Some of our "standard" courses are listed below, but please don't hesitate to ask if you have particular needs. These courses are endorsed by the Institute of Learning and Management and candidates who attend and successfully complete assessment receive an:
"Endorsed by ILM Award"
The courses are also available without assessment and delegates will then receive a Certificate of Attendance from Business Works
Assertive Communication Skills Award
Personal Planning and Time Management Award
Motivation and Communication Skills Award
Presentations and Meetings Skills Award
Training and Developing People Award
Business Planning Skills Award
Financial Management Skills Award
Assertive Communication Skills Award
2 day course:
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Communication: Identifying, assessing and improving communication styles and behaviours in the workplace.
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Identify assertive behaviour
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Develop improved communication through assertiveness
Assessment by presenting a Work Based case study of reflective learning showing adopting assertive behaviour has led to increased effectiveness in communication. Between 800-1000 words to be submitted within 1 month of course
Personal Planning and Time Management Award
2 day course:
Personal Planning:
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Develop disciplined approach to planning and assess priorities and risks
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Implement planned monitoring system for key activities
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Minimise effects of unplanned events
Time Management
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Assessing current use of time and making effective use of time
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Priorities and realistic planning
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Reducing time wastage
Assessment by presenting a Work Based case study of reflective learning showing how personal planning and time management has increased personal efficiency and effectiveness. Between 800-1000 words to be submitted within 1 month of course
2 x half day course:
Session 1: Understanding Stress
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Background research and physiology of stress
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Key theories, Hans Seyle; Walter Cannon; Richard Lazarus
Session 2: Identify Your Stress Points
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Schedule of Recent Experience (SRE)
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Stress Diary
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Stress SWOT analysis
Session 3: Managing Personal Stress
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Analysis of diary
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Prioritising stress issues
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Job and Activity logs and time value
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Role of assertiveness in stress management
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Using negotiation to reduce stress
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Anticipating stress and planning performance
Pre course /Intermediated Course Work and Assessment
The maintenance of a stress diary over 10 -14 days can either be carried out prior to attending course or as an activity between sessions 2 and 3. The second part of the Assessment is based on submission of a Reflective Diary of 500 words indicating how use of stress management techniques can reduce personal stress
Motivation and Communication Skills Award
3 day course.
Part 1: Communications in workplace - Course Objectives:
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Identifying, assessing and improving communication styles and behaviours in the workplace
Part 2: Achieving through People - Course Objectives:
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Identify skills needed to get best from people, assess personal style and effectiveness and produce personal action plan to improve these skills
Part 3: Management and Motivation – Course Objectives
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Improving communications skills ,setting realistic targets and motivating self and those for whom responsible
Assessment by presenting a Work Based case study of reflective learning within 3 months of course. Personal Learning outcomes to be clarified. Between 800-1000 words
2 day course of 2 x 6 hour modules which can be delivered in 4 x 3 hour sessions.
Part 1: Course Objectives:
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Preparing a case for negotiation
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Presenting the case
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Handling the bargain and getting agreement
Part 2: Course Objectives:
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Recognising the importance of verbal and non verbal messages
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Planning a negotiation by objective setting, strategy setting and being able to handle conflict
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Practicing negotiation skills
Assessment by presenting a Work Based case study of actual negotiation recording setting objectives, planning negotiation. Personal Learning outcomes to be clarified. Between 800-1000 words.
Presentations and Meetings Skills Award
2 day course.
Part 1: Achieving through Meetings - Course Objectives:
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Run meetings effectively and achieve results
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Plan meetings to maximise actions
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Encourage better communication during meetings
Part 2: Presentation Skills - Course Objectives:
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Self assessment analysis
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Planning and structuring presentation using candidates own material
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Practising presentations and receiving feedback
Assessment during course of presentation using materials prepared prior to course.
Training and Developing People Award
1 day course of 7 hours plus work based assignment to produce staff development plan with background business rationale
Course Objectives:
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Review and assess staff skills and performance
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Produce training and development plan
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Determine what provides effective training and development programme
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Evaluate training against relevant criteria
Assessment by presenting a Work Based Plan for staff development. Where this is not possible a case study will be provided. Between 800-1000 words
This 1 -day introduction to coaching provides a taster programme and CPD (Continual Professional Development) event for anyone interested in coaching. This is a practical course that both explains and demonstrates the key skills and competencies to enable the start of your coaching career. The course is certificated by Business Works and is not an ILM endorsed award. It covers:
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Understanding Coaching
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Who needs coaching?
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What makes a Professional Coach - The Key Skills and Competencies
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Coaching Models
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Powerful Goal Setting
The course provides a solid platform to anyone starting out coaching and wishing to develop their skills, capabilities and confidence in the coaching process.
Aim and Objective
Aimed at those who wish to train in LIFE COACHING The course is focused entirely at Coaching Skills and is ideal for anyone wanting to provide Life Coaching. We provide another short course for those who wish to learn business skills (certificated by Institute of Leadership and Management).
Programme Structure
The course requires a completion of 25 guided learning hours. This includes 22 hours of workshops and seminars plus 3 hours of personal coaching. (If the course in taken on the non ILM endorsed route it consists of the workshop sessions only and there is no assessment)
Assessment
The assessment requires completion of 3 separate tasks:
§ Submission of short written responses to each workshop segment
§ A critical book review from a list of books provided.
§ Completion of a coaching diary which will require each candidate to carry out a minimum of 6 coaching sessions each lasting between 45 – 60 minutes.
Candidates can therefore expect a learning time of 45 – 50 hours split between supported home based study and attending the workshops and seminars
The workshops and seminars consist of 11 segments:
Business Planning Skills Award
2 -3 day course (depending on experience) plus assessment of business plan
Day 1 (optional)
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Identifying where the business (unit) is, possible future options and starting the planning process with immediate priorities
Day 2 and 3
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Developing the Strategy: SWOT/ PEST/ CLIP analysis,
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Planning models (Argenti, Y frame model)
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Mintzbergs 5 “P”s, Product Life Cycle, BCG Matrix, Porters 5 Forces
Assessment by presenting a Work Based Business Plan. Where this is not possible a case study will be provided. Between 2500 – 3000 words
Financial Management Skills Award
2 -3 day course (depending on experience) plus assessment of work based assignment showing reflective learning of how a better understanding of accounts enhances the ability to manage the business
Day 1 (optional): Financial Management for Beginners
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Analysis of strength/weaknesses of current financial systems, understanding terminology and financial control techniques
Day 2 Forecasting for Profit
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Product costs, estimate of net profits and control of changes in financial planning
Day 3 Accounts as a Management Tool
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Profit & Loss account and balance sheet to manage business.
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Account analysis, asset decisions & ratio analysis to measure performance
Assessment by presenting a Work Based case study of reflective learning showing how better financial planning could improve business performance. Where this is not possible a case study will be provided. Between 800-1000 words
A 1 day course that takes participants through the fundamental principles of marketing. Included in the course are sections on being customer focused, market segmentation, market research, developing a competitive edge, product life cycle, principles of pricing and planning a promotional campaign.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Define marketing
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Undertake a SWOT analysis of their own businesses from a marketing view point
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Prepare an outline marketing plan
Assessment by presenting a Marketing Plan for their business (unit). Where this is not possible a case study will be provided. Between 1200 - 1500 words.