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
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
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
We've all sat through far more bad presentations than good ones, but knowing what 'good' looks like is easier than successfully replicating it. Sales presentations are a performance and, as salespeople, fluffing our lines can cost us a lot more than hurt pride. Having discovered and understood the specific needs and burning issues our prospect has, then this course will help any salesperson avoid dropping the ball and instead wowing their prospects with a high-impact, tailored and compelling case for purchase. This course will help participants: Prepare mentally and physically for stand-up presentations Use voice modulation and bullet-pointing to demand attention Avoid boring their prospects Master the do's and don'ts of PowerPoint Deal more effectively with technical hitches and prospect's interruptions Use eye contact and engagement to avoid prospects 'tuning out' Deploy best practice essentials for presenting with colleagues Steer through the toughest Q&A 1 Preparing your presentation Mindset Knowing your objective(s) Vocal warm-up techniques Assembling pre-agreed benefits Time management Room set-up Technical preparation 2 How to open your presentation Vocal energy Summary and agreement of prospect's needs How to have posture and confidence Use of humour What to do with those dreaded hands Confident v non-confident body language 3 How to get and keep people's attention Bullet pointing Linking benefits to specific, stated needs Practical exercise - formulating and delivering tailored benefits Being selective with features Third party reinforcement and case studies 'Watering the garden' eye contact technique Practical exercise - participants practise 'sharing out' eye contact to audience How to handle a prospect's negative body language Handling interruptions 4 Presenting in groups Credentialing all participants Role delineation for group presentations Edifying other participants' messages - do's and don'ts How to maintain energy when not speaking Practical exercise - good and bad practice when not speaking Teamwork in Q&A sessions How to hand over professionally 5 PowerPoint do's and don'ts Use of visual aids Good and bad PowerPoint slides How to make PowerPoint work for you Classic PowerPoint errors Avoiding and handling technical problems Good and bad flipchart practice 6 Closing and / or achieving next action steps Power of summary Good Q&A practice Handling objections Practical exercise - handling objections on one's feet Creating consensus among prospect panel What to do when prospects disagree with each other When to trial close How to close on next action steps 7 Wrap-up Key learning points from each participant Action steps to be implemented on next presentations
Software comes in a variety of guises - application software, firmware, middleware, system software. Increasingly, however, it doesn't necessarily present that way, especially as the boundaries between software, data and source code are becoming more and more blurred. And as software becomes more complex and more difficult to disentangle, so it becomes harder to manage and to value. But as it becomes more integral to every aspect of a business, so it is ever more important to keep on top of the technical, legal and commercial issues that arise, issues such as: To address these issues, organisations need a process for evaluating their current situation from all perspectives and for identifying the key actions they need to take to ensure holistic management of their software. This very practical programme will help set your organisation on the right path. Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. This programme is designed to give you a deeper understanding of: The technical, legal and commercial risks associated with software development, procurement, use and commercial exploitation The most appropriate processes and responsibilities for managing those risks Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. 1 Software business model What is the software business model? What options exist? Has the software business model been thoroughly reviewed to ensure its viability? This means fully understanding the market opportunity, the business environment and customer and end-user expectations. 2 Technology What are the technologies? How has the technology selection been validated considering the competitiveness, structure, and potential for future innovation? 3 UI and UX What is the UI and UX? How to best articulate this? Has the user interface and user experience been studied from both a subjective and objective view to give insight into customer behaviour? 4 Legal framework / commercial aspects Has the necessary legal framework or commercial aspects that may impact upon use or operation of the software been understood and risks identified and mitigated? 5 Software development What is the software development process? Are both the business management and development team's processes resilient in order to improve the company's capability and the maturity of the software? 6 Software quality What is quality? What are the metrics around software quality? What is the maturity level, based around a qualitative and quantitative assessment? 7 Intellectual property associated What IP should be considered when it comes to software? Does the company understand both the intellectual property risks and potential opportunities associated with this software? 8 Security What does software security mean in this context? How is it being addressed? 9 An holistic approach Review of roles and responsibilities to ensure appropriate management and protection
Agile project management, already widely used for software development, is increasingly recognised as having much more general application. Continuous improvement programmes, business change projects, new technology development, research and development and a variety of other scenarios characterised by rapid change and high uncertainty can all benefit from an Agile approach. This programme presents the concepts and methods of Agile project management, and shows how to apply them to a range of project and change management situations. Participants will learn: how Agile project management can help with project and change management the 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile 'manifesto' and the range of Agile methodologies how to apply Agile project management methods and techniques in a range of project scenarios alternative Agile project management methods and how they can be applied and adapted what makes Agile project teams succeed the key roles and responsibilities needed to enable Agile project teams to work effectively how to encourage an Agile mindset within their organisation and how to move toward an Agile approach to managing projects 1 Introduction to Agile project management Overview of 'classical' project management and methodologies The link between project success and management performance Limitations of classical approaches and the need for Agile methods The 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile manifesto explained Agile project management values:Individuals and interactions over processes and toolsWorking outputs over comprehensive documentationCustomer collaboration over contract negotiationResponding to change over following a plan The cultural challenges of using Agile project management Choosing when and how to adopt Agile project management 2 Initiating a project using Agile project management Some key Agile methodologies explained: SCRUM, XP, Crystal Identifying and engaging project stakeholders; defining roles and responsibilities Setting the project vision and goals; defining project scope The Agile approach to requirements capture and elicitation of needs Tools and techniques for capturing and characterising requirements The role of documentation, reporting and process management 3 The Agile approach to definition and planning Understanding Agile planning; the 'planning onion' concept Developing the culture needed for collaborative involvement and iterative planning Defining project deliverables; the 'product backlog' concept Tools and techniques for defining and prioritising requirements in Agile projects Understanding and applying Agile estimating techniques Dealing with uncertainty and managing risks 4 The Agile approach to execution and delivery The results orientated, fast adapting culture of Agile teams The monthly 'Sprint' process for project planning and review The disciplines needed for effective daily SCRUM meetings Reviewing progress, managing change and project reporting Testing, completing and handing over of work packages Managing the interface between the project team and the business 5 Leadership and teamwork in Agile project teams Why Agile teams are different: the importance of individuals and interactions The skills and attributes needed to lead an Agile project team The challenges faced and skills needed by Agile team members Recognising team development needs; adopting the right leadership style Making the transition from project manager to Agile coach Key coaching skills explored: mentoring, facilitating, managing conflict
Many organisations find that project teams struggle to create and maintain effective plans. Estimates are often overly optimistic and risks go unmanaged until the inevitable happens. Resource managers also find it hard to forecast the likely loading on their departments and requests for support are not provided in a consistent format. This programme has been developed to address these needs in a very practical, hands-on format. Case study work can be based on simulations or on the organisation's current projects for maximum benefit to participants. The aim of this training is to develop and enhance participants' planning and risk management skills in order to maximise the success of project work undertaken by the organisation. The principal training objectives for this programme are to: Provide a structured, integrated approach to planning and risk management Demonstrate practical tools and techniques for each stage of planning Show how to organise and involve relevant people in the planning process Explain how to use the plan for forecasting and pro-active project control Identify ways to improve planning, both individually and corporately The course will emphasise the importance of participative planning techniques that improve the quality of plans whilst reducing overall time and cost of planning. The course will encourage discussion of internal procedures and practices and may be customised to include them if required. DAY ONE 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Projects and planning Why plan? The benefits of good planning / penalties of poor planning Planning in the project lifecycle; the need for a 'living' plan The interaction between target setting and the planning process Team exercise: planning the project 3 Planning the plan Defining the application and structure of the plan Impact of planning decisions during the project lifecycle Using available time to create an effective plan 4 Defining deliverables Assessing the context; reviewing the goals and stakeholders Developing the scope and defining deliverables; scope mapping Understanding customer priorities; delivering value for money Case study: defining the project deliverables 5 Creating the work breakdown Building the work breakdown structure Detailing the tasks and sub-tasks; structured brainstorming Defining task ownership; the task responsibility matrix 6 Creating and using a logical network Developing the logical network; task boarding Determining the critical path and calculating float Accelerating the plan; concurrent programming and risk Individual and group exercises DAY TWO 7 Developing resource schedules Deriving the Gantt chart from the network Developing the detailed resource schedules Calculating the expenditure profile ('S' curve) 8 Estimating task durations and costs Understanding estimates: effort, availability and duration Estimating tools and techniques Application of estimating techniques during the project lifecycle 9 Case study Developing the project plan Refining the project plan Team presentations and discussion 10 Managing risks and refining the plan Awareness of contractual issues associated with risk Identifying and evaluating risks; deciding ownership Managing risks: determining levels of provision and contingency Controlling risks: maintaining an up-to date risk register 11 Planning for pro-active control The earned value analysis (EVA) concept and its predictive value Deriving the measures needed for cost and delivery performance Practical issues associated with implementing EVA 12 Using and maintaining the plan Tracking progress and updating the plan Publishing and controlling the plan 13 Course review and transfer planning (Course sponsor present) Identify ways of implementing the techniques learnt Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion
Businesses that don't control their costs don't stay in business. How well are you doing? Is everyone in your organisation sufficiently aware of costs, managing them effectively and maximising opportunities to reduce them? If there is scope for improvement, this course will help get you back on track. It will demonstrate that cost reduction is so much more than cost control and cost cutting. True cost management is about being aware of costs, seeking to reduce them through good design and efficient operating practices whilst taking continuing action on overspending. This course will develop the participants' skills in: Being aware of costs at all times Seeking cost reduction from the start (including life-cycle costing) Appraising projects / production to identify and take out risk Understanding real budgeting Using techniques such as ZBB and ABC where appropriate Ensuring cost reports lead to action Managing a cost reduction process that delivers Benefits to the organisation will include: Identification of cost reduction and business improvement opportunities Better reporting and ownership of costs Greater awareness and control of everyday costs 1 Introduction - the cost management process The risks of poor cost control Capital and revenue costs The importance of cost awareness The importance of cost reduction Cost management - the key aspects How to build a cost management and control process checklist for your areas of responsibility 2 Cost removal - taking out costs Cost awareness Costs of poor design / poor processes Value engineering Removing redundant costs 3 The need for commercial, technical and financial appraisals Understand the problems before cash is committed and costs incurred Making the effort to identify commercial and technical risk The time value of money - DCF techniques for long term projects Cost models for production processes and projects Costing models - project appraisals The use of spreadsheets to identify sensitivity and risk How to focus on risk management 4 Budgeting - proper budgeting challenges costs The philosophy of the business - are costs an issue? The importance of having the right culture The need for detailed business objectives Budgetary control measures Designing budget reports - for action 5 Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) - the principles Much more than starting with a clean sheet of paper What ZBB can achieve The concept of decision packages - to challenge business methods and costs Only necessary costs should be incurred A review of an operating budget - demonstrating what ZBB challenges and the costs it may lead to being taken out 6 Awareness of overheads and other costs Definitions of cost - direct and indirect Dealing with overheads - what is meant by allocation, absorption or apportionment? The apparent and real problems with overheads Different ways of dealing with overheads Review of overhead allocation methods and accounting and reporting issues 7 Overheads and product costing Activity-based costing (ABC) - the principles Where and how the ABC approach may be helpful Know the 'true' cost of a product or a project Should you be in business? Will you stay in business? Identifying weaknesses in a traditional overhead allocation How ABC will help improve product or service costing Identifying which products and activities should be developed and which abandoned 8 Cost reduction culture The need for cost reports What measures can be used to identify over-spends as early as possible Cost control performance measures and ratios 9 Design of cost control reports Reports should lead to action and deliver Selecting cost control measures which can be acted upon Practice in designing action reports 10 Course summary - developing your own cost action plan Group and individual action plans will be prepared with a view to participants identifying their cost risks areas and the techniques which can be immediately applied to improve costing and reduce costs
Agility has become a prized business attribute. Although Agile methods were once most associated with software development, they are now applied in a host of different areas. Agile continues to find new applications because it is primarily an attitude. This programme delivers a solid grounding in both the Agile mindset and Agile methods. It covers three methods, illustrates the benefits of each and shows how they can be integrated. It includes practical techniques as well as background knowledge. By the end of the session, participants will be able to: Apply Agile concepts to self-manage their work Understand the roles people take on in Agile teams Use a variety of techniques to help deliver customer satisfaction Focus on delivering against priorities Employ a range of estimating techniques 1 Introduction Overview of the programme Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 The basics of Agile What makes Agile different Agile Manifesto and Principles Using feedback to deliver what is needed 3 Agile teams Multi-disciplinary teams Team size and empowerment Agile values 4 Agile at the team level - Scrum Scrum roles Scrum 'events' Scrum 'artifacts' 5 Agile for teams juggling multiple demands - Kanban Taking control of the work Improving throughput Dealing with bottlenecks 6 Agile in projects - AgilePM The phases of an Agile project Managing change requests Delivering on time 7 Estimating T-shirt / Pebble sizing Yesterday's weather Planning poker 8 Pick 'n' mix - some useful techniques The daily stand-up User stories Retrospectives Work-in-process limits Burndown charts Minimum viable product A / B testing 9 Review and action planning Identify actions to be implemented individually Conclusion
This very practical and focused one-day workshop enables end-users, technical experts, proponents, internal customers and other key stakeholders to work with procurement and contracting to develop effective specifications and scopes of work, to ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes. The programme empowers participants to collaborate with all key stakeholders. This workshop will help participants: Understand the importance and value of clear and effective specifications Differentiate between the different methods of creating specifications and when to apply them Develop robust specification templates to ensure consistency Understand the use of appropriate language (critical to creating effective specifications) Appreciate the need to develop specifications in cooperation with stakeholders Make use of techniques such as value analysis and value engineering to define 'fit for purpose' in the context of creating effective specifications Embed key KPIs into the specification to ensure delivery Manage and mitigate legal and contractual risks in the specification 1 Introduction Learning outcomes Learning styles Plan for the day 2 The importance of effective specifications Scopes of work Impact of poor scopes of work Examples of costly errors 3 The critical role of language Terminology in creating effective specifications and scopes of work Problems of communication Lack of detail or too prescriptive 4 Encouraging cooperation Technical and commercial experts with responsibility for developing robust effective specifications and scopes of work Managing stakeholders' expectations Working with contractors 5 Types of specification Exploring and using the various approaches to the development of appropriate specifications and scopes of work Output Performance Technical Functional Solutions-based 6 The role of value analysis Value engineering in the process of developing scopes of work and specifications 7 Specifications and contracts The legal and contractual impact of poor specifications and scopes of work How to embed scopes of work and specification outputs into tender and quotation documents 8 Specifications as a management tool Developing KPIs and SLAs framed around robust effective specifications and scopes of work Negotiating with contractors Negotiating with stakeholders