Getting Started The MSc in Accounting and Finance is designed to help students become leaders in the financial sector. This programme is specifically tailored for individuals with relevant practical experience and a recognised Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Accounting and Finance or an equivalent qualification. The programme aims to extend and enhance students' understanding and competence gained through professional qualifications. It seeks to develop their ability to think strategically about management and organisational change within accounting and finance. The MSc in Accounting and Finance programme suits AIA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAP, or CPA Australia graduates. It provides a means to support accounting practitioners & ongoing professional and personal development needs. Upon completing the programme, students are awarded the prestigious MSc in Accounting and Finance degree from the University of Buckingham. Additionally, students can attend the graduation ceremony held in the UK to celebrate their achievements and join fellow graduates in this momentous event. The MSc in Accounting and Finance (Advanced Entry) is delivered by the London Graduate School and awarded by the University of Buckingham through distance learning. You will receive excellent support from academic team of London Graduate School, including your programme manager and your supervisor who will be with you every step of the way. About Awarding Body Buckingham is unique. It is the only independent University in the UK with a Royal Charter and probably the smallest, with around 2,700 students (approx 1,600 on campus). The University campus is well known for being one of the most attractive locations in the region. The Great Ouse River, home to much wildlife, winds through the heart of campus. Each student mixes with over 100 other different nationalities, so being at Buckingham is just like being in a mini global village. These contacts, acquaintances and friendships carry on long after life at Buckingham is over. Ranked Top 10 for Student Satisfaction Ranked Top 10 for Graduate Prospect Recognised by World Education Services (WES) OTHM Qualifications are approved and regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) and recognised by Qualifications Wales. OTHM qualifications have achieved a reputation for maintaining significant skills in various job roles and industries like Business Studies, Leadership, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Health and Social Care, Information Technology, Accounting and Finance, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. OTHM serves the progression option with several UK universities that acknowledges the ability of learners after studying Level 3-7 qualifications to be considered for advanced entry into corresponding degree year/top-up and Master's/top-up programmes. Regulated by ofqual.gov.uk Recognised by World Education Services (WES) Assessment Assignments and Project No Examinations Entry Requirements A relevant Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma, such as the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Accounting and Finance. A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent or higher qualification. A copy of a valid photo ID. A Statement of Purpose outlines your motivations for joining the course and your career aspirations in accounting and finance. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) that highlights at least two years of work experience at the graduate level in either a managerial or professional capacity. English Language Requirements A pass in English at A-level. A bachelor's degree that was studied and assessed in English. An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. A TOEFL score of 72 overall, with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, and 17 in writing. This includes the TOEFL Home Edition. Learners must request before enrolment to interchange unit(s) other than the preselected units shown in the SBTL website because we need to make sure the availability of learning materials for the requested unit(s). SBTL will reject an application if the learning materials for the requested interchange unit(s) are unavailable. Learners are not allowed to make any request to interchange unit(s) once enrolment is complete. Structure MSc in Accounting and Finance (Advanced Entry) Programme Structure Research Methods Consultancy Project Report Delivery Methods The MSc in Accounting and Finance (Advanced Entry) is delivered by the London Graduate School and awarded by the University of Buckingham through distance learning. You will receive excellent support from academic team of London Graduate School, including your programme manager and your supervisor who will be with you every step of the way. Resources and Support School of Business & Technology London is dedicated to offering excellent support on every step of your learning journey. School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal. Our support team liaises with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receives a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and streamline all the support processes efficiently. Quality learning materials made by industry experts is a significant competitive edge of the School of Business & Technology London. Quality learning materials comprised of structured lecture notes, study guides, practical applications which includes real-world examples, and case studies that will enable you to apply your knowledge. Learning materials are provided in one of the three formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or Interactive Text Content on the learning portal. How does the Online Learning work at SBTL? We at SBTL follow a unique approach which differentiates us from other institutions. Indeed, we have taken distance education to a new phase where the support level is incredibly high.Now a days, convenience, flexibility and user-friendliness outweigh demands. Today, the transition from traditional classroom-based learning to online platforms is a significant result of these specifications. In this context, a crucial role played by online learning by leveraging the opportunities for convenience and easier access. It benefits the people who want to enhance their career, life and education in parallel streams. SBTL's simplified online learning facilitates an individual to progress towards the accomplishment of higher career growth without stress and dilemmas. How will you study online? With the School of Business & Technology London, you can study wherever you are. You finish your program with the utmost flexibility. You will be provided with comprehensive tutor support online through SBTL Support Desk portal. How will I get tutor support online? School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal, through which our support team liaise with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receive a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and to streamline all the support process efficiently. Learners should expect to receive a response on queries like guidance and assistance within 1 - 2 working days. However, if the support request is for assessment feedback, learners will receive the reply with feedback as per the time frame outlined in the Assessment Feedback Policy.
Getting Started Enhance your career and earn the highest qualification available in business and management. The Doctor of Business Administration taught and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire is designed for senior managers and consultants who wish to learn and earn an advanced administration level while working full-time. DBA is a demanding research-based programme suitable for candidates pursuing higher-level business administration qualifications after an MBA. This programme provides a solid foundation in various aspects of business, including management, marketing, finance, and operations. Students can expect to gain practical insights into real-world business scenarios, enabling them to make informed decisions and solve complex problems effectively. You're learning journey will include: Lectures and guided reading. Active group work. Case studies. Videos. Reviews of current events and student presentations. You'll develop applied research skills as you evaluate industry-related problems critically. Throughout the programme, students receive support from experienced academics and industry professionals who provide guidance and feedback on their research projects. The programme is delivered through online webinars and independent study, allowing students to balance their studies with work and personal commitments. Doctor of Business Administration is awarded and delivered by the University of Central Lancashire. School of Business and Technology London partners with Chestnut Education Group to promote this Doctor of Business Administration programme. About Awarding Body Founded in 1828, the University of Central Lancashire is a public university based in Preston, Lancashire, England. Today, UCLAN is one of the largest in the United Kingdom, with a student and staff community of nearly 38,000. At present, the University has academic partners in all regions of the globe, and it is on a world stage that the first-class quality of its education was first recognised. In 2010, UCLAN became the first UK modern Higher Education institution to appear in the QS World University Rankings. In 2018, the Centre for World University Rankings estimated Central Lancashire to be in the top 3.7 per cent of all global universities, highlighting the growth the University has made in offering students real-world learning experiences and reflecting the University's extensive pool of academic talent. Ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide. Student Communities from more than 100 countries WES Recognised Qualifi is a UK Government (Ofqual.gov.uk) regulated awarding organisation and has developed a reputation for supporting relevant skills in a range of job roles and industries, including Leadership, Enterprise and Management, Hospitality and catering, Health and Social Care, Business Process Outsourcing and Public Services. Qualifi is also a signatory to BIS international commitments of quality. The following are the key facts about Qualifi. Regulated by Ofqual.gov.uk World Education Services (WES) Recognised Assessment Assignments and Project No examination Entry Requirements Applicants should normally have a Master's degree or equivalent and work in or have recently worked with in business administration. If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification. Progression Upon completing the doctorate programme, learners will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue various career opportunities in administration, management research, etc. One can choose from various positions upon successfully completing a DBA. Some of the most notable career paths are Professor and Postdoctoral Researcher, Market Research Analyst, Economic Analyst, etc. Learners must request before enrolment to interchange unit(s) other than the preselected units shown in the SBTL website because we need to make sure the availability of learning materials for the requested unit(s). SBTL will reject an application if the learning materials for the requested interchange unit(s) are unavailable. Learners are not allowed to make any request to interchange unit(s) once enrolment is complete. Structure Phase 1: Qualifi Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Programme Structure The course is structured around eight mandatory units, encompassing various topics aligned with learning outcomes. Each unit holds a value of 20 credits. Learners can participate in lectures and workshops to familiarize themselves with the subject. Attaining a total of 160 credits by completing all units is a prerequisite for the issuance of the Diploma. Unit 800: Leadership Qualities and Practice Unit code: A/506/9126 This unit delves into the connections between leadership and management within strategic operations. It scrutinizes various leadership styles, their underlying principles, and associated concepts. The unit also investigates methods to assess and enhance team performance to achieve strategic business and operational goals. Additionally, it encompasses the interplay between strategic management and leadership, containing crucial leadership principles, theories, and their alignment with organizational strategy. Unit 701: Research Methods Unit code: Y/506/9134 The objective of this unit is to enhance the learner's knowledge and comprehension of academic practices and research methodologies. It employs a problem-based learning approach to cultivate practical proficiency in areas relevant to educational practice and research in business and management. Unit 801: Personal Leadership Development as a Strategic Manager Unit code: F/506/9127 This unit focuses on the strategic leadership skills essential for directors and senior managers to effectively guide international organizational strategic initiatives, collaborating with partners, buyers, suppliers, customers, and competitors. Unit 802: Strategy Development in Cross Border and Global Organisations Unit code: F/506/9130 This unit tackles formulating strategies for cross-border or global organizations, which encounter complexities stemming from political, religious, cultural, and social differences, as well as the management of organizations operating within specific country boundaries. Unit 803: Strategic Planning for Cross Border and Global Organisations Unit code: L/506/9132 This unit scrutinises the diverse influences and effects on cross-border or global organisations and how they contribute to the development of successful strategies and the mitigation of risks. Unit 804: Strategic Direction in Cross Border and Global Organisations Unit code: R/506/9133 This unit provides senior strategic managers with the opportunity to delve into the influences and effects of cross-border and global policy and strategy. It aims to facilitate enhancements in establishing direction, shaping the approach, and forecasting the success of cross-border or worldwide policy and procedure. Unit 805: Strategic Communication Unit code: L/506/9129 The unit aims to develop the ability to critically assess and appreciate the impact of media on international organisations. It considers stakeholders, political and pressure groups, as well as the part played by media owners. Unit 806: Culture and its Impact on Strategy Unit code: J/506/9128 This unit strives to foster a profound comprehension of the intricacies faced by internationally operating organizations and how this impacts the strategy development process. It employs well-reasoned and thoroughly researched perspectives to cultivate alternative viewpoints. Phase 2 - Doctor of Business Administration Programme Structure Stage 1 - Taught component The Reflexive Practitioner Management, Rhetoric, Policy and Practice Research Methodologies and Design Qualitative Research Methods Quantitative Research Methods Accordion Title Stage 2 - Research component The Reflexive Practitioner Delivery Methods The Doctor of Business Administration is awarded and delivered by the University of Central Lancashire. This doctorate from the University of Central Lancashire is offered as a block teaching and research programme. The DBA will run at the Preston Campus of the University. You'll have full access to the Library and information resources of the University throughout the DBA and may use all social, cultural and sports facilities of the University. Stage 1 - Taught component The DBA Taught Programme consists of six taught modules, each being completed through a four-day intensive workshop plus a period of private study both before and after the workshop. During Stage 1 you will develop critical and reflective skills at doctoral level, through the requirement to think conceptually, apply critical thinking, and reasoning skills and to challenge orthodoxy relating to the body of knowledge and research relating to Management and Organisation. Action learning is incorporated within the study sessions and is an important and distinctive feature of our DBA. You will work in sets or small development groups with fellow participants throughout the programme and also develop your skills as a critical and reflective learner. Stage 2 - Research component The DBA Research Programme - as part of the development process of your DBA project, you will have worked with the DBA staff to agree a suitable supervisory team, including a Director of Studies. This team will work with you throughout Stage 2 helping you to design and implement your own particular DBA project. This will normally take two years working on a part-time basis although you may choose to work at a pace that requires more time and you may therefore take up to five years. Resources and Support School of Business & Technology London is dedicated to offering excellent support on every step of your learning journey. School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal. Our support team liaises with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receives a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and streamline all the support processes efficiently. Quality learning materials made by industry experts is a significant competitive edge of the School of Business & Technology London. Quality learning materials comprised of structured lecture notes, study guides, practical applications which includes real-world examples, and case studies that will enable you to apply your knowledge. Learning materials are provided in one of the three formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or Interactive Text Content on the learning portal. How does the Online Learning work at SBTL? We at SBTL follow a unique approach which differentiates us from other institutions. Indeed, we have taken distance education to a new phase where the support level is incredibly high.Now a days, convenience, flexibility and user-friendliness outweigh demands. Today, the transition from traditional classroom-based learning to online platforms is a significant result of these specifications. In this context, a crucial role played by online learning by leveraging the opportunities for convenience and easier access. It benefits the people who want to enhance their career, life and education in parallel streams. SBTL's simplified online learning facilitates an individual to progress towards the accomplishment of higher career growth without stress and dilemmas. How will you study online? With the School of Business & Technology London, you can study wherever you are. You finish your program with the utmost flexibility. You will be provided with comprehensive tutor support online through SBTL Support Desk portal. How will I get tutor support online? School of Business & Technology London occupies a centralised tutor support desk portal, through which our support team liaise with both tutors and learners to provide guidance, assessment feedback, and any other study support adequately and promptly. Once a learner raises a support request through the support desk portal (Be it for guidance, assessment feedback or any additional assistance), one of the support team members assign the relevant to request to an allocated tutor. As soon as the support receive a response from the allocated tutor, it will be made available to the learner in the portal. The support desk system is in place to assist the learners adequately and to streamline all the support process efficiently. Learners should expect to receive a response on queries like guidance and assistance within 1 - 2 working days. However, if the support request is for assessment feedback, learners will receive the reply with feedback as per the time frame outlined in the Assessment Feedback Policy.
High quality specifications are of paramount importance in achieving the right technical performance and value for money. This long-established training programme has been developed to help those involved in producing specifications to create high quality documents in an organised and effective way. It provides a sound foundation for those new to the topic whilst at the same time offering new insights to those with more experience. The programme emphasises the need for a clear definition of requirements combined with the ability to communicate those requirements effectively to third parties. A structured method of preparing specifications is provided, and a range of practical techniques is presented, to enable participants to put the principles into practice. The commercial and contractual role of specifications is also addressed. The objectives of the workshop are to: Provide a clear understanding of the role and purpose of specifications Present a framework for organising and producing specifications Define the key steps involved in creating effective specifications Demonstrate methods for assisting in defining requirements Provide tools and techniques for scoping and structuring specifications Show the role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope Present methods to assist the writing and editing of specifications Review how specifications should be issued and controlled DAY ONE 1 Introduction Review of course objectives Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Creating effective specifications The role of specifications in communicating requirements The costs, benefits and qualities of effective specifications Understanding the differences between verbal and written communication The five key steps of 'POWER' writing: prepare-organise-write-edit-release Exercise: qualities of an effective specification 3 Step 1: Preparing to write - defining readership and purpose; the specification and the contract Designing the specifications required; applying BS 7373 Defining the purpose, readership and title of each document Effective procedures for writing, issuing and controlling specifications The roles and responsibilities of the key players Understanding contracts; the contractual role of the specification Integrating and balancing the technical and commercial requirements Writing specifications to achieve the appropriate contract risk strategy Deciding how to specify: when to use functional and technical specifications The role of specifications in managing variations and changes to scope 4 Case study 1 Teams review a typical project scenario and identify the implications for the specification Feedback and discussion 5 Step 2: Organising the specification content Defining the need and establishing user requirements Deciding what issues the specification should cover Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming Clarifying priorities: separating needs and desires Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify Useful techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis 6 Case study 2 Teams apply the scoping techniques to develop the outline contents for a specification Feedback and discussion DAY TWO 7 Step 2: Organising the specification content (cont) Deciding what goes where; typical contents and layout for a specification The three main segments: introductory, key and supporting Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub-sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Tools and techniques for outlining and structuring specifications 8 Case study 3 Teams develop the detailed specification contents using a model form Feedback and discussion 9 Step 3: Writing the specification The challenges of written communication Identifying and understanding the readers needs Choosing and using the right words; dealing with jargon Problem words; will, shall, must, etc; building a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity Being concise and ensuring clarity Choosing and using graphics to best effect Exercises and examples 10 Step 4: Editing the specification Why editing is difficult; how to develop a personal editing strategy Key areas to review: structure, content, accuracy, clarity, style and grammar Editing tools and techniques 11 Step 5: Releasing and controlling the specification Key requirements for document issue and control Final formatting and publication issues; document approval Requirements management: managing revisions and changes 12 Course review and action planning What actions should be implemented to improve specifications? Conclusion
Why Study AAT Want a new direction for your career? Think Accountancy, according to statistics, the average salary for Accountants is £50,000, it is the sector where the employability rate is higher than any other sector. Whether you're a school leaver, already employed or simply looking for a career change a career in accountancy could be a real option for you. What is AAT? The AAT is an internationally recognised accounting qualification and over 100,000 people are currently benefiting from gaining an AAT qualification and full AAT membership. Gaining the qualification will help you support yourself throughout your accountancy career. What are the benefits after I finish AAT Courses? A newly qualified AAT member can expect to earn an average of £21,600. Moreover, the AAT member will have been earning throughout their training and will have avoided student debt. Accounting technicians work at all levels of finance and accounting, depending on the level of their career. Some accounting technicians work as accounts clerks, others go on to become managing directors or finance directors of well-known companies. Some go to work as a self employed accountant as AAT allows the student to become Accredited. AAT Qualification AAT provides a range of accounting and bookkeeping qualification. If you prefer to pursue your career as an accountant you may choose to go for AAT Accounting qualification. However, if you prefer to build your career as a bookkeeper, you may choose to go for AAT Bookkeeping qualification. Osborne Training is an AAT Approved Training Provider with centres in London , Watford, Birmingham and various other locations. In taking the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification with our Institute, you will make one of the greatest decision of your career. AAT Accounting Courses First of all, the AAT qualification consists of four progressive qualification levels (1, 2, 3 & 4) which will cover the key areas of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Audit and Report Writing. Although you can start from Level 1, you may start from Level 2 if you have basic math and numeracy skills. In order to complete the full AAT Accounting qualification and gain full membership of the AAT, you will need to complete Level 3 and Level 4. Level 2 is recommended as an entry-level if you have no experience or knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping. The AAT qualification for accounting is broken down into three levels: AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting (5 Papers/Subjects) AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting (6 Papers/Subjects) Finally AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting (6 Papers/Subjects) Hence, the AAT Accounting Qualification gives you practical, internationally recognised finance and accountancy skills that can open doors for you in any industry across the world. Finally, AAT offers a range of benefits for student members (including study support, career advice to help find the perfect job and exclusive discounts), as well as a route to progress into chartered accountancy. Moreover, if you choose to further your studies with any of the leading chartered accountancy professional bodies like ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA etc. your AAT qualification could make you eligible for generous exemptions.
AAT Training: Why Study AAT? Want a new direction for your career? Think Accountancy, according to statistics, the average salary for Accountants is £50,000, it is the sector where the employ-ability rate is higher than any other sector. Whether you're a school leaver, already employed or simply looking for a career change a career in accountancy could be a real option for you. What is AAT? The AAT is an internationally recognised accounting qualification and over 100,000 people are currently benefiting from gaining an AAT qualification and full AAT membership. Gaining the qualification will help you support yourself throughout your accountancy career. What are the benefits after I finish AAT Courses? A newly qualified AAT member can expect to earn an average of £21,600. Moreover, the AAT member will have been earning throughout their training and will have avoided student debt. Accounting technicians work at all levels of finance and accounting, depending on the level of their career. Some accounting technicians work as accounts clerks, others go on to become managing directors or finance directors of well-known companies. Some go to work as a self-employed accountant as AAT allows the student to become Accredited. Professional or Industry specific qualification. AAT Qualification AAT provides a range of accounting and bookkeeping qualification. If you prefer to pursue your career as an accountant you may choose to go for the AAT Accounting qualification. However, if you prefer to build your career as a bookkeeper, you may choose to go for the AAT Bookkeeping qualification. Osborne Training is an AAT Approved Training Provider with centres in London, Watford, Birmingham and various other locations. By taking the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification with our Institute, you will make one of the greatest decision of your career. AAT Accounting Courses First of all, the AAT qualification consists of four progressive qualification levels (1, 2, 3 & 4) which will cover the key areas of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Audit and Report Writing. Although, you can start from Level 1, you may start from Level 2 if you have basic math and numeracy skills. In order to complete the full AAT Accounting qualification and gain full membership of the AAT, you will need to complete Level 3 and Level 4. Level 2 is recommended as an entry-level if you have no experience or knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping. The AAT qualification for accounting is broken down into three levels: AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting (5 Papers/Subjects) AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting (6 Papers/Subjects) Finally AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting (6 Papers/Subjects) Hence, the AAT Accounting Qualification gives you practical, internationally recognised finance and accountancy skills that can open doors for you in any industry across the world. Finally, AAT offers a range of benefits for student members (including study support, career advice to help find the perfect job and exclusive discounts), as well as a route to progress into chartered accountancy. Moreover, if you choose to further your studies with any of the leading chartered accountancy professional bodies like ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA etc. your AAT qualification could make you eligible for generous exemptions.
Masterclasses? Refreshers? Introductions? It depends what you're looking for and where you want to pitch them, but here are six tried-and-tested highly focused sessions that organisations can take individually or as a series, to help develop their teams' project management capabilities one topic at a time. Objectives for each individual session are set out below, as part of the session outlines. Taken together, as a series, however, these modules are an ideal opportunity to develop your team's levels of project management capability maturity, whether that's by introducing them to the basic principles, refreshing them on best practice, or giving them the opportunity to really drill down into a specific area of challenge in your particular operating environment. Session outlines 1 Stakeholder management Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand why stakeholders matter to projects Be able to identify and engage stakeholders Be able to categorise stakeholders by their significance 1 Key principles What does 'stakeholder' mean - in theory? What does this mean in practice? Why stakeholders matter Consequences of missing stakeholders The stakeholder management process:IdentifyAssessPlanEngage 2 Identifying stakeholders Rapid listing CPIG analysis PESTLE analysis Drawing on the knowledge and experience of others Other ways to identify stakeholders 3 Assessing stakeholders Which stakeholders are significant? Stakeholder radar Power-interest maps Power-attitude maps 4 Planning The adoption curve Dealing with obstacles Who should engage which stakeholder? How should the project's organisation be structured? How will communication happen? 5 Engaging Seven principles of stakeholder engagement 2 Requirements and prioritisation Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand how clarity of requirements contributes to project success Use different techniques for prioritising requirements Agree requirements with stakeholders Manage changes to requirements 1 Understanding and managing stakeholder needs and expectations What are 'requirements'? What is 'requirements management'? Sources of requirements - and the role of stakeholders Are stakeholders sufficiently expert to specify their needs? Do they understand the detail of what they want, or do they need help to tease that out? What do stakeholders want to achieve? Working within constraints Prioritising requirements - three techniques 2 MoSCoW prioritisation 'Must have', should have', 'could have, 'won't have this time' When to use MoSCoW 3 The Kano Model Customer satisfaction - 'attractive' and 'must-be' qualities When to use Kano 4 Value-based prioritisation Understanding risk v value Using risk v value to prioritise features and schedules 5 Agreeing requirements Perfect v 'good enough' Establishing acceptance criteria Requirements traceability Agreeing project scope 6 Changing requirements Why requirements change Why change control matters Impact on projects A formal change control process Paying for change - managing change for different types of project 3 Estimating Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand the different purposes estimates satisfy Be able to use different estimating techniques Understand how to achieve different levels of accuracy 1 Key principles What's an estimate? Informed guesswork What needs to be estimated? Costs, resources, effort, duration Tolerances Precision v accuracy 2 Estimating through the lifecycle Start Plan Do 3 Early estimates Comparative ('analogous') estimating Parametric estimating Using multiple estimating techniques 4 Bottom-up estimating Bottom-up ('analytical') estimating Pros Cons 5 Three-point estimating Three-point ('PERT': Programme Evaluation and Review Technique) estimating Uncertainty and the range of estimates Calculating a weighted average Three-point with bottom-up 4 Scheduling Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand how to create a viable schedule Be able to use different forms of schedule Understand the concept of the critical path 1 Key principles The planning horizon Rolling wave planning Release planning 2 Viable scheduling Creating a viable schedule Define the scope Sequence the work Identify the risks and build in mitigations Identify the resources Estimate the effort and durations Check resource availability Refine until a workable schedule is produced 3 Critical path analysis The critical path Network diagrams Sequence logic Practical application:Network diagram with estimated durationsThe 'forward pass'The 'backward pass'Calculating total floatIdentifying the critical pathCalculating free float Gantt charts 5 Risk and issue management Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand the difference between risks and issues Be able to identify and assess risks Understand ways of mitigating risks Manage issues 1 Key principles Understanding risk Threats and opportunities The risk management processPreparation - proactive risk managementThe process - identify, assess, plan, implementStakeholder communication Roles and responsibilities Risk management strategy The risk register Risk appetite 2 Risk identification Brainstorming Interviews Assumption analysis Checklists 3 Risk assessment and prioritisation Probability, impact and proximity Triggers Qualitative risk assessment Qualitative impact assessment Qualitative probability assessment Probability / impact grid Bubble charts Risk tolerance 4 Planning countermeasures To mitigate or not to mitigate? Categories of risk response Avoid and exploit Reduce and enhance Transfer Share Accept Contingency Secondary risks 5 Issue management What is an issue? Tolerances Issues and tolerances The PRINCE2 view of issues Ownership of issues An issue management process Issue register 6 Budgeting and cost control Session objectives This session will help participants: Understand what to include in a budget - and why Choose - and use - the appropriate estimating technique Align the budget with the schedule Understand how to monitor spend and control costs Trouble-shoot effectively to get projects back within budget Session format Flexible. The session can be tailored to the participants' average level of project management maturity - a 60-minute session (delivered virtually) is an effective introduction. A 90-minute session allows for more in-depth treatment. A half-day session (face-to-face or virtual) gives time for a more challenging workshop, particularly to discuss specific cost control issues with any of the participants' current projects. 1 Where is the money coming from? Can we pay from revenue? Do we need to borrow? How long will the project take to pay back? The lifecycle of the budget Through-life costs Stakeholder involvement 2 Estimating costs Reminder: the relationship between estimates Reminder: possible estimating techniques What do we need to estimate?PeopleEquipmentMaterialsFacilities and operating costsWork package estimateEstimated project costs Estimating agile projects 3 Aligning budget and schedule Scheduling and financial periods Spreading the budget 4 Reserves and agreeing the budget Contingency reserve Management reserve Agreeing the budget 5 Cost control Planned spend over time Actual spend over time Work completed over time Evaluating different scenarios: delivery v spend 6 Trouble-shooting Why are we where we are? What has caused the project to spend at the rate it is? Why is it delivering at the rate it is? What are the root causes? What can we do about it?
This is an incredibly practical programme which has been developed to enable participants to improve their memory skills. The session focuses on specific techniques that can be used to improve retention of information. It also introduces the principles of mind-mapping By the end of this programme participants will be able to: Explain how our brain processes and stores information Describe the difference between short-term and long-term memory Use specific techniques to improve retention Explain the principles of mind mapping Be able to use mind maps to plan and order information Each participant, no matter how poor they believe their memory to be, will by the close of the session have learnt techniques that enable them to memorise 53 items in a prescriptive order - a massive boost to their confidence in their memory skills. 1 An introduction to the brain's functions Introductory brain-training How the brain works Left / right brain function Short-term and long-term memory Barriers to a good memory 2 Memory techniques Tips and techniques for improving memory Basic word association Chaining and linking Touchstone techniques Use of mnemonics Memory hooks Remembering names 3 Maximising memory Minimising barriers The importance of sleep and diet Supplements which may affect memory 4 Mind-mapping Purpose and principles Creating a mind map Use of colour to delight the eye and tickle the brain How to use the output from a map
If you're looking to move to the next level in your career in sales, then understanding how to maximise your sales results, using a consultative and structured approach, will be key to your success. In order to develop the competitive advantage that enables you to stand out from the crowd, it is important to understand the tools and techniques to take your selling to new heights and build the confidence to apply them in work-based scenarios. We have developed this programme to be practical, fun and interactive. Learners will gain a range of practical skills that they can take back and apply to the workplace straight away, that will have a positive impact on sales and customer satisfaction. This course will help participants: Develop a structured and client-focused approach to creating high quality sales opportunities and account growth Learn persuasion and influencing skills to better define needs and develop opportunities Understand how to have better sales conversations, presentations, and proposals - leading to higher order value and increased sales Develop advanced sales questioning skills and techniques; understand the importance of listening Understand how to add value at all stages; plus gaining competitive advantage Develop proven ways to overcome and reduce price pressure Know when to use options and upselling when presenting products and solutions Develop techniques and skills for improved negotiation and closing 1 Advanced Selling - How to Increase your sales results Review of pre-course data and questionnaire The AVC model of increasing your sales results Creating a sales growth plan to achieve higher sales targets Mapping the accounts and products for targeted growth 2 The Four Cs to structure a sales call Research before the meeting or call; setting objectives, planning and preparation How to gain instant rapport and taking control - including online meetings Qualifying and initial questioning skills Creating an agenda and first-meeting structure: Four Cs Planning and practice sessions 3 Building bigger and better sales opportunities How to use questions to 'build' more opportunities Learning and using high-impact and third-level questions Advanced sales questioning techniques: five questioning techniques Qualifying and gaining commitment to the next stage Planning and practice sessions - advanced questioning skills 4 Presentation and persuading skills best practice Compelling benefits and reducing perceived risk - key messages to deliver Helping the customer choose your proposition by using options Professional and effective presentation skills Writing compelling sales proposals that improve your conversion rate Planning and practice session - presenting your solution 5 Overcoming concerns and client questions Proven techniques for answering client objections and concerns How to isolate, prioritise and answer objections, including price Overcoming delay and procrastination Planning and practice session - answering client concerns 6 Gaining commitment and closing the sale Knowing when to close for commitment How to ask for commitment professionally and effectively Key negotiation skills around the closing process - getting to 'yes' Checklist of closing and negotiation skills Practice session
This programme provides an intensive, one-day overview of the key concepts and techniques of project management. The project management methods presented can be applied to a wide range of projects and the course emphasises both the task and the team-related aspects of project management. The aims of the programme are to: Present the key concepts of project management Provide a structured approach for managing projects Demonstrate tools and techniques for planning and controlling project work Enable participants to apply the techniques to their own projects At the end of the programme, participants will: Recognise the benefits of a structured approach to project work Be able to apply a range of practical tools and techniques to improve their personal effectiveness in project work Have a means of determining the status of current projects and know what actions are needed to ensure success 1 Introduction Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Key concepts The characteristics of projects and project work The four key phases of a project Essential lessons from past projects Key success factors Achieving success through the 'Team-Action Model' Challenges of the multi-project situation 3 Setting project goals Understanding 'customer' requirements Managing project stakeholders and gaining commitment Using questioning skills to define goals and success criteria Defining and documenting the scope of the project 4 Project planning Defining what has to be done Creating a work breakdown Agreeing roles and responsibilities for the work Developing a programme using networks and bar charts Estimating timescales, costs and resource requirements Planning exercise: participants develop a project plan Identifying and managing project risks Using project planning software Managing and updating the plan 5 Project implementation and control Creating a pro-active monitoring and control process Techniques for monitoring progress Using latest estimates Managing project meetings Resolving problems effectively Managing multiple projects Personal time management 6 Course review and action planning Identify actions Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion