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.
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Lil is a Senior Editor at Hachette Children's. She has well over 15 years experience in the publishing industry, working for major publishers and literary agents too. For twelve years, Lil was a Senior Commissioning Editor at Working Partners Ltd – the creatives behind massive commercial hits such as Beast Quest, Warriors and the Daisy Meadows series. There she created globally successful concepts for every age group and developed storylines so the books were unputdownable. Lil is also an author in her own right: she has written 6 books under her own name, and ghost written many others under various pseudonyms. In every age level, Lil would like to see originality - particularly in voice. A strong character with depth, venturing on a quest that's never been undertaken before will get her excited. The 'quest' doesn't have to be epic in scale, it could be as small as petting the next-door neighbour's dog, or getting the good looking new kid to notice you, it just has to be something a reader will want to invest in. She also loves humour and is happy to see anything quirky (perhaps even downright silly!). For picture books, Lil would like you to submit a covering letter, and 1 complete manuscript, double-spaced, with spreads marked out, in a single word or PDF doc. For chapter books, MG and YA, please send a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis, double spaced, in a single Word or PDF doc. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. By booking this session you agree to email your material to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline to agent121@iaminprint.co.uk. Please note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice given in your Agent121. The submission deadline is: Friday 10 January 2025
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, YOUNG FICTION, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Alice set up Alice Williams Literary in 2018 after representing children's books for over ten years at David Higham Associates. She is especially keen to consider playful, funny books for all ages, and is on the lookout for heartwarming, empowering stories, whether in a realistic, contemporary setting, or a wildly imaginative fantasy world - or somewhere in-between. Alice is offering 121 sessions for young fiction, middle grade, YA and picture book writers. For chapter books, MG and YA fiction, please submit a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and two texts, or for illustrators one dummy and examples from your portfolio or a link to your website. (In addition to the paid sessions, Alice 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: Monday 13th January 2025
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Molly Jamieson has been working at United Agents Ltd since 2017, working across adult and children’s books, and before that she worked at Curtis Brown. She has recently started building her own client list which already includes million-copy selling authors and bestsellers. Molly has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books. For a sense of her taste, she has recently read and enjoyed Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. She loves anything with high stakes, characters you would follow anywhere, big stories, expansive worldbuilding, breathless romance, and threads of adventure running throughout. She is also looking for commercial romantic fiction in all shapes and forms. She has a real soft spot for classic tropes, a great sense of humour, and anything with a clear pitch that makes you sit up and take notice, but in the end it all comes down to chemistry. In this area, she has recently read and loved The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. She also represents children’s authors and illustrators in all genres, from picture books up to YA. In one single word document, Molly 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, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and 2 picture books in a single document. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Molly 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 22 January 2025
LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION Kesia Lupo joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2024 after 11 years working across the publishing industry. She started out as an editorial assistant at Pan Macmillan London in 2013, transitioning to children’s fiction in 2015 when she moved to Chicken House (a UK imprint of Scholastic), where she worked her way up from junior to senior editor. Here she acquired and edited bestselling, internationally successful and prize-winning fiction for middle grade (MG) and YA readers. In 2023 she transitioned over to the US and agenting, working with the Bindery Agency before finding a home with DMLA. At DMLA, Kesia is building a list leaning 60/40 towards MG and YA fiction, with the rest consisting of adult fiction and a smattering of adult non-fiction. She is especially, but not exclusively, interested in underrepresented voices, whether BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, disabled writers or other identities not listed here. Across all age-groups, she’s seeking: Fantasy/Science Fiction: High fantasy, low fantasy, cosy fantasy. Particularly interested in fantasy and SF inspired by underrepresented cultures with unique world-building. Romantasy is fine but the fantasy elements MUST be strong! Horror: Psychological and paranormal horror in particular but will consider slashers. Kesia loves gothic horror and is not generally fazed by gory content. Thrillers: Upmarket thrillers with a unique spin. Loves plot twists! Historical: Open to everything with a strong hook and informed by excellent research. Would love to find non-Eurocentric historical fiction. For adult fiction only, she’s seeking: Bookclub/women’s fiction: Voice-driven, high-concept novels across these categories. Romance: Upmarket romance with a great one-line pitch. Happy with spice. For adult non-fiction, she’s interested in accessible political, cultural or historical topics with broad appeal. Please don’t self-reject – if you are unsure about whether your story might be a good fit, Kesia would rather see it. In one single word document, Kesia 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, whichever is shorter. (In addition to the paid sessions, Kesia 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: Monday 27th January 2025
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA With a career that has spanned publishing, literary charities and bookselling, Carolyn May McGlone founded the May Literary Agency in 2024 with a focus on the power of creativity to change the world. She is looking for children’s and young adult stories that encourage empathy and hope, which inspire and/or champion new and diverse perspectives, and which speak to your heart and soul. Carolyn is not the right fit for books that have elements of crime, horror or sci-fi. In one single word document, Carolyn would like you to submit a covering letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and up to three completed texts. (In addition to the paid sessions, Carolyn 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: Monday 27th January 2025
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LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy. Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears. At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Laura 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: Tuesday 4th February 2025
Professional Management is crucial to your company's success. In fact, managers can have the single largest impact on your organisation's productivity and overall profitability, with more influence over employee morale and performance than anyone else.
MEF Carrier Ethernet training course description The course progresses from a overview of the Carrier Ethernet service and how it works onto looking at the concepts in depth. Service attributes and management follow with the course finishing with studies of practical Carrier Ethernet. What will you learn Discuss and understand key Carrier Ethernet Concepts. Understand tasks related to designing, deploying and maintaining a Carrier Ethernet network. Offer effective solutions to implementing a Carrier Ethernet enterprise network given available customer resources and requirements. Carry out informed discussions using industry Carrier Ethernet 'vocabulary. Pass the MEF CECP 2.0 professional accreditation exam. MEF Carrier Ethernet training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with Carrier Ethernet Prerequisites: The course attendees need to be conversant with data networks, as well as Ethernet and IP technologies. Duration 5 days MEF Carrier Ethernet training course contents Section One: Introduction to Carrier Ethernet Introduction to Carrier Ethernet: What is Carrier Ethernet? Evolution, advantages, The MEF, MEF specifications; UNI, EVC, OVC, EPL/EVPL, EP-LAN/ EVP-LAN, EP-Tree/EVP-Tree, etc, overview. How Carrier Ethernet Works: Service Frame Handling. Carrier Ethernet at Customer Premises, metro and core. Carrier Ethernet Workings, UNI attributes, Service Attributes (EVC and EVC per UNI attributes), Bandwidth Profiles, service multiplexing, L2 protocol processing; Carrier Ethernet equipment, CPE, aggregation and homing nodes, core equipment; management systems. The Setting Up of a Carrier Ethernet Service: Step 1: Choose service type, EPL/EVPL, EP-LAN/EVP-LAN, EPTree/EVP-Tree, EVLine...; Step 2: CPE tasks, UNI-C tasks (UNI attributes, service attributes (EVC and EVC per UNI) and bandwidth profiles), UNI-N tasks (L2 protocol handling). Step 3: Non-CPE tasks, Access, metro and core connections set up. Section Two: Carrier Ethernet Concepts in depth Carrier Ethernet Definitions in Depth: UNI, UNI I & II, UNI-N and UNI-C, etc.; NNI/ENNI; EVC; OVC, OVC type (P2P, M2M, Rooted MP), OVC end point (root, leaf, trunk), OVC end point map, OVC end point bundling; Service types in detail, EPL/EVPL, EP-LAN/EVP-LAN, EP-Tree/EVP-Tree, EVLine, Access EPL, Access EVPL . Carrier Ethernet Service Frame Handling: Unicast, multicast and broadcast frame delivery, Tagged, untagged and priority; Tagging, C and S-Tags, 802.3, 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.1ad, 802.1ah evolution, VLAN ID translation/preservation. CoS preservation. Other Key Carrier Ethernet Concepts: MTU, MTU at UNI, MTU at ENNI; Physical Layer Attributes, FE, GbE and 10GbE, Service Multiplexing and Bundling Concept and detail, rules and implications; Hairpin Switching Managing Bandwidth in a Carrier Ethernet Network: Token Bucket Algorithm, EIR, CIR, CBS, EBS, Coupling Flag; Frame Colors, recoloring, Color Awareness attribute, Color Forwarding; Bandwidth Profiles, rules and concepts. MEF CoS identifiers, DEI bit (in S-Tag), PCP bit (in C-Tag or S-Tag), or DSCP (in IP header), Multiflow bandwidth concepts; CoS Label/Color Identification. Section Three: Carrier Ethernet Service Attributes Overview: Carrier Ethernet 2.0; Blueprint C Service Attributes: Per UNI, Physical interfaces, Frame format, Ingress/egress Bandwidth Profiles, CEVLAN ID/EVC Map, UNI protection. EVC per UNI, Ingress/egress Bandwidth Profiles, etc.; Per EVC, CEVLAN ID Preservation, CoS ID Preservation, Relationship between SLA and SLP, Class of Service, etc. OVC, ENNI, OVC End Point per UNI and OVC End Point per ENNI, Ingress/egress bandwidth profiles, etc. Section Four: Managing Carrier Ethernet Networks Overview: MEF Service Lifecycle.Carrier Ethernet maintenance: Port, Link & NE failure, Service Protection Technologies, Fault Identification and Recovery, LAG, Active/Standby EVC, Single EVC with transport protection, G.8031, G.8032, MPLS FRR. SOAMs: Connectivity fault management, connectivity Monitoring, Loopback, Linktrace; Performance Management, Frame Delay, Inter Frame Delay Variation, Availability, Frame Loss Ratio, Resiliency, HLI, DMM, DMR, SLM, SLR; Key Concepts, Single vs dual ended, ordered UNI pair calculations. LOAMs: Link discovery, link monitoring, etc. Terminology and Concepts: MEG levels, MIPs. Section Five: Practical Carrier Ethernet Carrier Ethernet Transport Technologies:Layer 1: SDH. Layer 2: Bridging, provider bridging, PBB, PBBTE. Layer 2.5: MPLS VPWS, MPLS VPLS, MPLS-TP. Carrier Ethernet Access Technologies: fiber, SDH, active fiber, PON, GPON, 10G PON, OTN, WDM; copper, PDH, G-SDSL, 10Pass-TS, HFC; packet radio. Optimising mobile backhaul with Carrier Ethernet Key challenges solutions: Market pressure, LTE evolution, elements and architecture (RAN BS, NC, GWIF.), synchronization, bandwidth management. Circuit Emulation over Ethernet: Purpose, needs and applications. Synchronization: Phased, ToD, External Reference source, SynchE ,NTP, IEEE-1588 v2/ PTP, ACR; MEF Service Definitions for emulated circuits. Applying what you know: Practical examples and scenarios, Carrier Ethernet solutions; Practice Scenarios, Given a scenario, determine appropriate Ethernet services