1712 Step courses in Manchester delivered Live Online

AAT Bookkeeping Course If you want to become a certified bookkeeper with AATQB (AAT Qualified Bookkeeper) status, then you must complete the AAT bookkeeping course successfully. This bookkeeping course is broken down into two levels, Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping Once you pass all 5 exams successfully, you can gain AATQB status giving you leading edge to build a successful career in bookkeeping. Next steps after qualifying You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. What you will gain? Firstly, this course will help you develop your skills in double entry bookkeeping and give you an understanding of management and administrative processes. You'll learn how to use manual bookkeepin systems and to work with the purchase ledger, sales ledger and general ledger. You would also get better understanding about VAT system and how to do VAT Return. You will be awarded with Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping and Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping from Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) once you have passed all the exams. Therefore, you will be eligible for Certified Bookkeeper Status. It gives you greater recognition and professional approval. The AAT bookkeeping course covers the following areas: Bookkeeping transactions Bookkeeping Controls Advanced Bookkeeping Final Accounts Preparation Indirect Tax

Learn the skills, knowledge and have the confidence to tackle difficult conversations in a productive way. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Do you worry about how to give negative feedback or deal with performance issues? Are you concerned about giving bad news? This workshop is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle these scenarios in a productive way. If you are a people manager, team leader or supervisor looking to make those challenging conversations less stressful and more effective, this workshop is for you. Lots of practical sessions will ensure you have the opportunity to relate your learning to your real life work situations. The one day session will use professional actors in the afternoon so that you can practice handling real-life challenging conversations. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Deal with a wide range of challenging conversations Describe the preferred behavioural style for giving feedback State the most appropriate influencing technique to use in your situations Explain how to give successful constructive feedback Content What are challenging conversations What type of challenging conversations occur? Why do we find them challenging? Communication Practical exercise to demonstrate and act as a refresher of the fundamentals of communication Barriers to communication especially in a difficult discussion Choosing the right behavioural style Refresher of assertiveness and why it is important in this context Practical exercise demonstrating how behaviour breeds behaviour, and the impact of choosing an inappropriate style Steps to using assertive behaviour Influencing Cialdini’s model for influence How to use influencing techniques in handling challenging conversations Practical application Feedback Understanding feedback – positive vs. negative Using the ABCBC model for feedback Using the basics of emotional intelligence to give effective feedback Practical application Practical Activities Professional actors will work with you in small groups in the afternoon to practice real-life challenging conversations.

Develop the commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, to influence the direction of the business Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) This course is aimed at managers who want to develop their commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, so that they can influence the direction of their business and deliver to their full potential. Day one of the course provides the skills and insights to make sense of your company’s financial position and performance. Day two helps delegates to consider the strategic thinking tools required to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. As well as looking at how to make effective business decisions, this course gives a good grounding in finance and profitability. As a two day programme, day one provides the skills and insights to make sense of the company’s financial position and performance. Day two then considers the strategic thinking tools needed to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: An understanding of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow and statutory and management accounts Learnt to correctly employment key financial ratios to analyse your business A practical definition of strategy analysis tools to examine the current environment and capabilities Steps to devise a mission and vision statement Recognition of the skills and resources needed to achieve the vision Generation of appropriate strategic and tactical commercial objectives Content What is Strategy Defining Strategy Strategic thinking Strategic models Commercial thinking – what is money? Where are we now STEEPLE analysis SWOT Analysis P&E forces at work Political distortions in capitalist markets Where are we trying to get to Setting the mission and vision Creating a BHAG Strategies for deflation and inflation The role of banks Commercial and investment banking Fractional reserving Securitisation How to get there Skill gap analysis Business Process Re engineering The role of creativity How to get there Getting the team on board Individual and team motivation The power of the brand Overcoming challenges Debt and deleveraging Change management Creating value Discounted Cash Flows Building the business case Asset Valuation techniques Making it happen Turning Strategic Thinking into Strategic Plans Scenario planning for an uncertain future Creating commitments and lock in Discussion and review Time will be set aside during the course for review sessions with time for questions, answers and action learning.

Understand what Emotional Intelligence is and how it impacts you and others around you. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly being regarded as a major key to personal success. IQ measures our ability to problem solve and is pretty difficult if not impossible to change. Our emotional intelligence is our ability to problem solve about emotions and like any other skill can be developed and honed. Some of the most successful people in life today are those who are regarded as having a high level of emotional intelligence whatever their level of IQ. Being able to manage themselves and others successfully is often a crucial factor in their success. With a growing emphasis on ‘soft skills’, leaders and managers need to be able to sensitively handle other people, both within and outside the organisation. Emotions are important in work life. They drive motivation and commitment; they are an inherent part of what we do whatever our job role. Effective individuals are proficient at recognising, using, understanding, and managing emotions in themselves and others. This one day course will help participants improve their understanding and skill in these areas. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify the aspects of your role where emotions are important Recognise the four key elements of Emotional Intelligence Use a range of skills to build and maintain key relationships Develop an emotionally intelligent ‘culture’ in your part of the organisation Create a personal action plan to continue to enhance and monitor your Emotional Intelligence Content Emotional Intelligence (EI) What is Emotional Intelligence? Where does it sit in the “whole person model” IQ, Personality Traits, Skills and Knowledge and EI Dispelling the myths and legends about EI The RUUM Model of EI Recognising emotions in self and others Using emotions Understanding emotions Managing emotions Developing Skills in each of the 4 areas of EI Short and long-term strategies to develop EI Developing compensating strategies where needed Practical application of EI Leveraging EI strengths Practice using RUUM Model Case studies and scenarios Video analysis Examples in the public eye we can all relate to Incorporating EI into your day to day role Practical steps Peer coaching Action planning Optional Follow-up After completing this course, you have an opportunity to complete a psychometric to understand more about emotional motional drivers and derailers. If you would like to do this, you will be invited to complete a psychometric questionnaire called Lumina Emotion.It can be done online and takes between 30-60 minutes. The results are compiled into a report which one of our trained and accredited coaches will go through with the participant individually to work up an action plan to leverage their EI strengths and develop strength where needed.This can be very powerful in building EI into your people and your organisation.

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

A professional for direct customer support within all sectors and organisation types.

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.

Learn effective strategies and leadership skills to thrive in today's remote work landscape. Elevate your team's performance, no matter where they are located. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Remote teams present a specific set of challenges to their managers. Such challenges include communication, task allocation and performance management. This workshop is designed for managers who run teams that spread over more than one location, nationally or internationally, and who wish to find ways to enhance teamworking in these conditions. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify key actions to take to manage team performance remotely Implement a communications plan for use within the team Allocate tasks to team members to build a culture of teamworking across the different locations Involve your team members in planning team activities Use visits to each location to maximum effect Content Communication to ensure inclusivity How do team members find out the latest news? Identifying what needs to be known by all A team communication plan Effective virtual meetings Manage performance from a distance Principles of Smart Working Involving the team in planning activities Allocating tasks and objectives across the team Identifying areas of expertise Deciding key areas of responsibility per location Identifying, and dealing with, the different levels of performance Maximising time in each location Setting the tone of a visit – from ‘inspection’ to ‘social call’ Considering what team members expect and need from your presence Identifying what needs to be prepared by the team for your visit Making contact with your team members while you are there Action planning Identifying and planning next steps

Leading People through Change (Virtual) Research shows that 70% of change initiatives fail in large organizations. The largest factor contributing to this failure rate is leadership - the inability to plan and lead people through change. In many change situations, tremendous focus is put on strategy, processes, and systems, while the issue of changing people's behavior is assumed it will 'just happen'. In this interactive course, you will learn why the people side of change is crucial. We will begin by understanding why and how people resist change, and how important it is to become strong and effective change champions. Next, we will focus on critical change management practices - creating our vision of the future state, planning for acceptance in our change audience and stakeholders, mitigating threats, and capitalizing on opportunities. We will use metrics to plan, show progress, and confirm success. Lastly, we will focus on the need to reinforce and sustain change, and to prevent relapse to old ways and methods. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Realize the nature of change and describe how resistance manifests in people Compare prevalent change models and categorize their similarities Identify and rate the skills, traits, and behaviors of effective change champions Envision the future state and assess stakeholders Plan for change communication, training, and risks Evaluate change effectiveness using feedback and metrics Develop reinforcement practices for benefits and communication Getting Started Foundation Concepts What is Change? Resistance to Change Common Change Management Theories Becoming a Change Champion Plan Envisioning the future state Planning for people Change management plan Do Change communication Training Piloting Risks Study Feedback Metrics Variance analysis Act Benefits realization Change sustainment Reinforcement messaging and communications Summary and Next Steps