862 Professional Skills Course (PSC) courses in Cardiff delivered Live Online

The 'golden rule' of negotiation is simple - don't! But life's rarely that simple and very often we do have to negotiate, particularly if we want to win the business and especially if we want to win it on our terms. Such negotiations are crucial. We need to prepare for them. We need a strategy, and the skills to execute it. Does your team have a structured approach? Is it flawlessly executed, every time? Or is there room for improvement? This programme will help them master the six fundamentals of closing better business: Manage all these elements well and you will win more business, more profitably. This course will help participants: Negotiate from a position of partnership, not competition Deal more effectively and profitably with price objections Identify and practise successful sales negotiating skills Identify strengths and weaknesses as a sales negotiator Understand different types of buyer behaviour Learn to recognise negotiating tactics and stances Apply a new and proven structure to their business negotiations Identify and adapt for different behavioural styles Be alert to unconscious (non-verbal) communication Prepare and present a proposal at a final business negotiation stage Project confidence and exercise assertiveness in all sales negotiations 1 Planning for successful business negotiations This session introduces the concept of business negotiation and looks at its importance in the context of the participants' roles and activities. It briefly examines why we negotiate and the dynamics involved. Session highlights: What kind of a negotiator are you? Negotiation skills self-assessment and best practice How to establish roles and responsibilities for both parties How to identify and set objectives for both buyer and seller How to research and establish the other person's position (business negotiation stance) 2 How to structure your negotiations This module presents an eight-step framework or structure for use in negotiations and considers how best to prepare and plan your negotiations within the context of a supplier/customer relationship or business cycle. It also includes a brief review of legal responsibilities and what constitutes a 'deal'. Session highlights: Learn and apply a formal structure to use when negotiating How to establish short- and longer-term objectives and opportunities How best to plan, prepare and co-ordinate a major business negotiation meeting, or on-going negotiations Understanding of basic legal and organisational requirements 3 Verbal negotiation skills This session examines the human and communication dynamics inherent in any negotiation situation. It emphasises the importance of professional skills in preparing for a negotiation by identifying needs, wants and requirements accurately and by qualifying the competitive and organisational influences present. Session highlights: How to fully 'qualify' the other party's needs, requirements and constraints during the negotiation process by using advanced questioning and listening skills How to pre-empt negotiation objections by promoting and gaining commitment to options, benefits, value and solutions How best to propose and suggest ideas, using drawing-out skills 4 Non-verbal negotiation skills This module highlights how different personal styles, corporate cultures and organisation positions can influence events, and demonstrates practical methods for dealing with and controlling these factors. It also examines key principles of body language and non-verbal communication in a practical way. Session highlights: Gaining rapport and influencing unconsciously Understanding the importance of non-verbal communication; reading other people's meaning and communicating effectively as a result Ensure that non-verbal behaviour is fully utilised and observed to create maximum impact and monitor progress (eg, buying signals) Recognising that business negotiations are precisely structured and agreements gained incrementally 5 Proposing and 'packaging' This session highlights how best to present and package your proposal. It looks at how to pre-empt the need for negotiating by creating minor-options and 'bargaining' points, as well as how to manage the expectations and perceptions of the customer or buyer. Session highlights: How to identify the key variables that can be negotiated The power and use of 'authority' within your negotiations How to structure and present your proposal, ideas or quotation to best effect The importance of when and how to identify and influence buyer's objections 6 Dealing with price This module highlights how to best present and package price within your proposal or negotiation. In most cases, price has more to do with psychology than affordability and preparation and careful handling are essential. Session highlights: The three reasons that people will pay your asking price How to set price in a competitive market The key differences between selling and negotiating Ten ways to present price more effectively and persuasively 7 Getting to 'Yes': tactics and strategies There are many different tactics and strategies common to successful negotiators. This session looks at those that are most appropriate to the participants' own personal styles and situations. The importance of 'follow-through' is also explained and how to deal with protracted or 'stale-mate' business negotiations. Session highlights: How to negotiate price and reduce discounting early in the process How to recognise negotiating tactics and strategies in your customer or supplier Key strategies, techniques and tactics to use in negotiation The importance of follow-through and watching the details How to deal with stalled business negotiations or competitor 'lock-out' 8 Case studies and review This session examines a number of different situations and participants discuss ways to approach each. This will allow learning to be consolidated and applied in a very practical way. There will also be a chance to have individual points raised in a question and answer session. Session highlights: Case studies Question and answer Planning worksheet Negotiation 'toolkit' and check-list 9 Personal action plans Session highlights: Identify the most important personal learning points from the programme Highlight specific actions and goals Flag topics for future personal development and improvement

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for This course benefits individuals responsible for implementing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Layer 3 components of a service provider's network. Overview Describe the various OSPF link-state advertisement (LSA) types. Explain the flooding of LSAs in an OSPF network. Describe the shortest-path-first (SPF) algorithm. List key differences between OSPFv2 and OSPFv3. Describe OSPF area types and operations. Configure various OSPF area types. Summarize and restrict routes. Identify some scenarios in a service provider network that can be solved using routing policy or specific configuration options. Use routing policy and specific configuration options to implement solutions for various scenarios. Describe how to troubleshoot OSPF. Explain the concepts and operation of IS-IS. Describe various IS-IS link-state protocol data unit (LSP) types. List IS-IS adjacency rules and troubleshoot common adjacency issues. Configure and monitor IS-IS. Display and interpret the link-state database (LSDB). Perform advanced IS-IS configuration options. Implement IS-IS routing policy. Explain the default operation in multiarea IS-IS. Describe IS-IS address summarization methods. Configure and monitor a multiarea IS-IS network. Describe how to troubleshoot IS-IS. Describe basic BGP operation. List common BGP attributes. Explain the route selection process for BGP. Describe how to alter the route selection process. Configure some advanced options for BGP peers. Describe various BGP attributes in detail and explain the operation of those attributes. Manipulate BGP attributes using routing policy. Explain the causes for route instability. Describe the effect of damping on BGP routing. Explain the default behavior of damping on links. Control damping using routing policy. View damped routes using command-line interface (CLI) commands. Describe the operation of BGP route reflection. Configure a route reflector. Describe the operation of a BGP confederation. Configure confederations. Describe peering relationships in a confederation. Describe how to troubleshoot BGP. Describe how to troubleshoot routing policy. This five-day course is designed to provide students with detailed coverage of OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, and routing policy. Course Outline Course Introduction OSPF OSPFv2 Review Link-State Advertisements Protocol Operations OSPF Authentication OSPF Areas Review of OSPF Areas Stub Area Operation Stub Area Configuration NSSA Operation NSSA Configuration Route Summarization OSPF Case Studies and Solutions Virtual Links OSPF Multiarea Adjacencies External Reachability Troubleshooting OSPF Troubleshooting OSPF IS-IS Overview of IS-IS IS-IS PDUs Neighbors and Adjacencies Configuring and Monitoring IS-IS Advanced IS-IS Operations and Configuration Options IS-IS Operations IS-IS Configuration Options IS-IS Routing Policy Multilevel IS-IS Networks Level 1 and Level 2 Operations Multilevel Configuration Troubleshooting IS-IS Troubleshooting IS-IS BGP Review of BGP BGP Operations BGP Path Selection Options Configuration Options BGP Attributes and Policy?Part 1 BGP Policy Next Hop Origin and MED AS Path BGP Attributes and Policy?Part 2 Local Preference Communities Route Reflection and Confederations Route Reflection Operation Configuration and Routing Knowledge BGP Confederations BGP Route Damping Route Flap and Damping Overview Route Damping Parameters Configuring and Monitoring Route Damping Troubleshooting BGP Troubleshooting BGP Troubleshooting Policy Troubleshooting Policy

Theoretical and practical media interview skills training conducted online through home study and zoom based roleplay exercises.

This very practical one-day programme provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to be an effective member of the procurement team and to enable them to procure a wide range of resources for the organisation, in a compliant and cost-effective manner. It also empowers them to be able to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Understand the basic concepts of good procurement practice Apply a range of tools and techniques for developing scopes of work and specifications Apply various methods to select and evaluate suppliers Develop robust contract award strategies Appreciate the commercial importance of effective procurement and opportunities to reduce cost and add value Develop appropriate procurement strategies depending on risk and value Appreciate the legal aspects of procurement 1 Welcome Introductions Aims and objectives Plan for the day 2 The basics of procurement The concept of total cost of ownership v price The procurement cycle The roles of the customer and the contractor Impact upon profit 3 Specification process Importance of effective specifications Specification development process Types of specification Team approach Use of performance specifications Early supplier involvement (ESI) / early contractor involvement (ECI) 4 Quality Concepts and practices Defining 'fit for purpose' Conformance to requirements Compliance to standards Role of the supplier Quality assurance tools and techniques 5 Procurement methods RFP RFQ ITT Negotiated procurement Strategic partnerships Outsourcing 6 Tendering How to undertake a formal tendering process Business case to award Critical stages in the process Risks and benefits 7 Tender evaluation How to undertake a quotation analysis Tools of analysis Use of VFM models Role of the customer Comparisons around cost, quality, and delivery 8 Supplier selection and evaluation Developing critical selection criteria Using the 10Cs model Importance of effective selection process Weighting systems Importance of validity and evidence 9 Capital equipment procurement Life cycle cost issues Payback calculations Compatibility issues Maintenance and training issues After-sales support 10 Supplier relationships Corporate social responsibility issues Communication 360 feed-back Open and ethical Initial understanding Clear and fair terms and conditions 11 Close Review of key learning points Personal action planning

Duration 1 Days 6 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for anyone who wants to develop a toolbox of personal stress management skills. Overview Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify the best approach to handle a stressful situation; understand what lifestyle elements, routines and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress. In this course, students will apply a three-option method to address any stressful situation. Module One: Getting Started Workshop Objectives Pre-Assignment Pre-Test Action Plan Form Evaluation Form Module Two: Understanding Stress What is Stress? What is Eustress? Understanding the Triple ?A? Approach Practical Illustration Module Two Review Questions Module Three: Creating a Stress-Reducing Lifestyle Eating Properly Exercising Regularly Sleeping Well Practical Illustration Module Three Review Questions Module Four: Altering the Situation The First A Identifying Appropriate Situations Creating Effective Actions Practical Illustration Module Four Review Questions Module Five: Avoiding the Situation The Second A Identifying Appropriate Situations Creating Effective Actions Practical Illustration Module Five Review Questions Module Six: Accepting the Situation The Third A Identifying Appropriate Situations Creating Effective Actions Practical Illustration Module Six Review Questions Module Seven: Using Routines to Reduce Stress Planning Meals Organizing Chores Using a To-Do List Practical Illustration Module Seven: Review Questions Module Eight: Environmental Relaxation Techniques Finding a Sanctuary Using Music Seeing the Humor Practical Illustration Module Eight: Review Questions Module Nine: Physical Relaxation Techniques Soothing Stretches Deep Breathing Tensing and Relaxing1 Meditation1 Practical Illustration Module Nine: Review Questions Module Ten: Coping with Major Events Establishing a Support System Creating a Plan Knowing When to Seek Help Practical Illustration Module Ten: Review Questions Module Eleven: Our Challenge to You Creating a Stress Log Week One: Recording Events1 Week Two: Identifying Stressors and Creating a Plan1 Week Three: Creating New Habits Reviewing and Evaluating Practical Illustration Module Eleven: Review Questions Module Twelve: Wrapping Up Words from the Wise Lessons Learned

Duration 1 Days 6 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is for anyone who finds themselves needing to improve their negotiating skills in the workplace. Overview Develop the skills necessary for successful negotiation. Identify key negotiation concepts and strategies. Learn the key elements in preparing for negotiation to help ensure success. Develop a BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) before starting negotiation. Identify what we bring to the negotiation table that could get in the way of successful negotiation. Generate options to getting to a shared agreement Prepare for and practice negotiating in a safe environment Being able to negotiate well is critical for any project professional. You need to clarify what you hope to gain from negotiating, as well as understand the other side?s objectives to reach a mutually beneficial result. This course provides essential tips on how to prepare for negotiation, including managing emotions and understanding what all parties contribute to the process. You will also learn the difference between positions and interests and how to bargain to generate options to find the win-win. The course provides an opportunity to apply concepts taught to a real-life situation and to practice negotiating in a safe environment. Note: This course will earn you 7 PDUs. 1 - Negotiation Overview Negotiation defined Negotiation strategies 3 Negotiation approaches Negotiation Process 2 - Preparing your Negotiation Mindset Mental models Personal values Forms of power Managing emotions Identifying your personal hot buttons Cooling down techniques 3 - Prepare for Negotiation Determine if negotiation is your best path Determine negotiation goal Collect relevant information Identify your BATNA Identify your interests under your position Build an effective environment Prepare your opening statements 4 - Negotiation Tips to Remember Before you Begin Negotiating Present your opening statement Exchange information - identify interests Bargain and generate options for mutual gain Finalize agreement & conclude negotiation Overcoming negotiation challenges

Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is designed for existing Python programmers who have at least one year of Python experience and who want to expand their programming proficiency in Python 3. Overview In this course, you will expand your Python proficiencies. You will: Select an object-oriented programming approach for Python applications. Create object-oriented Python applications. Create a desktop application. Create data-driven applications. Create and secure web service-connected applications. Program Python for data science. Implement unit testing and exception handling. Package an application for distribution. Python© continues to be a popular programming language, perhaps owing to its easy learning curve, small code footprint, and versatility for business, web, and scientific uses. Python is useful for developing custom software tools, applications, web services, and cloud applications. In this course, you'll build upon your basic Python skills, learning more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming patterns, development of graphical user interfaces, data management, creating web service-connected apps, performing data science tasks, unit testing, and creating and installing packages and executable applications. Lesson 1: Selecting an Object-Oriented Programming Approach for Python Applications Topic A: Implement Object-Oriented Design Topic B: Leverage the Benefits of Object-Oriented Programming Lesson 2: Creating Object-Oriented Python Applications Topic A: Create a Class Topic B: Use Built-in Methods Topic C: Implement the Factory Design Pattern Lesson 3: Creating a Desktop Application Topic A: Design a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Topic B: Create Interactive Applications Lesson 4: Creating Data-Driven Applications Topic A: Connect to Data Topic B: Store, Update, and Delete Data in a Database Lesson 5: Creating and Securing a Web Service-Connected App Topic A: Select a Network Application Protocol Topic B: Create a RESTful Web Service Topic C: Create a Web Service Client Topic D: Secure Connected Applications Lesson 6: Programming Python for Data Science Topic A: Clean Data with Python Topic B: Visualize Data with Python Topic C: Perform Linear Regression with Machine Learning Lesson 7: Implementing Unit Testing and Exception Handling Topic A: Handle Exceptions Topic B: Write a Unit Test Topic C: Execute a Unit Test Lesson 8: Packaging an Application for Distribution Topic A: Create and Install a Package Topic B: Generate Alternative Distribution Files

Duration 4 Days 24 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for: Network administrators Network engineers with little or no programming or Python experience Network managers Systems engineers Overview After taking this course, you should be able to: Create a Python script Describe data types commonly used in Python coding Describe Python strings and their use cases Describe Python loops, conditionals, operators, and their purposes and use cases Describe Python classes, methods, functions, namespaces, and scopes Describe the options for Python data manipulation and storage Describe Python modules and packages, their uses, and their benefits Explain how to manipulate user input in Python Describe error and exception management in Python Describe Python code debugging methods The Programming for Network Engineers (PRNE) v2.0 course is designed to equip you with fundamental skills in Python programming. Through a combination of lectures and lab experience in simulated network environments, you will learn to use Python basics to create useful and practical scripts with Netmiko to retrieve data and configure network devices. Upon completion of this course, you should have a basic understanding of Python, including the knowledge to create, apply, and troubleshoot simple network automation scripts. Course Outline Introducing Programmability and Python for Network Engineers Scripting with Python Examining Python Data Types Manipulating Strings Describing Conditionals, Loops, and Operators Exploring Classes, Methods, Functions, Namespaces, and Scopes Exploring Data Storage Options Exploring Python Modules and Packages Gathering and Validating User Input Analyzing Exceptions and Error Management Examining Debugging Methods Course Summary

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for: Network administrators Network engineers with little or no programming or Python experience Network managers Systems engineers Overview After taking this course, you should be able to: Create a Python script Describe data types commonly used in Python coding Describe Python strings and their use cases Describe Python loops, conditionals, operators, and their purposes and use cases Describe Python classes, methods, functions, namespaces, and scopes Describe the options for Python data manipulation and storage Describe Python modules and packages, their uses, and their benefits Explain how to manipulate user input in Python Describe error and exception management in Python Describe Python code debugging methods The Programming for Network Engineers (PRNE) v2.0 course is designed to equip you with fundamental skills in Python programming. Through a combination of lectures and lab experience in simulated network environments, you will learn to use Python basics to create useful and practical scripts with Netmiko to retrieve data and configure network devices. Upon completion of this course, you should have a basic understanding of Python, including the knowledge to create, apply, and troubleshoot simple network automation scripts. Course outline Introducing Programmability and Python for Network Engineers Scripting with Python Examining Python Data Types Manipulating Strings Describing Conditionals, Loops, and Operators Exploring Classes, Methods, Functions, Namespaces, and Scopes Exploring Data Storage Options Exploring Python Modules and Packages Gathering and Validating User Input Analyzing Exceptions and Error Management Examining Debugging Methods Course Summary Lab outline Execute Your First Python Program Use the Python Interactive Shell Explore Foundation Python Data Types Explore Complex Python Data Types Use Standard String Operations Use Basic Pattern Matching Reformat MAC Addresses Use the if-else Construct Use for Loops Use while Loops Create and Use Functions Create and Use Classes Use the Python main() Construct Traverse the File Structure Read Data in Comma-Separated Values (CSV) Format Read, Store, and Retrieve Data in XML Format Read, Store, and Retrieve Date in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) Format Read, Store, and Retrieve Data in a Raw or Unstructured Format Import Modules from the Python Standard Library Import External Libraries Create a Python Module Prompt the User for Input Use Command-Line Arguments Manage Exceptions with the try-except Structure Manage Exceptions with the try-except-finally Structure Use Assertions Use Simple Debugging Methods Use the Python Debugger Code a Practical Debugging Script

Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This advanced course is designed for those individuals who are responsible for operating and managing the operation of an IBM i system. Overview Explain the concept of how LPAR works Explain the functions served by the HMC Explain how user versus resource security are implemented Explain the difference between group profiles and authorization lists Describe how adopted authority works Describe how work is managed on the system and the concepts of the performance tuning process on the system Explain how Management Central can be used to manage a single system or a network of System i servers Perform the steps to create a basic CL program using both the traditional (PDM and SEU) and the newer GUI (RSE and LPEX) application development tools Perform the steps to create a menu using SDA Provide some tips on how you can improve your operations This course is designed to enhance the skills of an IBM i System Operator. This course explains the concept of how LPAR works and discusses the functions provided by the HMC LPAR concepts and overview . Console options and HMC overview . IASP concepts and overview . Security concepts and overview . System values . User security (user and group profiles) . Resource security . Authorization lists and adopted authority . Management Central overview . Commands and tasks using Management Central . Inventory using Management Central . System values using Management Central . Other Management Central functions . Work management: Concepts and overview . Work management: Subsystem concepts and overview . Work management: Job processing concepts and interactive jobs . Work management: Job processing concepts of other job types . Work management: Submitting and tracking of batch jobs . Programming concepts . CL programming concepts . Using PDM and SEU to create a CL program . Starting and setting up RSE . Creating a CL program using RSE and LPEX Editor . Creating a menu using SDA . Tips for improved operation .