How it works

You can select any number of topics to be combined into your bespoke programme of learning. 

Popular modules include those listed here, and we can also develop bespoke modules to meet your organisation's specific needs. Each module represents half a day of training. 

Click on each module title to read the key learning outcomes

Communication skills

Business Writing

• Communicate in a structured way, always keeping the reader in mind 
• Write with greater confidence, renewed purpose and a clear process 
• Develop a concise and appropriate writing style 
• Learn the Seven Stages of the writing process 
• Successfully structure, sequence and signpost a document 
• Produce documents with coherent arguments and a strong conclusion 

Effective Communication

• The key principles of great communication 
• Increasing self-awareness through feedback
• 4 main communication styles in management 
• Influencing and communication tools
• Handling difficult situations
• Questioning and listening

Managing Change

• 5 types of change
• Managing change resistance
• Supporting people through change
• Managing change creatively
• Communicating change 
• Managing stress and the change curve

Negotiation and Dealing with Conflict

• Establishing trust
• Structuring negotiations
• Negotiation behaviour – typical examples
• Managing internal states
• Aiming for successful solution-based outcomes

Powerful Presentations

• Making an impact with a compelling introduction
• Structuring your key messages
• Creating a powerful conclusion
• Using body and voice to create rapport
• Presenting thoughts and information with confidence
• Handling questions effectively

Personal effectiveness

Commercial Awareness

• Defining commercial awareness
• Critical thinking
• Decision-making
• Preparing a business case
• Executing strategy
• Market mapping

Creative Thinking

• Creativity and innovation
• Overcoming barriers to creativity
• Understanding different creative work styles
• Mind-mapping
• Expressing intuitive thought
• Understanding how innovation can boost performance

Critical Thinking

• Take a creative and open approach to exploring the data
• Critically analyse the situation, including financial implications, risk analysis, etc.
• Work with and manage ambiguity
• Explore a range of options and identify the most effective overall solution
• Use different thought approaches at different times to yield better results
• Determine the root cause of business problems and opportunities

Emotional Intelligence Applied

• Understand the brain (cortex, limbic and stem) and the interplay with emotions 
• Recognise and avoid emotional hijack 
• Interpret the Goleman 5 Core EI elements model 
• Act with empathy to improve all working relationships 
• Promote self-confidence, achievement-orientation and initiative 
• Positively challenge assumptions and behaviours 

Resilience

• Make realistic plans with the capacity to following them through 
• Understand how to use Resilience and Positive Psychology 
• Retain composure through stress reduction techniques to manage strong impulses  
• Remain calm and level-headed under pressure 
• Apply emotional awareness to inform high quality decision-making 
• Learn to adopt a highly flexible and adaptable approach to change

Time and Priority Management

• How to keep energised and focused through the day (and difficult times)
• Understand your priorities and the priorities of your business/department
• Establishing what's important and when to act on it
• Effective diary management
• Planning for the un-plannable
• Increase mental toughness, ability to handle stress and act assertively

Understanding Self and Others

• Different types of people and how they require different management styles
• Understanding your own preferences/behaviour and how it impacts on others
• Using this knowledge in your daily work
• Understanding your own and others’ motivation
• How to deliver (and receive) constructive feedback
• Pushing back without losing influence

Managing others 

Coaching for Results

• Developing a coaching culture
• Understanding your management style and how it fits with coaching
• Your goals for coaching
• Application of the GROW coaching model
• Using coaching for difficult conversations
• Coaching individual team members

Developing a High Performing Team

• Why do teams matter? 
• The secrets of truly great teams
• Different types of teams
• Analysis of the skills, experience and attributes required for your current team
• Understanding the stages of teams
• How to get where you want to go

Managing Individuals

• Having tough conversations
• Managing poor performers
• Developing great performers
• Introduction to succession planning
• Performance management/appraisals
• Understanding motivation – manager and team

Motivation and Delegation

• Understanding motivation – manager and team 
• Different types of motivation
• How to increase motivation
• Why, when and how to delegate
• Learning to delegate effectively
• Identifying and avoiding delegation pitfalls

What Makes a Great Manager

• What makes a great manager?
• What type of manager do you want to be
• Experiences of good and bad management practice
• The difference between management and leadership
• The importance of constructive communication in management
• Different types of people and the management styles they require

Working in Remote Teams 

• Building and leading virtual or remote teams 
• Establishing a team’s sense of purpose and vision
• Designing team protocols to optimise the team’s effectiveness
• Using appropriate communication technologies 
• Diagnosing and handling the risks of distance and diversity

Working with Key Stakeholders

• Understanding the different perspectives and styles of stakeholders
• The power and interest scales of stakeholder management
• Managing stakeholders with a structured communication strategy
• Using the RACI matrix to handle stakeholders effectively 
• Handling conflict, negotiation and evaluation
• Practising effective and active listening to gain trust