4 Educators providing Professional Skills Course (PSC) courses in Cardiff

Coaching, Workplace coaching, Floor walking coaching, Organisational coaching,

All organizations have policies and procedures that guide how decisions are made and how the work is done in that organization. Professionally written policies and procedures increase organizational accountability and transparency and are fundamental to quality/standards assurance and quality improvement.

This course is for anyone wishing to understand their strengths and development areas and those who are seeking assistance to progress their careers and convey their abilities confidently.

This very practical one-day programme provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to be an effective member of the procurement team and to enable them to procure a wide range of resources for the organisation, in a compliant and cost-effective manner. It also empowers them to be able to collaborate with all key stakeholders. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: * Understand the basic concepts of good procurement practice * Apply a range of tools and techniques for developing scopes of work and specifications * Apply various methods to select and evaluate suppliers * Develop robust contract award strategies * Appreciate the commercial importance of effective procurement and opportunities to reduce cost and add value * Develop appropriate procurement strategies depending on risk and value * Appreciate the legal aspects of procurement 1 WELCOME * Introductions * Aims and objectives * Plan for the day 2 THE BASICS OF PROCUREMENT * The concept of total cost of ownership v price * The procurement cycle * The roles of the customer and the contractor * Impact upon profit 3 SPECIFICATION PROCESS * Importance of effective specifications * Specification development process * Types of specification * Team approach * Use of performance specifications * Early supplier involvement (ESI) / early contractor involvement (ECI) 4 QUALITY * Concepts and practices * Defining 'fit for purpose' * Conformance to requirements * Compliance to standards * Role of the supplier * Quality assurance tools and techniques 5 PROCUREMENT METHODS * RFP * RFQ * ITT * Negotiated procurement * Strategic partnerships * Outsourcing 6 TENDERING * How to undertake a formal tendering process * Business case to award * Critical stages in the process * Risks and benefits 7 TENDER EVALUATION * How to undertake a quotation analysis * Tools of analysis * Use of VFM models * Role of the customer * Comparisons around cost, quality, and delivery 8 SUPPLIER SELECTION AND EVALUATION * Developing critical selection criteria * Using the 10Cs model * Importance of effective selection process * Weighting systems * Importance of validity and evidence 9 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT * Life cycle cost issues * Payback calculations * Compatibility issues * Maintenance and training issues * After-sales support 10 SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS * Corporate social responsibility issues * Communication * 360 feed-back * Open and ethical * Initial understanding * Clear and fair terms and conditions 11 CLOSE * Review of key learning points * Personal action planning

It is important for Officers to understand the roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures involved when working with Elected Members. They also need to appreciate the significance of Elected Members as the decision-makers in local government. Officers have a responsibility to work and communicate with Elected Members effectively. This very successful course is designed to help Officers with this. Note: this is very much an indicative outline. The programme is tailored to the needs of each particular organisation. To provide managers with the knowledge and understanding they need to have productive working relationships with Elected Members and provide appropriate support. By the end of the course participants will: * Understand the roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures in place for working with Elected Members * Be able to identify the best way to approach potentially sensitive issues * Understand the skills and behaviours required for working effectively with Members * Be able to deploy their influencing skills more successfully * Review their learning and have an action plan to take back and implement at work Note: this is very much an indicative outline. The programme is tailored to the needs of each particular organisation. 1 INTRODUCTION * Welcome and introductions * Objectives and programme overview 2 WORKING IN A POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT * What is political awareness? * Contact and experience with Members * Importance of the role of Members 3 WHY BE AN ELECTED MEMBER? * Perceptions of what Elected Members are and do * Values of Members and their motivations for doing what they do 4 POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT * Current challenges and drivers affecting the organisation / the council * Roles and responsibilities of Officers and Members * Centrality of Members' strategic role 5 (OPTION) A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ELECTED MEMBER * An Elected Member gives a talk about what they do * 6 HAVING A BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OFFICERS AND MEMBERS 7 MEMBER / OFFICER COMMUNICATION * Discussion of the formal processes, service procedures, etc (whether enshrined in a protocol, Memorandum of Understanding, etc) * Response times and requirements * Procedures required by Heads of Service [if appropriate] 8 INFLUENCING STYLES AND STRATEGIES * Different forms of power and how they impact * Developing an appropriate 'influencing style' * Exploring strategies for improving communication and influencing at work 9 REVIEW AND EVALUATION * Review and evaluation of learning * Personal action plans

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the principles and practice for leading and managing a portfolio of smaller projects in a multi-project / multi-task environment. It presents a range of practical methods and techniques relevant to the smaller project scenario, using exercises and case studies to show how these can be applied. The scope of the programme includes: The course also emphasises the importance of the leadership and team-working skills needed by project managers and team members in carrying out their roles. The principal training objectives for this programme are to: * Explain and demonstrate the key principles of successful project management * Demonstrate a range of useful project management tools and techniques * Define the role, and help participants understand the skills required by, the project leader * Provide a structured framework to help participants manage multiple projects * Identify opportunities to improve project management within the organisation DAY ONE 1 INTRODUCTION (COURSE SPONSOR) * Why this programme has been developed * Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 MANAGING SMALLER PROJECTS * Projects and project management * Lessons from past projects; the essential requirements for success * Differences between projects; characteristic project life cycles * Key issues and challenges of smaller projects * The multi-project world; project portfolio management 3 PROJECT EXERCISE * Syndicate teams plan and manage a small project * Review of the project exercise: What are the keys to successful management of small projects? 4 SETTING UP THE PROJECT * Getting organised * Managing the definition process * Identifying and managing project stakeholders * Working with the customer to define the scope and agree deliverables 5 CASE STUDY 1 * Defining the project scope and deliverables * Syndicate teams define the scope and deliverables for a typical project 6 PROJECT PLANNING * The importance and cost benefit of effective planning * Planning the plan; deciding how detailed a plan to create * Packaging the work and estimating timescales and costs * Developing project / resource schedules; setting milestones for control v * Identifying and managing critical path activities 7 CASE STUDY 2 * Creating the project plan * Syndicate teams develop and analyse the project plan DAY TWO 8 MANAGING PROJECT RISKS * Identifying risks to the project outcome, timescale and cost * Evaluating risks and adopting an appropriate risk strategy * Defining risk ownership; keeping a simple risk log * Keeping risk management up to date; staying pro-active * Integrating planning and risk management 9 PROJECT CONTROL * Managing change, minimising scope creep * Selecting the data needed to provide early warning of problems * Monitoring performance easily with 'S' curves and slip charts * Using trend forecasting to assess true project status * Running project review meetings 10 MANAGING A MULTI-PROJECT PORTFOLIO * Understanding the world of multiple projects * Establishing ownership of project / programme management * Classifying projects and creating the 'master schedule' * Defining and applying project lifecycle management * Resource management: essential pre-requisites and mechanisms * Project prioritisation criteria and techniques; pain / gain analysis 11 MANAGING THE MULTI-PROJECT TEAM * Characteristics of small project teams / part-time team membership * Clarifying line and project management responsibilities * Implementing effective manpower planning * Establishing professional working practices in the team * Developing project management competences in the team * Establishing team roles and integrating team members 12 COURSE REVIEW AND TRANSFER PLANNING (COURSE SPONSOR PRESENT) * Identify actions to be implemented individually * Identify corporate opportunities for improving project management * Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals * Conclusion

The aim of this programme is to help attendees create better quality technical documents in an organised and efficient manner. It will give those new to the topic an appreciation of how to approach the task professionally whilst those with more experience will be able to refresh and refine their skills. The programme comprises three complementary one-day modules: The programme presents a structured methodology for creating technical documents and provides a range of practical techniques that help delegates put principles into practice. Although not essential, it is strongly advised that delegates for modules 2 and 3 have already attended module 1, or another equivalent course. Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. This course will: * Explain the qualities and benefits of well written technical documents * Present a structured approach for producing technical documents * Review the essential skills of effective technical writing * Demonstrate practical methods to help create better documents * Provide tools and techniques for specification and report writing * Review how technical documents should be issued and controlled Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. Module 1: Essential skills for technical writers 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAMME * Aims and objectives of the module * Introductions and interests of participants 2 CREATING EFFECTIVE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS * What is technical writing? how does it differ from other writing? * Key qualities of an effective technical document * Communication essentials and the challenges faced by technical writers * The lessons of experience: how the best writers write * The five key steps : prepare - organise - write - edit - release (POWER) 3 PREPARING TO WRITE * Defining the document aims and objectives; choosing the title * Understanding technical readers and their needs * Getting organised; planning and managing the process * Integrating technical and commercial elements * The role of intellectual property rights (IPR), eg, copyright 4 ORGANISING THE CONTENT * The vital role of structure in technical documents * Deciding what to include and how to organise the information * Categorising information: introductory, key and supporting * Tools and techniques for scoping and structuring the document * Creating and using document templates - pro's and con's 5 WRITING THE DOCUMENT * Avoiding 'blinding them with science': the qualities of clear writing * Problem words and words that confuse; building and using 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 * Using diagrams and other graphics; avoiding potential pitfalls 6 EDITING AND RELEASING THE DOCUMENT * Why editing is difficult; developing a personal editing strategy * Some useful editing tools and techniques * Key requirements for document issue and control Module 2: Creating better specifications 1 INTRODUCTION * Aims and objectives of the day * Introductions and interests of participants * The 'POWER' writing process for specifications 2 CREATING BETTER SPECIFICATIONS * The role and characteristics of an effective specification * Specifications and contracts; the legal role of specifications * Deciding how to specify; understanding functional and design requirements * Developing the specification design; applying the principles of BS 7373 * Getting organised: the key stages in compiling an effective specification 3 PREPARING TO WRITE A SPECIFICATION * Defining the scope of the specification; deciding what to include and what not * Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming * The why/what/how pyramid; establishing and understanding requirements * Clarifying priorities; separating needs and desires: the MoSCoW method * Useful quantitative techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis * Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify 4 ORGANISING THE CONTENT * The role of structure in specifications * Typical contents and layout for a specification * What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections * Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections * Detailed contents of each sub-section * Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 WRITING THE SPECIFICATION * Identifying and understanding the specification reader * Key words: will, shall, must; building and using a glossary * Writing performance targets that are clear and unambiguous * Choosing and using graphics * Exercise: writing a specification 6 EDITING AND RELEASING THE DOCUMENT * Key editing issues for specifications * Issue and control of specifications Module 3: Writing better reports 1 INTRODUCTION * Aims and objectives of the day * Introductions and interests of participants * The 'POWER' technical writing process for technical reports 2 CREATING BETTER REPORTS * What is a technical report? types and formats of report * The role and characteristics of an effective technical report * Understanding technical report readers and their needs * The commercial role and impact of technical reports * Getting organised: the key stages in compiling a technical report 3 PREPARING TO WRITE REPORTS * Agreeing the terms of reference; defining aims and objectives * Being clear about constraints; defining what is not to be included * Legal aspects and intellectual property rights (IPR) for reports * Preparing the ground; gathering information and reference documents * Keeping track of information: note making, cataloguing and cross referencing * Tools and techniques for developing a valid and convincing argument 4 ORGANISING THE CONTENT * The role of structure reviewed; some typical report structures * Who needs what: identifying the varied needs of the readership * What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections * Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections * Detailed contents of each sub-section * Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 WRITING THE REPORT * Planning the storyline: the report as a journey in understanding * Recognising assumptions about the reader; what they do and don't know * Converting complex concepts into understandable statements * Presenting technical data and its analysis; the role of graphics * Presenting the case simply whilst maintaining technical integrity * Exercise: writing a technical report 6 EDITING AND RELEASING THE REPORT * Key editing issues for technical reports * Issue and control of technical reports

This one-day workshop is designed to enhance your PowerPoint skills to achieve dynamic presentations that work with you, making it easier to deliver a polished, professional presentation. You will learn advanced PowerPoint skills that will save you time and elevate your presentations. This course will help participants: * Create custom shows to personalise presentations for individual clients * Make the Slide Master work collectively with slide layouts and themes * Seamlessly interact with external content using links * Work with advanced animations and transitions, and video/audio tools 1 THEMES AND MASTERS * Add a Design theme to a presentation * Make changes to the Slide Master * Delete layouts from the slide master * Saving a slide master with themes as a template 2 ADVANCED GRAPHICS AND DIAGRAMS * Drawing, duplicating and resizing shapes * Grouping, aligning and stacking shapes and graphics * Using SmartArt for diagrams and organisation charts 3 GRAPHS AND CHARTS * Inserting and formatting a chart * Linking an Excel chart to a slide * Linking Excel tables to a slide * Animating charts 4 VIDEO, CUSTOM ANIMATION AND HYPERLINKS * Adding and editing video * Animating pictures and drawings * Hyperlink to another Slide or Website * Compressing and optimising media 5 PRESENTING * Reuse slides * Hide slides * Rehearsing timings * Enabling a presentation to run continuously

Today's administrative professional needs flexibility and a broad portfolio of skills including self-motivation, assertiveness, and the ability to deal with difficult people. You will benefit from this course if you are an administrator, medical/legal secretary or PA, who wants to enhance your administrative support skills, as well as evaluating your existing techniques. This course will help you identify: * your areas of strength and your areas for improvement in the work environment * ways to accept new challenges and responsibilities with confidence * what motivates you at work * techniques to improve your planning and time management * ways of improving your influencing and assertiveness skills * your preferred working style (and relate it to your interaction with others) * ways of using your initiative * how to deal with challenging people, using recognised communication methods The course will help you develop a flexible set of skills that will allow you to succeed at work, no matter what the day throws at you. It will help you communicate effectively with a diverse range of colleagues and others with tact and diplomacy. And, finally, it will help you provide the administrative support that is essential for the smooth running of your area and of the organisation as a whole. 1 INTRODUCTION * Overview * Introductions * Individual objectives 2 WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR ROLE? * Before looking at new skills and techniques, where are you now? Do you have the skills, knowledge and attitude required to be an exceptional administrator? * Understand your job criteria * Identifying your strengths and areas for development * Activity - skills analysis * Activity - action plan 3 BUILDING TRUST * How can you build trust? * Understanding the links between reliability, consistency and trust * What is required to deliver efficient service? * Activity: efficient service requirements of the professional administrator 4 WORKING STYLES * Identifying your working style preference * Understanding the importance of a flexible approach * Identifying areas of improvement to become a more effective team member * Activity: Questionnaire (completing, scoring and charting) * Activity: drawbacks of my style * Developing your working style 5 ASSERTIVENESS * Understand the differences between behaviours * Activity: Definition and characteristics of assertive / aggressive / passive behaviour * Activity: Identifying different behaviours * Understanding how to be more assertive * How to use assertiveness techniques * How to ask for feedback * Activity: Making requests assertively * Activity: Refusing requests assertively 6 TIME MANAGEMENT * The importance of planning for success * The importance of managing interruptions * The importance of having clear purpose * Time management best practices * Activity: How do you plan your time? What prevents you improving your time management? How will you recognise success? 7 PRIORITISATION * How to prioritise work to meet deadlines * The prioritisation matrix * Activity: Post it! 8 DEALING WITH INTERRUPTIONS * The impact interruptions have on productivity * How to manage interruptions * Activity: What interruptions do you experience? * What tactics can be employed to reduce these interruptions? 9 CLOSE * Open forum * Summary * Action planning