the tool quite often overlooked. The course requires the use of either the Standard or Professional versions of Acrobat as the free Acrobat Reader only has limited functionality. Learn how to combine documents into a single file, edit and mark up PDFs, compare documents, redact data from documents and create fillable forms. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create PDFs from other tools Set security Collate and combine files into a single PDF Edit PDF files Complete and sign documents Create fillable forms Mark up PDF documents Compare files Redact data Content Creating PDFs Building PDF documents from Word, Excel and PowerPoint Setting PDF options for print, image quality and security Working in Acrobat Home, Tools and Document Views Using the Navigation Panel and Pane Floating toolbar and Contextual menus Collating and Combining Files Combining multiple files into a single PDF Adding extra files Deleting pages and reorganising pages Editing Files Editing text and graphics Adding text and images Adding headers and footers, watermarks and backgrounds Adding Links Adding manual links Automatic links Completing and signing documents Using fill and sign to complete forms Adding signatures Creating Fillable and Signable Forms Prepare a form Autodetect fillable fields Add manual fillable fields Adding drop downs, check boxes, etc. Naming fields Setting field properties Previewing the form Marking Up Documents Marking up changes Using sticky notes Using the highlighter pen Adding stamps Attaching documents and audio Replying to comments Comparing Files Selecting settings Comparison report Reviewing differences Using the changes pane Redacting Data (Acrobat Professional only) Setting redaction options Redacting chosen text Searching and redacting words, phrases or patterns Redacting whole pages Applying redaction
An accredited qualification to prepare supervisors and team leaders for a future management role. This programme gives Team Leaders & Managers the skills, disciplines and confidence to manage their team effectively and add a great deal more value to the organisation - where they have to apply their learning in order to achieve the highly coveted ILM qualification. In order for a business to obtain maximum results, it is important that employees are motivated and supported in their job roles. It is the responsibility of the team leader or supervisor to lead their team effectively and present feedback to management. This 3-day programme will guarantee to boost your performance as a team leader and help you make the transition from working in a team to leading a team. We use a combination of theory and practical to help you develop yourself, and a toolkit of resources to use in the workplace. This is an internationally accredited course which not only carries kudos but it ensures you apply the learning back into the workplace for an immediate impact. All of our ILM Programmes are provided in partnership with BCF Group Limited, which is the ILM Approved Centre we deliver under. Course Syllabus The syllabus of the ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills course is split into three main modules, covering the following: Module One Developing Yourself as a Team Leader Learning the various roles, functions and responsibilities of a team leader - depending on workplace Recognising limits of authority and accountability, and how these are defined Developing personal skills and abilities for effective team leading Using reflective learning skills to improve performance Identifying areas of strength and possible improvement Finding ways of obtaining feedback from others Receiving and responding positively to feedback Module Two Workplace Communications Learning stages in the communication process Consideration of the recipient's needs Spotting barriers to communication and how to overcome them Establishing a range of direct communication methods relevant to the team Collating a range of direct communication methods relevant to people outside own area of responsibility. This includes written, telephone, e-mail and face-to-face Recognising the aspects of face-to-face communication, including appearance, impact, body language Realising the importance of succinct and accurate records of one-to-one oral communication Reasons for maintaining records of one-to-one communication (e.g. potential disciplinary or legal issues) Module Three Managing Yourself Setting SMART objectives and using them to prioritise own actions Learning simple time management techniques Developing an awareness of own skills and abilities Giving yourself personal objectives in relation to team objectives Developing flexibility and responding to daily changing circumstances Diagnosing the causes and impacts of stress at work Identifying symptoms of stress in yourself Knowing the implications of stress for workplace and non-work activities/relationships Developing simple stress management techniques Available sources of support Action planning and review techniques Accreditation As with all ILM accredited programmes, participants will need to complete the post-programme activity in order to achieve their full ILM Level 2 Award in Team Leading. This element is designed to show to ILM that you are able to apply what you have learned in the workplace. Who Is It For? This programme is ideal for practising or aspiring team leaders, in any industry sector, who is looking to gain a solid foundation or develop their existing skills as a team leader. This internationally recognised course will give you a solid understanding of what is needed to be a successful team leader, how to delegate, motivate and how to implement these skills in to your work place. What Will I Learn? At the end of the course, successful candidates will: Have a good understanding of the team leader role Apply a range of effective communication skills to overcome barriers Know how to motivate, build confidence and gain the best from their teams Identify, build and encourage effective team behaviours Apply practical skills and knowledge to be transferred to the workplace Gain an internationally recognised qualification What Is Required? There are no formal entry requirements, but participants will normally be either practising or aspiring team leaders, with the opportunity to meet the assessment demands and have a background that will enable them to benefit from the programme. Scheduled Courses Unfortunately this course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. For more information about running this course in-house at your premises, please contact us for more information.
Learn how to use this powerful tool to import and clean data and create some amazing visuals. Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) Power BI Desktop is a powerful tool for working with your data. It enables you to import multiple data sources and create effective visualisations and reports. This course is an introduction to Power BI to get you started on creating a powerful reporting capability. You should have a good working knowledge of Excel and managing data before attending. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Import data from multiple data sources Edit and transform data before importing Create reports Create different visualisations Create data models Build data relationships Use the drill down features Create measures Use the Power BI Service Build dashboards Use the mobile app Content Essentials Importing Data Power BI Overview Data sources Importing data Transforming Your Data Editing your data Setting data types Removing columns/rows Choosing columns to keep Setting header rows Splitting columns Creating Reports Creating and saving reports Adding pages Renaming pages Interactivity Refreshing your data Adding Columns Columns from example Custom columns Conditional columns Append Queries Importing folders Setting up and using append queries Creating Chart Visualisations Adding chart elements Choosing chart types Setting properties Setting values, axis and legends Using tooltips Visual filters Setting page and report filters Creating Tables, Cards, Gauges and Maps Adding table elements Adding maps Working with cards Working with matrices KPIs and Gauges Conditional Formatting Setting rules Removing conditional formatting Working with Data Models Merge Queries Setting up and using merge queries Merging in columns of data Creating a Data Model The data model Multiple data tables Connecting tables Building relationships Relationship types Building visuals from multiple tables Unpivoting Data Working with summary data Unpivoting data Using Hierarchies Using built in hierarchies Drill down Drill up See next level Expand a hierarchy Create a new hierarchy Grouping Grouping text fields Grouping date and number fields Creating Measures DAX functions DAX syntax Creating a new measure Using quick measures Using the PowerBI Service Shared workspaces My workspace Dashboards Reports Datasets Drill down in dashboards Focus mode Using Q&A Refreshing data Using Quick Insights Power BI Mobile App Using the Power BI Mobile App
Managing Benefits™ Foundation: Virtual In-House Training The APMG International Managing Benefits and Swirl Device logo is a trademark of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved. Benefits are not simply just one aspect of project and programme management (PPM) - rather, they are the rationale for the investment of taxpayers' and shareholders' funds in change initiatives. Managing Benefits is designed to complement existing best practices in portfolio, programme and project management (such as PRINCE2®, MSP®, P3O® & MoP®), and consolidates existing guidance while expanding on the specific practices and techniques aimed at optimizing benefits realization. The purpose of the Managing Benefits guidance and certification scheme is to provide you with generally applicable guidance encompassing benefits management principles, practices, and techniques, and to prepare you to take and pass the Foundation exam on the last day. Managing Benefits provides: An overview of benefits management - what it is, the case for doing it, and some common misconceptions that can limit its effectiveness in practice Descriptions of the seven principles upon which successful approaches to benefits management are built, and examples of how they have been applied in practice Guidance on how to apply benefits management at a portfolio level, as well as at an individual project or programme level Details of the five practices in the Benefits Management Cycle and examples of how they have been applied in practice Advice on how to get started in implementing effective benefits management practices and sustain progress What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Define benefits, benefits management and related terms, and the objectives of benefits management Explain the principles upon which successful approaches to benefits management are based Define the practices contained within the Benefits Management Cycle and relevant techniques applicable to each practice Describe key elements of portfolio-based benefits management, as well as the scope of key roles and responsibilities for benefits management and the typical contents of the main benefits management documentation Identify barriers to effective benefits management and strategies to overcome them, including the key success characteristics of benefits management Improve your ability to pass the APMG Managing Benefits Foundation Certification exam Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Overview of Managing Benefits The Benefits Management Model Key Benefits Management Practices What is Benefits Management? Definitions Value and Value Management Why do we need benefits management? Objectives Benefits Management Principles Align benefits with strategy Start with the end in mind Utilize successful delivery methods Integrate benefits with performance management Manage benefits from a portfolio perspective Apply effective governance Develop a value culture The Benefits Management Cycle Barriers to effective and efficient benefits management and overcoming them Key success characteristics of effective benefits management Key roles, responsibilities, and documentation Benefits Management Practice 1 - Identify and Quantify Benefits Management Practice 2 - Value and Appraise Benefits Management Practice 3 - Plan Benefits Management Practice 4 - Realize Benefits Management Practice 5 - Review Portfolio-based Benefits Management Implementing and Sustaining Progress APMG Managing Benefits Foundation Exam
Key Objectives for the Training provision Effective listening to a client's needs and requirements during various stages of the sales process. Engage in meaningful communication with clients, learn to identify challenges and opportunities that relate to the prospects. Overcome the identified challenge. Build long term rapport and establish trust with the prospect throughout the sales process, Ensure continued customer satisfaction that can turn into repeat business. Be able to build rapport with customers or clients. Know the right questions to ask to fully understand the customer or client’s needs without putting on any pressure. Be able to check you have the right information from the customer or client. Be able to match products and services to the customer or client using the information you have gathered. Be able to influence effectively. Know how to stand out from your competitors. Stage 1 – Research the Company’s ‘Value Propositions’ and USP Analysis Conducting 30 min confidential interviews with a cross-section of the eligible Attendees & the Stakeholders, in order to gain an objective understanding of the various scenarios and clients that the Participants work with. the Company’s ‘Value Propositions’ Unique Selling Points The Customers’ journey(s) The Competition’s offers for analysis and comparisons. From these findings, a carefully calibrated bespoke Programme will be designed and delivered. Stage 2 - Design the Bespoke 2 x day Course nd Stage 3 - Delivery of the Course Programme This Programme can be delivered in 2 x consecutive days, or split between 2 – 3 weeks, to make it more ‘work-friendly’ – if required. It is very practical and commercially focussed in approach, with lots of interactive exercises designed to draw out the learning applications via the debriefings. The ‘Real Play’ scenarios on day 2 will be based on specific case studies drawn from the Research findings so that they are authentic to optimise the learning. Individual Action Plans will be captured at the end of each day to be debriefed by the Participants’ respective Line Managers. Template Programme Day One – Foundation – Strategic Approach Section One – The Principles of Consultative Selling Defining ‘Consultative Selling’ The Company’s ‘Unique Selling Points’ & Value Proposition The Consultative Selling model – the five stages Avoiding appearing ‘pushy’, ‘pressurising’ or ‘talking through the sale’ Section Two –Strategy & Preparation ‘Buy-Class’ Matrix Strategic plan Template – matching services/products to identified needs & opportunities. Preparing a range of objectives Constants and variables – USP’s Researching key Client/Decision Makers’ priorities, profile & background (LinkedIn etc.) Preparing for potential & likely Objections Section Three – Email etiquette & ‘influencing’ email correspondence. Email etiquette A.B.S.U.R.D model Clarity and tone – discovery of clients’ needs & motivational factors. Techniques to influence and ‘nudge’. Ensuring the data and content have a ‘gentle’ motivational & appealing message. Top Tips Day Two – Practical Application Section Four – Rapport Building & Effective Communication skills ‘Behaviour Labelling’ techniques – setting a positive tone. Asking Open Questions – gaining a full understanding of the clients’ priorities & expectations. EQ - Inviting opinions; perspectives; experiences – winning confidence. Active Listening – focus and commitment to understand. ‘Reading the room’ – adapting to responses and reactions. Maintaining focus on relevant topics that the Client cares about; carefully consider the opportunities to influence. But NO PRESSURE! Building a ‘bond of trust’ with commitments and authentic, shared values. Section Five – Explaining the Benefits – aligned to the Customers’ Priorities Understanding ‘Why do People Buy?’ Research data analysis. Open questions that lead to understanding the key issues and Clients’ priorities. Avoiding the danger of ‘pressurising’ the Client. Responding to objections effectively, with confidence and sensitivity. Explaining the benefits that are aligned to the Clients’ stated requirements. Making the Data ‘sing’ – memorable takeaways for the Client. Augmented benefits – Brand confidence; Case studies; Warranty; Service; Range; Flexibility etc. in alignment with their stated preferences/requirements Differentials compared to Competitors Section Six – Winning Commitment Inviting commitment – with confidence Consultative Selling Closing techniques (e.g. Alternative Close/Assumptive Close et al) Avoiding ‘talking through the sale’ – knowing when to ‘Shut UP!’ Confirming agreement – ensuring Clients’ motivation for repeat business Section Seven – Practical Application ‘Real Play’ From the Research findings, carefully devised scenarios can be generated to provide the most valuable learning opportunities to underpin all the skills & techniques covered in the Programme. Potential Real Play scenarios: A well-established customer has indicated that they are soon to be opening up additional new offices – this presents an opportunity to arrange for the Company to support them with their upcoming needs. After some very positive feedback and with the upcoming contract renewal imminent – how can the Company give the Customer more high-quality support in other areas of their business? A Competitor has been to see the client and they have prompted some concerns about ‘value for money’ & ‘quality of service’. How Real Play works… The group is split the group into 2 sub-groups, one with our Professional Actor (option available); the other with the Trainer or a willing Participant. Each group has a brief and has to instruct their Trainer/Actor/Participant on how to approach the scenario supplied. The Actor and Trainer (or willing Participant) perform the role play(s) as instructed by their respective teams; however, during the action they can be paused for further recommendations or direction. The outcome is the responsibility of the team(s) – not the performers. Debrief the full Programme Individual Action Plans - to be followed through. ‘Best Practices’ for application into the business Options for Exercises within the Programme Sample Exercise – Red & White There is a specific time managed agenda and itinerary, which puts the group under pressure. The key challenge is for the sub-groups to maximise the commercial value from the task, however there is always a great danger that the individuals attempt to gain financial progress at the expense of the other group! Debriefing points: Persuasive communication and influence across barriers Gaining buy-in when others are sceptical Strategic planning accounting for others’ behaviours Sample Exercise – Communication Challenge Each Participant has different pieces of information, but are not allowed to share it visually. They are only allowed to communicate to work out the solution hidden among the large amount of data. Debrief: Structured approach Maintaining focus through distractions/interference Active Listening Controlled communication Sample Exercise – Persuasive emails Sample emails are shared to be critiqued and improved upon to be debriefed: Tone & impact Making the Data ‘sing’ Influential & motivational language Customer centric message. Sample Exercise –Juggling Each Participant has to pass the ‘Customers’ (Juggling balls) carefully through the system with all the other Participants to reach a profitable conclusion Debrief: EQ to read the room and effectively communicate, when the pressure is on Customer focus and adapting to challenges Devising a plan that wins buy-in Overcoming competing ideas to get to ‘best practice’ Consistent commitment, communication and motivational drivers that influenced performance. Sample Exercise –Critical Path The group are provided with 30 x discs and some ‘post-it’ notes. (no pens or pencils are allowed) Their brief is to create a grid shape with the 30 x discs, which will act as ‘stepping stones’ for the ‘Critical Path’ But they have to follow the correct order through the grid from the start to finish, which they will have to work out through ‘trial & error’ All of the team must pass through the ‘Critical Path’ worked out on the grid, observing the constraints, within the time limit. No talking is permitted once they start using the materials Debrief: - Clear communication focussing on the ‘client’s journey’ Planning for challenges Identifying risks and mitigating them Role allocations & support Quality control and disciplines Sample Exercise –Back to Back Each Participant is positioned back-to-back with a partner. They have to work out precisely what the ‘statement’ given to the other person is without looking around. Each person has a different brief. Debrief: - Asking Open Questions Active Listening Accuracy in identifying the objective.
Better Business Cases™ Foundation and Practitioner 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