Workshops

The Change Conversation™

Organizations across industry sectors are operating against a background of constant and major change both globally and competitively. Each year, businesses invest a huge amount of money, time and energy on change in order to respond to this, to improve business performance, to support business growth and because businesses recognize that what has got them this far won’t necessarily get them to where they want to be.

This is the first the first in the series of 3 x 1 day workshops relating to change in organizations. It explores the drivers and nature of change and transformation, how it impacts organizations and how organizations can successfully respond. These are the themes and topics about change that every organization, leader and manager of change should understand before they begin to shape, design, plan and deliver change.

• The dimensions and nature of change, and the life cycle of change
• Those critical themes and activities which will support successful change
• Some simple models of and approaches to change, and how these might be used to structure change within their organizations
• The range of hard and soft skills needed to support change, and the importance of culture and values
• How to develop their organization’s in-house capacity and capability for change
• How to develop the next steps their organization needs to take to begin the change process.

Shaping, Scoping and Designing Change

This is the second in the series of 3 x 1 day workshop relating to change in organizations, following on from The Change Conversation™.

This workshop explores aspects of shaping, scoping and designing change relevant to the organization, ready to deliver. As such, it is a highly interactive programme and delegates are expected to bring their questions, stories, issues and challenges to be discussed to enable them to plan the next steps. Chatham House rules apply to this programme to enable delegates to share and discuss their issues and challenges in confidence.

• Shape, scope and design good change which will land well within the organization
• Issues and challenges which need to be considered to shape, scope and design relevant change
• The importance of stakeholders in this process and how to gain their support
• Simple models of and approaches to shaping, scoping and designing change, and how these might be used to structure change within your organization
• Develop the next steps the organization needs to take to begin shaping, scoping and designing change.

Implementing Change

This is the third in the series of 3 x 1 day courses relating to change in organizations. It follows on from The Change Conversation™ and Shaping, Scoping and Designing Change.

This workshop explores aspects of planning and delivering sustainable change. As such, it is a highly interactive programme and delegates are expected to bring their questions, stories, issues and challenges to be discussed to enable them to plan the next steps. Chatham House rules apply to this programme to enable delegates to share and discuss their issues and challenges in confidence.

• Plan and deliver change which lands well within the organization, embeds well and is sustainable
• Issues and challenges which need to be considered in relation to planning and delivering change
• How to understand any impact on “business-as-usual”
• Simple models of and approaches to planning and delivering successful change
• Which personal and organizational competencies, behaviours and skills to develop for success.

Project Leadership

Exceptionally well-received by industry leaders and practitioners alike, Project Leadership 3rd edition sets the standard for project leadership across industry sectors. Co-authors Sarah Coleman and Donnie MacNicol are currently developing a programme to bring the experience, models, tools and techniques featured in the book to organizations and to existing and aspiring project leaders.

Please do get in contact to discuss and understand more.

Project Sponsorship

Many businesses give considerable thought, investment and effort towards the professionalism of their project management community, and to determining and developing project management processes which are operationally “fit for purpose”. However, this is not always true for the development of project sponsors and the clarification of the sponsor role. Often, the sponsor role is very unclear as are the appropriate levels of authority and responsibility, and the personal attributes, behaviours and capabilities needed. Often directors or senior managers who have the authority to initiate and sponsor business critical projects do not understand their ongoing responsibilities in relation to sponsorship.

• Project sponsorship and the role of the Project Sponsor
• Models of Project Sponsorship for organizations
• The critical relationship between the Project Sponsor and the Project Manager
• Measuring the “success” of the sponsorship role
• Building organizational capability for the Project Sponsor role
• Personal competencies, behaviours and skills to develop and plan for success.

Introduction to Organizational Project Management

Organizations across sectors are increasingly using projects to support diverse work ranging from software development and new product launches, to office moves and business change initiatives. The phrase “right projects, done right” is now a familiar refrain and means that projects should be aligned with organizational strategy, and carried out correctly. This workshop explores what project management is, how it can benefit organizations, how to run projects successfully and how organizations can build capacity and capability for project management so adding value.

• Project management and how it is used in organizations
• The skills, capabilities and behaviours of the successful full-time/part-time/accidental project manager
• Key phases of the project life cycle
• The range of project management tools, methodologies, qualifications and accreditations available
• Why projects succeed or fail
• ​Establishing and developing in-house project management capability.

​"I thought this was an excellent session.  Very comprehensive and full of practical advice to take back to the business."
CIMA Workshop, Glasgow

Organizational Communication Strategies

Communication is one of the most important areas for individuals and organizations, but one which is often not done well. Good communication encourages understanding, support and commitment; it enhances conversations, collaboration and knowledge sharing across organizations and with external stakeholders. How can you shape and deliver good communication which is adding value to the business?

• Internal and external communication providing value
• Different facets of “good communication”
• Shaping and delivering the relevant messages
• 3Ms: the message, the media and the measurement
• Relevant and appropriate communications strategy and tactical plans.

Effective Chairing

Being a full-time, part-time or accidental Chair can be daunting. The skills needed for effective chairing are many and varied, and ensuring a group of different personalities discuss issues constructively and make appropriate decisions requires a range of capabilities and strategies to tackle common problems which can derail a meeting and impair the decision-making process.

• The effective Chair
• Pre-meeting, meeting and post-meeting activities
• Group dynamics and interpersonal skills
• Listening, questioning and summarizing techniques
• Developing the team
• Personal impact as Chair
• Personal competencies, behaviours and skills to develop and plan for success.