372 Professional Development courses in Luton

Overview This one day Building Better Work Habits training course has been developed for everyone in your organisation who may struggle with their own personal effectiveness. They may not have control of their own workload or blame others as to why they’re not achieving certain tasks and projects. Alternatively, it might be that high performers want to understand how they can organise themselves in a new way to give themselves more stretch in their roles. The training course will help the learners build self-awareness and will highlight the important parts of working smarter to achieve end goals. Description We are all busy, and sometimes it seems we do not have enough hours in the day to complete deadlines and projects. It can then eat into our home life, meaning we often end up stressed, or in worst-case scenarios, unwell (both physically and mentally). The reason behind this is often how we work day to day, as opposed to others giving us work at the last minute. These training course materials have been designed to help your participants work more effectively for the long term. This isn’t about how to manage a diary or emails, but rather look closely to see what are the blockers which get in the way of success. These small changes in day to day work will have a dramatic impact in both productivity and personal effectiveness. Topics covered: Productivity: the science bit – A chance to explore what we mean by being productive and how that helps us build better work habits, as well as the opportunity to look at some of the science behind myths and bad habits we’ve probably already formed. Includes a link to a YouTube video. Procrastination, why put off to tomorrow what we can do today! – Participants will explore what we procrastinate about, how we procrastinate in our own lives, and what we can do about it! Eat That Frog – An introduction to Brian Tracy’s book “Eat that frog” and how it can help us improve our working habits. Includes a link to a YouTube video. Eat That Frog: Thinking on Paper – A chance to put into practice some of Brian Tracy’s methods and how to use them in our real lives Eat That Frog: Rocks, Pebbles and Sand – Taking our goal setting further, we explore Covey’s methodology around prioritising our tasks. Eat That Frog: The Pareto Principle – The final part of the “Eat that Frog” section looks at how effective we in terms of how we spend our day Prioritising: how do we spend our day? – Participants explore how proactive they are, and what the danger might be in letting a situation rule their time Prioritising: The Priority Matrix – Taking the Rock, Pebbles and Sand methodology further, participants explore what truly is urgent and what is important in our day to day Prioritising: Company Performance Tensions – We may know what our own personal objectives are, however, our business objectives have certain tensions that could impact these. How can we balance these two different objectives to ensure we’re successful day to day? What’s my mindset? – Sometimes we can get in the way of our own successes and plans due to our mindset; utilising Carol Dweck’s work, it is a chance to reflect on our own mindsets when we’re building new work habits. Includes a link to a YouTube video. What’s my mindset? Energy Cycles – Our energy can impact our mindset and how productive we are. A chance to look at what gives us energy, and how we can work more effectively depending on where our energy levels might be Who should attend Anyone interested in understanding in being more effective at work. Requirements for Attendees None.

Overview Appreciative Inquiry is a form of action research that collects people’s stories of best practices. We can use these best practices as a way to initiate organisational change. This course will guide attendees through the process of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and give them the techniques to succeed in using the AI system. This course will benefit anyone that leads change and wants to create positive dialogue that leads to improvements within their organisation. Description David Cooperrider, Suresh Srivastva, and their colleagues at Case Western Reserve University developed AI in the 1980s. According to them, the aim of Appreciative Inquiry is to help the organisation in: Envisioning a collectively desired future Realising that vision in ways that successfully translate intention into reality and beliefs into practices The AI approach can be applied in almost all groups of people and once the process starts, the change is put in motion. The appreciative approach works in individual conversations among colleagues, managers and employees. AI consultants around the world are increasingly using an appreciative approach to bring about collaborative and strengths-based change. This course will provide attendees with the means to effectively develop the skills of managers for the benefit of their organisation. They will be taken through the full process of appreciative inquiry; developing a wide understanding of the tools and techniques required to effectively improve communication and affect change. What can Appreciative Inquiry achieve? Well, just imagine you were better able to: Solve problems within an organisation in a positive and forward-thinking way. Be more curious and excited about the challenges faced within the business. Ask unconditional, positive questions to strengthen the organisations capacity to increase potential. Approach change in an affirmative mindset. Use questions to create movement and change within the company. Simply apply core communication skills, for overall organisational success Topics covered: What is Appreciative Inquiry? – A review of the subject with an activity that helps embed understanding and a case study that explains the process in action. Benefits of Appreciative Inquiry to the Organisation – Establishing how AI can aid and improve the way an organisation works and how people communicate within it. Exploring how specific organisational issues can be viewed positively. Appreciative Inquiry Questions – Understanding how questions can be used to identify positive organisational improvements and refocus our approach to business issues. Appreciative Inquiry Interviews – A set process for performing AI interviews and framing consultations to get the best out of those involved. A chance to practice the given approach and hone personal skills. The 4D Model – An overview of the AI 4D Model (Discovery, Dream, Design, Destiny) and how it is applied. The 4D Model: Topic – Demonstrating how selecting the topic is the beginning of the 4D model process. Choosing the participants own topic to work on throughout the training. The 4D Model: Discovery – Showing how positive discussions are kick-started at this stage and taking a chance to look at, ‘the best there is and what has been’. The 4D Model: Dream – ‘Thinking big and beyond what they have in the past’. Creating an amazing and positive vision for the future. The 4D Model: Design – Laying the foundation with a design of the vision, principles, and set of propositions that describe the ideal end state. Defining the desired state by creating a hierarchy and blueprint for success. The 4D Model: Destiny – Defining clear actions that will help the organisation and individuals achieve what they have set out to. The output is the self-reinforcing nature of using positive and affirmative inquiry to improve the business. The 4D Model: Summary Task – Review of learning and knowledge check. The Change Process – Exploring Dr. Kotter’s 8-step change process and how it can support the AI approach. Rooms of Change – Understanding feelings and attitudes to change, using this interesting and memorable model. Using an activity to help participants consider their own ‘change position’ and what this might mean for them. Strategies for Managing Change – A simple set of skills to help overcome the challenges faced by people trying to implement change. Applying these strategies to the 4D Model and Appreciative Inquiry. Recall Quiz – A chance to review learning in an engaging way. Summary – Developing actions and key points to take away. Who should attend Managers who want to learn about and practice the Appreciative Inquiry approach to drive positive changes. Requirements for Attendees None.

Overview Account Management is an important role within any organisation. Account Managers are responsible for nurturing customer relationships and increasing sales with their organisation’s key customers. The Account Manager will usually act as a first point of contact for clients; responding to complaints, purchases, project requests and any general queries. Their approach should help maintain client relationships in order to ensure that they continue to use the company for business. This one day course can help them learn the key skills they need. Description Build a strong account management team that are able to effectively manage customer relationships and drive sales The role of account manager is both important and demanding. The account manager acts as the ‘face’ of the business and should professionally represent the business by creating a strategy for success and delivering a high level of customer service. Account managers need to be effective communicators, needing to both engage with the client and also develop internal relationships to ensure promises are delivered upon. Another key responsibility of the account manager is to identify business opportunities and help drive business results for their company. Account Management can be a very challenging role depending on the number of clients, the range of industries the clients represent, and the nature and attitude of the client. The main focus of the role is to provide continual client service to clients, this may include quarterly or annual business reviews, additions to the account in terms of extra services supplied plus face-to-face and online meetings, on a regular basis. The Account Manager will also be responsible for delivering high levels of client service to ensure that clients do not leave and will need to create a strategy around this. This strategy will depend on the type of client in terms of size of the business commitment, Key Performance Indicators plus contractual agreements which may dictate the framework for the relationship. Building a personal relationship as well as a business one is key to becoming an effective Account Manager. After all, “It is easier to fire a business associate or employee than it is to fire a friend”. Why should people attend this training course? Well, just imagine if your employees were better able to: Build effective business relationships with clients and help drive sales performance. Add value to clients and help ensure their requirements are met or exceeded. Measure the performance of their key accounts and adapt their approach accordingly. Understand the key attributes required for success and work on developing them. Set a strategy for sales success and create action plans for pre-defined goals. Monitor and measure their own performance and set their own targets. Ultimately, this training course will help employees to focus on what is required to succeed in the role of account manager, building a strategy with clear actions and helping the organisation to business success. Who is this course for? This Account Management training course is for anyone that works in an account management role or relevant sales function and will assist the participants in improving their working practices, developing customer relationships and in turn increasing business performance and sales success. Requirements for Attendance Prior sales experience is recommended, but an awareness of the sales process as a minimum will suffice.

The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Decorative Finishing & Industrial Painting is appropriate for individuals aged 16 and over working in the construction sector who specialise in painting and decorating activity and are looking to become eligible for the Blue CSCS Card. The aim of this qualification is to recognise the knowledge, skills and competence of individuals who specialise in painting and decorating activity. Upon completion of the qualification, you will be awarded the NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Decorative Finishing & Industrial Painting. CSCS Cards We can provide CSCS tests and CSCS Cards alongside the qualifications without the need to attend the test centre. Speak with our friendly and helpful team for more information.

Presentation Skills 101 is a course designed for those who want to improve their public speaking skills by learning basic skills of persuasion and developing more confidence, credibility and composure when presenting.

Overview This one day course is designed for anyone that deals with telephone sales in either an inbound or outbound call environment. Description The telephone has become a critical tool in obtaining sales in today’s competitive market, and yet it is often an area we pay little attention to, and consequently it becomes a negative aspect of our business rather than the highly positive one it can be. This course sets out to enable the attendees to sell effectively over the phone. The tools that are covered will help generate sales and whether they take inbound or receive outbound calls they will find that if they apply the techniques in this session, their success rate will increase immensely. Topics covered: Advantages and Disadvantages – A look at how the phone can work for and against us in a sales environment. An Introduction to Selling on the Telephone – Understanding the key points that encourage a customer to purchase from us. Structuring and the Sales Process – Defining a set process for structuring a sales call with a chance to demonstrate understanding. Why People Buy – A look at the reasoning behind people’s purchasing decisions. How People Buy – An insight into the emotional factors behind how people arrive at purchasing decisions. Turning Inbound Calls into Sales – Gauging the level of interest of a caller in order to establish the likelihood of a sale. Making Effective Outbound Calls – A set process of ensuring you gain the best advantage with this type of call. Getting Past the Gatekeeper – Understanding the role of the gatekeeper and developing methods of dealing with them in order to speak to the decision maker. Using scripts and techniques that are proven and effective. Sounds Interesting? – Studying three key communication factors when projecting the voice over the phone. Including a chance to review how the participant’s voice comes across over the phone. Methods of Improving the Way You Sound – 10 key tips on vocal improvement. Telephone Questioning Techniques – Giving the delegates the chance to fully understand the different questioning techniques that can be used during a sales call. Features and Benefits – How to practically apply them in a sales scenario. Logical and Emotional Purchasing – A further look at the reasons we buy. Overcoming Objections – Practical use of a set process and ways to apply it in the workplace. Closing the Sale – Clear methodology with a chance to practice the skills in a fun way. Post-course Assignment – A method of carrying the learning into the workplace and ensure continual review. Who should attend the course? Anyone who handles inbound or outbound sales calls over the telephone. Requirements for Attendance No prerequisites required.

The one day National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Proficiency Award will re-qualify the learner with the knowledge and skills required in order to provide professional patrolling and water services, in surf conditions, with rescue skills and advanced fitness requirements. Aspects of the course are physically demanding and will include running, swimming to set times and some lifting. The Award is comprised of a variety of units and all must be successfully passed to attain the qualification. There is a minimum of 20 hours learning required for this course is. As this is not achievable within the one day period it is prior learning and continual professional development will be assessed before being able to sign on to the course. As well as this CPD a certain amount of pre course learning will need to take place before the course commences.

Self-evaluation - find out how you can get it right.

How purposeful, high quality feedback can be used effectively to drive progress.

When used effectively, questioning is a useful teaching and learning strategy. During this workshop we will discuss how questioning can be used effectively to assess, challenge and stretch pupils progress.