18471 Step courses

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.

Any team member with Customer interaction (including internal) are the 'Ambassadors' of the company/organisation. If they project positive professionalism - they win others' confidence. If they appear or sound like they are in any way indifferent or unprofessional - they will cost sales and lose clients/customers. With this 2 day Training course, that will be tailored to your company/organisation, each person attending will upgrade their professional standards in people skills, telephone manner and email etiquette. No training in this area may well be a false economy as there is a much greater risk of disenfranchised customers and team members - and probably increases your competitors to win business at your expense. Professional customer care is all too frequently regarded as a token issue in most induction sessions for employees. Surprisingly it is very rarely considered as a key priority, despite being essential for ensuring customer commitment is secure and supplier/partnerships are robust. Excellent customer care is paramount in our ever increasingly competitive market and making customers feel valued and looked after is often a differentiator. This 2-day course will help you understand your customers and the vital importance of customer care in any organisation. You will gain the tools and techniques to apply your learning directly back into the workplace and deliver excellent customer care. Course Syllabus The syllabus of the Professional Customer Care course is comprised of four modules, covering the following: Module One What is Excellent Customer Care? Internal versus external customers Why customer care is important Meeting customer expectations Module Two Making a Personal Difference How do you measure customer care? Making a difference Taking ownership Positive mental attitude Displaying professionalism both face-to-face and over the telephone Using positive language Module Three Gathering Information and Offering Solutions Asking the right questions Active listening skills Summarising and clarifying skills Module Four Dealing with Difficult Situations How to give a 'service' no Demonstrating empathy Assertiveness techniques Handling a complaint Problem solving Saying 'sorry' Making realistic promises and keeping them Real Play Scenarios with a Professional Actor (Optional Extra) This programme benefits significantly from our innovative training feature: Real Play. Using a professional actor who performs role plays as different customer characters in carefully devised situations, the delegates have the opportunity to 'pause' the role play to coach and control their character to improve their skill sets and practice the theory delivered. These scenarios can deal with difficult situations and enacting options to ensure good customer relations are intact. The outcome of the scenario is the responsibility of the delegates, not the trainer and actor. The actor will remain in character throughout the de-brief in order to bring to life the impact and possible next steps. Objectives By the end of the course participants will be able to Adopt a professional telephone manner Communicate assertively by taking control and directing the conversation Deliver information positively by offering options and alternatives Develop a range of versatile behaviours to use when dealing with difficult situations by: Listening actively Using empathy Gathering relevant information through effective questioning Finding solutions to concerns/problems quickly and efficiently Speaking positively and assertively What Is The Benefit? For individuals this course will increase confidence and ability to deal with customers in all situations, which will in turn create customer loyalty and raise their profile. For an employer, ensuring that all customer facing employees are demonstrating excellent customer care instils confidence in the customers and promotes a positive image of the company. In-House Courses Every single team member or employee that has a role which involves engaging with a customer, client and/or a key partner/supplier has a responsibility for projecting a positive image of the organisation which they represent. That may sound obvious, but how many hundreds of experiences have you had as a customer where you were treated with indifference and a distinct lack of professionalism by the receptionist, the retail assistant, the tele-agent, the delivery person, the credit controller or the departmental manager of the operation that you were dealing with? Far too many to count? This is because professional customer care is regarded as a token issue in most induction sessions for employees - and it is very rarely considered as a key priority to ensure customer commitment is secure and supplier/partnerships are robust. Yet the hugely expensive churn in customer/client commitments and staff is enormously expensive and immensely disruptive to any organisation. The Importance of Customers and Clients Every client/customer engaging person needs to recognise that it is ultimately the client or customer that pays their wages. If they gain a basic understanding of the clients' motivations and behaviours, coupled with some core skills in how to care for them, they will attain the status of 'professional'. This will very quickly translate into increased revenues, retained loyalty, high commitment and far greater security for all parties. The foundation has to be based on the authentic commitment to both the customer and also to the organisation they work for. Disenfranchisement readily curdles into sloppy behaviours cloaked in unprofessional attitudes and demeanours; plenty there to repel the most loyal of customers. If your company or organisation relies on repeat business and retaining the confidence and commitment of your clients, then all of your team members - perhaps including managers who set the example and have the biggest influence on the where the needle points to in relation to professionalism - need to be trained on the core basics of professional customer care. Customer Care Programmes from Dickson Training Ltd We are delighted to boast about the many successes we have had in providing effective and long lasting improvements for many clients, where awards have been won and, more importantly, talent has been retained because their clients and customers keep on coming back. Professional customer care extends to suppliers and partners that you value and need to get the best service and rates from, as well as any 'internal clients' such as other departments where you need to rely on their support and collaboration in order to achieve your goals. It is amazing what effective professional customer care training can do for any organisation. Without it your organisation may be vulnerable, with it you are much more likely to see increased performances and much greater security and growth. Scheduled Courses Unfortunately this course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. Please contact us for more information.

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.

believe-IN Webinar Series: Plan the Way Out Life Changes. Webinar 3 – Performance: Planning the Way Out of Life Changes.

Keeping Yourself in Mind: An ACT-informed programme for people supporting a family member with JHD We are pleased to invite you to our virtual course for parents and family carers of people living with Juvenile Huntington’s disease. The course will be run by Sarah Gunn, a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Leicester, and will be based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a therapeutic approach which focuses on learning to manage difficult thoughts and feelings, and to live a life which feels valuable and meaningful despite the struggles we encounter. This is an opportunity to explore the difficulties that can be associated with caring for a person with JHD (for you and within the family), to identify the values that matter most to you, and for you to think about how to move towards a more rich and valued life than you may have now. This is an eight-week course running from Wednesday 7 February to Wednesday 27 March 2024. The sessions will be on a Wednesday afternoon 1-2.30pm. Here is a very brief session outline: Week 1: Introductions: To ACT, to the programme, and to each other Week 2: Impacts of Juvenile Huntington’s on the “carer”* and wider family Week 3: Psychological wellbeing when supporting a person with Juvenile Huntington’s Week 4: Coping and adjustment: Living with, not battling against Week 5: What matters to you: Finding your values Week 6: Moving forward: Taking steps to align with your values Week 7: Living a valued life alongside Huntington’s: Plans and coping strategies Week 8: Reflection and ending: What’s next? *Note: Some people don’t like this term, so here we’re using it in quote marks. During the course, we will discuss which term would be preferred by the people attending. For more information on what information we collect and how we use it when booking onto one of our events, please see our privacy policy on our website.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most disruptive technology since the internet came onto the scene. AI is transforming every aspect of how we manage projects from developing a business case, to planning the work, managing risk, and tracking performance. Because the technology and market are moving so fast, it can be difficult to know how to start using AI on projects. Generative AI for Project Management will engage you with diverse Generative AI tools to start, plan, and manage either your own project or a generic case study. We will embrace a tool agnostic approach to adopting, integrating, and scaling Generative AI without compromising data or trust. You will have hands-on practice utilizing AI tools to optimize your time and your outcomes. You will be accessing a variety of AI tools requiring you to register for a free account. A computer is required for all traditional classroom deliveries. None At the end of this program, you will be able to: Define essential terms and concepts related to artificial intelligence (AI) Illustrate how prompts facilitate interaction with Generative AI Recognize the capabilities of Large Language Models Craft prompts to develop project origination documents Create prompts to assist in planning a project Develop user stories with Generative AI Analyze project performance using Generative AI Identify the limitations of Generative AI Identify the risks associated with using Generative AI Articulate the need for governance and ethics when establishing an AI program in an organization Course Overview Getting Started Foundation Concepts Understanding essential terms and concepts related to AI Exploring various Generative AI Models Understanding Prompts Creating Prompts for Project Startup Prompts for starting a project Prompts for planning a project Best Practices for prompt engineering Creating Prompts for Managing Projects Creating agile user stories Measuring project performance Analyzing a schedule Using Generative AI Responsibly Limitations of AI Models Establishing an AI governance framework Future trends and next steps Summary and Next Steps

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

Our Forensic Accounting Course is designed to help investment analysts detect earnings manipulation. It focuses on creative accounting rather than conducting detailed forensic analysis but we explain the tools short sellers employ to detect fraud and some of the techniques we used at hedge funds to identify short opportunities.