LOOKING FOR: MIDDLE GRADE, CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION, YA FICTION, YA NON-FICTION Prior to joining DKW in 2023, Camille worked at David Higham Associates as Agent’s Assistant to Jane Gregory and in the Children’s Translation Rights team. She has also worked in editorial for an academic publisher, in rights and marketing for an audiobook publisher and as an intern at Felicity Bryan Literary Agency. Camille loves engaging with narratives on a structural level in order to draw out their best qualities. Camille has an MSc in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University and an MA in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. She was Secretary of the Association of Authors’ Agents, as well as Co-Chair for the AAA’s Bridge Committee for early career agents and assistants, from late 2021 to early 2024. She also previously volunteered at the Story Museum in Oxford. Camille is looking to grow her list with a particular focus on middle grade, young adult and adult/crossover fiction, as well as non-fiction for all ages. Books that she has loved and that speak to her taste include Lockwood and Co by Jonathan Stroud (MG), I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson (YA), Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (crossover) and Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (adult). For more information, please visit Camille's page on the Diamond Kahn Woods Literary Agency website. Camille would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Camille is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Friday 13th June 2025
Unlock the power of effective negotiation. Gain essential skills to navigate complex deals, build lasting partnerships, and achieve optimal outcomes. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This course is designed for those who need to understand and be able to use essential negotiation skills to make them more effective in their role. Externally you maybe negotiating with suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities and other organisations. Internally you will be negotiating with stakeholders, colleagues, and team members which could be for resources, time, budget or facilities. Being able to negotiate agreements that are acceptable to all parties requires skill and is essential to maintain healthy, functional relationships. This will be a facilitated workshop designed to be flexible to achieve the desired outcome. We will achieve the objectives through a mixture of facilitated discussion, interactive exercises designed to give insight and facilitator input. During the day we will deal with the stages of a negotiation from preparation to closing. Individuals will get the opportunity to practice the skills needed to create win-win outcomes through a number of generic but realistic scenarios. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: State the principles of effective negotiation Prepare effectively for different types of negotiation Set negotiation objectives and identify what can be ‘traded’ Explain how assertiveness and influencing skills can affect outcomes Deploy appropriate strategies and tactics to achieve the best results Use different techniques to deal with difficult customers and difficult situations Content Influencing Seek first to understand, and then be understood The importance of understanding the other party’s position and how to do it The power of non-verbal communication Dealing with difficult customers and difficult situations whilst maintaining a positive relationship How to approach negotiations Identifying potential negotiations and preparing for potential outcomes Aiming for results which deliver win/win outcomes Developing a win/win mindset and behaviours Rights and responsibilities of negotiators Setting Negotiation Objectives Clarifying essential, desirable and ideal objectives Assessing the most favoured, realistic target and walk away positions The Negotiation Process The importance of preparation Creating an opening proposal Where to pitch the opening proposal Bargaining/Trading - Gaining Momentum Knowing your parameters – what can be traded? Choosing a strategy and tactics Dealing with questionable tactics and ploys Building rapport – the communication process Asking the right questions and active listening Being assertive, demanding your rights and ensuring you meet your responsibilities Closing Techniques Trial and actual closing techniques Signalling Summarising and documenting the agreement Follow up and implementation of the deal
Whether you have to chair a meeting, pitch a proposal or speak at a conference you need good communication and presentation skills. Addressing a group of people with assurance and confidence does not come naturally to everyone. Our presentation skills training courses will teach you how to conquer your fears and give a successful and memorable performance. We will tailor the training to your specific needs, from coaching before an important keynote or honing your pitch to improving your negotiation and influencing skills, or learning how to network effectively. A typical course can cover: Recognising the strengths of your own communication style Using the different elements of voice and body language effectively Conquering your nerves and use body language to your advantage Pitching presentations so they meet your audiences’ needs Structuring a presentation so the audience is engaged from start to finish Using visual aids Handling questions All our presentation skills training is bespoke, with options including one-to-one coaching, combined training and coaching programmes and group training courses. All these courses can be delivered virtually, as well as face to face. As many of the skills needed to give a good presentation are shared with media interviews, we frequently combine our presentation skills and media interview skills training. Venue We deliver courses in the most appropriate format for your circumstances – whether face to face or online. Face to face courses are portable: they can be held in purpose-built studios, at your own offices or at an external venue. In the latter two cases, we create a mock studio for the practical exercises. Online courses give you flexibility and enable you to offer training to delegates from all over the world. We have run virtual courses for people from the Far East, South Asia, North America and Europe, as well as the UK.
THE 9 STEPS TO SALES P.O.T.E.N.T.I.A.L - INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP It's time to take charge of your sales process. You need a framework that empowers you rather than binds you to their approach. THEIRS - Send me a propsal with you best ideas, processes and price and then I'll disappear. The 9 Steps is a tried and tested process that keeps you in control of the sales conversation and ensures you achieve clear and specific outcomes. I am running a one-hour interactive session, which will be followed 2 weeks later with a one-hour feedback session. Here, you can share your experiences using the process in an open forum and gain further insights.
Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours This course is intended for Executives, Project Managers, Business Analysts, Business and IT stakeholders working with analysts, Quality and process engineers, technicians, corrective action coordinators or managers; supervisors, team leaders, and process operators; anyone who wants to improve their ability to solve recurring problems. Overview At the completion of this course, you should be able to: Identify the different types of tools and techniques available Apply change management successfully Review what to look for when applying business case thinking to Root Cause Analysis Develop a process to systematically approach problems Business success is dependent on effective resolution of the problems that present themselves every day. Often the same or similar problems continue causing repeated losses in time or money and your staff become experts at fixing rather than preventing the problems. Learn to find and fix root causes and develop corrective actions that will effectively eliminate or control these problems. Section 1: RCA Foundation Concepts and Objectives Section Learning Objectives Discuss Definitions ? IT Perspective Discuss What is a problem and why do they exist? What is Root Cause? RCA Benefits and Approaches Event and Casual Analysis Event and Causal Analysis: Exercise 1c Worksheet RCA Tools for each approach Section Summary and Conclusions Section 2: Enhance use of RCA tools Why use a Particular Method Tool: Change Analysis Change Analysis Examples Tool: How to Resolve Conflict Tool: 5 Why?s Example Learning Management Problem Tool: Cause and Effect Tool: Fault Tree Analysis Why do we use Fault Tree Analysis? How does it work? Fault Tree Diagram Symbols Example #1 of FTA: Car Hits Object Tool: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Example: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Tool: Design / Application Review Section 3: Problem Resolution and Prevention Section Objectives The Secret of Solving Problems: -A Note about Statistical Control -A Note about Fire Fighting Technique: Business Process Mapping Example: IGOE Technique: Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC Lean Six Sigma Benefits Importance of Understanding the Business Process The Business Process Mandate Technique: Process Modeling Graphical Notation Standard (BPMN): -What is Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)? -Benefits of BPMN -Basic Components of BPMN Technique: Business Process Maturity Model Five Levels of Maturity Section 4: Capability Improvement for RCA Steps in Disciplined Problem Solving RCA as a RCA Process Key RCA Role Considerations Sustainable RCA Improvement Organizational Units Process Area Goals, Practices Specific and General Practices Specific Practice Examples Software Maturity Survey SWOT Analysis Worksheet Recognize the importance of the Change Management component in your RCA implementation Using the ADKAR Model to Communicate Change Review ADKAR© Model ? -Awareness of the need for change -Desire to participate and support the change -Knowledge on how to change -Ability to implement required skills and behaviors -Reinforcement to sustain the change The ADKAR Model: Reinforcement Section 5: Course Summary and Conclusions Plan the Proposal and Business Case Example: 1 Page Business Case Resource Guide Questions
Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours This course is intended for Executives, Project Managers, Business Analysts, Business and IT stakeholders working with analysts, Quality and process engineers, technicians, corrective action coordinators or managers; supervisors, team leaders, and process operators; anyone who wants to improve their ability to solve recurring problems. Overview Learn how to initiate a root cause analysis and gather data for investigating process and non-process incidentsDemonstrate how to collect data through interviews and analysisApply powerful techniques to identify and know the difference between symptoms and root causesLearn to know when to use the appropriate technique in root cause identification Learn how to avoid future incidents by developing appropriate recommendations to address causal factors and root causes Develop a process to identify systemic problem areas In this course, participants will learn to apply several practical, systematic methods for analyzing incidents and problems to uncover root causes. Understanding of these techniques will be reinforced by classroom exercises. Introduction & Objectives What is a 'Problem?' Why Problems Persist What is A Root Cause? Why Root Causes are important How to Organize for an RCA RCA Roles and Responsibilities Assemble your RCA Team Modes of Communication How to Resolve Conflict Case Study Exercise Select the Problem to Analyze Define the selection criteria Plan and estimate tasks for the team Finalize the plan and gain agreement among your stakeholders Case Study Exercise Define the Problem What to look for - Problem-as-Given (PAG) vs. Problem-as-Understood (PAU) Developing your problem statement Refining the problem specification Case Study Exercise Identify the Source of the Problem Discuss when to use the appropriate analysis technique to determine the problem source Process Diagram Forms & Checklists Statistical Sampling Fishbone Diagram Surveys Charts - Line, Scatter, Bar, & Pie Case Study Exercise Solution Options Analysis & Selecting the 'Best Fit' How to approach different solution options Brainstorming Weighted Evaluation Selecting the appropriate option Hold an Retrospective on your approach Planning the proposal Case Study Exercise Putting RCA into Practice Create a Root Cause Analysis program within your organization How to develop appropriate recommendations to address root causes at various levels to avoid future incidents Additional course details: Nexus Humans BA10 - Understanding Root Cause Analysis training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the BA10 - Understanding Root Cause Analysis course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.
Better Business Cases™ Practitioner: Virtual In-House Training Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. 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 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 Practitioner course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and to 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, constraint, 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
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
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
LOOKING FOR: CHILDREN'S: PICTURE BOOK TEXTS, NON-FICTION, POETRY Lucy Brownridge is Editorial Director at Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and formerly Thames & Hudson where she helped to establish the Children’s list. She specialises in highly illustrated picture books and non-fiction (including poetry) for children. She has commissioned and edited books which have gone on to win the Carnegie Awards, The British Book Awards, the Klaus Flugge Prize, the Blue Peter Prize and have been translated into over 30 languages. She has been editor to Alan Ahlberg, Quentin Blake, Mariajo Ilustrajo, Yuval Zommer and Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho among many others. She is the author of The Fantastical Safari and The Cat Family series, and many other books for children. She is interested in the history of illustrated children’s books and is always looking for innovative ways to use the book format. ABOUT YOU Include a covering letter, in a Word document, telling Lucy about yourself and your sources of inspiration. If you have one, include a link to your website. She is keen to read stories she hasn't seen before or see artwork with a distinctive style rather than something that fits with trends. She has particular experience with picture books and illustrated narrative non-fiction. PICTURE BOOKS Please send one or two (max) full manuscripts, in a Word document, starting with a short summary/blurb. Make the summary punchy and engaging. Remember that the best picture book stories are simple and every word should count. Do you see this book as part of a series? NON-FICTION PROPOSALS Please send a paragraph explaining your idea, a contents list, if appropriate, and a sample piece of text. (In addition to the paid sessions, Lucy is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 18th June 2025