Generating new leads and new business can be both time-consuming and frustrating. It's not easy - it takes skill, careful preparation and the creation of effective models and methods, even perhaps using formal approaches and scripts. Once generated, a new lead or enquiry must also be carefully managed to maximise the potential revenue it can generate. But it's crucial to get it right. If your company can afford not to worry about getting new business - congratulations! If your company is completely confident that it is performing at peak potential in generating new leads - again, congratulations! But if your company is working in the real world, couldn't your team do with some help, to become even just that little bit more effective, to make the process just that little less painful? This highly practical, intensive workshop gives sales teams the proven strategies and tactics they need to build a sustainable new business pipeline. This course will help participants: Develop a clear and consistent process for new business development and lead-generation Master the secret of effective new business development and lead-generation - 'only sell the appointment or next stage of the sales process, not your product or service' Set and achieve the right level of new business development and lead-generation activity to achieve your personal and organisational sales goals Apply the key principles of effective prospecting and pipeline management using a proven toolkit and approach Overcome the most common 'put-offs' when conducting telephone or face-to-face business-development and lead-generation activities Develop an engaging telephone voice and manner - and a 'networking personality' Qualify potential opportunities with more accuracy on a consistent basis Prioritise opportunities and manage their time when sourcing new business Discover online sources of leads, contacts and referrals Overcome psychological blocks to cold or warm calling - theirs and the client's Identify potential prospects - and decision-makers and influencers within target prospects - with greater accuracy Make outbound sales or appointment calls with improved confidence, control and results Improve the conversion of calls to appointments by using more effective questions and sales messages Get past gatekeepers and assistants more effectively Make the most of your CRM software and systems 1 Online marketing - what works! Workshop overview and learning objectives Choosing your social media channels LinkedIn for sales and marketing Designing and implementing an effective new business email campaign online Creating a lead-generation strategy online - with case studies Avoiding common mistakes in social media marketing Case study: 'Best practice in social media sales and marketing' Using blogs and video-based marketing (eg, YouTube) New trends and how to keep your finger on the 'social media' pulse Twenty essential websites and online marketing tools 2 Making appointments by telephone Planning the call, telephone techniques, integrating with email and online marketing Developing a clear and consistent process to appointment-making Setting and achieving the right level of telephone activity to achieve your appointment goals Applying the key principles of effective prospecting and pipeline management generation, using a proven toolkit and approach Overcoming the most common 'put-offs' to seeing or engaging with you Overcoming psychological blocks to cold or warm calling - yours and the client's Identifying potential prospects - and decision-makers and influencers within target prospects - with greater accuracy Making outbound sales or appointment calls with improved confidence, control and results Improving conversion of calls to appointments by using more effective questions and sales messages The five keys to developing an engaging telephone voice and approaching manner 3 Power networking Strategies for networking and B2B referral-based marketing The importance, and different types, of networking How to work a room - preparation and strategy Communication dynamics in networking - the power of the listening networker Assumptions when networking Business networking etiquette Making connections, asking for cards, contact details and referrals, gaining follow-up commitments Building relationships - follow-up and follow-through 4 Developing new leads Strategies for first-time sales calls Gaining rapport and opening first-time and new business sales calls effectively Advanced consultative selling - questioning techniques to quickly and efficiently uncover opportunities, need areas and preferences Presenting your solution to a new or first-time customer - creating an enthusiastic and compelling personalised and persuasive summary of your proposal Value message - differentiate your solutions clearly and accurately, with tailored value statements Presenting the right initial USPs, features and benefits and making them relevant and real to the customer Smart ways to position price, emphasise value and be a strong player without being the cheapest or leading on price Learn and use advanced techniques to determine customer needs, value and decision-making criteria in depth on a first-time call 5 Organised persistence - CRM and prospect-tracking Organised persistence - sales tracking, following up on 'sleeping' customers, gaining referrals, time and territory management Maintaining a good database for maximising new business ROI Developing a contact strategy with different types and levels of contact Analysing your contact base using state-of-the-art software and tools Making the most of your CRM systems and solutions Understanding that your attitude makes a difference when sourcing new business Setting SMART objectives for new business development and lead-generation Practical exercise - setting personal development and business goals Time management tips to improve daily productivity New business pipeline management strategies for peak sales performance 6 Workshop summary and close Practical exercise - developing your new business action plan Review and feedback
This workshop will help you create, develop and close business opportunities using a consultative approach and a value-based (not price-led) proposition. Value-based selling means working the way your customer wants to buy, not how you want to sell. It also means: In a transactional sale the customer knows the answer without help from a salesperson (or cannot see why they should choose you), or is prepared to stay with what they have. Customer decision criteria are price and convenience and customers resent time spent with (new) salespeople, mainly because the salesperson adds little or nothing to what the customer already has and just wastes time. In a consultative or value-based sale, by contrast, the customer doesn't know the answer already. The salesperson must take the role of an advisor, not just a 'product promoter'. Customers demand expertise, advice and customisation during the sales process. Often customers insist on multiple meetings with salespeople and others to develop advantages that you can bring and reduce the perceived risk of changing. In this way the salesperson often adds more value than the product or service alone. This very practical workshop will help you use proven strategies and tactics to build, manage and successfully close sustainable business opportunities using a consultative approach and a value-based (not price-led) proposition. This includes: Increased impact of your new sales conversations, presentations and proposals - leading to faster decisions and increased conversion Greater confidence, consistency and professionalism throughout the business development process Enhanced sales questioning skills and techniques, leading to better, faster and more accurate development of customer needs, problems, value and expectations Improve your people, communication, influence and persuasion skills when approaching, consulting or presenting your services and solutions How to build value at all points in the customer's buying process through your knowledge, skills and structured approach Proven ways to gain additional business and referrals from existing customers and contacts, through direct approach and lead generation Being better able differentiate your firm, your solutions, track-record and expertise clearly and accurately with tailored value statements for each stage and for each opportunity Overcome and avoid price-based objections, buying criteria and negotiation 1 Introduction and key principles of value-based selling Introduction and review of pre-course questionnaires - KPIs, personal learning objectives and key principles The main principles of value-based selling and how they benefit you and the customer How value-based selling differs from 'transactional' or 'price-based' selling The stages of the customer's buying cycle - how to identify and work through strategies for each stage The concept of structured and set-piece selling and proposing Presentation by participants: Personal sales improvement goals 2 Value-based selling strategies and skills What is value? How can one move away from a price-led agenda? How to survive and resist price pressure - six techniques A review of key competencies and skills needed for a value-based approach Strategies, case studies and examples with discussion and review Defining your initial value proposition and comparative advantage How best to established the right level of trust, rapport and credibility Planning and practice session: Strategy - mapping a value-based sales process. 3 Connecting skills Research before the meeting and the first few minutes - ways to gain instant rapport and setting the foundation for a successful outcome in a first sales call How to structure an effective first time sales call or meeting - the subtle differences that are important to master How best to differentiate your solutions and build credibility and enthusiasm early or at the start of the buying process Overcoming initial buying resistance and relaxing the prospect; gaining rapport, opening the meeting: PBC (purpose-benefit-check) and gaining agreement to proceed Planning and practice session: Connecting - first meeting with a new contact 4 Consulting - building, developing and influencing client needs Understanding the power of high-impact and third-level questions to influence people based around specific needs and solutions The importance of body language and other personal communication dynamics when asking questions; empathic listening, run-on questions, drawing out skills, summarising, etc Creating a 'disturb' approach to creating needs and opportunities and positioning your solutions Using proven advanced sales questioning techniques with greater skill: Outcome, SPIN and qualification questions 'Decision-making criteria' - tools to help you develop the relevant criteria with the customer and in doing so progress your sales opportunities more effectively Planning and practice session: Questioning skills 5 Convincing - presentation and persuading skills practice Substance and style - selecting the right tone and content to engage and enthuse your prospect Compelling benefits and reducing perceived risk - key messages to deliver Helping the customer choose your proposition - by being convincing, compelling and credible when you present Professional and effective presentation skills - with personal coaching and practice sessions The keys of influence and persuasion and the keys to convincing a new customer to choose you for the first time Planning and practice session: Role-play in presenting your solution 6 Commitment Knowing when and how to close for commitment to the next stage in your sales process, plus ways to ask for commitment professionally and effectively How to isolate, prioritise and answer objections and concerns more openly and accurately, using a consultative not a confrontational approach Deal more effectively and profitably with price objections and reduce buyer's remorse (which can lead to an 'I want to think about it' reaction and cause delay and inertia) Key negotiation skills around the closing process - getting to 'yes' Planning and practice session: Role-play in closing and negotiation skills 7 Assessed role-play - Final practice session Live role-plays There is an option for external participants to be brought in to the live training workshop to take-part in the final assessed role-play or assist with other sessions run during the course. Performance assessment - 'Dragon's Pitch' The final afternoon of the course is an assessed role-play using a prepared scenario and external 'CEO'. The assessment criteria will be agreed prior to the workshop. 8 Workshop summary and close Personal action plan and learning summary
Slinger Signaller Training The aim of the NPORS Slinger Signaller Training or Slinger Signaller Course is to provide both theoretical and practical training in the safe and efficient operation of slinging and moving loads using hand signals or radios Guided by the Lift Supervisor. On successful completion of the slinger and signaller course you will be issued with the NPORS Slinger Signaller trained identity card with or without the CSCS Logo or testing can be carried out on your site nationwide or at our training centre in Gloucestershire NPORS Slinger Signaller Test Book with Confidence at Vally Plant Training At Vally Plant Training, we guarantee unbeatable value with our Slinger And Signaller Test Price Match Promise. When you choose us, you can book with confidence, knowing that we will not be beaten on price. If you find a lower price for the same NPORS Slinger and Signaller Worker Test, we’ll match it—ensuring you receive top-quality training at the best possible rate. Click for our terms and conditions Your skills, our commitment—always at the best price. NPORS Slinger Signaller Experienced Worker Test .This test is for operators who have received some form of training in the past or alternatively has been operating as a Slinger Signaller for a period of time. If you are unsure if you qualify to go down the test route please contact us to discuss this in more detail. This test is held at our test centre in Gloucestershire or at your site nationwide. Discounts are available for multiple bookings Turn your Slinger Signaller red card to blue with our hassle free NVQ, for more information CLICK HERE Slinger Signaller Course Duration Novice: 2 days, maximum of 3 candidates Experienced Worker Test: 1 day test only, maximum of 6 candidates. Location: Tewkesbury Training Centre At Our Customers Site*: Our instructors travel throughout the UK to deliver the slinger signaller training *Mileage and accommodation charges may apply Certification NPORS Traditional card – lasts for 5 years and is mainly accepted with housebuilders, utilities, port and marine as proof of competence OR NPORS card with CSCS logo – accepted by all major building contractor’s. The initial card is the RED trained operator card which lasts for 2 years and can be upgraded to BLUE competent operator card further to completion of relevant NVQ. CSCS Health & Safety Test If you require the NPORS Slingers Red operator card with the CSCS logo on then you must have completed the operatives health and safety test within the last two years. In house certificates: suitable as proof of operator competence accepted for insurance and HSE compliance. Slinger Signaller Course Contents: A Slinger Signaller course typically covers a range of topics related to the safe operation of lifting equipment and the signalling procedures involved in crane and lifting operations. While specific course contents may vary depending on the training provider and the regulations of the region, here’s a general outline of what will be included: 1. Introduction to Lifting Operations: Overview of lifting equipment and machinery. Importance of safe lifting operations. Legal and regulatory requirements for lifting operations, LOLLER, PUWER and BS 7121. 2. Roles and Responsibilities of Slinger and Signaller: Duties of the slinger signaller. Understanding the roles of other personnel involved in lifting operations (crane operator, banksman, etc.). Importance of effective communication and coordination. 3. Health and Safety: Risk assessment and hazard identification. Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. Safe working practices around lifting equipment and machinery. 4. Lifting Equipment and Accessories: Types of lifting equipment (cranes, hoists, slings, etc.). Inspection and maintenance requirements for lifting gear. Proper selection and use of lifting accessories. 5. Signals and Communication: Standard hand signals for crane operations. Radio communication procedures between Crane Driver & The Slinger and Signaller. Clear and effective communication techniques. 6. Load Identification and Weight Estimation: Methods for identifying loads and determining their weights. Estimating centre of gravity and load stability. 7. Slinging Techniques: Types of slings and their applications. Correct methods for attaching and securing loads. Precautions for different types of loads (e.g., fragile, hazardous). 8. Lifting Operations Planning: Pre-lift checks and planning considerations. Site-specific factors affecting lifting operations (e.g., terrain, weather). Emergency procedures and contingency planning. 9. Practical Exercises and Demonstrations: Hands-on training with lifting equipment and machinery. Practice sessions for signalling and communication. Simulation of real-world lifting scenarios. 10. Assessment and Certification: Written tests to assess theoretical knowledge. Practical assessments of signalling and slinging skills. Certification upon successful completion of the course. It’s essential for the Slinger Signaller Course to provide a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to ensure that participants can effectively carry out their duties as slinger signallers in various lifting operations. Additionally, the course should emphasise the importance of safety and adherence to regulations throughout all aspects of lifting operations. Slinger Signaller Training Available 7 days a week to suit your business requirements. VPT have a team of friendly and approachable instructors, who have a wealth of knowledge of the Slinger Signaller and the construction industry We have our own training centre conveniently located close to the M5 junction 9, In Tewkesbury. With its own purpose-built practical training area to simulate an actual working environment as a slinger signaller Our slinger and signaller training and test packages are priced to be competitive. Discounts are available for multiple bookings We can send a fully qualified NPORS slinger Tester to your site nationwide, to reduce the amount of time away from work Other courses: Master the operation of essential machinery with our Lift Supervision Training, Telehandler Training, Cat & Genny Training, Ride-On Road Roller, Scissor Lift, Abrasive Wheel Training, Lorry Loader Training and Telehandler Training. Elevate your skills for safer and more efficient operations in construction and maintenance projects. Enrol today to advance your career prospects in these industries. Location Advantage: NPORS Slinger Signaller Training Near Me For those looking for a “NPORS Slinger Signaller Training near me,” our widespread operations make it convenient for you to access Vally Plant Trainings top-quality training no matter where you are in the UK
Mindfulness is a practical technique for developing a greater sense of awareness and focus on the present moment. It is the opposite of mindlessness, meaning that actions and reactions become conscious and deliberate. It is an extremely useful tool for any busy work environment. Currently being used by the likes of Google and Pepsi, mindfulness can be adopted within the workplace to reduce stress and anxiety, provide greater focus and clarity, improve leadership capabilities and enhance the general wellbeing of staff at all levels. This workshop has been developed for forward-thinking organisations wanting to make a real and sustainable commitment to improving workplace wellbeing and productivity. This workshop will help you to understand the basic principles and benefits of mindfulness, and how it can be used in the workplace setting. It will also enable you to develop techniques to alleviate overwhelming feelings of stress or anxiety, prepare for important or challenging meetings, and generally achieve a greater sense of focus, clarity and calm whilst dealing with a hectic schedule.
This very practical session is designed to enable participants to improve the impact, clarity and accuracy of their reports. It focuses equally on the two key areas - structure and writing technique. This course will help participants: Scope reports based on objective and intended readership Write a structured report Use the Fog Index to ensure readability Write grammatically correct and well-punctuated text Review and edit their work. 1 Introduction Objectives and overview Introductions and personal aims 2 What makes a good report? Practical activity and feedback 3 Before you start The planning process and scoping a report Organising information Key report headings What goes where? Writing practice and review 4 Writing tips and techniques Clear English and use of language Grammar and sentence structure Refresher in punctuation Writing in the third person The Fog Index - and how to measure readability 5 Pulling it all together Reviewing and proofing 6 Review Summary of key learning points Action planning
Taking minutes is a much under-rated skill. It can be challenging at the best of times. So how do you do it for virtual meetings? This trainer-led session will help. It's a very practical programme which explores the issues specific to minuting on-line meetings and gives solutions to some of the trickier problems. Full of useful tips, the session will enable participants to: Identify how to adapt their current minute-taking skills to on-line meetings Plan and prepare for a meeting Follow a line of discussion Work in partnership with a remote Chair Deal confidently with minute-taking challenges. 1 Welcome Programme objectives Personal introductions 2 Adapting minute-taking to virtual meetings How is it different? What changes in approach are needed? 3 Preparation Preparing for the meeting Technology and equipment Dress and personal presentation Liaising with the Chair Practical preparation tips 4 Minuting tips Managing the 'techie' elements, eg. poor sound/visual quality Knowing who is speaking Following a line of discussion What if I don't hear or understand? Tips for producing a set of minutes 5 Session review Summary, key learning points, feedback and close
Self-understanding is a prerequisite for leading and managing others responsibly and honourably. The field of Neuro Linguistic Programming has helped us to gain a better insight into how we all think and behave. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: Gain an insight into the purpose and functions of the unconscious mind Develop flexibility to increase their for behaviours in different circumstances Appreciate how different people experience the world Create and set effective goals and direction Understand the NLP Model of Communication Adapt their communication style to maximise effectiveness Influence and persuade others by connecting with people Understand how empowerment can make life easier Appreciate how creativity works Learn creativity techniques to tap into the power of the team 1 Self-awareness Autopilot - your unconscious mind Developing flexibility How identify, values & beliefs shape our behaviour Models of the world 2 Creating direction Describing present and desired state Designing your direction Making it happen Self-mastery 3 Communication The NLP Model of Communication Insights to the way people think Understanding representation systems Reframing the way people think about negative experiences Using metaphor 4 Influence and persuasion Building trust Connecting with people Purpose intention and outcomes The difference empowerment makes 5 Creativity and innovation Hindrances to creativity and innovation Your natural state of creativity Getting unblocked Creativity techniques 6 Action plan Course summary and presentation of action plans
The aim of this course is to provide project managers, project engineers and project support staff with a toolkit they can use on their projects. The tools range from the simple that can be used on all projects to the advanced that can be used where appropriate. This programme will help the participants to: Identify and engage with stakeholders Use tools for requirements gathering and scope management Produce better estimates using a range of techniques Develop more reliable schedules Effectively manage delivery DAY ONE 1 Introduction Overview of the programme Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Stakeholder management Using PESTLE to aid stakeholder identification Stakeholder mapping The Salience model Stakeholder engagement grid 3 Requirements management Using prototypes and models to elucidate requirements Prioritising techniques Roadmaps Requirements traceability 4 Scope management Work breakdown structures Responsibility assignment matrix 5 Delivery approaches Sequential Agile 6 Estimating Comparative estimating Parametric Bottom-up Three-point estimating Delphi and Planning Poker Creating realistic budgets DAY TWO 7 Scheduling Critical path analysis Smoothing and levelling Timeboxing Team boards Monte Carlo simulations Probability of completion 8 People management Situational Leadership The Tuckman model Negotiation Conflict management Belbin 9 Monitoring and control Earned value management 10 Course review and action planning Identify actions to be implemented individually Conclusion PMI, CAPM, PMP and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
This is an essential programme for any member of staff whose role requires a high level of attention to detail. The focus is specifically on the handling of text and data, whether at the input stage or when collating information into reports and documents for use by others. The session looks at both prevention and cure. For 'prevention', it focuses on understanding how common errors occur and on developing an awareness of the factors which influence our level of attentiveness. It introduces key psychological theories around attentiveness including the 'capacity' and 'bottleneck filter' models. And it looks at how working styles can affect attention to detail. For 'cure', the programme looks at how to minimise the effect of stress on concentration as well as introducing a number of tools and techniques for promoting accuracy - at both the input and the checking stages. Particular attention is paid to proof-reading techniques. By the end of the session, participants will: Appreciate why errors occur Understand how stress and other factors can affect focus and accuracy Know how to improve accuracy and reduce errors when handling text and data Be able to proof-read text and number-based documents more accurately 1 The importance of accuracy The impact of mistakes Why accuracy is so important Main reasons why errors occur 2 Attentiveness theory The 'capacity' and 'bottleneck filter' models Selective attention Chunking - big picture / little picture 3 Preparing for accuracy Working styles - how they affect detail-orientation Identifying and minimising the impact of stress on concentration 4 Practical strategies How to improve accuracy and reduce errors when inputting text Managing interruptions and distractions Proofing text and numbers
Meetings are a fact of working life - both virtual and physical meetings. Recording the key points from meetings is critical to making sure that accurate information is captured, and action points are clearly identified and allocated. This virtual training session will support members of staff to develop their skills in recording the key points from meetings and discussions. This course will help participants: Describe the different levels of note taking and pick the appropriate style for the meeting Prepare to take minutes in the virtual and the physical environment Liaise and work in partnership with the meeting Chair Use a template to enable the capturing of key points Set up the room ready for the meeting Identify key points to record, versus what not to record Interrupt the meeting confidently to check key points Take neutral, accurate and concise records Produce a well-laid out set of minutes. 1 Introduction Objectives and overview Introductions and personal aims 2 An introduction to minutes Purpose and use Different levels of notetaking 3 Preparing to take minutes Identifying the purpose of the meeting Working with the Chair Tips and techniques to prepare effectively Case studies, review and discussion The physical environment: setting up for a meeting 4 Listening and recording Tips and techniques to make the process easier How to interrupt a meeting What to record; what to leave out Recording in short-form using playscript and bullet-points Listening neutrally Activity: Minuting a Meeting The tricky ones and how to overcome problems in the meeting 5 Preparing the minutes Producing a set of draft minutes Tips on grammar, punctuation and layout Stylistic variation Managing feedback from the Chair 6 Review Summary of key learning points Action planning