professional development programme - · pdf fileprofessional and business skills project...

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Professional Development Programme

professional development

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Overview The Professional Development programme provides a broad range of development opportunities for all staff across the University.

The programme includes a range of workshops which can be attended as free-standing or linked activities. The workshops are designed to include a variety of activities, theoretical context, case studies, discussion, practical exercises and tasks to enable transfer of learning to the workplace.

The programme is arranged under two themes, Professional and Business Skills and Communication and Personal Effectiveness.

Professional and Business Skills workshops provide staff with organisational and technical skills to enhance professionalism and performance. The workshops offer a range of techniques and principles upon which effective business practices are built. These are hands-on interactive workshops and participants will have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate the skills they are developing in the areas covered.

Communication and Personal Effectiveness workshops provide staff with effective communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills that will enhance personal growth and career development. These are the essential tools to help those who want to become more effective in advancing University and Faculty or Service business objectives. The workshops include activities that are applicable to practical situations.

This programme is offered in addition to the workshops delivered through the Gateshead Public Service Academy. http://www.gatesheadpsa.co.uk/

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Professional and Business Skills

Project Management

28 November 2013, 09:00 – 12:30 6 February 2014, 09:00 – 12:30 15 April 2014, 13:30 – 17:00

OverviewThis workshop will develop your understanding of the principles of successful project management and enable you to become more confident and competent in managing a project. The workshop will include a case scenario which reflects a particular aspect of the University’s business. This is aimed at helping you apply the principles and procedures of effective project management.

OutcomesBy the end of the workshop you will have:

Applied a project lifecycle in order to break the project into manageable stages

Clearly defined the purpose of the project to avoid any ambiguity or unrealistic expectations

Confidently planned, organised and documented a project by using tools that add value to the management process

Identified and proactively managed risks to minimise the impact of any deviations from the original plan

Become more effective in monitoring and controlling tasks by working in a competent and logical manner

Used a project evaluation tool to ensure lessons are learnt and to enable continuous performance improvement

Development Portal Activities Project Planning

Project Management

Force Field Analysis

FacilitatorBill Kerr

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Presentation Skills

28 November 2013, 13:30 – 17:00 3 April 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

Overview This workshop will help you to develop your skills to deliver structured and effective presentations. The facilitator will ‘model’ many of the presentation techniques and skills to give specific demonstration on what works well. The workshop provides a learning environment where participants have the confidence to ‘have a go’; with practical presentations providing the opportunity to apply key learning points and receive constructive feedback.


Structured your presentation for maximum impact

Delivered clear and concise messages to keep the audience engaged

Applied approaches to managing the audience and staying in control

Effectively used body language and voice tone to enhance the points being made

Development Portal Activities Making Powerful Presentations

FacilitatorBill Kerr

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Effective Time Management

10 December 2013, 09:00 – 12:30 4 February 2014, 13:30 – 17:00 10 April 2014, 13:30 – 17:00

OverviewThis workshop aims to give staff the tools and techniques to achieve their goals by utilising their time more effectively. The workshop involves a mix of group work and personal reflection on your own work situation.


Explored the barriers to managing time effectively

Considered the difference between urgent and important

Used prioritisation techniques to plan your working day, balancing your own needs with those of the business

Recognised how your own drivers and working style impacts on you and others

Considered strategies for managing interruptions and time stealers

Planned your next steps

Development Portal Activities Urgent v Important

FacilitatorClare McLaughlan

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Writing for Clarity

15 November 2013, 09:30 – 16:30 14 February 2014, 09:30 – 16:30

Overview

This business writing workshop will help you develop the skills you need to produce clear, effective written communication, allowing you to work more confidently and efficiently. When you write with clarity you can improve customer service, strengthen working relationships and reduce misunderstanding and confusion. This workshop is a valuable stand-alone session. It also provides a useful foundation for the ‘Writing for Persuasion’ workshops where some of the topics introduced will be covered in greater detail.


Learned the importance of separating the planning, writing, and editing stages of your business writing – and how to do it

Written for a variety of different audiences

Practiced improving, adapting, and transforming other people’s writing for your own use

Applied the SCAMP editing checklist to make your writing as clear as possible

Been introduced to the importance of checking work for errors, the impact of tone and voice and the value in choosing the right format for your business writing

Facilitator Lydia Bates

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Writing for Persuasion - Part 1

22 January 2014, 13:30 – 17:00 7 March 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis two-part business writing workshop is particularly suitable for staff who need to write for effect, not just to inform. These workshops build upon the work covered in ‘Writing for Clarity’ but they can also be attended as stand-alone workshops if you are already confident and familiar with the earlier content. Part 1 of this workshop series focuses on the things that get in the way of persuasive writing.


Examined the formula behind all persuasive business writing

Learned how to spot barriers to communication

Identified opportunities to reduce friction in your own writing process

Explored the advantages and disadvantages of different mediums

Got to grips with proofreading tips and tricks

FacilitatorLydia Bates

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Writing for Persuasion – Part 2

5 February 2014, 09:00 – 12:30 14 March 2014, 13:00 – 16:30

OverviewThis two-part business writing workshop is particularly suitable for staff who need to write for effect, not just to inform. These workshops build upon the work covered in ‘Writing for Clarity’ but they can also be attended as stand-alone workshops if you are already confident and familiar with the earlier content. Part 2 of this workshop series focuses on the things you can do to create writing that gets results.


Understood the principles and tools of influence

Practised advanced techniques for creating Plain English

Explored the powerful effect of tone and voice

Learned about using templates for structure and speed

Understood how to take advantage of technology (mail merge, text expanders and other tools)

FacilitatorLydia Bates

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Effective Note and Minute Taking

23 January 2014, 13:30 – 17:00 3 April 2014, 13:30 – 17:00

OverviewThis workshop is aimed at staff who want to develop their skills and confidence when taking and writing effective minutes of meetings. The workshop looks at examples of minutes to draw out the characteristics of successful minute taking and writing. Learning approaches will involve small-group discussions, facilitator input and individual reflection. You will also complete an action plan to enable transfer of learning to your workplace.


Explored a range of tools and methods to record meeting content

Recognised the importance of active listening when taking minutes

Knowledge of how to present minutes in different formats

Considered the roles people hold in meetings

Understood how to respond to issues of confidentiality

A plan to prepare for a meeting as a minute-taker

FacilitatorMark Norris

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Communication and Personal Effectiveness

First Time Manager

22 November 2013, 09:30 – 16:30 3 December, 09.30 – 16:30

OverviewThis workshop is offered to individuals who are stepping into line management roles for the first time. It will focus on the key differences between being a team member and actually managing a team. It looks at the psychological transition and difference in focus and time allocation that new managers often find most challenging. The workshop will engage you in a variety of practical activities and discussions to stimulating thinking and help you make a successful transition. Participants are required to complete a short pre-workshop activity in preperation for attending the workshop.


Identified your expectations and the expectations of others with regard to your new role as a manager

Identified some of the most significant mind-set changes you will be required to make when stepping up from a team member to a team manager

Reviewed the functional, technical and leadership skills the University expects leaders and managers to demonstrate and identified development needs

Identified the shift in roles and responsibilities you will be required to make and in particular the impact this has on the way you use your time

Discussed the emotional challenges associated with the transition into a managerial role

Recognised some of the common pitfalls that await new managers and review strategies to avoid them

Created an action plan to set you up for success as a manager

Development Portal Activities Emotional Intelligence

Urgent V Important

Personal Resilience

Personal Spot Check

Bouncing Back

FacilitatorCraig Smith

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Effective Assertiveness Skills

13 December 2013, 13:00 – 16:30 6 February 2014, 13:30 – 17:00

OverviewThis workshop will provide you with a clear understanding of how to adopt assertive behaviours and build self-confidence. Practical activities ensure maximum participation and opportunities for participants to build their skills. Each topic is introduced with a short input from the facilitator who also provides feedback on how the activity has been handled. In this particular workshop a ‘suite’ of case scenarios is used to help participants apply their learning to issues of assertiveness within the context of the workplace.


An improved ability to deal with a range of situations in the workplace

Applied assertive techniques to interpersonal interactions

More confidence to speak up in groups and meeting situations

Less anxiety about things going wrong

The ability to put more energy into getting things right

Development Portal Activities Handling difficult interactions and achieving win:win

FacilitatorMark Vollans

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Increasing Self Awareness

11 December 2013, 09:30 – 16:30 20 January 2014, 09:30 – 16:30 5 March 2014, 09:30 – 16:30

OverviewThis workshop is offered to all staff whose work depends on building and maintaining effective relationships with others. It will focus on increasing self-awareness through identifying your personal preferences, values and communication styles and consider how these influence your behaviour and therefore impact on your interactions with others. Learning approaches include a variety of communication styles questionnaires, including a look at the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), practical activities and reflection/discussion groups. The workshop is a useful foundation for ‘Positive Influencing and Networking Skills’ workshop, however, it is also a valuable stand-alone session. It is suitable for staff interested in learning more about themselves and how they can apply this knowledge to enhance their communication with others.


Identified your personal preferences according to the MBTI descriptors and considered how this impacts on your interactions with others

Discussed your values and how they influence your behaviours and decisions

Considered your preferred communications styles and practised using your less favoured options to broaden your impact when interacting with others

Discussed the importance of ‘emotional intelligence’ in your interactions with others and how to develop this valuable life skill

Practised listening at a ‘deep’ level through recognising and considering non-verbal communication

Identified ways of reserving judgement and remaining receptive to alternative messages from others – even when you don’t agree with what you are hearing

Development Portal Activities Taking control of my feelings

Respecting people’s map of the world

Emotional Intelligence

FacilitatorDawn Parkin

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Positive Influencing and Networking Skills

20 November 2013, 13:30 – 17:00 29 January 2014, 09:00 – 12:30 24 March 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis workshop aims to support all staff who would like to be more influential within their role. It does this through considering the importance of managing relationships and networks, the context in which we use influencing skills and how to do this successfully. Learning approaches include a review of relevant theoretical models, practical activities and reflection/discussion groups. This workshop builds upon the foundations provided in ‘Increasing Self Awareness’ but it can also be attended as a stand-alone workshop.


Mapped out your Internal and External networks

Identified how to get the full benefits of your network through highlighting your sphere of influence

and any areas of concern

Identified your preferred influencing style and how this impacts on your relationship with others

Considered the use of language and emotions in influencing others

Discussed relevant influencing models and how they may be used to facilitate win-win outcomes

Development Portal Activities Looking glass

The necessary art of persuasion

The circle of influence


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Understanding and Managing Conflict

11th November 2013, 09:00 – 12:30 16th January 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis workshop aims to support line managers who want to understand the causes of conflict and manage effects successfully. It will focus on finding ways of managing your own emotional responses in a difficult situation and what you can do to influence positive outcomes. Learning approaches include self-reflection, discussion groups and using theoretical models in practical activities. You are asked to consider workplace conflicts and most importantly, you will be given an opportunity to discuss and explore your own situations, from having a difficult conversation with someone to identifying strategies for conflict resolution.


An increased understanding of the triggers for and causes of conflict in teams

Identified how your communication influences others around you and how you can use language to reduce levels of conflict with others

Used the Thomas and Kilmann’s model to identify and understand conflict styles

Tried out a conflict resolution tool and evaluated how this could be used in your own situation

Discussed the importance of your own behaviours in difficult situations and how to use ‘emotional intelligence’ in your interactions with others

Development Portal Activities Handling difficult interactions and achieving win:win

Emotional Intelligence

Taking control of my feelings

Managing conflict and negativity


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Managing Difficult Conversations

10 December 2013, 13:30 – 17:00 14 January 204, 13:30 – 17:00 20 February 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis workshop will provide a range of tools to support line managers in providing constructive feedback when tackling staff issues. The workshop uses a mixture of case studies and syndicate group exercises to identify and develop the skills needed to start and conduct difficult conversations in a positive and effective way.


Identified reasons why staff issues might occur

Explored what makes effective feedback

Developed emotional intelligence skills to remain in ‘adult’ mode throughout the conversation

Identified how to model assertive behaviour

Considered how to use a coaching style to start the conversation

Recognised and know how to avoid irrelevant distractions

Development Portal Activities Giving tough messages

Managing Performance

Effective Feedback skills


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Coaching and Delegation Skills

11 December 2013, 09:00 – 12:30 20 February 2014, 13:30 – 17:00 18 March 2014, 09:00 – 12:30 10 April 2014, 09:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis workshop will provide a range of tools to support line managers in developing staff to grow and improve. The workshop uses a mixture of case studies and group exercises to identify and develop the skills needed to engage, coach and develop team members.


Considered what motivates and engages team members to develop

Explored what a coaching style of management means in practice

Used the GROW model to structure the coaching conversation

Recognised opportunities for effective delegation

Development Portal Activities Influencing by understanding someone’s motivations

Empowering others through delegation

Coaching for performance


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Problem Solving Tools for Teams

12 November 2013, 13:30 – 17:00 14 January 2014, 09:00 – 12:30 18 March 2014, 13:30 – 17:00

OverviewThis workshop will provide a range of tools to support line managers in developing creative ways of solving problems and addressing challenges. The workshop is very practical and interactive and you will have the opportunity to test out the problem solving tools explored. In advance of attending the workshop you will be asked to complete a task relating to a workplace challenge which you can work on during the workshop. This could relate to improvements in service, operational processes or identifying opportunities to improve efficiency or effectiveness of team tasks.


Explored a range of practical problem solving tools

Had the opportunity to apply these tools to workplace issues

Considered how and when to use an evaluation matrix

Identified potential opportunities for using action learning sets within the team

Development Portal Activities Decision Trees

Thinking Creatively to generate solutions

Creative thinking tools

Diagnosing the cause


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Managing Team Communication

20 November 2013, 13:30 – 17:00 23 January 2014, 9:00 – 12:30

OverviewThis workshop aims to support line managers in improving communication across their team or department. Communication is considered in various formats, such as team meetings, one-to-ones, team briefings and the use of e-media tools. You are invited to reflect on what needs to be communicated and what gets in the way of effective communication in any of these formats. The principal focus of the workshop is to explore how communication can be managed effectively to ensure the team’s work activities meet their department’s and the university’s objectives. Learning approaches include practical activities and reflection/discussion groups. You will also complete an action plan to enable transfer of learning to your workplace.


Identified what needs to be communicated to team members and how

Reviewed typical blockages to effective team communication and ways to overcome these

Explored how to give an effective team briefing and lead an effective team meeting

Explored how to have an effective one-to-one discussion

Discussed how e-media tools could be used to enhance team communication.

Development Portal Activities Choosing communication channels

How to facilitate a group interaction

Engaging the Team in Key Decisions

Collaborative Team Working

FacilitatorMark Norris

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Facilitators

Lydia Bates, Aware Plus LtdLydia Bates is a specialist trainer in written and interpersonal communication skills. Her lively sessions combine research-backed theory with front-line practical experience - drawn from a career that has seen her advise the clergy, handle complaints in a call centre, manage a busy bar, charm the media, co-ordinate ‘special projects’ for a university, and run a commercial art gallery.

Bill Kerr, ABA ConsultingBill Kerr, has over 20 years in depth experience in management and leadership development for some leading public sector clients including English Heritage, Natural England and various City Councils. Bill has also worked on significant projects with the University of Essex, Lancaster University and Sheffield University and with the Action Learning Trust. In the commercial sector he has worked as a lead consultant for the John Lewis Partnership. Bill is qualified to use a suite of occupational tests and profiling tools and his expertise is based on high level analytical skills, combined with innovative approaches to people development and learning.

Clare McLaughlan, Rosemount LtdClare McLaughlan has over 20 years’ experience in Organisational Development and Human Resource roles. She has worked with a range of public and private sector clients, focusing specifically within the Higher Education sector. She graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a Law LLB degree and has held a number of roles up to HR Director level. For the past 11 years she has worked as a freelance consultant. Clare has also been as associate lecturer for the Open University, teaching on the postgraduate certificate in management and the undergraduate business studies degree. She holds an MBA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Mark Norris AssociatesMark Norris has extensive experience of HR and Development work. Mark’s roles have included Head of Human Resource Development and Client Services Director, so he has a rare combination of HR and genuine operational experience over the last 25 years. He has been involved in the design and delivery of interpersonal skills and leadership development workshops as well as producing a range of HR documentation. Mark is also an experienced facilitator of focus groups and writer of Employee Opinion Surveys and 360° surveys, as well as a capable actor and experienced role player.

Dawn Parkin Solutions LtdDawn Parkin is a qualified and experienced development professional. Since starting her own business in 2009, Dawn has gained extensive experience of working with private and public sector organisations. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), an NLP Master Practitioner and is BPS Level B trained in psychometric testing (trained in MBTI, 16PF,TLQ). When training, she believes in creating the space and the opportunity for delegates to increase their understanding and confidence of the topic area through using a mix of participative approaches.

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Craig Smith, Flint ConsultingCraig is the Director of Flint Consulting, he has extensive experience of working within the private and public sector and is a Full Member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Before founding Flint Consulting (originally as Handmade Learning) in 2007, Craig worked for PepsiCo, Royal Mail and Northumbrian Water in operational and HR roles. As well as possessing an MBA, Craig is an experienced consultant, facilitator and trainer and has worked with some of the world’s foremost thought leaders in the field of change and organisational development. Craig has a number of recognised qualifications in this field and is a certified facilitator MTBI (Step 1 and 2), DiSC and Change Style Indicator (CSI).

Mark Vollans, ABA ConsultingMark Vollans has a wide range of experience and a strong background in experiential learning. He has designed and delivered people development workshops on a variety of topics using a range of approaches. Mark is a member of the International Federation of Action Learning. He has extensive experience of facilitating teambuilding events for senior teams and works as a coach for leaders in the public and private sectors.

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How to Book and Contact Details It is important to discuss your development needs with your line manager prior to booking on to a workshop.

To book a place or to request further information on any of these workshops please email [email protected] or call 0191 227 4110.

To speak to a member of the People Development Team please contact:

Denise Swann, People Development Manager [email protected] 0191 227 4988

or Clare Kenny, People Development Administrator [email protected] 0191 227 4405

Further information about other events offered through People Development can be found on the website www.northumbria.ac.uk/staffdevelopment

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